Do I Need a Background Check?
Non-Negotiable Screening for Public Trust
In the world of real estate, trust and integrity are paramount. Brokers are entrusted with clients’ finances, personal information, and access to their homes. Because of this high level of public responsibility, the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) requires a strict screening process. Do all NC real estate license applicants need a background check?
The answer is an emphatic YES. Every single individual applying for a North Carolina Real Estate Broker License must submit a comprehensive criminal background report. This is a non-negotiable step that occurs before you are granted eligibility to take the state exam.
The Background Check Requirement and Scope
The NCREC mandates this process to satisfy its “Character and Fitness” review. The report serves two main purposes:
- Identity Verification: It confirms the applicant’s identity, aliases, and residency history (for the last seven years) using their Social Security Number.
- Criminal History Review: It details any felony or misdemeanor convictions, including serious traffic offenses like Driving While Impaired (DWI), across all states and countries where the applicant has resided.
Crucial Detail: The NCREC only accepts reports from its exclusive approved third-party vendor, which is currently Criminal Record Check.com (CRC). Reports from other sources (like a local police department or other online service) will be rejected, forcing you to pay for and order a new one.
Timing is Everything: When and How to Order
The background check must be strategically timed:
- Timing: The criminal record report must be dated no more than six months prior to the date you file your official license application.
- The Process: You must pay for and order this report directly from the NCREC’s approved vendor. Once completed, the vendor transmits the report directly to the NCREC, where it is attached to your application file for review.
Failure to properly order and pay for the report, or submitting a report that is too old, will halt your application process immediately. Remember, full disclosure of any criminal history on your application is essential; the NCREC will compare your disclosures against the findings in the background report.
Key Takeaway
A criminal background check is mandatory for all NC Real Estate Broker License applicants. You must order it from the NCREC’s approved vendor (CRC) within six months of applying to ensure the NCREC can proceed with its Character and Fitness Review and grant you exam eligibility.