Resuming Your Brokerage Career
If you’ve taken a break from real estate, your license is likely on Inactive Status. While an inactive license is current, it legally prohibits you from engaging in any brokerage activities for compensation. Can you switch your NC license from Inactive status back to Active, and what steps are required?
Yes, you can reactivate your license, but the exact steps required by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) depend on the reason for your inactive status and how long your license has been inactive.
The Simple Path: No Continuing Education (CE) Deficiency
If your license is Inactive simply because you requested it or because you are a Provisional Broker (PB) who never affiliated with a firm, and you have no CE deficiency, the process is straightforward:
- Affiliate with a Broker-in-Charge (BIC): As a PB, you must secure supervision. As a “Full” Broker (non-provisional), you can either affiliate with a BIC or request to remain unaffiliated (if you don’t hold client funds).
- Submit Form REC 2.08: Complete and submit the License Activation and Broker Affiliation (Form REC 2.08) to the NCREC.
Upon submission of this form, your license is considered Active (assuming no other deficiencies), and you can legally resume practice.
The Complex Path: Reactivation with a CE Deficiency
If your license is Inactive due to failing to complete your 8 hours of annual Continuing Education (CE), the process involves making up the missed hours:
| Inactive Period | Requirements to Reactivate |
| Less than 2 Years | Complete the current year’s 8 hours of CE (Update + Elective) AND complete any CE hours missed in the previous year(s). |
| More than 2 Years | Complete the current year’s 8 hours of CE AND successfully complete two 30-hour Post-Licensing courses (within 6 months of applying). |
| More than 3 Years | You may be required to complete the 75-hour Pre-Licensing course again and pass the state licensing exam. |
PB Note: If you are a Provisional Broker and the license is Inactive because you failed to complete the 90 hours of Post-Licensing within 18 months, you must complete the remaining Post-Licensing courses before you can reactivate.
Key Takeaway
An Inactive NC Real Estate License can be moved back to Active Status by submitting Form REC 2.08 and affiliating with a BIC (for PBs). If a Continuing Education (CE) deficiency exists, the broker must complete all missed CE hours, which may include taking Post-Licensing courses or the 75-hour Pre-Licensing course depending on the length of inactivity.