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FINRA · 2026 · Free

Free North Carolina Real Estate Practice Exam

North Carolina practice exam with real exam-style questions covering national content and North Carolina-specific state law. No signup required.

120Questions
4 hrs 30 minTime Limit
75%Passing Score
PSI / NCRECAdministered By
75 hrsPre-License Hrs

North Carolina Real Estate Exam

Practice by NC Real Estate Topic

Target a specific area, or launch the full exam below

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Real Estate Principles

Property ownership, contracts, agency, deeds, fair housing, and appraisal. Core national content.

120 questions
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Real Estate Finance

Mortgages, loan types, RESPA, TILA, title insurance, and closing costs.

20 questions
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North Carolina State Law

NCREC rules, NC Lice, NJ licensing law, LAD, Pinelands Act, disclosure requirements, and NJ-specific regulations.

25 questions

About the North Carolina Real Estate Exam

The North Carolina real estate Provisional Broker licensing exam is required by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC). NC has a unique licensing structure — new licensees receive a Provisional Broker license and must complete post-licensing education within 18 months to remove the provisional status. Candidates must first complete a 75-hour pre-license course.

The exam contains 130 questions with a 3.5-hour time limit and a 75% passing score — you need 98 correct answers. Administered by PSI on behalf of NCREC, it covers national real estate content and NC-specific law including the Real Estate License Law, NCREC Rules, and North Carolina agency disclosure requirements.

130Questions
4 hrs 30 minTime Limit
75%Passing Score
PSI / NCRECAdministered By
75 hrsPre-License Hrs

North Carolina Real Estate Exam Topic Breakdown

SectionApprox. QuestionsKey Topics
National — Real Estate Principles~80Agency, contracts, property rights, fair housing, finance, appraisal
NC State — License Law & NCREC Rules~25NCREC structure, license types, Provisional Broker requirements
NC State — Agency & Disclosure~15Working With Real Estate Agents brochure, agency agreements, dual agency
NC State — Other NC Law~10NC Residential Property Disclosure, landlord-tenant, HOA, transfer tax

Sample North Carolina Real Estate Exam Questions

1. In North Carolina, a Provisional Broker must:

  • A. Pass an additional state exam within 12 months of licensure
  • B. Complete 90 hours of post-licensing education within 18 months under broker supervision
  • C. Immediately affiliate with an employing broker and complete post-licensing education within 18 months
  • D. Work independently for 6 months before affiliating with a broker
Correct: C. NC Provisional Brokers must immediately affiliate with a supervising broker and complete 90 hours of post-licensing education within 18 months. Failure to complete the education results in the license going inactive.

2. Under North Carolina's agency disclosure requirements, a licensee must provide the 'Working With Real Estate Agents' brochure:

  • A. Only when entering a buyer agency agreement
  • B. At the first substantial contact with a prospective buyer or seller
  • C. Only when representing a seller in a listing agreement
  • D. Within 3 days of showing a property to a buyer
Correct: B. NC Rule A.0104 requires licensees to provide the 'Working With Real Estate Agents' brochure at first substantial contact — before any confidential information is exchanged.

3. The North Carolina Residential Property Disclosure Statement is required for:

  • A. All real property sales in North Carolina
  • B. Residential real property with one to four dwelling units
  • C. Commercial and residential property transfers
  • D. Only properties built before 1978 due to lead paint concerns
Correct: B. Required under N.C.G.S. §47E for residential property with 1-4 dwelling units. If not provided before the offer, the buyer has a 3-day right to rescind after receiving it.

Study Tips for the North Carolina Real Estate Exam

NC's Provisional Broker system is unique and heavily tested. Know the 90-hour post-licensing requirement and 18-month deadline, what happens if missed, and the supervision requirements during the provisional period.

The 'Working With Real Estate Agents' brochure and NC agency disclosure rules are among the most tested topics. Know when it must be provided and the different agency relationships available in NC.

Licensing in a nearby state? See the Georgia real estate practice exam or the Florida practice exam. National exam content is covered in our national real estate practice exam and the real estate study guide.

How to Get Your North Carolina Real Estate License

There are four steps to get your North Carolina real estate provisional broker license. Most people finish in two to five months. North Carolina issues a Provisional Broker license first. You remove the provisional status after 90 additional post-license hours.

75 hrsPre-License Hrs
120Exam Questions
75%Passing Score
PSIExam Provider
Provisional BrokerLicense Type

Steps to Get Your North Carolina Real Estate License

StepWhat to Do
1. Pre-License EducationComplete 75 hours at a state-approved school. Topics include principles, contracts, finance, and North Carolina law.
2. Licensing ExamTake the 120-question exam through PSI. It covers national concepts and North Carolina state law. You need 75% to pass.
3. Submit ApplicationSend your results, background check, and fees to the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.
4. Activate with a BrokerAttach your license to a sponsoring broker. You cannot work with clients or earn commissions until you do.

What to Focus On for the North Carolina State Exam

The North Carolina state exam pays close attention to North Carolina's Working With Real Estate Agents disclosure and the Residential Property Disclosure Statement. Know these rules well. They appear on the exam and come up in daily practice.

Our free North Carolina real estate practice exam covers both national and state content. You can also try the national real estate practice exam or the real estate exam study guide.

Interested in where this license leads? See our guide to real estate careers — including salary ranges, how to break in, and what the career looks like day to day.

Frequently Asked Questions — North Carolina Real Estate Exam

How many questions are on the North Carolina real estate exam?

The NC Provisional Broker exam contains 130 questions with a 3.5-hour time limit. The passing score is 75%, meaning you need at least 98 correct answers. Administered by PSI on behalf of NCREC.

What is a Provisional Broker in North Carolina?

A Provisional Broker is the entry-level real estate license in NC. New licensees must affiliate with a supervising broker immediately and complete 90 hours of post-licensing education within 18 months. Failure results in the license going inactive.

What pre-license education is required in North Carolina?

North Carolina requires a 75-hour pre-license course from a NCREC-approved school. After passing the exam, Provisional Brokers must complete 90 additional hours of post-licensing education within 18 months.

What is the 'Working With Real Estate Agents' brochure?

An NCREC-required disclosure document that licensees must provide at first substantial contact with a prospective buyer or seller. It explains buyer agency, seller agency, and dual agency so consumers can make an informed choice before sharing confidential information.

How long is a North Carolina real estate license valid?

NC real estate licenses expire on June 30 each year. Annual renewal requires 8 hours of CE including a mandatory 4-hour NCREC Update Course.

What is a Broker-in-Charge in North Carolina?

A Broker-in-Charge (BIC) is a NC broker designated as responsible for supervising a real estate office and its affiliated licensees. BICs must have an active Broker (not Provisional) license with at least 2 years of experience and must complete a NCREC-approved BIC course.

Does North Carolina require a property disclosure statement?

Yes. The NC Residential Property Disclosure Statement is required under N.C.G.S. §47E for 1-4 unit residential property transfers. It must be provided no later than when the buyer makes an offer. Late delivery triggers a 3-day rescission right.