In North Carolina, real estate agents are called brokers, and offices are managed by a broker-in-charge. To earn your license, you must complete 75 hours of prelicensing education, available online or in person through state-approved schools.
We’ve evaluated dozens of courses to pinpoint the best real estate schools in North Carolina to help you pass the state exam and set you up for early career success on the first try. Whether you’re planning to work in Charlotte, Durham, Raleigh, Fayetteville, Asheville or Wilmington – our guide to the best real estate schools in North Carolina will help you get up and running quickly.
Aceable Agent: Best for 24/7 virtual instructors
Starting from: $479
Built by experts in learning science, Aceable Agent’s courses feature videos, interactive games and bite-sized lessons to help you successfully meet your 75-hour prelicensing coursework requirement. The school’s practice tests, contract workshops and other tools are designed to ensure confidence as you begin your career. Students appreciate that course content is presented in a highly engaging way and find the layout of the courses interactive and stimulating. With the ability to stop and resume where you left off from your iPhone or computer, Aceable Agent’s courses are refreshingly accessible.
Pros & Cons
- New virtual instructor feature
- 24/7 availability
- Self-paced online learning
- Mobile-friendly design
- No post-licensing or CE offered in NC
- Limited exam prep
- No in-person options available
Features
- Course formats: Self-paced, online.
- Course access: 180 days from starting the course to successfully complete the Mobile App course and/or online course.
- Refund policy: Full refund within 30 days for courses if you haven’t completed the course and request it within the 30-day window.
- Guarantees: Get the cost of your prelicensing course package refunded if you complete the course and don’t pass the licensing exam.
- Exam prep: Videos, audio lessons, tutoring, webinars and thousands of practice questions modeled after the licensing exam.
- Student support: Prelicensing course instructors can be reached by email anytime. During the week, you can also contact the Student Concierge team by phone. And the new virtual instructor is available 24/7 to answer your course questions and explain key concepts.
- Final exam: For the North Carolina real estate prelicensing course, there are two different types of exams that must be passed. The first section is a recap of the level assessment to ensure you understand the material. Each level assessment must be passed prior to moving on to the following section or retaken until you pass. The second is the final course exam, which covers everything learned in the 75-hour North Carolina real estate course. You must pass this exam before sitting for the NC state exam.
Pricing
All Aceable Agent’s prelicensing classes meet North Carolina’s 75-hour prelicensing requirement.
- Basic ($479): Required 75 hrs of coursework. Videos, readings, audio guides, practice questions and more. Constant contact with instructors over email.
- Premium ($779): All Basic features plus access to 3 months of PrepAgent exam prep, including practice questions, audio and video lessons, live tutoring and webinars. Also AI-powered 24/7 learning assistant.
Enroll in Aceable Agent Now & Save 20%
READ OUR
The CE Shop: Best for getting licensed quickly
Starting from: $675
The CE Shop combines updated course content with an interactive teaching approach, which has been proven to be a far more effective learning method. The school makes a point to keep its North Carolina courses current, updating lessons whenever the Real Estate Commission releases new rules or when the market starts to shift. The LEAP platform keeps things easy to follow and surprisingly engaging, and students often mention that it helps them actually remember what they’ve learned. With nearly all students reporting a positive experience, it’s clear this school understands what brokers in training really need.
Pros & Cons
- Free 5-day trial
- Course can be completed in as little as two weeks
- Flexible, self-paced learning
- Discounts frequently available
- No in-person course options available
- No mobile app
- Text-heavy content
Features
- Course formats: Online, interactive content.
- Course access: Six months from the date of purchase.
- Refund policy: Full refunds for courses within 30 days of purchase, provided the request is submitted before the course expires and the course is less than 50% complete.
- Guarantees: With the CE Shop’s “Pass Guarantee,” prelicensing students can request a reimbursement of the cost of the initial licensing exam if a retake is required.
- Exam prep: The CE Shop’s Exam Prep Edge courses include an initial assessment, after which the school’s interactive dashboard guides you through each topic while gauging your competency. The course also prepares students for the licensing exam through unlimited practice tests with unique questions.
- Student support: Support is available seven days a week via chat, email, and phone.
- Final exam: The state of North Carolina requires that the final course exam be proctored. Prelicensing final exams must be passed with a minimum of 80%.
Pricing
All of The CE Shop’s prelicensing classes meet North Carolina’s 75-hour prelicensing requirement. All post-licensing courses meet NC’s 90-hour continuing education requirement for first-time renewals, which must be completed within the first 18 months of licensure.
- Career Essentials ($675): Required 75-hr NC prelicensing coursework. Paid for proctoring attempt, Exam Prep Edge, Instructor-led webinars on exam topics, North Carolina Real Estate: Principles and Practices, 8th Edition, business ebooks, career resources, downloadable resources, digital flashcards, real estate glossary, study schedule
- Career Builder ($795): All Career Essentials features + Business Building courses
- Career Accelerator ($1295): All Career Builder Features + NC post-Licensing package
Enroll in The CE Shop Now & Save 30%
Use promo code HW30 at checkout
READ OUR
Carolina School of Real Estate: Best for all stages of your career
Starting from: $485
A locally-owned, Winston-Salem, NC-based real estate school, the Carolina School of Real Estate’s various course offerings help students succeed in obtaining their North Carolina Real Estate License, maintaining licensure, and expanding their industry knowledge base. With more than 60 years of combined experience in the industry, the school delivers quality educational instruction at all stages of your career. Students enjoy the convenience of simply hitting pause to stop the class, then picking up exactly where they left off, anytime. The Carolina School of Real Estate is exclusively focused on North Carolina. As such, it can offer expertise on the state’s requirements and markets.
Pros & Cons
- In-person, live-stream and self-paced courses available
- Local expertise
- Pre-licensing, post-licensing, and CE course offerings
- Some courses require a fixed schedule with less flexibility
- No pass guarantee
- Website can be difficult to navigate
Features
- Course formats: In-person, self-paced and live-stream course options.
- Course access: All courses must be completed within 180 days of registration.
- Refund policy: A non-refundable $100 deposit is required with registration. The deposit is, however, returned if the class is canceled or postponed. If a student transfers to another scheduled class, you may receive credit for the $100 deposit.
- Guarantees: No pass guarantee.
- Exam prep: No additional exam prep offered.
- Student support: Support is available via phone during normal business hours. Students can also submit a form requesting help or asking questions.
- Final exam: The self-paced prelicensing final exam consists of 112 questions taken online and will be monitored using an online proctor. The post-licensing final exam consists of 40 questions taken online and will also be monitored using an online proctor.
Pricing
All Carolina School of Real Estate’s prelicensing classes meet North Carolina’s 75-hour prelicensing requirement. All post-licensing courses meet NC’s 90-hour continuing education requirement for first-time renewals, which must be completed within the first 18 months of licensure.
- Standard Pre-licensing Course ($485): 75 hrs of required instruction.
- In-person or livestream via Zoom on designated dates/times.
- Topics include basic real estate practices & principles, real estate law, financing, brokerage, contracts, closings + more
- Self-paced Pre-licensing Course ($529): Taught by experienced professionals. Each course fulfills 30 of the required 90 hrs of renewal coursework. Courses include Broker Relationships and Responsibilities, Contracts and Closings + NC Law, Rules & Legal Concepts
- Post licensing ($225): Required 30 hrs of post-licensing coursework. Primarily video with some light reading, activities & quizzes. Includes The Adventure Guide book. Choose from the following courses: Broker Relationships and Responsibilities, Contracts and Closings or NC Law, Rules & Legal Concepts
- Continuing Education ($55): NCREC-approved continuing education that keeps agents current on rule changes and market topics, with flexible online courses you can take anytime
Enroll at Carolina School of Real Estate Now
Kaplan: Best for exam prep
Starting from: $449
Kaplan Real Estate Education works with thousands of students each year, helping them begin and advance their real estate careers. Students report being impressed with the school’s high-quality prelicensing, exam prep and continuing education courses, and the industry-expert instructors who teach them. Kaplan’s online prelicensing courses not only include full access to the instructor, but also enable you to complete your required education when and where it’s convenient for you. Each course combines solid industry fundamentals with the latest state-specific information needed to pass the North Carolina licensing exam.
Pros & Cons
- Tuition includes exam prep
- Nationally recognized brand
- Online video courses make learning easy to complete on your time
- Interactive tools and features for an enhanced learning experience
- Live classes require a Zoom account
- No mobile app
- Course discounts are not readily available
Features
- Course formats: Live online or online video courses.
- Course access: Per the North Carolina Real Estate Commission Rule, all students taking an asynchronous online video course have six months from the date of purchase to complete their course.
- Refund policy: Kaplan offers online students a full tuition refund within 30 days of purchase, but only if the class has not been completed.
- Guarantees: PassProtection states that if you don’t pass, you may be allowed to retake the course within a set timeframe (often six months) without additional cost.
- Exam prep: Kaplan offers comprehensive, instructor-led North Carolina broker exam prep courses delivered in both live online and online video formats. When you enroll in one of the North Carolina prelicensing online video courses, you receive free enrollment in the real estate exam prep course.
- Student support: Student or Technical Support staff are available to answer any questions via phone during business hours. General support is also available via email or live chat.
- Final exam: All students taking a synchronous live online class must complete their course and pass the proctored end-of-course final exam within 23 days of the last day of class. According to North Carolina Real Estate Commission rules, course extensions cannot be granted.
Pricing
All Kaplan’s prelicensing classes meet North Carolina’s 75-hour prelicensing requirement. All post-licensing courses meet NC’s 90-hour continuing education requirement for first-time renewals, which must be completed within the first 18 months of licensure.
- Pre-licensing with Exam Prep Package ($449): Required 75 hrs of NC coursework. Online video course includes Modern Real Estate Practice in North Carolina textbook, NC Drill & Practice QBank + NC Exam Prep courses. Access to Interactive Study Group & Online Career Mentor Connect, 1-on-1 tutoring. Choose from live online or online video format.
- Career Launcher Package ($899): Required 75 hrs of NC coursework. Includes Modern Real Estate Practice in North Carolina textbook, NC Drill & Practice QBank + NC Exam Prep courses, Accelerator Online Video Course and Live Online Coaching. Access to Interactive Study Group & Online Career Mentor Connect, 1-on-1 tutoring. Choose from live online or online video format.
Enroll in Kaplan Now
Superior School of Real Estate: Best for career resources
Starting from: $529
Superior School of Real Estate’s instructors hold distinguished titles and are also actively engaged in North Carolina’s communities – and most of Superior’s instructors are practicing area brokers themselves. To accommodate professionals leading busy lives, the school has ample course options, offering half-day, full-day, night and weekend classes. Students are impressed with Superior’s leading course material, instructor insights and career connections. Superior also offers exclusive access and discounts to real estate coaching company Buffini & Company.
Pros & Cons
- In-person, livestream and self-paced course options available
- Includes a free career starter kit
- Support from local instructors
- Virtual careers nights are offered
- Live courses are not self-paced
- Limited exam prep compared to other schools
Features
- Course formats: In-person, livestream, and online self-paced options available.
- Course access: Per North Carolina Real Estate Commission rules, you must complete your course, including passing the proctored end-of-course exam, within 180 days of enrollment.
- Refund policy: Full refunds available within 30 days of purchase if a course has not been started. If courses have started, a partial refund may be available within 24 hours of the first class.
- Guarantees: Students who take the school’s CompuCram® North Carolina Exam Prep and don’t pass the exam on the first try are eligible for a refund of the original price of the CompuCram purchase.
- Exam prep: Superior offers a suite of North Carolina exam prep tools, from all-in-one solutions like CompuCram to an intensive eight-hour livestream crammer course. Exam prep (priced separately) includes practice tests, simulated exams, exam vocab, a livestream prep course led by area instructors and a Readiness Indicator to track your progress.
- Student support: With Classroom & Livestream Packages, you can engage with instructors and other real estate students through Q&A sessions. Support is also available by chat and phone during normal business hours.
- Final exam: The free, online final exam must be taken by the designated date and will be monitored using an online proctor.
Pricing
All Superior’s prelicensing classes meet North Carolina’s 75-hour prelicensing requirement. All post-licensing courses meet North Carolina’s 90-hour continuing education requirement for first-time renewals, which must be completed within the first 18 months of licensure.
- Career Essentials ($529): Required 75 hrs of NC coursework. Online course includes practice exams, Buffini & Company Career Coaching videos, printable Adventure Guide and more.
- Classroom & Livestream Packages ($549): Required 75 hrs of NC coursework. Includes practice exams, Buffini & Company Career Coaching videos, printable Adventure Guide, hardcopy course textbook + more. Choose from Virtual Classroom or Live Class on designated dates/times, at various locations across NC.
- Career Professional ($639): Required 75 hrs of NC coursework. Online course includes practice exams, Buffini & Company Career Coaching videos, printable Adventure Guide, audio review of National Exam topics, Instructor Q&A and more.
- Career Ultimate ($949): Required 75 hrs of NC coursework. Online course includes practice exams, Buffini & Company Career Coaching videos, printable Adventure Guide, audio review of National Exam topics, Instructor Q&A, Crammer Course, Exam Prep powered by CompuCram, hardcopy course textbook and more.
Enroll in Superior School of Real Estate Now
FastPass Learning: Best for affordable learning
Starting from: $408
FastPass Learning is a North Carolina-approved real estate school providing high-quality online courses, from prelicensing to continuing education. The school prides itself on offering exceptional service and guidance, as well as an intuitive learning experience. FastPass Learning’s online courses were designed to make it as easy as possible for students to get the education they need. Students report feeling better prepared for their real estate careers after completing the school’s courses.
Pros & Cons
- Online, self-paced learning
- Mobile-friendly
- Free trial demo available
- Limited course options available
- Textbook is not included for post-licensing
Features
- Course formats: Online, self-paced video courses.
- Course access: All courses expire six months after the date of enrollment. In some cases, expired prelicensing course enrollments may be extended for a fee.
- Refund policy: FastPass Learning’s Premium Prelicensing package includes a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
- Guarantees: No pass guarantee.
- Exam prep: FastPass Learning’s practice exam package is meant to prepare you for the North Carolina real estate licensing exam with exam simulations and an intuitive exam prep to help improve your score on topics that are difficult for you.
- Student support: Students who enroll in the Prelicensing Premium class receive instructor support seven days/week. For general support, the FastPass team is available via submission form, email, or phone during normal business hours.
- Final exam: North Carolina regulations require that you take a proctored final exam after completing your course.
Pricing
FastPass Learning’s prelicensing classes meet North Carolina’s 75-hour prelicensing requirement. All post-licensing courses meet North Carolina’s 90-hour continuing education requirement for first-time renewals, which must be completed within the first 18 months of licensure.
- Standard ($408): Required 75 hours of coursework. 7 days/week instructor support.
- Premium ($535): Required 75 hours of coursework. Includes NC Exam Simulator & course eBook. 7 days/week instructor support.
- Post licensing ($525): Required 90 hours of coursework. Includes 3 x 30-hour online video courses: Broker Relationships and Responsibilities, Contracts and Closings + NC Law, Rules & Legal Concepts.
- Continuing Education ($47): Stand-alone CE online courses cover current industry topics. Each course fulfills the required four credits of CE coursework.
Enroll in FastPass Now
Sea Coast Real Estate Academy: Best for local, in-person learning
Starting from: $450
For over two decades, Sea Coast Real Estate Academy has been providing a quality education for those wanting to obtain a real estate license and continue their learning. The school is known for its affordable prelicensing education, and real estate courses are taught by local, dynamic teachers in a comfortable setting that students appreciate. Sea Coast Real Estate Academy also provides post-licensing, exam prep and continuing education. Accessible on all devices, course formats are offered via livestream, self-study and on-demand video.
Pros & Cons
- Can be purchased as a gift
- Free exam prep available
- Live or self-paced courses available
- Retake exam included in prelicensing package
- Courses held
- Reservation fee required
- Live courses are not flexible
Features
- Course formats: Live and self-paced options available.
- Course access: All prelicensing courses must be completed within 180 days of registration. This timeframe includes the final exam and the retake exam.
- Refund policy: A student who withdraws from the broker prelicensing or a post-licensing course can choose from receiving a full refund or transferring to a different class before the first class. No refunds will be made on or after the first class.
- Guarantees: No pass guarantee.
- Exam prep: Sea Coast’s Broker Exam Review is an online class offered via Zoom on designated dates/ times. It includes three hours of exam review and one hour of Q&A.
- Student support: If you need to speak to someone over the phone, you can leave a voicemail that the school’s admin will return during normal business hours. Support is also available via email.
- Final exam: The prelicensing course includes a 112-question final exam. The exam must be taken online and will be monitored using an online proctor.
Pricing
Sea Coast Real Estate Academy’s prelicensing classes meet North Carolina’s 75-hour prelicensing requirement. All post-licensing courses meet NC’s 90-hour continuing education requirement for first-time renewals, which must be completed within the first 18 months of licensure.
- Prelicensing ($450): Required 75 hours of coursework. Read-only course. Quizzes throughout the course must be passed before moving forward. No additional books or materials required. Includes textbook/e-book, math workbook, free exam review sessions & course material.
- Postlicensing ($225): 30-hr online courses Broker Relationships and Responsibilities, Contracts and Closings or NC Law, Rules & Legal Concepts. Must be purchased as stand-alone courses. Choose from designated dates/times.
Enroll in Sea Coast Real Estate Academy Now
Methodology: How we chose the best online real estate courses in North Carolina
To determine the very best North Carolina real estate schools, we conducted extensive research, rating each school based on the following:
- Affordability and flexibility
- Course offerings, including study tools and technology
- Course access and format options
- Instructor expertise and accessibility
- Pass rates and student satisfaction
- Return policies or pass guarantees
- Student support and engagement
Finally, we considered each school’s unique features and professional development opportunities, which can be of lasting value to real estate agents like yourself.
FAQs: Best real estate courses in North Carolina for 2025
What are the steps to getting a North Carolina real estate license?
The requirements for taking the NC real estate exam and becoming a provisional broker are as follows:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Complete 75 hours of NC prelicensing real estate classes
- Complete a background check
- Apply for your Provisional Broker’s License online
- Schedule, take, and pass the licensing exam
- Select a sponsoring broker-in-charge so that you can get an active license and become a
- North Carolina provisional real estate broker
How much does real estate school cost in North Carolina?
Starting a new career in real estate will require an investment, so support it with an education that will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need. To become a real estate agent in North Carolina, here’s what to budget for:
- Prelicensing exam coursework: $356 to $715
- Background check: $35
- North Carolina application fee: $100
- State examination fee: $56
The estimated total is between $547 and $906.
How long is the North Carolina licensing exam?
The NC Real Estate License Exam consists of 120 questions and is based on the 75-hour prelicensing curriculum. The number of questions included on the License Exam is as follows:
- The provisional broker exam consists of 40 state-specific questions. You’re given 1.5 hours to complete this section.
- The provisional broker exam consists of 80 national questions. You’re given 2.5 hours to complete this section.
How hard is the North Carolina real estate exam?
To pass the North Carolina real estate licensing exam, you’ll need to score a minimum of 75% on both the national and state portions of the exam. For the thousands of students who pass the North Carolina licensure exam every year, the key to not just passing but scoring higher than what’s required is preparation through the right education provider.
What is the average salary for a North Carolina real estate agent?
According to Indeed.com, the estimated average salary for a North Carolina real estate agent is $101,945 annually (as of this writing).
The full picture: Best real estate courses in North Carolina
Starting a new career in real estate can be exciting. If you’re new to North Carolina real estate, knowing what the best online real estate schools in the state have to offer can make all the difference! Now that you have the inside scoop on the top North Carolina real estate schools, you can choose one that best suits your goals, learning style and budget.
From tips on finding the best school for getting your real estate education to passing the state licensing exam and fulfilling your continuing education requirements, HousingWire has the information you need to start your career and succeed as a North Carolina real estate professional.
Helpful links
We’ve rounded up the links and sites that prospective real estate agents visit the most for more information on obtaining a license, choosing a school, and other requirements in North Carolina:
English