Staying compliant with North Carolina real estate continuing education courses for your license renewal doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re a Provisional Broker, a Broker, or a Broker-in-Charge (BIC), you’re required to meet specific CE requirements every year to keep your license active and renewed. In this guide, we’ll walk you through:
- NC CE requirements
- Key deadlines to keep in mind
- A step-by-step renewal overview
- Common questions about NC CE
- Tips so you won't miss any important dates
Let’s dive in and keep your North Carolina license active!
NC Real Estate CE Requirements
All NC real estate licenses expire on June 30 each year. To maintain an active license, the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) requires 8 hours of CE annually:
- 4-hour Update course (General Update or Broker-in-Charge Update)
- 4-hour Commission-approved elective
Who Takes Which Update?
- Provisional Brokers & Non-BIC Brokers: Must take the General Update (GENUP).
- BICs & BIC-Eligible Brokers: Must take the Broker-in-Charge Update (BICUP).
If a BIC or BIC-eligible broker mistakenly takes the General Update instead of the BICUP, they’ll keep an active license but lose BIC status. Always confirm you’re in the correct Update class.
Delivery Formats
- The Update course must be taken live—either in a classroom or via a live webinar.
- The 4-hour elective can be self-paced online or classroom-based.
Empire Learning has partnered with ExceedCE and NC Instructor Cheryl Crawford to offer live webinars for the Update course. These sessions provide an engaging way to fulfill the real-time requirement without stepping into a classroom.
Key Deadlines for NC License Renewal
- June 10: Last day to complete the 8 hours of CE.
- June 11 – June 30: Blackout period—no CE courses can be taken.
- June 30: Final deadline to renew your license with the NCREC.
- July 1: New license cycle begins.
These deadlines are not flexible. If you do not complete your 8 hours of CE by June 10 each year, you cannot enroll or complete any CE courses until July 1, putting your license at risk of inactive or expired status. Always aim to finish early to avoid technical issues and scheduling conflicts.
How to Renew Your NC Real Estate License
Renewing your license involves two steps: completing 8 hours of CE and paying your renewal fee online. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Complete 8 Hours of CE:
- 4-hour General Update or BICUP (live).
- 4-hour elective (online or in-person).
- Finish by June 10.
- Renew with NCREC:
- Log into the NCREC renewal portal between May 15 and June 30.
- Pay the $45 renewal fee (subject to change).
- Renewal confirmations typically appear instantly online.
- Verify Your Status:
- After you’ve finished CE and renewed, check your license record on the NCREC website to confirm everything is correct.
- If you completed all requirements, your license should remain active as of July 1.
Note: If you miss CE but pay the renewal fee to NCREC by June 30, your license will be inactive after July 1. If you also fail to renew by June 30, your license will expire, requiring a more complicated reinstatement process.
Why Choose Empire Learning for Your NC Real Estate CE?
With so many education providers, why pick Empire Learning?
- Live Update Webinars: Through a partnership with ExceedCE and instructor Cheryl Crawford, Empire Learning offers live webinars for the General Update and BICUP. Attend online from anywhere, fulfilling the Commission’s live requirement.
- Flexible, Self-Paced Electives: All elective courses can be taken online at your own pace. You can pause and resume whenever your schedule allows—ideal for busy real estate pros.
- No Exams: North Carolina does not require final exams for CE courses. You simply need to attend the Update or complete the elective material.
- 45-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Not satisfied or unable to complete your course? Request a refund within 45 days. It’s a risk-free way to ensure you get exactly what you need.
- Fast Reporting: Empire Learning reports your CE by the next business day. You won’t be left guessing whether the Commission received your course completion.
- Wide Course Selection: From commercial topics to ethics to agency law, Empire Learning’s NC Catalog has an elective for practically every interest.
Common Questions About NC CE Requirements
Q: Do I really have to finish my CE by June 10?
Yes. June 10 is the official cutoff. No provider can offer CE from June 11 to June 30, so there’s no grace period. Complete your 8 hours by June 10 to remain active.
Q: Which Update course do I take - GENUP or BICUP?
All Non-BIC licensees must complete the General Update (GENUP).
All BIC or BIC-Eligible licensees must complete the Broker-in-Charge Update (BICUP). Taking the wrong Update results in losing BIC status.
Q: Can I do the Update course online?
The Update must be live—in a classroom or real-time online webinar. Self-paced online formats are not allowed for the Update course. You may complete your elective course with our self-paced online courses at Empire Learning and then the Update course through our partner, ExceedCE.
Q: Are there exams for NC real estate CE?
No final exams are required in North Carolina. Attendance and participation in the full course suffice.
Q: Can I complete all 8 CE hours online?
Yes, if you do the Update as a live webinar and the elective as a self-paced online course. The Update course is not available as a self-paced course.
Q: I’m newly licensed—do I need CE my first year?
New Brokers or new brokers who are issued a license by reinstatement aren’t required to complete CE before their first renewal, but you must still renew (pay the fee) by June 30. Check the NCREC website for your specific situation.
Q: What if I miss the June 10 CE deadline?
Your license won’t stay active. If you renew your license with NCREC by June 30, your license goes inactive on July 1. It expires if you don’t renew at all—requiring a more extensive reinstatement process.
Tips for Completing NC Real Estate CE on Time
- Mark Your Calendar Set reminders for May and June so you don’t rush in the final days. Completing your courses early avoids last-minute hassles.
- Schedule Your Update Early Live classes fill quickly as June approaches. Book your GENUP or BICUP webinar in spring to get your pick of dates.
- Consider Your Interests Choose an elective at Empire Learning that benefits your niche—commercial, property management, or legal. Engaging topics make the 4 hours pass quickly.
- Stay Organized Keep digital or printed certificates of completion for your records. Verify that your credits appear correctly in the NCREC system.
- Renew Early NCREC opens renewal around May 15. Even if you haven’t finished your CE, you can pay the fee. Just ensure you finish CE by June 10 to remain active.
The Empire Learning Advantage for NC CE
Live Webinars + Online Electives = Complete Convenience
- General Update or BICUP via Webinar Learn from industry expert Cheryl Crawford through ExceedCE, in partnership with Empire Learning. Interact, ask questions, and finish your live course from anywhere.
- Online Electives at Your Pace Choose from an extensive selection of NC-specific electives. Courses are mobile-friendly and easy to navigate.
- Money-Back Guarantee 45-day refund policy make it risk-free to give Empire Learning a try.
- Instant Certificates & Quick Reporting Get your completion certificate right away and let Empire Learning handle next-day reporting to the Commission.
- Excellent Reviews & Support Check out Trustpilot reviews to see why so many licensees trust Empire Learning. Enjoy phone, email, or live chat support when you need it.
Callout: Registration is now open for the next March 12 GENUP and BICUP webinars with instructor Cheryl Crawford! You can sign up today to secure your spot and avoid the last minute rush.
Final Thoughts
Annual continuing education is part of every North Carolina real estate professional’s life. Eight (8) hours (4 Update + 4 elective) by June 10 and renewal by June 30—that’s your simple roadmap to staying active. With live webinar options for the Update requirement and online electives through Empire Learning, you’ll have a seamless path to fulfilling the NCREC’s rules. You’ll stay on track, keep your career thriving, and head into 2025 fully compliant.
Visit the North Carolina Real Estate Commission website for official details and regulations.