If I move out of NC, what happens to my license?
Life changes, and brokers often move to a neighboring state (like South Carolina, Virginia, or Tennessee). A common question is: If I move out of North Carolina, can I keep my NC real estate license, and what are the compliance changes?
Yes, you can absolutely maintain your active North Carolina real estate license, but your status changes from a Resident Broker to a Non-Resident Broker, which triggers specific rules with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC).
Key Requirement: Designate the Commission as Agent for Service
The most critical legal change is found in NC General Statute § 93A-6(a)(9). When you move out of state, you must file a form with the NCREC, designating the Executive Director of the Commission as your agent for service of process.
- What this means: If you are sued in North Carolina related to a brokerage transaction, the lawsuit can be served to the NCREC on your behalf. This ensures that the NCREC can maintain jurisdiction over you for any disciplinary matters.
- The Consequence of Failure: Failure to designate the NCREC as your agent for service is grounds for disciplinary action against your license.
Affiliation and Education Requirements
- Affiliation: If you want to remain on Active Status to earn commissions in NC, you must continue to be supervised by a valid Broker-in-Charge (BIC) in North Carolina.
- Continuing Education (CE): You must still comply with the standard NC requirement: 8 hours of CE (the Update course + 1 elective) by June 10th each year.
- Post-Licensing (for PBs): If you are still a Provisional Broker (PB), you must complete the 90 hours of Post-Licensing within 18 months of licensure, regardless of where you live.
The Limited Nonresident Commercial Broker License
If you only plan to engage in commercial transactions in North Carolina, you may pursue a Limited Nonresident Commercial Broker License. This requires you to be actively licensed in your home state and to enter into a formal Brokerage Cooperation Agreement with a resident North Carolina broker for every single transaction. This status does not allow you to conduct residential sales.
Key Takeaway
An NC Broker who moves out of state becomes a Non-Resident Broker but must maintain their license by continuing to meet the 8-hour CE requirement and, most importantly, by designating the NCREC Executive Director as their agent for service of process for legal jurisdiction.