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 Pearson VUE. The testing center in Asheville is located at Asheville Pearson Test Center, One Town Square Boulevard, Suite 350, Asheville, NC 28803. This is located in Biltmore Park in south Asheville. 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.