Beyond Full Broker Status
The role of Broker-in-Charge (BIC) represents the highest level of responsibility in North Carolina real estate brokerage. The BIC isn’t just a manager; they are the supervisory licensee accountable to the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) for the entire office’s compliance, from trust accounting to provisional broker supervision. What specific requirements must a broker meet to earn the BIC designation?
The path to becoming a BIC is a multi-step process that demands experience, specialized training, and a flawless license record.
The Four Non-Negotiable BIC Requirements
A broker must satisfy all of the following requirements, which are designed to ensure competence and integrity at the leadership level:
- Hold a “Full” Broker License: You must first be a “Full Broker,” meaning you have removed the Provisional status by successfully completing the entire 90-hour Post-Licensing education program within the mandated 18-month deadline.
- Acquire Brokerage Experience: You must demonstrate a substantial history of successfully practicing real estate. This requires documenting either:
- Two years of full-time brokerage experience within the previous five years, OR
- Four years of part-time brokerage experience within the previous five years.
- Complete the BIC Course: You must complete the specialized 12-hour Broker-in-Charge Course (BIC Course). This is a focused curriculum on rules, supervision, and trust account management. This course must be completed no earlier than one year prior to, and no later than 120 days after, receiving the BIC designation.
- Formal Request for Designation: You must submit the Request for BIC Eligible Status and/or Designation (Form REC 2.25) to the NCREC, confirming you meet all prerequisites and are requesting the status for a specific office.
Maintaining BIC Status
Once you are a designated BIC, the maintenance requirements are heightened:
- Annual CE: You must take the Broker-in-Charge Update (BICUP) course (4 hours) instead of the General Update course each year, in addition to your 4-hour elective.
- Trust Account Course: If the office handles client funds (Earnest Money, Security Deposits), the BIC must complete the NCREC’s Basic Trust Account Procedures Course within 120 days of assuming the account.
Key Takeaway
Achieving Broker-in-Charge (BIC) status in NC requires a Full Broker License, proof of significant brokerage experience (2 years full-time or 4 years part-time), and completion of the mandatory 12-hour BIC Course. This designation carries a legal mandate to supervise Provisional Brokers and manage office compliance.