140 questions (80 national + 60 NC) · 2.5 + 2 hours · 75 on each section · $63 exam fee · NCREC
Format, passing rule, fees, what the NC portion covers, and 3,600+ free practice questions — verified against the Pearson VUE candidate materials.
North Carolina's Real Estate Commission administers a state exam after candidates complete required pre-license education. The state's growing population, particularly in the Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham Triangle areas, fuels a strong housing market.
| Salesperson Exam | Exam Fee | Licensing Authority | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 140 Q / 270 min / 75% pass | $63both sections; $53 for one section; plus $105 NCREC application fee | NCREC | Per NCREC |
Source: North Carolina Real Estate Commission · Salary data: BLS OEWS · Our methodology
From the Pearson VUE content outline · candidate handbook · verified 2026-09-18
| Area | Questions | |
|---|---|---|
| Agency | 16 | |
| Brokerage practice | 12 | |
| Other North Carolina laws | 11 | |
| Contracts and closing | 7 | |
| Supervision and compensation | 4 | |
| Taxes and insurance | 4 | |
| Licensure | 3 | |
| Landlord and tenant | 3 | |
| Total scored North Carolina questions | 60 |
A passing score of 75 on each of the two sections, computed separately — national (80 scored items, 2.5 hours) and North Carolina state (60 scored items, 2 hours). Both must be passed inside the same 180-day eligibility period.
2.5 hours for the national section plus 2 hours for the state section — 270 minutes total
Reschedule with Pearson VUE, but note both fees: $105 to the Commission plus $63 for both sections or $53 for one. Both sections must be passed within the same 180-day eligibility period — if it expires with only one section passed, that credit is forfeited and you refile with a new criminal record report and application fee.
Pre-license education: 75 hours. You are first licensed as a provisional broker and must complete the 90-hour Postlicensing program within 18 months of initial licensure.
The state-specific points that show up as questions. Each cites where it comes from.
A passed section expires with your 180-day window
Both sections must be passed inside the same 180-day eligibility period. Pass one, run out of time, and the Commission forfeits that credit — you refile, pay again, and sit both sections over. The rules allow no extension for any reason. This is the single most expensive mistake in the North Carolina process.
Source: NCREC handbook, Passing Score and 180-Day Examination Eligibility Period
Each attempt costs $105 on top of the exam fee
The $105 Commission application fee is collected every time you take one or both sections, alongside Pearson’s $63 (both sections) or $53 (one section). A single failure therefore costs about $158 to put right, not $63.
Source: NCREC handbook, Retaking the Comprehensive Examination
Fail both and you must keep taking both
If you fail the national and the state section, you retake the two-part comprehensive exam on every subsequent attempt until you pass at least one. Only after one section is passed may you apply to sit the remaining section alone.
Source: NCREC handbook, Retaking the Comprehensive Examination
You cannot choose to sit one section early
If you need both sections for eligibility, you may not take only one at a scheduled appointment. The two are separately timed and separately scored, but they are booked as one comprehensive exam.
Source: NCREC handbook, Comprehensive License Examination
Five unscored pretest items per section
The 140 scored items come with 5 pretest items on each section — 150 questions on screen. They appear at random, are indistinguishable from scored items, and all scored items carry equal value.
Source: NCREC handbook, Number and Value of Items
Take the tutorial — it is free time
The exam tutorial at the start does not count against your exam time, and it shows you how to mark an item for review and jump back to it. An unanswered item is automatically scored incorrect, so guess on everything you cannot resolve.
Source: NCREC handbook, Helpful Hints
Character review, not the exam, is the usual delay
The handbook says the whole application-exam-license process can finish in about ten business days for a clean first-time pass — and names the character review as the main thing that slows it down. Disclose fully; a failure to disclose is treated more seriously than the underlying issue.
Source: NCREC handbook, Timeframe for Obtaining a License
Reciprocity candidates pass under 50%
Applicants already licensed elsewhere who only sit the North Carolina state section have an average pass rate below 50%. The Commission itself recommends serious preparation or a prelicensing course. Do not treat the state section as the easy half.
Source: NCREC handbook, Retaking Only One Examination Section
Practice the North Carolina portion
State-specific questions with the rule behind each answer.
Sources
Exam facts on this page were checked against these sources on 2026-09-18. Exam fees and formats change; the candidate handbook is authoritative.
Looking for a NC exam PDF?
NCREC publishes the official candidate handbook as a PDF — format, passing score and fees, straight from the source.
Take a full 140-question timed mock exam that simulates the actual North Carolina licensing test. Get instant feedback and detailed explanations.
North Carolina transitioned to a new exam provider with updated testing locations and scheduling options.
Note: This information is for reference only. Always verify current requirements with the NCREC.
North Carolina Real Estate Commission
(NCREC)
$63
both sections; $53 for one section; plus $105 NCREC application fee
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Requirements:
Requirements:
The North Carolina real estate exam has a first-time pass rate of approximately 56%. The salesperson exam consists of 140 scored questions with a pass point of 75. With EstatePass practice tests, our students achieve a 94% pass rate.
The North Carolina salesperson exam has 140 scored questions with 270 minutes to complete (about 1.9 minutes per question). The broker exam has its own format; see the NCREC candidate handbook. The pass point is 75.
North Carolina real estate license costs include: exam fee ($63 — both sections; $53 for one section; plus $105 NCREC application fee), pre-license courses ($200-$500), license application fee ($100-$300), and background check ($50-$100). Total budget: approximately $400-$1,000.
North Carolina licenses renew on a fixed cycle with a continuing-education requirement, both set by North Carolina Real Estate Commission. Check NCREC for the current renewal period and CE hours.
The North Carolina salesperson exam is 270 minutes (4.5 hours) for 140 questions. The broker exam has its own time limit; see the NCREC candidate handbook. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early for check-in.
Most North Carolina candidates complete the licensing process in 2-4 months. This includes completing required pre-license education, passing the state exam administered under NCREC, and submitting your license application.
North Carolina real estate exams are typically administered at approved testing centers by PSI or Pearson VUE. Some states allow remote proctored exams. Check with NCREC for current online testing options and requirements.
The North Carolina real estate exam covers both national and state-specific topics. National topics include property ownership, contracts, financing, agency law, valuation, transfer of title, and real estate math. The NC-specific section covers North Carolina license law, regulations from NCREC, and state-specific disclosure requirements.
The most effective study strategy for the North Carolina exam includes: (1) completing your pre-license education with active note-taking, (2) practicing with North Carolina-specific practice exams, (3) focusing on your weak topics identified through practice tests, (4) taking timed mock exams to build test stamina, and (5) reviewing NC-specific laws and regulations from NCREC.
You must pay the $63 exam fee for each attempt and typically wait at least 24-48 hours before rescheduling. Attempt limits and whether a failed portion can be retaken on its own are set by NCREC. Your pre-license education completion is usually valid for 1-2 years, so you should pass within that window.
The pass point for the North Carolina salesperson exam is 75. Where the exam has separate national and state portions, each portion is passed on its own; where the state reports a scaled score, 75 is the scaled pass point rather than a percentage of questions. The state average first-time pass rate is 56%, so thorough preparation is essential.
Yes, the North Carolina real estate exam is entirely multiple choice with four answer options per question. The salesperson exam has 140 questions; the broker exam length is published by NCREC. There are no essay, fill-in-the-blank, or practical components.
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