Understanding NC Real Estate CE Requirements: What Every Agent Needs to Know

Maintaining an active real estate license in North Carolina comes with specific responsibilities, one of the most important being continuing education (CE). Whether you're an active agent practicing in the state or a broker-in-charge (BIC) who holds a reciprocal license from another state, understanding the annual CE requirements is critical to keeping your license in good standing.

This blog will walk you through North Carolina's real estate continuing education requirements, important deadlines, and a smarter way to maintain your license without the added costs of joining a local board or MLS.

NC Real Estate CE Requirements and Deadlines

North Carolina real estate licensees are required to complete eight (8) hours of continuing education (CE) every year. The North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) mandates that these hours must be completed no later than June 10th each year. Failing to do so will result in your license being placed on inactive status.

Here’s what’s required annually:

• 4 hours of the mandatory Update course (either the General Update for most brokers or the BICUP for Brokers-in-Charge)

• 4 hours of an approved elective course

These CE hours must be completed before June 10th to retain active status. The education cycle opens each year on July 1st, giving you over 11 months to fulfill the requirement. This generous window makes it possible to plan ahead and avoid the stress of last-minute course completion.

New Requirements for Out-of-State Brokers-in-Charge

An important update that went into effect in recent years affects brokers who live outside of North Carolina but hold a reciprocal license. Historically, these out-of-state licensees were often exempt from completing North Carolina CE courses. That is no longer the case.

As of 2024, all brokers-in-charge, including those residing outside of North Carolina, must complete their NC real estate CE courses by the June 10th deadline. Failing to meet this requirement results in your license being marked as inactive, and you’ll need to complete makeup courses before it can be reactivated.

What Happens If You Miss the NC Real Estate CE Deadline?

If you do not complete the required CE by the June 10th deadline, your license will be automatically placed on inactive status. While inactive, you are not permitted to practice real estate in any capacity or collect commissions from real estate transactions in North Carolina.

Getting your license back to active status involves:

• Completing any missed CE hours

• Submitting proof of course completion to the NCREC

• Possibly waiting until the next CE cycle opens (July 1st), depending on course availability

To avoid losing valuable time and income, it’s wise to complete your CE requirements early in the cycle rather than postponing until the deadline nears.

NC Real Estate CE Without the Extra Fees

One common frustration for many licensed agents in North Carolina—especially those not actively selling homes—is the ongoing expense associated with Realtor and MLS fees. If you’re not planning to work as a full-time real estate agent but still want to keep your license active and benefit from your training, there’s a cost-effective alternative.

Consider Park Place Realty Network

Park Place Realty Network offers a unique brokerage model specifically designed for licensed agents who want to avoid the high costs of Realtor association and MLS membership, while still earning income through real estate referrals.

Here’s what you get when you place your license with Park Place:

• No Realtor or MLS fees: Because Park Place is not a member of local Realtor associations or MLS boards, you’re not responsible for those recurring costs.

• Referral-based income: Simply refer your friends, family, or contacts who are buying or selling real estate. Park Place matches them with a top-performing local agent, and you earn 22.5% of the total commission once the deal closes.

• Nationwide and international referrals: You're not limited to your local market. You can send residential or commercial referrals anywhere in the U.S. or even abroad.

• 40% off your CE courses: Park Place partners with The CE Shop, one of the most respected online real estate schools in the country, offering a 40% discount on continuing education, post-licensing, and professional development courses.

• Free personal referral webpage: All agents at Park Place receive their own customized page to promote themselves as a referral agent. This is a valuable tool for generating leads and maintaining a professional presence online.

You can learn more about this flexible, low-cost alternative to traditional brokerages at www.ParkPlaceNetwork.com.

Why Early CE Completion Matters

Too often, agents wait until late May or even early June to scramble through their CE requirements. Not only is this stressful, but it puts your license at risk if you run into unexpected issues with course availability, technology, or personal scheduling conflicts.

By starting your CE early—remember, you can begin as early as July 1st each year—you give yourself plenty of time to:

• Choose elective topics that genuinely interest you

• Shop for CE providers offering discounts or bundles

• Avoid the last-minute rush and potential for missed deadlines

For out-of-state agents or those working full-time jobs outside of real estate, online CE options are ideal. You can complete your coursework at your own pace, on your own schedule, and still maintain your NC license with ease.

Final Thoughts: Keep Your License Active, Stress-Free, and Profitable

Your real estate license is an asset—one that takes time, money, and effort to earn. Even if you’re not currently selling full-time, there’s no reason to let it go to waste. By completing your NC real estate CE on time and affiliating with a referral brokerage like Park Place Realty Network, you can continue to benefit from your license without the overhead.

Don’t risk going inactive or missing income opportunities just because you’re not ready to return to full-time real estate sales. Instead, take control of your license, meet your CE obligations on time, and put your credentials to work for you year-round.

Ready to take the next step? Visit www.ParkPlaceNetwork.com to learn more, or call (407) 878-0607 with any questions about activating your license through our referral network.