Two Tests in One
The North Carolina Real Estate Licensing Exam is the final, high-stakes barrier between you and your Provisional Broker license. This comprehensive exam is not one test, but two distinct sections taken sequentially at a state-approved testing center. You must pass both sections to earn your license.
How many questions are on the NC Real Estate Licensing Exam? The total number of scored questions is 120, plus a small handful of unscored “pre-test” questions.
Part 1: The National Section (General Real Estate Principles)
The National section tests your knowledge of general real estate concepts that apply across the United States.
- Total Scored Questions: 80 multiple-choice questions.
- Time Allotted: 120 minutes (2 hours).
- Passing Score: You must correctly answer at least 57 questions (approx. 71%).
This section covers broad areas such as property ownership, contracts, financing, valuation, and federal law (like Fair Housing).
Part 2: The State Section (North Carolina Law and Rules)
The State section is often considered the more challenging part for students, as it focuses intensely on the specific statutes and regulations enforced by the NCREC.
- Total Scored Questions: 40 multiple-choice questions.
- Time Allotted: 90 minutes (1.5 hours).
- Passing Score: You must correctly answer at least 29 questions (approx. 72.5%).
Topics here include NC License Law, Commission Rules, agency disclosure requirements specific to NC, and authorized contract forms.
Total Exam Details
- Overall Length: 120 scored questions (plus unscored items).
- Total Time: 3.5 hours.
- The Crucial Rule: You must pass both sections within the 180-day eligibility period that begins after your application is approved. If you pass only one section, you can retake the failed section. If you fail both sections, you must retake both.
Key Takeaway
The NC Real Estate Licensing Exam contains 120 scored questions (80 National, 40 State) over 3.5 hours. Success requires a strong score in both sections (57/80 and 29/40, respectively). Focus your studying on mastering both general real estate principles and the specific NC License Law.