FAQ's
General Information
How do I access my courses (Live-Stream Courses)? You can access your real-time virtual courses via the Zoom app, which can be downloaded to your desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile device at https://zoom.us/support/download. We will email you a registration link which will give you access to your course no later than the day before the class starts.
What if I need additional help accessing my Live-Stream Course? Students will need to contact Zoom directly. Report support tickets to Zoom by -Online submission via submit a request. Chat live with our support team by visiting your account and selecting help in the lower right-hand corner here. Phone dial-in US: +1.888.799.9666 ext 2
Will I receive credit for online courses? Yes, the Live-Stream virtual courses will count towards your credits in the same way that classroom courses count towards your credits.
How long is class? What time requirements are there? A class hour is defined as 50 minutes of every hour devoted to instruction. A scheduled class that runs from 9 am to 5 pm will be allowed a total of 70 minutes of break time plus a 1 hour lunch break. Generally an 8-10 minute break will be given each class hour, but each Instructor will structure class to accomodate the total class time required while ensuring break times are incorporated accordingly.
Does START offer a recorded course option? START will soon offer recorded POST Courses. But the NCREC does not allow recorded CE Courses.
I am nervous that I do not have the technological knowledge to do a Live-Stream Course...is that valid? We know new technology can be challenging, but you can do it! Zoom will do most of the hard work for you after you have installed the program.
What device is required to access my course online? Any device (computer, laptop, tablet or mobile smart phone) will allow you to access your Live-Stream virtual courses via the Zoom app which can be downloaded from https://zoom.us/support/download
Are Live-Stream classes and in-person classes the same quality educational experience? The quality of the educational experience will be the same for both In-Person Courses and Live-Stream Courses. The course material is developed by expert instructors. The instructors will be providing the exact same course content and guidance, with the only difference being delivering the course to you virtually, rather than in an on-site classroom setting. To help supplement your learning, you can also download course PDFs and relevant forms for all Prelicensing, Postlicensing, and CE in our Materials section of our website.
If I discontinue a Live-Stream Course, can I reschedule to take an In-Person Course at a later date? Yes, if you’d prefer an In-Person Course, you can reschedule by going to www.startschoolnc.com (course availabilty pending). There will be no fee to reschedule any of the live courses to an In-Person Course.
What if I don't want to sit for 7 class hours a day? For Live-Stream classes, students will be required to attend the prescribed time limits from NCREC. START understands that sitting for long stretches may be challenging for some students, therefore as long as the student remains on camera (in a non-distracting manner to other classmates), it is acceptable for the student to stand as needed.
How do I know if I have a webcam? For PCs: Open your Start menu and click “Devices and Printers.” Navigate to your webcam and right-click on it. Select “Properties” to review the status of your hardware. Windows will tell you that the device is working properly, and you may begin to use your webcam for video conferencing, video blogging and more. For Macs: Go to Finder and select the “Applications” tab. Click on “Photo Booth.” Your webcam should turn on. Many laptops have webcams already built in to the device, but students may need to procur a webcam to install on their individual device if a webcam is not already installed.
How do I get a Certificate that my Live-Stream Course was completed? START will handle all reporting to NCREC. Please allow up to 2 weeks for the record to reflect on NCREC's website. If you would like a pdf copy of your Certificate, it is available upon request. Please email certificates@startschoolnc.com. In the email, include your name, license number, and course recently completed.
Continuing Education
What is Continuing Education and who has to take it? NCREC requires Continuing Education on a recurring annual basis for ALL licensees wishing to maintain an active license status eligibility, and it must be completed each license period by June 10th (beginning with the first full annual license period after initial licensure).
What is the deadline for completing my continuing education? Licensees must satisfy the Continuing Education requirement by June 10 of each annual license period (July 1 – June 30) in order to renew their licenses on active status. All CE courses must be completed within 30 days from registration or by June 10, whichever is sooner. There is a limited exception for new licensees. A broker newly licensed by examination or reinstatement does not have any CE requirement during the initial license year; such a newly licensed broker must satisfy the 8-hour annual CE requirement prior to the second license renewal in order to renew the license on active status.
When are Continuing Education Classes offered? START offers Continuing Education is variety of schedule formats. START offers weekday classes and weekend classes. Weekend classes are offered on a more limited basis.
Do I have to take a test with Continuing Education? No tests for CE! But, please be aware that there are attendance and participation requirments in order to receive credit for the course.
How much Continuing Education do I need? The short answer in most cases is, 8 hours (4 hours of Update and 4 hours of Elective). Provisional Brokers (PB's) and Brokers (B's who are not BIC-Eligible or an acting BIC) need to take the General Update and an approved Elective. The General Update is a 4 hour course developed by the NCREC each year. Electives are written by Instructors and/or companies and must be approved by the NCREC. BIC's and BIC-Eligigle Licensee's have the same Elective requirement, but MUST take the Broker-In-Charge version of the Update Course (BICUP) to maintain their BIC-Eligible status. Licensees can check the status of license on NCREC's website.
Am I allowed to take Continuing Education online? Yes! Licensees can take their CE online in a Live-Stream format or in a traditional classroom setting.
Do I need to bring any materials to my CE Class? The one thing you will need for in-person classes is your pocket card from NCREC (digital copy accepted). For Live-Stream Courses you will need your webcam functional.
Who reports to NCREC that I completed my CE? START will handle all reporting to NCREC. Please allow 7-10 days for reporting. Class completion certificates are availble upon request. Email Certificates@StartSchoolNC.com to request a certificate.
POST-Licensing
Is Post-Licensing Required? The short answer is, yes. Provisional Brokers in North Carolina are required to take Post-Licensing education. Post-Licensing is comprised of 3, 30 hour courses (301, 302, and 303). Provisional Brokers are afforded 18 months to complete their Post-License education after initial licensing, and the classes can be taken in any order.
How long do I have to complete my Post-License classes? Provisional brokers have 18 months from the date of their initial licensing approval by the NCREC to complete their 90 hours of Post-Licensing education.
What materials will I need for class? All Post-Licensing students will need an up-to-date version of the NC Real Estate Manual (digital or hardcopy).
Is there any help offered outside of class time instruction? Students are encouraged to reach out their instructor if they have questions about the course they are enrolled in. START may, at times, host open "call-in" hours where students from any class can join an online forum to ask questions about any of the 3 Post-License courses.
How many hours of Post-Licensing Education are required? 90 hours, comprised of 3, 30 hour courses (301, 302, and 303).
How many days does it take to complete a Post course? START Post Courses are typically spread out over a 4 day period (most often over the course of 2 weeks). Students will take an end of course exam on a scheduled 5th day. A full class day includes 7 hours of instruction and a 1 hour lunch break.
Is there homework in Post-License classes? Maybe, depending on the class and the instructor teaching the course. Any and all homework is designed to work in concert with in-class material to assist the student in the successful completion of the course they are enrolled in.
What happens is I fail my end of course exam in a Post course? Students are allowed to take 1 re-take exam if they fail the initial exam. If the student fails both the initial test and the re-take exam, the student will be required to re-take the course. If the student is required to re-take the course, that course will be free of charge with START.
Does PB status change automatically after Post Courses are completed? When a Provisional Broker completes all 3 Post Courses in the required time constraints prescribed by NCREC, the PB status will automatically be removed from the PB's license. START will handle all reporting to NCREC (please allow 7 days for reporting). Licensees can download an updated pocket card from NCREC after their record is successfully updated by NCREC.
PRE-Licensing
When will START begin offering Pre-License classes? START anticipates offering Pre-License courses in July of 2023. For updates and future schedules, please join our mailing list on START's homepage.