NC General Update Course 2026-2027: Topics, Dates, and What to Expect
It's October, which means the 2026-2027 license year is already underway and a lot of brokers are asking the same thing: what exactly is in the NC General Update course this year, and when do I have to finish? Here's what NCREC has published about the NC General Update course for 2026-2027, along with the deadlines that actually matter.
I've linked every source to NCREC's own bulletins. The Commission picks Update course topics each year, so what you see here applies to this license year only.
NC General Update Course 2026-2027 at a Glance
Who takes it: provisional brokers and brokers who are not BIC or BIC eligible.
Your CE total: 8 hours each license year, made up of 4 hours of Update course and 4 hours of a Commission-approved elective.
When: anytime between July 1, 2026 and June 10, 2027.
Rule: all brokers need 8 hours of continuing education each license year under Rule 58A .1702.
Those details come from NCREC's 2026-2027 CE update and its main continuing education page. NCREC 2026-2027 update and NCREC continuing education
What Topics Are in the 2026-2027 General Update Course?
NCREC lists these General Update topics for this year: Source: NCREC Bulletins
Appraisals
NCREC Frequently Asked Questions
Fake Sellers
Fair Housing
Law and Rules Update
Licensing and Education Update
NCREC also says the Commission has added artificial intelligence videos throughout the course, aimed at giving brokers realistic scenarios and interactive learning. I'd expect a more scenario-driven course than a pure lecture.
NCREC's explanation for how topics get chosen is simple: the Commission determines Update course topics each year based on industry issues and trends. Source: NCREC Bulletins So if a topic shows up, it's because the Commission is seeing it come up in the real world, whether that's complaints, fraud, or rule changes. Treat the list as a heads-up about where brokers are getting into trouble.
Why the Appraisals Section Is Timely
The appraisal topic isn't random. NCREC says November 2, 2026 is the deadline for appraisers to start using the new UAD 3.6 appraisal form, and the 2026-2027 Update course includes an appraisal section. NCREC also reminds brokers that Rule 58A .0120(c) prohibits a broker from influencing, or attempting to influence, an appraiser's decision of value. Source: NCREC Bulletins
NCREC also offers a small wording tip: an appraisal ordered by a lender should be called the appraisal performed for the buyer's lender, not the buyer's appraisal. I wrote about the practical side in UAD 3.6 Appraisal Changes: What NC Real Estate Brokers Need to Know.
Why Fake Sellers Made the List
Fake seller fraud, where someone poses as the owner of vacant land or a property to sell it, is a topic every NC broker should take seriously. If you want a head start, here's my breakdown on how to verify a seller's identity before you list.
GENUP vs BICUP in 2026-2027: The Trap for BIC-Eligible Brokers
There are two Update courses. Brokers who are BICs or BIC eligible take the Broker-in-Charge Update (BICUP), which covers the General Update topics plus BIC Responsibilities. Everyone else takes the General Update.
Here's why that matters. NCREC warns that BIC-eligible brokers who complete the General Update instead of BICUP will keep their active license but lose their BIC and BIC-eligible status. Source: NCREC Bulletins
If you're not sure which group you're in, I'd check your license record before you register. My full comparison is in GENUP vs BICUP: Which NC Real Estate Update Course Do You Actually Need?. And if you're curious about the BIC route itself, see How to Become a Broker-in-Charge in North Carolina.
The Elective: Don't Forget the Other 4 Hours
The Update course only gets you halfway. You also need one Commission-approved elective, which is the other four hours of your 8-hour requirement. NCREC's CE page notes that Update courses must be taken live, either in person or synchronously online, while electives may be self-paced online. Source: NCREC Bulletins
That live requirement is the part that catches people. You can't leave your Update course for a random Tuesday night with no schedule. You need to pick a session that's actually running, and the best sessions fill up as the spring deadline gets closer.
NC CE Deadline 2027: June 10, Not June 30
Brokers mix these up every year. The CE deadline is June 10, and NCREC says that if you haven't completed your CE by then, your license becomes inactive on July 1. Renewal is a separate task that runs from May 15 to June 30. You can submit your renewal before your CE is done, but the CE still has to be finished by June 10 or your license goes inactive. Source: NCREC Bulletins and NCREC on reactivating after a CE deficiency.
NCREC also says there are no exceptions for circumstances that kept you from finishing. If you do get caught, my guide on how to reactivate your NC license after missing the CE deadline walks through the steps.
There's one exception worth knowing: newly licensed brokers are not required to complete CE before their first license renewal. Source: NCREC Bulletins
How to Make Sure Your CE Credit Posted
Finishing the class isn't the last step. Check that the credit made it to your record.
Education providers must report credit within seven days of course completion.
If it hasn't posted to your license record within 10 days, contact your provider.
To check, log in to your NCREC licensee account and view CE License Information. If Update Hours or Elective Hours show zero, you still have work to do.
All three come from NCREC's CE page. Source: NCREC Bulletins
A Simple 2026-2027 CE Plan
Figure out whether you need GENUP or BICUP, and confirm in your license record if you're unsure.
Pick an Update course session this fall or winter, while there are plenty of dates.
Choose your elective and finish it well before spring.
Confirm both credits show on your record.
Renew between May 15 and June 30.
If you want to avoid the usual errors, here's my list of 7 Mistakes NC Brokers Make with Their Continuing Education. And if you're nearing the end of the renewal process, the step-by-step renewal guide covers what to do after your CE is done.
Upcoming Encompass GENUP and BICUP Classes
If you'd rather get this done early, our live online classes run on Zoom from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eastern. These are the dates open as of October 22, 2026, so check the booking pages for current availability.
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Tuesday, January 19, 2027
Tuesday, February 9, 2027
Tuesday, March 16, 2027
Tuesday, April 13, 2027
Tuesday, May 11, 2027
BIC Update (BICUP) 2026-27 for BICs and BIC-eligible brokers:
Friday, November 20, 2026
Friday, January 15, 2027
Friday, February 19, 2027
Friday, March 12, 2027
Friday, April 16, 2027
Friday, May 21, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions About the NC General Update Course
How many CE hours do NC brokers need for 2026-2027?
Eight: the Update course plus one Commission-approved elective.
What is the deadline to finish CE?
June 10, 2027. The Update course window opened July 1, 2026.
Can I take the Update course on my own schedule?
NCREC says Update courses must be taken live, in person or synchronously online. Electives can be self-paced online.
What if I am BIC eligible?
Take BICUP, not the General Update, or you'll lose BIC eligible status.
Do new brokers have to take CE?
Not before their first license renewal, but post-licensing is its own requirement.
Get Your 2026-2027 CE Done Early
If you're ready to knock this out, take a look at the courses and live classes at Encompass Real Estate School. Message me if you're unsure which Update course or elective fits your license.
Sources: NCREC Bulletins on the 2026-2027 Update courses, continuing education, appraisal changes, and postlicensing vs. CE. Verify current requirements at ncrec.gov.
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