North Carolina Real Estate CE Courses (2026)
To renew your Real Estate license in North Carolina you need to satisfy the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC)'s continuing education (CE) requirement — about 8 hours per 1-year cycle. Below is what the board requires and a comparison of course providers that offer qualifying CE. This is an unofficial guide — confirm any course is board-approved before you buy.
What North Carolina requires for Real Estate renewal
| CE hours required | 8 hours per cycle |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | 12 months |
| Governing body | North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) |
To renew on active status, every broker must complete 8 hours of CE each license period: a 4-hour mandatory Update course plus a 4-hour Commission-approved elective. The Update course is the General Update (GENUP) for most brokers, or the Broker-in-Charge Update (BICUP) for brokers with BIC or BIC-eligible status. CE for a given period must be completed by June 10 (e.g., by June 10, 2025 for the 2024-2025 period) to maintain active licensure. SEPARATE from ongoing CE: newly licensed provisional brokers (entry-level/agent equivalent) must complete 90 hours of Postlicensing education (three 30-hour courses: Post 301, 302, 303) within 18 months of initial licensure, or the license goes inactive; this is in addition to, and distinct from, the annual 8-hour CE.
Full Real Estate renewal guide for North Carolina (deadlines, fees & CE) →
North Carolina Real Estate CE course providers
- The CE Shop
State-approved real estate CE packages built around each state's required topics.
- Kaplan Real Estate Education
CE courses, exam prep, and required law/ethics updates across most states.
- McKissock Learning
Large real estate CE library with state-specific renewal packages.
- Colibri Real Estate
Online CE and post-licensing education accepted in many states.
North Carolina Real Estate CE courses: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do I need to renew my Real Estate license in North Carolina?
North Carolina requires about 8 continuing-education hours per renewal cycle. To renew on active status, every broker must complete 8 hours of CE each license period: a 4-hour mandatory Update course plus a 4-hour Commission-approved elective. The Update course is the General Update (GENUP) for most brokers, or the Broker-in-Charge Update (BICUP) for brokers with BIC or BIC-eligible status. CE for a given period must be completed by June 10 (e.g., by June 10, 2025 for the 2024-2025 period) to maintain active licensure. SEPARATE from ongoing CE: newly licensed provisional brokers (entry-level/agent equivalent) must complete 90 hours of Postlicensing education (three 30-hour courses: Post 301, 302, 303) within 18 months of initial licensure, or the license goes inactive; this is in addition to, and distinct from, the annual 8-hour CE.
Do online Real Estate CE courses count in North Carolina?
Online courses generally count when the provider is approved by or recognized by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC). Always confirm a course is accepted before you buy it.
Where do I report my North Carolina Real Estate CE?
North Carolina generally has you attest to CE at renewal and keep your own documentation in case of an audit. Confirm the current process with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC).
Requirement last verified 2026-06-01 from the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC). Always confirm current rules with the board before relying on this.
Official North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) site →