Act Fast to Preserve Your Eligibility
Congratulations! You’ve passed the marathon 75-hour Broker Pre-Licensing Course and the school’s challenging final exam. Now you have a completion certificate and a burning desire to start your career. What is the first, crucial step after passing the pre-licensing course in North Carolina?
The next phase is an administrative sprint, managed entirely by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC). The first step isn’t studying for the state exam—it’s applying for your license and triggering the background review.
Step 1: The Online Application and Fee
As soon as your school reports your successful course completion to the NCREC (which usually takes a day or two), you should submit your official Broker License Application online via the NCREC website.
- Cost: You must pay the initial $100 application fee at this time.
- Disclosure: This is where you formally disclose all criminal convictions, disciplinary actions, and outstanding financial judgments for the Commission’s Character and Fitness Review.
Step 2: Order the Mandatory Background Check
Simultaneously with Step 1, you must order your criminal background report from the NCREC’s approved vendor (as detailed in the previous FAQ). The report is essential for the NCREC to process your application fully. Since you control the ordering of the report, doing this immediately ensures the quickest review time.
Step 3: Receive the Notice of Exam Eligibility
The NCREC will review your completed application, your application fee, and the criminal background report. If all components are satisfactory (and there are no significant character issues requiring further review), the Commission will send you a Notice of Examination Eligibility.
This notice is the golden ticket. Once you receive it, your 180-day eligibility period to pass the state licensing exam begins! Only after receiving this notice can you contact the exam administrator (PSI) to schedule your test date.
Key Takeaway
The first step after passing the 75-hour course is to immediately submit your online application and pay the $100 fee to the NCREC, while simultaneously ordering the mandatory criminal background check. These steps start the clock on your 180-day exam eligibility window.