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How hard is the North Carolina Real Estate Broker exam?

Quick answer

The North Carolina Real Estate Broker exam is a serious, studiable test — its difficulty comes less from any single hard idea than from the breadth of material across 19 weighted content areas. Expect 140 questions in 270 minutes. The passing standard is 75 (scaled). PrepPass has 466+ free North Carolina Real Estate Broker practice questions with explanations, organized by topic, plus a full timed mock exam.

How to make the North Carolina Real Estate Broker exam easier

Work through real practice questions until you consistently clear the standard you need. PrepPass has 466+ free North Carolina Real Estate Broker practice questions with answer explanations and a full timed mock exam — no signup required.

Studying in order?

In the North Carolina Real Estate Broker Exam guide: A Common Traps list and a Check Yourself set with a worked answer key closing each of the 10 national chapters. Practice here stays free.

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The North Carolina Real Estate Broker exam at a glance

140
questions
270 min
time limit
75 (scaled)
to pass
19
content areas

The 19 content areas on the North Carolina Real Estate Broker exam

The exam is built from weighted content areas — focus your study time where the weight is. These weights are how PrepPass has organized the material; check the exam authority’s own outline for its published breakdown.

Property Ownership8%
Land Use Controls and Regulations5%
Valuation and Market Analysis8%
Financing9%
Contracts17%
Agency13%
Property Disclosures8%
Transfer of Title6%
Practice of Real Estate12%
Property Management6%
Real Estate Calculations8%
NC Agency26%
Brokerage Practice20%
Other NC Laws18%
Contracts/Closing12%
Supervision/Compensation7%
Taxes/Insurance7%
Licensure5%
Landlord/Tenant5%

How the North Carolina Real Estate Broker exam is administered

North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) oversees licensing. The exam is delivered by Pearson VUE. Prelicensing education: 75 hours (Broker Prelicensing Course). Confirm the current details with the official authority before you rely on them.

What is the pass rate, and can you retake it?

Wondering about pass rates and what happens if you don't pass the first time?

See North Carolina Real Estate Brokerpass rate & retake rules →

Frequently asked questions

What score do you need to pass the North Carolina Real Estate Broker exam?+

The passing standard for the North Carolina Real Estate Broker exam is 75 (scaled).

How many questions are on the North Carolina Real Estate Broker exam?+

The North Carolina Real Estate Broker exam has 140 questions, with a time limit of 270 minutes.

How many prelicensing hours does North Carolina require to become a real estate agent?+

North Carolina requires the 75-hour Broker Prelicensing Course approved by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission before you sit for the state exam.

Who licenses real estate agents in North Carolina?+

The North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) licenses real estate brokers. New licensees enter as 'Provisional Brokers' (North Carolina has no separate salesperson license). NCREC uses Pearson VUE to deliver the exam.

How is the North Carolina broker exam structured?+

The North Carolina broker exam is delivered by Pearson VUE with a national portion and a North Carolina state portion, scored separately; you must pass both. Confirm the current scored-question counts in the Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook.

How should I study for the North Carolina Real Estate Broker exam?+

Focus your time on the heaviest content areas, then drill practice questions by topic until you consistently clear the standard you need. PrepPass has 466+ free North Carolina Real Estate Broker practice questions with full explanations and a timed mock exam.

Last updated: August 2026

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