Pass Your North Carolina Real Estate Exam the First Time

North Carolina requires 75 hours of pre-licensing education. The exam tests NC's unique 'provisional broker' system (instead of salesperson) and Working with Real Estate Agents disclosure. Coastal properties require understanding erosion setback rules.

Questions

140

80 NAT / 60 STATE

To Pass

75%

~105 / 140 TO PASS

Time Limit

4.5 Hrs

270 TOTAL MINUTES

Provider

Pearson VUE

NCREC

Pass your North Carolina Provisional Broker License

North Carolina is widely regarded as one of the hardest state real estate exams in the country, and generic prep tools are a primary reason candidates fail it.

The NCREC holds brokers to a higher disclosure standard than any national course teaches, and the closing math section uses a calendar convention that disqualifies every candidate who practiced with a generic formula. AI generated question banks recycle national content and miss what makes this exam genuinely hard. Candidates who pass on the first attempt used North Carolina specific preparation.

The License Professor is written by licensed North Carolina professionals who know what the Pearson VUE state portion actually demands. Every question on North Carolina disclosure standards, provisional broker requirements, and closing math is drawn from North Carolina law.

North Carolina Sample Exams

Experience the real study interface — no account required.

Provisional Broker

Individuals new to real estate who want to start their career helping clients buy and sell property

Three Topics that Trip Up North Carolina Students Most

Material Fact Disclosure

North Carolina requires brokers to disclose any material fact they know or reasonably should know, even if the seller refuses to disclose it — students fail because they assume the seller’s silence protects the agent.

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Working With Agents Brochure

The brochure must be provided at "first substantial contact" when conversation shifts to personal or confidential information — the exam tests the exception that buyer’s agents must disclose agency at first contact with sellers.

Closing Statement Math

North Carolina tests up to 8 math questions using the 360-day calendar method for prorations — students who practiced with a 365-day method consistently lose easy points.

The North Carolina Real Estate License Professor includes specialized deep dives for each of these.

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North Carolina Real Estate Practice Questions

Sample questions from the North Carolina real estate exam — with answers and explanations.

1. A Charlotte trainer poses this to a new agent: of four listed lenders, which one is NOT institutional?

  1. A.A commercial bank.
  2. B.A real estate investment trust (REIT).
  3. C.A private individual seller.
  4. D.A mortgage company.
Explanation: Commercial banks, REITs, and private sellers are treated differently for licensing purposes, but a mortgage company is the odd one out here -- it originates or brokers loans instead of funding them from its own reserves, which is why it doesn't count as institutional.

2. Which ownership form in NC includes automatic survivorship rights and cannot be unilaterally severed by one owner?

  1. A.Cooperative ownership
  2. B.Tenancy by the entirety
  3. C.Joint tenancy with rights of survivorship
  4. D.Tenancy in common
Explanation: Tenancy by the entirety is a special ownership form for married couples that includes automatic survivorship rights. Upon one spouse's death, the property automatically passes to the surviving spouse and cannot be severed by will or unilateral action.

3. What requirement must an out-of-state broker meet to become licensed in North Carolina?

  1. A.Hold a license for 5+ years in their home state
  2. B.Pass the North Carolina broker licensing examination
  3. C.Apply through a reciprocity agreement without exam
  4. D.Hold a NC salesperson license for 6 months first
Explanation: North Carolina does not recognize reciprocity for broker licenses. All applicants seeking broker licensure in NC, regardless of prior licensing in other states, must pass the North Carolina broker licensing examination to qualify.
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More on North Carolina Licensing

Deeper reading on the topics that matter most for North Carolina candidates.

North Carolina Real Estate Exam Structure: What to Expect

The NC Provisional Broker exam is administered by Pearson VUE in testing centers across NC. It combines 80 national questions and 60 state-specific questions in 270 minutes (150 min national + 120 min state).

Question breakdown

National portion: 80 questions, 150 minutes, scaled score of 75 to pass

Standard Pearson VUE national content covering property ownership, valuation, financing, agency, contracts, math, federal disclosures.

NC portion: 60 questions, 120 minutes, scaled score of 75 to pass

Topics:

  • NC license law and NCREC rules (15-18 questions)
  • Provisional Broker structure (4-6 questions)
  • Working with Real Estate Agents disclosure (6-8 questions)
  • NC property disclosures (7-9 questions)
  • Trust accounts (6-8 questions)
  • Coastal regulations and CAMA (4-6 questions)

Time management

The national and state portions are timed separately: 150 minutes for 80 national questions (about 113 seconds per question), 120 minutes for 60 state questions (about 120 seconds per question). Both are generous, but practice under timed conditions.

Cost structure

  • Pre-licensing (75 hours): $300-$600
  • Exam: $56
  • License: $100
  • Background check: ~$40
  • Total: $496-$796

Retake rules

Retakes allowed. $56 per attempt. Score report shows weak areas.

Topics Covered on the North Carolina Real Estate Exam

National Exam Topics (80 questions)

  1. Property Rights and Ownership — Estates, deeds, easements, joint ownership
  2. Land Use Controls — Zoning, deed restrictions, government powers
  3. Valuation and Market Analysis — Three approaches to value, CMA
  4. Real Estate Financing — Mortgages, FHA/VA, RESPA, TILA
  5. Agency Relationships — Agency law, fiduciary duties (national framework)
  6. Real Estate Contracts — Listing agreements, purchase contracts
  7. Closing and Settlement — Closing procedures, prorations
  8. Real Estate Practice — Working with buyers and sellers, fair housing, advertising, math

NC State Exam Topics (60 questions)

  1. NC Commission Regulations (Chapter 93A) — License law, broker supervision, advertising
  2. NC Licensing Laws — Provisional Broker, Broker, Broker-in-Charge structure
  3. Trust Account Rules — Broker trust account requirements
  4. Working with Real Estate Agents — NC's mandatory agency disclosure
  5. Property Disclosures — Residential Property Disclosure Statement requirements

Why this list matters

Each state topic generates 4-7 questions. Skip Provisional Broker rules and you've lost points on NC's distinctive license structure. Effective candidates allocate study proportional to question weight.

What this list doesn't tell you

Pearson VUE writes scenario-based questions that test application. Practice questions, not just topic review.

North Carolina Exam FAQ

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