What is the Minimum Age to Get a Real Estate License in NC?

By KW Asheville • November 4, 2025

Legal Adult, Licensed Broker: The Minimum Age Requirement for an NC Real Estate License

 

The First Requirement on the Checklist

For many young professionals eager to enter the lucrative world of real estate, the first hard rule they encounter is the age restriction. When planning your timeline to become an agent, you must ask: What is the minimum age to get a real estate license in North Carolina?

The North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) adheres strictly to the rule of legal adulthood. The minimum age required to apply for and receive a Provisional Broker License in North Carolina is 18 years old.

 

The 18-Year-Old Threshold

This requirement is rooted in the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts. Since real estate brokerage involves advising clients on and executing legally binding documents, the state requires licensees to be legal adults.

  • Can I start the course earlier? Yes! This is a fantastic way to get a head start. You can legally enroll in and successfully complete the mandatory 75-hour Broker Pre-Licensing Course while you are still 17 years old.

  • The Waiting Game: While you can finish the course and pass the school’s final exam at 17, you cannot submit your official license application to the NCREC, order your criminal background check, or sit for the two-part state licensing exam until the day you turn 18. The Commission must verify your age before granting the Notice of Examination Eligibility.

Why Starting Early is a Smart Strategy

For those turning 18 soon, starting the 75-hour course early offers a distinct competitive advantage:

  1. Time Management: The 75 hours of coursework is the most time-consuming step. By completing it before your 18th birthday, you can celebrate your legal adulthood by immediately moving on to the state application and scheduling your exam.

  2. Focus: You can dedicate your full attention to mastering the material—which includes complex topics like property law and real estate math—without the pressure of the application deadline looming.

 

Key Takeaway

The minimum age to get a North Carolina Real Estate Broker License is 18 years old. However, aspiring brokers can and should begin the 75-hour Pre-Licensing Course at age 17 to expedite the process and be ready to take the NCREC exam immediately upon turning 18.