Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Cumbie and Trull the same as Cumbie Institute?

A: Cumbie and Trull is not connected in any way with Cumbie Institute. Neither Roger Cumbie nor Bill Trull has any affiliations with Cumbie Institute.

Q: Why would I need a real estate license?

A: In general, any person who transacts real estate business (including property management and time share sales) for compensation as an agent for another must have a real estate license.

Q: What do I have to do to get a real estate license in North Carolina?

A: Take and pass an approved 75-hour prelicensing course, submit an application to the Real Estate Commission and pass the state licensing exam.

Q: What are the postlicensing courses?

A: Newly licensed agents receive their real estate broker license on “provisional” status. The postlicensing courses (three 30-hour courses) must be completed within three years of receiving the real estate license. After completing all three postlicensing courses the license will be removed from “provisional” status.

Q: Do you teach the Broker-in-Charge course?

A: The one-time 12 hour BIC course must be taken within 120 days of appointment as BIC and is taught by the Real Estate Commission. The 4 hour BIC Annual Review course must be taken by every BIC each license year along with the 4 hour Update course. The schedule for the Annual Review course is located on our Continuing Education page.

Q: Are all real estate agents REALTORS®?

A: No. The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Q: How do I sign up for a class?

A: You can register on the website, call on the phone or email us.

Q: Why would I need two years of experience working in real estate?

A: The only experience requirement is for brokers-in-charge. A real estate agent must have two years of experience to be designated as a broker-in-charge and complete the 12-hour broker-in-charger course, taught by the Real Estate Commission, within 120 days of designation.

Q: Where is the state test given?

A: The state exam is administered by PSI services. The testing center for Asheville is in a multi-building complex between Druid and Haywood Road on Patton Avenue: 1306 C Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28806. The state test is 115 multiple choice questions, four hours long, given on a computer.

Q: What costs are involved in getting a real estate license?

A: $495 tuition for the licensing course, $30 for the application fee to the state, $15 or more for a criminal background report and $66 to take the state exam.

Q: Are textbooks included in the cost of the class?

A: The textbook is included in the cost for the prelicensing course. The North Carolina Real Estate Manual is required for the postlicensing courses and costs $50 in addition to the tuition. The Real Estate Manual may also be purchased directly from the Real Estate Commission.

Q: Do I have to pay for a class before it starts?

A: You must pay at least $100 to start a licensing course. You may then pay off the remaining tuition any time before you take the class exam.

Q: What do I need to bring to class?

A: For licensing courses bring writing materials and a calculator. Financial or real estate calculators are allowed but any basic four function calculator is all that is required for the course. Calculators should be silent, should not have a paper tape, and should not have the capability to store words. You may also want to bring a coat, sweater or wrap even during summer months.

Q: I have a real estate license in another state. What do I have to do to get a North Carolina license?

A: It depends on your individual situation. You need to call the Real Estate Commission, 919-875-3700, to determine your requirements to get a license.

Q: What are the yearly requirements for a real estate license?

A: Licensees must pay $40 a year to renew their license. Eight hours of continuing education (one update and one elective course) must be completed each year to keep the license active.

Q: I have an inactive real estate license. What do I have to do to activate it?

A: You must complete sixteen hours of continuing education (one update course and three elective courses) to activate the license. You may want to call the Real Estate Commission, 919-875-3700, to confirm the status of your license and requirements for activation.