Exam Integrity and Proctoring
The shift to remote learning has made online courses the standard for the 75-hour Pre-Licensing requirement. However, the final test of competency remains rigidly traditional. Can a candidate take the North Carolina Real Estate Licensing Exam online with a virtual proctor?
The answer is NO. The North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) mandates that the official licensing examination must be taken in person at an approved testing center.
The Security and Integrity Mandate
The NCREC partners with a testing service, currently Pearson VUE, to administer the exam at designated test centers across North Carolina (and select locations nationwide). This strict in-person requirement is upheld for several critical reasons:
- Security: In-person testing centers employ strict security protocols, including biometric identification, personal searches, and constant video proctoring, to eliminate the risk of cheating.
- Identity Verification: It ensures the person taking the test is the applicant whose background check and application were approved by the NCREC.
- Compliance: The integrity of the licensing process, which is designed to protect the public, is maintained by this rigorous, controlled environment.
Contrast: The End-of-Course Exam vs. The State Exam
It’s important not to confuse the two final tests in the process:
- Pre-Licensing Course Final Exam: This exam, required by your school, CAN typically be taken online using a virtual proctoring service (e.g., ProctorU).
- State Licensing Exam (PSI/Pearson VUE): This exam, required by the NCREC to issue your Provisional Broker License, MUST be taken in person at an official test center.
What to Bring: On exam day, you must bring two forms of valid, signature-bearing ID and may only bring a non-programmable calculator into the testing room.
Key Takeaway
The NC Real Estate Licensing Exam cannot be taken online; it must be taken in person at an approved Pearson VUE testing center to maintain security and integrity. While your 75-hour course final may be virtually proctored, the final NCREC license exam requires physical attendance.