Failed the North Carolina Real Estate Exam? How Retakes Work

Short answer: If you passed one section of the North Carolina real estate exam, you retake only the section you failed. Before retaking, you must refile your application with the Commission and pay the application fee and exam fee again, wait at least 10 calendar days, and pass within your same 180-day exam eligibility period. If that period expires first, you lose credit for the section you passed and must start over with both sections.

Which sections you retake

If you fail both sections, the handbook says you must keep taking the two-part comprehensive exam until you pass at least one section. Once you pass one section, you may apply to take only the remaining unpassed section.

Step by step: retaking inside your 180 days

1. Read your score. Under 21 NCAC 58A .0402(d), you are told your actual score for any failed section. Passed sections show only "pass."
2. Refile with the Commission. Return to your application portal at the Commission's website, verify that your original information has not changed, refile, and pay another application fee. Each application and fee is valid for only one exam attempt.
3. Get an updated notice. The Commission issues an updated Notice of Exam Eligibility showing which section(s) you may retake and the remaining dates in your period.
4. Schedule with Pearson. Pay the Pearson fee and schedule. The handbook says no candidate may contact Pearson to retake without first refiling and paying another application fee.

The 10-day wait

Rule 21 NCAC 58A .0403(c) says an applicant who fails one or both sections may not retake the failed section(s) for at least 10 calendar days. The handbook adds that you can schedule another exam within your initial 180-day timeframe if there are at least 10 eligibility days after your last test date. Late in your window, that wait can decide whether a retake is still possible.

What stays the same and what resets

• Same window: refiling to retake inside your period does not start a new 180 days. Both sections must be passed during the same 180-day examination eligibility period, and the period cannot be extended for any reason.
• Passed section is kept only inside the window: if you pass only one section before the period ends, you lose the benefit of that pass. Rule .0402(d) says that passing score will not be recognized if you re-apply.
• When the window expires: you need a new exam eligibility period. That means ordering a new criminal record report, verifying your application, refiling, and paying another application fee. If you still qualify, you get a new 180-day period and must pass both sections in it.
• Your prelicensing course: the course must have been completed within three years before license application, so a long delay can matter.

Is there a limit on attempts?

No. The handbook states there is no limit to the number of times a qualified candidate can refile and attempt the exam. The limit is time: everything required must be passed within one 180-day period.

After you pass

A passing score is valid for one year from the date you pass under Rule .0402(e), and you must finish any remaining licensing requirements in that year. Most new licensees then receive an inactive provisional broker license; see what a provisional broker is.

How to prepare for the retake

• Compare your failing score with the passing score of 75 for that section to judge the gap.
• Use the content outline to focus. On the State section, Agency (16 items), Brokerage Practice (12) and Other NC Laws (11) carry the most weight.
• Remember that unanswered items are scored as incorrect, so plan your pace to finish every item.

Review the full outline in our exam structure guide, the timing rules in our application and 180-day guide, and practice by area at North Carolina lessons, such as NC brokerage practice.

Independent exam-prep guide. Not affiliated with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission or Pearson VUE. Always confirm current requirements with the Commission.