7 Mistakes NC Brokers Make with Their Continuing Education (and How to Fix Them)
North Carolina brokers must complete 8 hours of continuing education each license year:
One 4-hour Update course
One 4-hour Commission-approved elective
The CE completion period runs from July 1 through June 10. The June 10 deadline is separate from the June 30 license-renewal deadline. Brokers who wait until the last part of June may find that there are no eligible CE classes available.
Most CE problems are not caused by difficult material. They happen because a broker chooses the wrong course, misunderstands the deadline, or overlooks a participation requirement.
Here are seven common mistakes and the practical fix for each one.
1. What if you take GENUP when you need BICUP?
The General Update, or GENUP, is for North Carolina brokers who are not Brokers-in-Charge and do not have BIC-Eligible status.
The Broker-in-Charge Update, or BICUP, is for:
Current Brokers-in-Charge
Brokers with BIC-Eligible status
Taking GENUP instead of BICUP may allow you to complete an Update course, but it can affect your BIC or BIC-Eligible status. A broker who needs BICUP should not assume that any four-hour Update course will meet the requirement.
The fix
Check your current status before registering.
You can also review our GENUP vs. BICUP guide on the Encompass blog for a simple comparison.
2. Do you assume you can complete CE in June?
Many brokers think, “I will take care of it in June.” The problem is that CE must be completed by June 10.
The period from June 11 through June 30 is not an additional CE window. June 30 is connected to license renewal, but it is not the CE completion deadline.
For the 2026–27 license year, the CE completion period is July 1, 2026, through June 10, 2027. The same annual structure applies each license year.
If you do not complete the required CE by June 10, your license may become inactive on July 1. A CE deficiency can also create additional steps before you can return to active status.
The fix
Put your CE on your calendar earlier in the license year.
A simple schedule is:
Choose your Update course during the fall or winter.
Complete your elective before spring.
Check your NCREC record after both courses are reported.
Treat June 10 as the final completion date, not June 30.
The NCREC continuing education information provides official course and schedule information.
3. Do you think the Update course covers all 8 hours?
The Update course is mandatory, but it is only 4 hours.
You still need one additional 4-hour elective to reach the required 8 hours. The Update and the elective serve different purposes:
The Update covers the Commission-required annual Update material.
The elective allows you to study another approved topic that can support your daily practice.
Completing only GENUP or BICUP leaves you four hours short.
The fix
Use a two-course checklist:
4-hour GENUP or BICUP
4-hour elective
Completion certificate saved
CE record checked
Encompass offers practical electives such as Using RPR to Better Serve Buyers and Sellers. The course focuses on using property data, comparable sales, reports, and research tools to help clients.
4. Do you treat the Update course as optional?
The annual Update is not an optional refresher. Every North Carolina broker must complete the appropriate Update course each license year.
The specific course depends on your status. Non-BIC brokers generally take GENUP. BICs and BIC-Eligible brokers take BICUP.
Skipping the Update for a year can create a CE deficiency. It may also affect your ability to maintain active licensure or BIC-related status. By having a clear understanding of the mistakes NC brokers make with their continuing education, you should be able to avoid putting yourself in this situation.
The fix
At the beginning of each license year, confirm three details:
Which Update course applies to you?
Which elective would be useful for your practice?
When will you complete both courses?
NCREC-approved CE is designed to address current rules, licensing issues, and other topics that affect brokers. Completing the Update early also gives you more time to understand how the information applies to your work.
5. Do you assume any self-paced online course satisfies the rules?
Self-paced online education can be useful, but it does not automatically satisfy every CE requirement.
For North Carolina brokers, the Update course must be completed through approved live instruction, either in person or through synchronous online instruction. A self-paced course generally cannot replace the required live GENUP or BICUP course.
An approved elective may have different delivery options, including approved self-paced education. The course still needs to be Commission-approved and completed according to the provider’s requirements.
The fix
Before purchasing an online course, verify:
Whether it is approved for North Carolina CE
Whether it is an Update course or an elective
Whether it is live or self-paced
Whether it provides the hours you still need
Encompass Update courses are 4-hour live classes on Zoom. Brokers can join from anywhere with a reliable internet connection, a working camera, and audio.
6. Do you forget to save proof of completion?
Providers report course completions to NCREC, but brokers should still keep their own records.
A completion certificate gives you proof of the course, date, provider, and credit hours. It can be helpful if your record does not update as expected or if you need to confirm what you completed.
Providers generally report course completion to NCREC within the required reporting period. That does not mean you should skip checking your record.
The fix
After each class:
Download or save your completion certificate.
Keep it with your professional records.
Check your NCREC license record after the provider reports the course.
Contact the school if the credit does not appear within the expected timeframe.
You do not usually need to report the course yourself, but you are responsible for confirming that your CE record is accurate.
The NCREC guidance on checking your CE record provides additional information.
7. Do you book a live class during a closing or vacation?
A live Zoom class is convenient, but it still requires your full participation.
Brokers can run into problems when they register for a class during a closing, inspection, vacation, appointment, or other commitment. Leaving the class, turning off the camera, or losing access for an extended period can affect attendance and CE credit.
Encompass live classes require participants to provide their legal name and license number, participate during instruction, and remain visible on camera. Attendance is monitored.
The fix
Choose a class date when you can be present for the entire session.
Before class:
Test your internet connection.
Check your camera and audio.
Use a desktop, laptop, or comparable tablet.
Review the school’s attendance policies.
Keep your camera on and remain visible during instruction.
Notify the instructor promptly if a technology problem occurs.
If a closing or client appointment conflicts with a class, choose another available date. Completing a live course requires more than logging into Zoom.
What does a simple CE plan look like?
A practical plan is straightforward:
Confirm whether you need GENUP or BICUP.
Register for the 4-hour live Update course.
Choose one 4-hour elective.
Complete both courses between July 1 and June 10.
Save your certificates.
Check your NCREC record.
You can view current live NC CE classes on Zoom and compare GENUP, BICUP, and elective options.
How can Encompass help avoid mistakes NC brokers make with their continuing education?
Encompass Real Estate School provides NCREC-approved continuing education for North Carolina real estate professionals.
Live on Zoom
Join from anywhere
4 hours per class
$65 per class
GENUP, BICUP, and electives available
Practical instruction from actively practicing brokers
The classes focus on real-world scenarios, useful takeaways, and information you can apply when working with buyers, sellers, and other professionals. The goal is to make the requirements easy to understand while helping you feel more prepared to serve clients.
If you are not sure which course applies to you, start with the GENUP course page or the BICUP course page. You can also get in touch with Encompass with a course or scheduling question.
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