North Carolina Real Estate Exam: How Many Questions, How Long, and What Score Do You Need to Pass?
Short answer: The North Carolina real estate license exam has two separately timed and scored parts: a National section with 80 scored questions (2.5 hours) and a State section with 60 scored questions (2 hours). Each section also carries 5 unscored pretest questions. You must reach the passing score of 75 on each section on its own, and pass all required sections within the same 180-day exam eligibility period.
One exam, two sections
North Carolina is a "broker only" license state, so there is only one license exam. It is an entry-level exam designed to measure minimal competency to practice real estate brokerage. Commission Rule 21 NCAC 58A .0402(b) says the exam consists of two sections: a "national" section on general real estate law, principles and practices, and a "state" section on North Carolina real estate law, principles and practices.
Pearson VUE develops the National section. The North Carolina Real Estate Commission develops the State section, and Pearson administers it only to North Carolina applicants. Most applicants take both sections together as the "comprehensive" exam, and they cannot choose to take only one section at that first appointment if both are required.
Questions and time at a glance
| Section | Scored items | Pretest items | Time allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 5 | 2.5 hours |
| State | 60 | 5 | 2.0 hours |
| Comprehensive (both) | 140 | 10 | Timed separately |
The time limit for each section includes any break you take during that section; the exam clock does not stop for a break. Because the two sections are timed separately, a break between sections is not deducted from either section. The on-screen tutorial at the start does not count against exam time.
What the State section covers
The April 2026 handbook gives the number of scored items by subject area. The State section is heavy on agency and brokerage practice:
| State section area | Items |
|---|---|
| Licensure | 3 |
| Agency | 16 |
| Supervision/Compensation | 4 |
| Brokerage Practice | 12 |
| Taxes/Insurance | 4 |
| Contracts/Closing | 7 |
| Landlord/Tenant | 3 |
| Other NC Laws | 11 |
The National section covers Real Property (9), Ownership (8), Valuation (11), Contracts & Agency (16), Real Estate Practice (14), Property Disclosures (8), Financing (7) and Real Estate Math (7). You can study each State area in our North Carolina lessons, starting with NC agency.
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- Passing score: the handbook states that the passing score for each of the two sections is 75 and is computed separately for each section. Doing very well on one section does not make up for a low score on the other.
- Equal value: all scored items have equal value.
- Pretest items do not count: the 5 pretest items in each section are not used in computing your score, and you cannot tell which items they are. Treat every question as if it counts.
- Blank answers are wrong: an unanswered item is automatically scored as incorrect, so make an educated guess rather than leave anything blank.
- Format: every item is multiple choice. The basic format is a question or incomplete statement followed by four answer options.
What your score report tells you
Under Rule .0402(d), if you pass a section you receive only a score of "pass" for that section. If you fail a section, you are told your actual score for the section you failed. That number helps you judge how far you were from 75 before you retake. See what happens if you fail a section.
A passing result is not permanent. Rule .0402(e) says a passing score is valid for one year from the date you passed, and you must finish any remaining licensing requirements in that time.
The 180-day window affects scoring too
All required sections must be passed within the same 180-day Examination Eligibility Period. If you pass one section and the period ends before you pass the other, credit for the passed section is forfeited and you start over with both sections. The details are in our guide to the application and 180-day rule.
Who takes only the State section
Applicants who qualify through current licensure in another state may take only the State section (or, in some cases, bypass the exam). The handbook warns that these applicants have an average State-section pass rate of less than 50%, so serious preparation for North Carolina law and practice matters even for experienced agents.
Test-day tips from the handbook
- Pace yourself and do not spend too long on any one item.
- Mark hard questions for review and come back to them; you can change answers until time runs out or you end the exam.
- A calculator is recommended but not provided; it must be a hand-held, battery or solar financial calculator without alpha characters.
Independent exam-prep guide. Not affiliated with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission or Pearson VUE. Always confirm current requirements with the Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the North Carolina real estate exam?
What score do you need to pass the NC real estate exam?
How long is the North Carolina real estate exam?
Do I get my actual score if I pass?
- Real Estate Licensing in North Carolina (NCREC / Pearson VUE handbook, April 2026) — Exam sections, item counts, pretest items, time limits, content outline, passing score of 75, scoring hints
- 21 NCAC 58A, North Carolina Real Estate Commission Rules — Rule .0402: two sections, passing each required section, score reporting, one-year validity of passing scores
