Your Entry-Level License Status
If you are a newly licensed individual in North Carolina, your entry-level credential is a Provisional Broker (PB) license. This status is often misunderstood, but it’s the legal foundation of your new career. What exactly is a Provisional Broker, and what are the limitations and requirements of this status?
The Provisional Broker is a fully licensed broker who is placed on provisional status pending the completion of advanced, post-licensure training. Think of it as a mandatory, protected apprenticeship period designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world practice.
The Two Non-Negotiable Requirements of a PB
A Provisional Broker license comes with two critical, non-negotiable legal mandates enforced by the NCREC:
- Mandatory Supervision (Active Status): To legally maintain an Active license status and practice real estate, a PB must be constantly supervised by a qualified Broker-in-Charge (BIC). The BIC is legally responsible for the PB’s compliance with the NC Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules. A PB can generally only work under one BIC at a time.
- Mandatory Post-Licensing Education: To remove the Provisional status and become a “Full Broker” (non-provisional), the PB must successfully complete the 90-hour Post-Licensing education program.
The Path to “Full Broker” (Removal of Provisional Status)
The goal of every Provisional Broker should be to remove the provisional status as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
- Requirement: Complete three 30-hour Post-Licensing courses (totaling 90 hours). These courses cover advanced topics like Broker Relationships, Contracts and Closings, and NC Law Updates.
- Deadline: All 90 hours must be completed within 18 months of your initial licensure date.
- Consequence of Failure: If you fail to complete the 90 hours within the 18-month deadline, your Provisional Broker license will automatically revert to Inactive status, and you will be prohibited from practicing until the deficit is corrected (which may require retaking expired courses).
Once the 90 hours are completed, your license is automatically converted to the status of a “Full Broker.” This status allows you to practice independently without mandatory BIC supervision, though the vast majority of brokers continue to affiliate with a firm for resources.
Key Takeaway
The Provisional Broker (PB) is the entry-level NC license and requires mandatory BIC supervision to be Active. To remove the Provisional status and become a “Full Broker,” the licensee must complete 90 hours of Post-Licensing education within the strict 18-month deadline.