Getting Started in Real Estate in North Carolina
Thinking about a career in real estate? You’re in the right place. This quick-start guide walks you through the basic steps to become a licensed real estate broker in North Carolina and what to expect along the way.
1. Choose a School & Complete the 75-Hour Pre-Licensing Course
Your first step is to select a real estate school and complete the required 75-hour NC Broker Pre-Licensing course. This course prepares you for the North Carolina state exam.
Not all schools are created equal. You’ll want to review each school’s exam pass rates before enrolling — this can make a big difference in your readiness for the state exam. The school that best prepares you may not always be the closest one geographically — and preparation matters because the state exam is more challenging than many expect.
Before you can take the state exam, you must first pass your class exam.
2. Take Advantage of Our Education Discount Partnerships
If you’re joining Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Foothills, you have access to exclusive education discounts. We’ve partnered with two top-rated real estate schools to help make your licensing more affordable:
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Superior School of Real Estate — Known for flexible class options (live online, livestream, and in-person), with pre-licensing, post-licensing, and continuing education courses. properties.betterfoothills.com+1
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The CE Shop — Offers full pre-licensing and continuing education courses, designed to meet NC requirements while accommodating different learning styles. properties.betterfoothills.com+2The Close+2
Because of these partnerships, you’ll receive access to special pricing — helping you reduce the initial cost of licensing and education. properties.betterfoothills.com
⚠️ Why this is important: The right school + a discount can significantly reduce your startup costs and give you the flexibility to learn on your schedule.
3. Apply for Your License & Pass the State Exam
Once you complete your 75-hour course (and pass the class exam), you’ll submit your license application to the North Carolina Real Estate Commission. This process includes:
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A background check
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Approval to sit for the state exam
After your application is approved and you pass the state exam, your license will be issued.
4. Choose the Right Real Estate Firm
At this point, you’ll be issued an inactive provisional broker license. To activate it, you must affiliate with a licensed real estate firm.
If you choose to join Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Foothills, you’ll benefit from:
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Brand recognition and support from a nationally recognized real estate lifestyle brand. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate+1
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Strong training, marketing, and technology tools to help you hit the ground running. properties.betterfoothills.com+1
Your pre-licensing course teaches you the law — but doesn’t teach you how to build a career. The firm you choose can make a big difference in whether you thrive or struggle, so choose wisely.
5. Join a REALTOR® Association & the MLS
Most firms are affiliated with both:
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A local REALTOR® Association — providing advocacy, education, and opportunities for community involvement.
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A Multiple Listing Service (MLS) — giving you access to listing data, cooperation with other brokerages, and systems that ensure compensation for listings.
These tools are essential for practicing real estate professionally and effectively.
6. Understand the Startup Costs & Timeline
Getting started in real estate does require an upfront investment. You should plan for approximately:
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About $3,000 for classes, licensing, REALTOR®/MLS membership (though discounts through our partner schools can reduce that number)
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Several months before earning consistent income — it’s common for new agents to go 4–6 months before seeing steady commissions
The early months can feel slow and unpredictable — but this career is one of the most rewarding you can choose. Helping people buy and sell homes, build wealth, and achieve life goals is deeply meaningful work.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’d like more detailed information, the NC Real Estate Commission offers a helpful guide titled Real Estate Licensing in North Carolina.
If you’re serious about starting a career in real estate — or want to talk about joining Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Foothills — we’d love to connect with you.
Just fill out the contact form at the bottom of www.JoinBetterFoothills.com and we can answer any questions you might have.
