Key reports, issues, and decisions of interest to licensees and/or the public are reported here from the most recent Commission meeting:
Commission Meeting of May 21, 2025
Pending Cases: The Commission entered into consent agreements to suspend 4 licenses, ordered hearings in cases involving 13 licensees, left 2 cases pending, closed case without action against 1 licensee, authorized injunctive relief involving 3 licensees, reprimanded 3 licensees, accepted the voluntary surrender of 1 licensee, accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of 3 licensees, and approved payment from the Real Estate Education and Recovery Fund in the amount of $5,274.00.
License Applications Involving Character Issues: License applicants who have character issues such as prior criminal convictions or disciplinary actions by another licensing board are separately considered by the Commission. Decisions are based upon criminal background checks, information supplied by the applicant, and in-person interviews.
Total candidates considered: 15; total approved: 5; total approved with conditions: 8; continued: 2.
License Examination Results: If you are interested in reviewing the most recent statistics and pass rates regarding the North Carolina broker license examination, click here License Examination Results.
Renewals: The Director of Education and Licensing reviewed the comprehensive planning for renewals, including advance electronic notices and reminders in the Commission’s social media and the e-Bulletin. He reported that on the first day of renewals, License Services renewed 11,073 licenses, and as of Wednesday morning, 34,761 licenses have been renewed. The renewal rates are ahead of last year. The Director of Education and Licensing noted that as of the start of last week, there were over 38,000 brokers who were CE deficient. They have until June 10 to complete their education.
Education Town Hall: The Assistant Director of Education and Licensing gave a brief report on the May 13 Education Town Hall noting that 66 instructors, education providers, and education directors met. The Assistant Director of Education and Licensing reported that the topics discussed were CE-deficient licensees, form changes, and legislation. Staff reminded the educators that license renewal and CE completion is due in June and provided an update on possible rule changes resulting from the recommendations of the BIC Span of Control Workgroup.
PearsonVUE: The Director of Education and Licensing made a presentation regarding the first year of business with PearsonVue, the Commission’s license examination vendor since March 2024. The Director of Education and Licensing highlighted the many test centers available both within North Carolina and in neighboring states, the revalidation of 194 test questions, and revision of 8 others, and the plan for the next state-specific test development planned for August 2025. The Director of Education and Licensing reported that a total of 8,343 exams were delivered to licensees by PearsonVUE during their first year; there were 189 “no shows” for examination and 337 cancelations. The Director of Education and Licensing provided data on the number of exams delivered by month, noting a slight downward trend. The Director of Education and Licensing also provided data on the exams delivered by state, indicating that exams have been delivered in 37 states and the District of Columbia, including delivery of one test in Hawaii, and another in Alaska, most of these to people who are likely planning to move to North Carolina at some point in the future. The Director of Education and Licensing concluded with a review of the satisfaction survey results showing 98-100% satisfaction rates in all categories.
Press and Seal Notices: The Director of Education and Licensing reported that staff previously have eliminated all paper notices except change notices. With the support of the Administration Committee, staff would like to start sending all change notices electronically, as soon as technical systems and processes are in place. This would result in over $170,000 of cost savings on paper, postage, and printing. The Commission raised no objections.
Financial Report: The Commission received and reviewed the monthly Financial Report presented by the Chief Financial Officer for the period ending April 30, 2025.
Commission’s Authority to Charge Fees: The Chief Financial Officer presented a comprehensive report on the Commission’s authority to charge fees, as set out in the law and rules. The Executive Director reported that most fee changes would require a rule or statute change. Mr. Lindsey inquired about fees the Commission can increase without a rule or statute change. The Executive Director responded that the Commission has broad authority to set a fee for publications and educational programs. Mr. Lindsey commended the Executive Director, the Chief Financial Officer, and Accountant on the creation of the spreadsheet. He asked if the Commission created a new course and licensed it, for example an Item Writing Workshop, whether the Commission could establish a price for it without rulemaking. The Executive Director responded that the Commission could set a fee for the course, as to licensing it, she would need to look into that topic further.
Brochures: The Accountant presented the Commission with a detailed analysis of net income and loss for its various print publications, and the recommendation of the Finance Committee that the Commission consider discontinuing printing three disclosure forms that are available for download for free online, along with various Spanish language translations of brochures that are in low demand. Upon a motion from Mr. Aceto, the Commission voted to discontinue printing and storing those publications, as noted in gray on the exhibit. Mr. Lindsey commended the Accountant on the cost analysis.
Regulatory Affairs Committee Meeting: The Executive Director provided a report on the April 30 Regulatory Affairs Committee meeting. The Executive Director noted that Mr. Black, Mr. Beaty, and Ms. Sebti discussed NCGS § 93A-1, Zoom meeting broadcasting, wholesaling, the Residential Square Footage Guidelines brochure, and Rule 21 NCAC 58A. 0112(b). As to Rule A .0112(b), the Executive Director noted that the exhibit includes an email from NC REALTORS® requesting that the Commission eliminate from the rule the prohibition on including commission provisions in a standard form contract, even at the direction of the parties or their attorney. The Executive Director further reported that language had been added to a bill in the legislature that would require the Commission to allow commission provisions in the purchase contract. She reported that while the Committee discussed a variety of options, including letting the legislation proceed without comment, supporting or opposing it, and/or engaging in rulemaking to eliminate the prohibition, the Committee did not make a specific recommendation. Upon a motion from Mr. Aceto, the Commission directed staff to initiate rulemaking to eliminate the words “the payment of a commission or compensation including” in Rule 58A. 0112(b) so that the rule would read:
(b) A broker acting as an agent in a real estate transaction shall not use a preprinted offer or sales contract form containing: (1) any provision concerning the forfeiture of earnest money to any broker or firm….”
Mr. Ramseur was recused and not present for the discussion.
Legislation: The Director of Regulatory Affairs reviewed the Legislative Report, summarizing bills that are currently pending in the General Assembly that relate to real estate brokerage, occupational licensing, or other matters of interest to the Commission. The Director of Regulatory Affairs noted that bills H15, H44, H96, H171, H212, H227, H402, H432, H763, H797, H992, S227, S257, S378, S423, and S474 made crossover. Upon a motion from Mr. Ramseur, the Commission voted to support H797 Residential Wholesaling Protection bill.
Rulemaking Update: The Compliance Manager provided an update on the 2025 Annual Rulemaking. The Compliance Manager reported that following the Commission’s adoption of the proposed rule text in March, eight rules were submitted to the Rules Review Commission (RRC) for review and approval at its April 24, 2025, meeting. RRC approved seven of these rules with non-substantive, technical modifications based on RRC Staff recommendations. The approved rules include 21 NCAC 58A .0106, .0502; and 58H .0204, .0206, .0209, .0302, and .0416. The remaining rule, 21 NCAC 58A .0302 is scheduled for review at RRC’s May 29, 2025, meeting. It retains the proposed effective date of July 1, 2025, and, with revisions, now meets the RRC staffs’ criteria for recommendation. The Compliance Manager reviewed the changes agreed to by RRC and Commission staff. The Compliance Manager noted that upon final approval of 21 NCAC 58A .0302, the Commission staff will publish a redline version of the rule text on the Commission’s website, notify individuals on the interested persons list, and share the update via the Commission’s social media platforms.
Medical/Dental Insurance Proposals: The Executive Director reported that she, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Commission’s Administration Committee (Mr. Aceto, Mr. Bell, and Ms. O’Connor), met with Mr. Parham McNair, CLU, ChFC, to review options for continuation of health, dental, and life/accidental death/long term disability insurance benefits for staff. Upon the motion of the Administration Committee, the Commission voted to adopt the recommendation of the Administration Committee and continue the current insurance coverage and benefits.
2025-2026 Projects: The Executive Director noted that if any of the members have any projects that they would like to add to the draft 2025-26 Projects Summaries list for consideration, she would like them to email their ideas to her and the Chair and Vice Chair.
Commission Member Expense Reimbursement Form: The Accountant provided a demonstration of the new Commission Member Expense Reimbursement Form. The Accountant commended the Chief Technology Officer and his team for the coding that went into creating the form. Mr. Lindsey commended the accountant on her work on the form.
Fair Housing Webpage: The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer gave a brief presentation on the layout of the updated Fair Housing webpage. Mr. Aceto inquired if the Commission’s Fair Housing statement should be added to the top of the Fair Housing page rather than the homepage. The Executive Director commended the Software Engineer and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for their work on revising the Fair Housing webpage. Mr. Lindsey suggested that the page also be updated to include any references relevant to commercial real estate. Upon the motion of Mr. Alston, the Commission directed staff to implement the changes to the Fair Housing webpage, to add the Commission’s mission statement more prominently to the homepage, and to put the Fair Housing Statement at the top of the Fair Housing web page rather than on the home page.
Appearances and Speeches: The Executive Director provided a report on recent speeches and reviewed the upcoming speeches and appearances by Commission members and staff.
Report on License Numbers: As of May 1, 2025, there are 127,811 brokers and firms licensed by the Commission, as follows:
Active Full Brokers – 84,904
Active Provisional Brokers – 4,362
Brokers-in-Charge – 17,921
BIC Eligible Brokers – 6,810
Inactive Full Brokers – 24,849
Inactive Provisional Brokers – 7,338
Firms – 17,774
Limited Nonresident Commercial Brokers – 284
Next Commission Meeting: The next Commission meeting will be held at 9:00am, June 18, 2025, at the North Carolina Real Estate Commission in Raleigh, NC and is open to the public. It can be viewed via Zoom online video.