A-Ha! Real Estate Academy

To be eligible for a real estate license in North Carolina, you must:

1. Be at least 18 years old.
2. Be a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien under federal law.
3. Possess a Social Security Number.
4. Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
5. Complete the required 75-hour pre-licensing education course.
6. Pass the North Carolina real estate licensing exam.

The time required depends on individual pace and scheduling availability. Generally, completing the 75-hour pre-licensing course takes about 6-8 weeks, though accelerated options may allow for faster completion. Afterward, students typically schedule their licensing exam, which may add a few more weeks. On average, most students can complete the process within 2-4 months.

The pre-licensing course is a 75-hour state-required educational program covering essential real estate principles, North Carolina-specific laws, real estate finance, property management, and brokerage practices. This course is designed to prepare candidates for the licensing exam and the responsibilities of a real estate broker.

Yes! in fact, A-Ha! Real Estate Academy offers online pre-licensing courses for flexibility. Online courses provide the same curriculum as in-person classes, allowing students to study at their own pace. 

The North Carolina real estate exam has two parts:

1. National Section – covering general real estate principles.
2. State Section – focused on North Carolina-specific laws and practices.

To prepare:

• Review all course materials.
• Consider enrolling in a real estate exam prep course.
• Take practice exams to assess your knowledge and timing.

A passing score is 75% or higher for both sections.

If you don’t pass the exam on the first attempt, you can retake it. There’s no limit to the number of times you can retake the exam, but you must pay the exam fee each time. Use any exam results and feedback to identify areas for improvement before your next attempt.

After passing the exam, your license is considered “inactive.” To activate it, you must affiliate with a North Carolina-licensed real estate firm and submit an activation form to the NCREC. Until you activate your license, you’re unable to conduct real estate transactions.

A North Carolina real estate license opens doors to various roles, including:

• Residential real estate sales agent
• Commercial real estate broker
• Property manager
• Real estate appraiser
• Real estate investor or developer