50-State Real Estate Broker Licensing Compliance Guide
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North Carolina Real Estate License

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Licensing requirements for North Carolina brokerage firms.

A business entity offering real estate brokerage services to the public typically must register with the real estate commission before conducting business activity. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

Company Licenses

North Carolina Real Estate Company Licenses

North Carolina Real Estate Firm License

Agency:North Carolina Real Estate Commission
Law:

21 NCAC 58A .0502 

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Coporations
  • Limited Parternships 
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Limited Liability Partnerships 
  • General Parternships 
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Notes:

Every business entity other than a sole proprietorship shall apply for and obtain from the Commission a firm license prior to engaging in business as a real estate broker.

Qualifying Individual Requirements:
  • The broker who wishes to be designated as the Qualifying Broker of a firm must create and submit the firm license application for the entity.
  • The qualifying broker is required to possess an active North Carolina real estate broker license and must be a corporate officer if a corporation, a general partner if a partnership, or a manager if a limited liability company.
    The qualifying broker acts as the primary contact person between the firm and the Real Estate Commission and performs certain specified administrative duties.
    Only one qualifying broker is permitted at any time, even if the firm operates multiple real estate offices
  • The natural person who is qualifying broker shall assure to the Commission the performance of the qualifying broker's duties with regard to both entities. A provisional broker may not serve as a qualifying broker.
  • The qualifying broker is required to possess an active North Carolina real estate broker license and must be a corporate officer if a corporation, a general partner if a partnership, or a manager if a limited liability company.
  • The qualifying broker acts as the primary contact person between the firm and the Real Estate Commission and performs certain specified administrative duties.
  • Only one qualifying broker is permitted at any time, even if the firm operates multiple real estate offices

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Required Attachments:
  • A completed "Request for BIC Eligible Status and/or Broker-In-Charge Designation" form 
    • A broker may act as broker-in-charge for only one office location of the firm.
    • The qualifying broker may also serve as broker-in-charge (if eligible) of one of the firm’s offices.
    • The broker-in-charge must be a licensed N.C. broker.
    • List each broker-in-charge and office of the firm where (or from which) North Carolina real estate brokerage activities will be conducted
  • Corporations
    • Officers. List the names, corporate titles, and N.C. real estate license numbers (if licensed) of all the major officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) of the corporation.
    • List any additional persons (or entities) not listed as corporate officers who own at least 10% of the outstanding shares of stock (of any class) and provide their N.C. real estate license numbers, if licensed
    • The qualifying broker of a corporation must be an officer of the corporation.
  • LLCs 
    • List the name and N.C. real estate license number (if licensed) of each manager and member of the limited liability company and indicate whether a manager or member or both.
    • A copy of the company’s written operating agreement listing all managers and their power and authority.
      • If no written operating agreement exists, the applicant must provide a written description of the rights and duties
        of the managers and the name of each manager.
    • If a manager is an entity rather than a natural person, provide the names of all officers, managers, or partners of the entity that is listed as a manager.
    • If a manager, officer, or partner of an entity shown on the application as being linked to the applicant entity is an entity, rather than a natural person, provide the names of all officers, managers, or partners of that linked entity
  • Partnerships
    • List the name and N.C. real estate license number (if licensed) of each general and limited partner of the partnership and indicate whether a general or limited partner.
    • The qualifying broker of a partnership of any kind must be a general partner of the partnership.
    • A copy of the company’s written partnership agreement listing all partners and their power and authority.
      • If no written partnership agreement exists, the applicant must provide a written description of the rights and duties of the partners and the name of each partner.
    • If a partner is an entity rather than a natural person, provide the names of all officers, managers, or partners of the entity that is listed as a partner.
    • If a manager, officer, or partner of an entity shown on the
      application as being linked to the applicant entity is an entity, rather than a natural person, provide the names of all officers, managers, or partners of that linked entity
  • Business entities other than a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership
    • Provide a description of the organization of the entity, including a copy of its organizational documents evidencing its authority to engage in real estate brokerage. 
    • List the name, title and N.C. real estate license number (if licensed) of any persons or entity who owns the applicant business entity to any extent or who is an officer, director, manager, member, partner or holds any other comparable position.
    • The qualifying broker of a business entity must be a principal of the entity, meaning any person or entity owning 10 percent or more of the business entity, or who is an officer, director, manager, member, partner, or who holds any other comparable position of the company.
  • Foreign firms must provide a completed "Consent to Service of Process and Pleadings" form. 

Registration Renewal

Form:

Online

Agency Fee:

$45

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Individual Licenses

North Carolina Individual Real Estate Licenses

North Carolina Real Estate Firm License

Agency:North Carolina Real Estate Commission

Initial Registration

Form:

North Carolina Real Estate License Application

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$45

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Learn about real estate licensing in other states:

Associate Broker - Associate brokers are qualified to work independently as a broker, but choose to work under the authority of a designated broker.

On-Site Manager - A broker or salesperson who oversees the operations of a branch office under the authority of the designated broker.

Qualifying Broker/Designated Broker - An experienced and licensed real estate broker responsible for management and operation of a real estate firm.

Real Estate - Land, buildings, and their permanent improvements and fixtures. Also called "real property" in contrast to personal property.

Real Estate Agent - This term refers generally to any licensed real estate professional.

Reciprocity - Reciprocity makes it easier for out-of-state real estate firms to gain approval to operate in a foreign state by streamlining some licensing requirements.

Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO)
Offers a license verification database accross 43 jurisdictions.

NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association Agencies
Aid education, research, and advocacy efforts in the real estate industry.

National Association of Realtors
Real estate trade organization that provides information and resources for development of the real estate industry.

Urban Land Institute
Research and education association concerned with responsible land use and creating sustainable communities.