Can I Collect Commission With My Inactive North Carolina Real Estate License?

Real estate agents in North Carolina often wonder what happens to their income potential when their license becomes inactive. Whether an agent is stepping back from production, taking time off, or transitioning careers, the most common question is: Can you still earn commission with an inactive North Carolina real estate license?

The short answer is no—but there are important details and alternative options that allow you to keep earning real estate income without returning to traditional sales, paying MLS dues, or joining the local REALTOR® board.

This article breaks down what an inactive license means, why you cannot earn commission under that status, and how thousands of agents continue earning referral income by keeping their license active in a cost-effective way.

Understanding an Inactive North Carolina Real Estate License

(Keyword: inactive North Carolina real estate license commission)

When your license is inactive in North Carolina, it means you are not legally authorized to perform brokerage activities or receive compensation tied to a real estate transaction. The North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) requires all income-earning real estate activity—including referral fees—to be done under an active license status.

An inactive license may occur for reasons such as:

• Missing CE requirements

• Voluntarily deactivating your license

• Leaving a brokerage without affiliating under a new BIC

• Letting your license lapse unintentionally

Once inactive, you cannot legally:

• Represent buyers or sellers

• Participate in real estate transactions

• Collect commission

• Earn referral fees of any kind

Many agents are surprised to learn that even referral income is prohibited while inactive.

Why an Inactive License Cannot Earn Real Estate Commission

Under NCREC rules, commission can only be paid to a licensee in active status under a supervising broker-in-charge. Any form of compensation—whether from a sale, listing, lease, or referral—requires an active license.

Key takeaways:

• Referral fees are considered brokerage compensation.

• Commission cannot be paid to an inactive licensee.

• It does not matter when the lead was generated—the license must be active at the time compensation is paid.

• No brokerage can pay you legally if your license is inactive.

This means that even if you know someone buying or selling real estate, you cannot earn anything from their transaction while your license is inactive.

Good News: You Can Stay Active Without MLS or REALTOR® Fees

One of the biggest misconceptions in North Carolina real estate is that an active license requires joining the MLS or paying REALTOR® dues. This is not true.

NCREC only requires:

1. Your license to be active

2. You to be under a BIC/supervising broker

That’s it.

You do not need:

• MLS membership

• REALTOR® Association membership

• Expensive monthly brokerage fees

• Any production minimums

This creates a perfect opportunity for agents who want to stay licensed but prefer not to work in full-time sales.

How North Carolina Agents Make Commission Through Referrals

If your license is active—even if you are not in the MLS—you can earn referral fees by connecting buyers, sellers, investors, or relocation clients to another licensed agent.

You don’t show houses, negotiate, or manage paperwork. You simply send the referral.

Typical referral fees range from:

• 20% to 30% of the receiving agent’s commission

• Higher percentages for luxury, commercial, or relocation clients

• Lower percentages for low-price or simple referrals

This makes referrals one of the easiest, lowest-effort income streams for agents who do not want the responsibilities of traditional production.

Why So Many NC Agents Choose a Referral-Only Brokerage

Referral brokerages allow agents to keep their North Carolina license active without joining the MLS or paying REALTOR® dues, while still earning income.

This setup is ideal for:

• Retired or semi-retired agents

• Agents taking a break from production

• Agents who moved out of state

• Investors who want to maintain a license

• Part-time professionals

• Busy families or agents in career transitions

By referring clients rather than working transactions, agents stay licensed, compliant, and income-eligible with minimal time commitment.

Keeping Your License With Your Current Brokerage but Outsourcing Referrals

Some agents prefer to stay with their existing brokerage but don’t want to handle the referral placement process. In those cases, a referral partner can match the client with a top agent and coordinate the paperwork, while still paying your brokerage the referral fee.

This lets you maintain your license and continue earning without needing to manage the details of the referral.

The Risk of Leaving Your License Inactive

Choosing to leave your license inactive long-term has consequences:

• No commission income

• No referral opportunities

• No legal ability to participate in brokerage activities

• Potential loss of industry connections

• Missed opportunities when friends, family, or coworkers move or buy

Thousands of dollars in referral income can be lost each year simply because an agent leaves their license inactive.

How Park Place Realty Network Helps NC Agents Earn Referral Income

For agents who want to keep their license active without fees or traditional brokerage requirements, Park Place Realty Network offers a simple, proven solution.

Park Place is an active North Carolina real estate referral brokerage—designed specifically for agents who want to earn commission through referrals without joining the MLS or the REALTOR® Association.

Here is how our program works for agents who are not licensed with us:

• You keep your license active under your current brokerage.

• When you have a referral, you send it to Park Place.

• We match your client with a top-performing agent anywhere in the U.S. or internationally.

• We manage the referral agreement and follow-up.

• We pay your current brokerage 22.5% of the commission after closing.

This allows you to earn income without:

• Handling transactions

• Managing paperwork

• Searching for agents

• Tracking the closing yourself

Since 2010, we’ve built a nationwide network of trusted brokerages and agents, ensuring your clients are placed with high-quality professionals.

Final Thoughts

You cannot collect real estate commission on an inactive North Carolina real estate license, but that does not mean you have to return to full-time real estate to earn income. By keeping your license active—without MLS or board membership—you can legally earn referral fees and maintain a profitable presence in the industry.

Whether you want to remain active with your current brokerage or place your license with a referral-only brokerage, options exist that keep you earning with far less work and zero high monthly fees.

If you would like to continue earning real estate income in the easiest and most cost-effective way, visit ParkPlaceNetwork.com to learn how simple it is to submit your referrals.

Author bio: Kim Moore, a seasoned real estate professional with over 30 years of experience, now shares her expertise by writing insightful articles for leading real estate companies.