GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S D
SENATE BILL DRS45243-NN-28B
Short Title: Occupational/Professional Licensing Relief. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Moffitt, Jarvis, and McInnis (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to:
*DRS45243 -NN-28B*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO REDUCE CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN 2
OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING BOARDS . 3
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 4
5
PART I. REDUCTION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 6
CERTAIN BOARDS THAT ARE SET BY RULE 7
SECTION 1.1.(a) Reduction of Continuing Education Requirements. – 8
Notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule, covered boards shall reduce the continuing 9
education and professional development hour requirements established by the covered boards' 10
respective rules by fifty percent (50%). 11
SECTION 1.1.(b) Implementation. – The boards listed in subsection (d) of this 12
section shall implement this reduction by either (i) reducing continuing education rules per 13
renewal cycle by fifty percent (50%) or (ii) keeping the same number of hours required by 14
continuing education rules as of the effective date of this act and doubling the time allowed to 15
achieve those credit hours. 16
SECTION 1.1.(c) Applicability. – If the reduction of continuing education rules 17
would invalidate an accreditation, Interstate Compact, or federal law or rule for a type of license, 18
certification, or permit of a covered board, then the requirement to reduce the continuing 19
education rules for that specific license is suspended. The covered board shall submit a report to 20
the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee by October 1, 2025, 21
indicating the invalidation or conflict under this section and a proposed legislative 22
recommendation to reduce the requirements of continuing education rules to the maximum extent 23
allowed without invalidating the licensure, certification, or permit. 24
SECTION 1.1.(d) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section: 25
(1) Continuing education rules. – Any rule adopted by a covered board that sets 26
an amount of hours for professional training, professional development, 27
continuing education, continuing legal education, continuing medical 28
education, or other training required for a renewal of licensure, certification, 29
or permit for a licensee of a covered board. 30
(2) Covered board. – All of the following boards that set continuing education 31
requirements by rule: 32
a. North Carolina Board of Landscape Architects. 33
b. North Carolina Board for Licensing of Soil Scientists. 34
c. North Carolina State Board of Examiners for Engineers and 35
Surveyors. 36
FILED SENATE
Mar 24, 2025
S.B. 451
PRINCIPAL CLERK General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 DRS45243-NN-28B
d. North Carolina Board for Licensing of Geologists. 1
e. North Carolina Board of Athletic Trainer Examiners. 2
f. North Carolina Locksmith Licensing Board. 3
g. North Carolina Board of Environmental Health Specialist Examiners. 4
h. North Carolina Pesticide Board. 5
i. North Carolina Appraisal Board. 6
j. The North Carolina Interpreter and Transliterator Licensing Board, in 7
addition to the requirements under Section 2.16 of this act. 8
9
PART II. REDUCTION IN CONTINUING EDUCATION OR PROFESSIONAL 10
DEVELOPMENT HOURS SPECIFIED BY STATUTE 11
SECTION 2.1.(a) North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. – 12
G.S. 87-10.2 reads as rewritten: 13
"§ 87-10.2. Continuing education. 14
(a) As a condition of license renewal, at least one qualifier or qualifying party of a 15
licensee holding a building contractor, residential contractor, or unclassified contractor license 16
classification shall complete, on an annual basis, eight hours as determined by the Board pursuant 17
to subsection (b1) of this section, either (i) on an annual basis, five hours or (ii) on a biennial 18
basis, 10 hours of continuing education approved in accordance with this section. Where an entity 19
holding a building contractor, residential contractor, or unclassified contractor license 20
classification has multiple qualifiers or qualifying parties, at least one qualifier or qualifying 21
party of the licensee shall complete this requirement for the license to remain valid. 22
(b) Of the eight hours of annual When completing annual continuing education, of the 23
five hours of continuing education required by this section, two hours shall be a mandatory course 24
approved by the Board and the remaining six three hours shall be elective courses approved by 25
the Board. When completing biennial continuing education, of the 10 hours required, four hours 26
shall be a mandatory course approved by the Board and the remaining six hours shall be elective 27
courses approved by the Board. Each qualifier or qualifying party shall complete the mandatory 28
course each year or compliance period, as applicable. Each qualifier or qualifying party may 29
accumulate and carry forward up to four two hours of elective course credit to the next calendar 30
year. or compliance period, as applicable. The Board shall evaluate and approve: 31
(1) The content of continuing education courses. 32
(2) Accreditation of continuing education sponsors and programs. 33
(3) Computation of credit. 34
(4) General compliance procedures. 35
(5) Providers and instructors of continuing education courses. 36
(b1) The Board shall determine whether continuing education requirements shall be 37
completed on an annual or biennial basis and shall notify licensees of the selected compliance 38
period no less than 90 days before the start of the applicable compliance period. 39
… 40
(g) Continuing education requirements shall begin on January 1 of any calendar year and 41
shall be completed by November 30 of that calendar year or, for biennial compliance periods, by 42
November 30 of the second year of the compliance period. The Board shall establish a 90-day 43
grace period following November 30 of each calendar year the compliance period for any 44
qualifier or qualifying party who has failed to complete the continuing education requirement. 45
Failure of the qualifier or qualifying party of the entity holding a building contractor, residential 46
contractor, or unclassified contractor license classification to satisfy the annual continuing 47
education requirement by the expiration of the grace period shall result in the license of the entity 48
being invalidated until such time that continuing education and all other licensing requirements 49
have been met. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
DRS45243-NN-28B Page 3
(h) Any licensee who chooses not to complete the annual continuing education as 1
required by this section may annually request that the Board place the licensee's license in an 2
inactive status and the license shall become invalid for that license year. period. However, in 3
order for the license to be maintained as inactive, the licensee shall pay the same annual renewal 4
fee paid by active licensees. Should the licensee desire to return to active status, the qualifier or 5
qualifying party of the licensee shall satisfactorily complete the following continuing education 6
requirements prior to seeking reinstatement: 7
(1) If the licensee seeks reinstatement during the first two years after the license 8
becomes inactive, the qualifier or qualifying party shall complete eight five 9
hours for annual compliance periods or 10 hours for biennial compliance 10
periods of continuing education, including the mandatory course offered 11
during the year period of reinstatement. 12
(2) If the licensee seeks reinstatement more than two years after the license 13
becomes inactive, the qualifier or qualifying party shall complete 16 eight 14
hours for annual compliance periods or 16 hours for biennial compliance 15
periods of continuing education, including the mandatory course offered 16
during the year period of reinstatement. 17
…." 18
SECTION 2.1.(b) Rulemaking. – The North Carolina Licensing Board for General 19
Contractors shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. 20
SECTION 2.2.(a) North Carolina Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board. – 21
G.S. 89D-20 reads as rewritten: 22
"§ 89D-20. License renewal and continuing education. 23
… 24
(b) As a condition of license renewal, a licensee shall meet the continuing education 25
requirements set under either one of the following options as determined by the Board. Each 26
licensee shall complete seven continuing education units per year. Board: 27
(1) Option 1: Annual requirement. – Each licensee shall complete three and 28
one-half continuing education units per year. 29
(2) Option 2: Biennial requirement. – Each licensee shall complete seven 30
continuing education units over a two-year period. For annual license 31
renewals that occur during this two-year continuing education cycle, the 32
Board shall do both of the following: 33
a. At the first annual renewal, verify that the licensee is making 34
satisfactory progress toward meeting the biennial requirement. 35
b. At the second annual renewal, verify that the licensee has completed 36
the full biennial requirement. 37
(c) The Board shall notify licensees of the selected continuing education option provided 38
by subsection (b) of this section no less than 90 days before the start of the applicable continuing 39
education cycle. 40
(d) The Board may suspend a licensee's license for 30 days for failure to obtain 41
continuing education units required by this subsection. section. Upon payment of a reinstatement 42
fee, submission to the Board of proof of the continuing education units required by this 43
subsection, and payment of the license renewal fee and late renewal fee, the licensee's license 44
shall be reinstated. Failure to request a reinstatement of the license and failure to pay the 45
reinstatement fee, renewal fee, and late renewal fee shall result in the forfeiture of a license. Upon 46
forfeiture, a person shall be required to submit a new application and retake the examination as 47
provided in this Chapter." 48
SECTION 2.2.(b) Rulemaking. – The North Carolina Landscape Contractors' 49
Licensing Board shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 4 DRS45243-NN-28B
SECTION 2.3.(a) North Carolina Irrigation Contractors' Licensing Board. – 1
G.S. 89G-9 reads as rewritten: 2
"§ 89G-9. License renewal and continuing education. 3
… 4
(b) As a condition of license renewal, an individual licensee shall meet continuing 5
education requirements set by the Board. Each individual licensee shall complete 10 continuing 6
education units per year.An individual licensee shall meet continuing education requirements 7
under one of the following options as determined by the Board: 8
(1) Option 1: Annual requirement. – Each individual licensee shall complete five 9
continuing education units per year. 10
(2) Option 2: Biennial requirement. – Each individual licensee shall complete 10 11
continuing education units over a two-year period. For annal license renewals 12
that occur during this two-year continuing education cycle, the Board shall do 13
both of the following: 14
a. At the first annual renewal, verify that the licensee is making 15
satisfactory progress toward meeting the biennial requirement. 16
b. At the second annual renewal, verify that the licensee has completed 17
the full biennial requirement. 18
(b1) The Board shall determine which continuing education option provided by subsection 19
(b) of this section shall be implemented and shall notify licensees of the selected option no less 20
than 90 days before the start of the applicable compliance period. 21
…." 22
SECTION 2.3.(b) Rulemaking. – The North Carolina Irrigation Contractors' 23
Licensing Board shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. 24
SECTION 2.4.(a) North Carolina Auctioneers Commission. – G.S. 85B-4(e1) reads 25
as rewritten: 26
"(e1) The Commission may require licensees to complete annually not more than six hours 27
either (i) not more than three hours annually or (ii) not more than six hours biennially of 28
Commission-approved continuing education courses prior to license renewal. The Commission 29
shall determine which continuing education option shall be implemented and shall notify 30
licensees of the selected option no less than 90 days before the start of the applicable compliance 31
period. The Commission may impose different continuing education requirements, including no 32
such requirements, upon the classes of licensees under this Chapter. The Commission may waive 33
any or all continuing education requirements in cases of hardship, disability, or illness, or under 34
other circumstances as the Commission deems appropriate. The Commission may adopt rules 35
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter to establish continuing education 36
requirements, including rules that govern any of the following: 37
(1) The content and subject matter of continuing education courses. 38
(2) The curriculum of required continuing education courses. 39
(3) The criteria, standards, and procedures for the approval of courses, course 40
sponsors, and course instructors. 41
(4) The methods of instruction for continuing education courses. 42
(5) The computation of course credit. 43
(6) The number of credit hours needed annually.for compliance. 44
(7) The ability to carry forward course credit from one year compliance period to 45
another. 46
(8) The waiver of the continuing education requirement for hardship or other 47
reasons to be determined by the Commission. 48
(9) The procedures for compliance and noncompliance with continuing education 49
requirements." 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
DRS45243-NN-28B Page 5
SECTION 2.4.(b) Rulemaking. – The North Carolina Auctioneers Commission shall 1
adopt to implement the provisions of this section. 2
SECTION 2.5.(a) North Carolina Real Estate Commission. – G.S. 93A-38.5 reads 3
as rewritten: 4
"§ 93A-38.5. Continuing education. 5
(a) The Commission shall establish a program of continuing education for real estate 6
brokers. An individual licensed as a real estate broker is required to complete eight hours of 7
instruction a year during any license renewal period either (i) four hours of instruction a year 8
during any license renewal period or (ii) eight hours of instruction over a two-year period in 9
subjects the Commission deems appropriate. The Commission shall determine which continuing 10
education option shall be implemented and shall notify licensees of the selected option no less 11
than 90 days before the start of the applicable continuing education cycle. Any licensee who fails 12
to complete continuing education requirements pursuant to this section shall not actively engage 13
in the business of real estate broker. 14
(b) The Commission may, as part of the broker continuing education requirements, 15
require real estate brokers-in-charge to complete during each annual license period a special 16
continuing education course consisting of not more than four two hours of instruction if the 17
Commission selects the annual continuing education option, or not more than four hours of 18
instruction over a two-year period if the Commission selects the biennial continuing education 19
option, in subjects prescribed by the Commission. 20
… 21
(d) The Commission may adopt rules not inconsistent with this Chapter to implement the 22
continuing education requirement, including rules that govern: 23
… 24
(6) The ability to carry forward course credit from one year continuing education 25
cycle to another. 26
(7) The deferral of continuing education for brokers not engaged in brokerage. 27
(8) The waiver of or variance from the continuing education requirement for 28
hardship or other reasons. 29
(9) The procedures for compliance and sanctions for noncompliance. 30
…." 31
SECTION 2.5.(b) Rulemaking. – The North Carolina Real Estate Commission shall 32
adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. 33
SECTION 2.6.(a) North Carolina Alarm Systems Licensing Board. – G.S. 74D-5 34
reads as rewritten: 35
"§ 74D-5. Powers of the Board. 36
(a) In addition to the powers conferred upon the Board elsewhere in this Chapter, the 37
Board shall have the power to: 38
… 39
(9) Determine which of the following continuing education requirement options 40
shall apply. The Board shall select one of the following options and notify 41
licensees and registrants of the selected continuing education option no less 42
than 90 days before the start of the applicable continuing education cycle. 43
Credit shall be given only for classes that have been preapproved by the 44
Board: 45
a. Biennial requirement option. – Each licensee shall complete at least 46
three credit hours of continuing education training during each 47
two-year renewal period, and each registrant shall complete at least 48
one and one-half credit hours of continuing education training during 49
each two-year renewal period. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 6 DRS45243-NN-28B
b. Quadrennial requirement option. – Each licensee shall complete at 1
least six credit hours of continuing education training during each 2
four-year period (spanning two renewal cycles), and each registrant 3
shall complete at least three credit hours of continuing education 4
training during each four-year period (spanning two renewal cycles). 5
(b) The chairman of the Board or his representative designated to be a hearing officer 6
may conduct any hearing called by the board for the purpose of denial, suspension, or revocation 7
of a license or registration under this Chapter." 8
SECTION 2.6.(b) Rulemaking. – The North Carolina Alarm Systems Licensing 9
Board shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. 10
SECTION 2.7.(a) North Carolina Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners. – 11
G.S. 86B-58 reads as rewritten: 12
"§ 86B-58. Continuing education. 13
(a) The Board shall determine the number of hours hours, subject to the requirements of 14
subsection (d) of this section, and subject matter of continuing education required as a condition 15
of license renewal. The Board may offer continuing education to the licensees under this act. 16
… 17
(d) Laser hair practitioners are required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of continuing 18
education annually to maintain their licenses pursuant to rules adopted by the Board.Continuing 19
education requirements for licensees shall be as follows: 20
(1) An electrologist licensed in this State shall complete continuing education 21
units in the amount determined by the Board pursuant to subsection (e) of this 22
section, which shall be either five continuing education units annually or 10 23
continuing education units biennially, as a requirement for renewal of the 24
electrology license. 25
(2) A laser hair practitioner licensed in this State shall complete continuing 26
education units in the amount determined by the Board pursuant to subsection 27
(e) of this section, which shall be either five continuing education units 28
annually or 10 continuing education units biennially, as a requirement for 29
renewal of the laser hair practitioner license. 30
(e) The Board shall determine whether continuing education requirements shall be 31
completed on an annual basis at five continuing education units per year or on a biennial basis at 32
10 continuing education units per two-year period. The Board shall notify licensees of the 33
selected continuing education cycle no less than 90 days before the start of the applicable 34
continuing education cycle. All references in this section to alternative continuing education 35
requirements shall be interpreted in accordance with the continuing education cycle established 36
by the Board pursuant to this subsection. 37
(f) Notwithstanding any other subsection of this section, the Board may establish, 38
through rule, reduced continuing education requirements for licensees with substantial practice 39
experience." 40
SECTION 2.7.(b) Rulemaking. – The North Carolina Board of Barber and 41
Electrolysis Examiners shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. 42
SECTION 2.8.(a) North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. – G.S. 88B-21 43
reads as rewritten: 44
"§ 88B-21. Renewals; expired licenses; inactive status. 45
… 46
(d1) The Board shall determine which of the following continuing education requirement 47
options shall apply and shall notify licensees of the selected option no less than 90 days before 48
the start of the applicable continuing education cycle: 49
(1) Option 1. – Fewer hours requirement. 50
(2) Option 2. – Extended timeframe requirement. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
DRS45243-NN-28B Page 7
(e) Prior to renewal of a license, a teacher, cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care 1
specialist, or manicurist shall annually complete eight hours of Board-approved continuing 2
education for each year of the licensing cycle. A cosmetologist may complete up to 24 hours of 3
required continuing education at any time within the cosmetologist's three-year licensing cycle.If 4
the Board selects Option 1 under subsection (d1) of this section, prior to renewal of a license: 5
(1) A teacher, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist shall annually 6
complete four hours of Board-approved continuing education. 7
(2) A cosmetologist shall complete a total of 12 hours of Board-approved 8
continuing education for the three-year licensing cycle and may complete 9
these hours at any time within the cosmetologist's three-year licensing cycle. 10
(e1) If the Board selects Option 2 under subsection (d1) of this section, prior to renewal of 11
a license: 12
(1) A teacher shall complete a total of eight hours of Board-approved continuing 13
education over a two-year licensing cycle. 14
(2) An esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist shall complete a total 15
of eight hours of Board-approved continuing education over a two-year 16
period, with a minimum of four hours completed each year. 17
(3) A cosmetologist shall complete a total of 24 hours of Board-approved 18
continuing education over a six-year period, with a minimum of four hours 19
completed each year. 20
(e2) Licensees shall submit written documentation to the Board showing that they have 21
satisfied the requirements of this subsection. subsection (e) or subsection (e1) of this section, as 22
applicable. A licensee who is in active practice as a cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care 23
specialist, or manicurist, has practiced for at least 10 consecutive years in that profession, and is 24
60 years of age or older does not have to meet the continuing education requirements of this 25
subsection. A licensee who is in active practice as a cosmetologist and has at least 20 consecutive 26
years of experience as a cosmetologist, does not have to meet the continuing education 27
requirements of this subsection, but shall report any continuing education classes completed to 28
the Board, whether the continuing education classes are Board-approved or not. Promotion of 29
products and systems shall be allowed at continuing education given in-house or at trade shows. 30
Continuing education classes may also be offered in secondary languages as needed. No member 31
of the Board may offer continuing education courses as required by this section. 32
… 33
(h) Upon request by a licensee for inactive status, the Board may place the licensee's 34
name on the inactive list so long as the licensee is in good standing with the Board. An inactive 35
licensee is not required to complete continuing education requirements. An inactive licensee shall 36
not practice cosmetic art for consideration. However, the inactive licensee may continue to 37
purchase supplies as accorded an active licensee. When the inactive licensee desires to be 38
removed from the inactive list and return to active practice, the inactive licensee shall notify the 39
Board of his or her desire to return to active status and pay the required fee as determined by the 40
Board. As a condition of returning to active status, the Board may require the licensee to complete 41
eight to 24 hours of continuing education pursuant to subsection (e) of this section.continuing 42
education consistent with the option selected under subsection (d1) of this section, as follows: 43
(1) If the Board has selected Option 1 under subsection (d1) of this section, the 44
Board may require four to 12 hours of continuing education. 45
(2) If the Board has selected Option 2 under subsection (d1) of this section, the 46
Board may require eight to 24 hours of continuing education to be completed 47
within the applicable time frame specified in subsection (e1) of this section." 48
SECTION 2.8.(b) Rulemaking. – The North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art 49
Examiners shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 8 DRS45243-NN-28B
SECTION 2.9.(a) North Carolina Board of Registration for Foresters. – G.S. 89B-11 1
reads as rewritten: 2
"§ 89B-11. Expiration and renewals; continuing education. 3
… 4
(b) The Board shall require registered foresters to attend continuing education courses 5
approved by the Board, not to exceed 12 hours per year, as a condition of renewal.While 6
maintaining the annual registration renewal cycle as established in subsection (a) of this section, 7
the Board shall determine which of the following continuing education requirement options shall 8
apply and shall require registered foresters to attend continuing education courses approved by 9
the Board as a condition of renewal: 10
(1) Option 1. – The continuing education requirement shall not exceed six hours 11
per annual registration period. 12
(2) Option 2. – The continuing education requirement shall not exceed 12 hours 13
over a two-year period, with compliance determined at the end of each 14
two-year continuing education cycle. 15
(c) The Board shall notify registered foresters of the selected continuing education option 16
provided by subsection (b) of this section no less than 90 days before the start of the applicable 17
continuing education cycle. Under either option, the registration shall continue to be renewed 18
annually as provided in subsection (a) of this section." 19
SECTION 2.9.(b) Rulemaking. – The North Carolina Board of Registration for 20
Foresters shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. 21
SECTION 2.10.(a) North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accountant 22
Examiners. – G.S. 93-12 reads as rewritten: 23
"§ 93-12. Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners. 24
The name of the State Board of Accountancy is hereby changed to State Board of Certified 25
Public Accountant Examiners and said name State Board of Certified Public Accountant 26
Examiners is hereby substituted for the name State Board of Accountancy wherever the latter 27
name appears or is used in Chapter 93 of the General Statutes. Said Board is created as an agency 28
of the State of North Carolina and shall consist of seven members to be appointed by the 29
Governor, five persons to be holders of valid and unrevoked certificates as certified public 30
accountants issued under the provisions of this Chapter and two persons who are not certified 31
public accountants who shall represent the interest of the public at large. Members of the Board 32
shall hold office for the term of three years and until their successors are appointed. Appointments 33
to the Board shall be made under the provisions of this Chapter as and when the terms of the 34
members of the present State Board of Accountancy expire; provided, that all future 35
appointments to said Board shall be made for a term of three years expiring on the thirtieth day 36
of June. All Board members serving on June 30, 1980, shall be eligible to complete their 37
respective terms. No member appointed to a term on or after July 1, 1980, shall serve more than 38
two complete consecutive terms. The powers and duties of the Board shall be as follows: 39
… 40
(8b) To formulate rules for the continuing professional education of all persons 41
holding the certificate of certified public accountant, subject to the following 42
provisions: 43
a. After January 1, 1983, any person desiring to obtain or renew a 44
certificate as a certified public accountant must offer evidence 45
satisfactory to the Board that the person has complied with the 46
continuing professional education requirement approved by the Board. 47
The Board may grant a conditional license for not more than 12 48
months for persons who are being licensed for the first time, or moving 49
into North Carolina, or for other good cause, in order that the person 50
may comply with the continuing professional education requirement. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
DRS45243-NN-28B Page 9
b. The Board shall adopt rules for the administration of the continuing 1
professional education requirement with a minimum number of hours 2
of 20 and a maximum number of hours of 40 per year, and the The 3
Board shall determine which of the following continuing professional 4
education requirement options shall apply: 5
1. Option 1: Annual requirement. – The Board shall adopt rules 6
for the administration of the continuing professional education 7
requirement with a minimum number of hours of 10 and a 8
maximum number of hours of 20 per year; or 9
2. Option 2: Biennial requirement. – The Board shall adopt rules 10
for the administration of the continuing professional education 11
requirement with a minimum number of hours of 20 and a 12
maximum number of hours of 40 per two-year period. 13
The Board shall notify certificate holders of the selected continuing 14
professional education option no less than 90 days before the start of 15
the applicable continuing professional education cycle. The Board 16
may exempt persons who are retired or inactive from the continuing 17
professional education requirement. The Under either option, the 18
Board may also permit any certified public accountant to accumulate 19
hours of continuing professional education in any calendar year of as 20
much as two additional years annual requirement in advance of or 21
subsequent to the required calendar year.period. 22
c. Any applicant who offers satisfactory evidence on forms promulgated 23
by the Board that the applicant has participated in a continuing 24
professional education program of the type required by the Board shall 25
be deemed to have complied with this subdivision. 26
…." 27
SECTION 2.10.(b) Rulemaking. – The North Carolina State Board of Certified 28
Public Accountant Examiners shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. 29
SECTION 2.11.(a) North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical 30
Contractors. – G.S. 87-44.1 reads as rewritten: 31
"§ 87-44.1. Continuing education courses required. 32
Beginning July 1, 1991, the Board may require as prerequisite to the annual renewal of a 33
license that every listed qualified individual complete continuing education courses in subjects 34
relating to electrical contracting to assure the safe and proper installation of electrical work and 35
equipment in order to protect the life, health, and property of the public. The listed qualified 36
individual shall complete, during the 12 months or 24 months, at the Board's choice, immediately 37
preceding license renewal, a specific number of hours of continuing education courses approved 38
by the Board prior to enrollment. The Board shall notify licensees of the selected continuing 39
education option no less than 90 days before the start of the applicable continuing education 40
cycle. The Board shall not require more than 10 five hours of continuing education courses per 41
12 months 12-month period, or more than 10 hours per 24-month period if the Board chooses a 42
biennial requirement, and such continuing education courses shall include those taught at a 43
community college as approved by the Board. The listed qualified individual may accumulate 44
and carry forward not more than two additional years of the annual fifty percent (50%) of the 45
required continuing education requirement. hours, not to exceed two and one-half hours for an 46
annual cycle or five hours for a biennial cycle, to the next applicable cycle. Attendance at any 47
course or courses of continuing education shall be certified to the Board on a form provided by 48
the Board and shall be submitted at the time the licensee makes application to the Board for its 49
license renewal and payment of its license renewal fee. This continuing education requirement 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 10 DRS45243-NN-28B
may be waived by the Board in cases of certified illness or undue hardship as provided for in the 1
Rules of the Board." 2
SECTION 2.11.(b) Rulemaking. – The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of 3
Electrical Contractors shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. 4
SECTION 2.12.(a) North Carolina Well Contractors Certification Commission. – 5
G.S. 87-98.12(a) reads as rewritten: 6
"(a) In order to be certified under this Article, a well contractor shall satisfactorily 7
complete two hours one hour of approved continuing education each year for the first three years 8
of the contractor's certification. certification, or alternatively, at the Commission's choice, shall 9
complete a total of three hours of approved continuing education over the first six years of the 10
contractor's certification. The Commission shall notify contractors of the selected continuing 11
education option no less than 90 days before the start of the applicable continuing education cycle 12
and shall not require a well contractor properly certified in accordance with the provisions of this 13
Article and rules adopted under this Article to obtain continuing education credits for annual 14
renewal of certification after the contractor's third or sixth year of certification, depending on 15
which continuing education option the Board selects, except as provided in subsection (b) of this 16
section. The Commission shall specify the scope of required continuing education courses for 17
this purpose and shall approve continuing education courses." 18
SECTION 2.12.(b) Rulemaking. – The North Carolina Well Contractors 19
Certification Commission shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. 20
SECTION 2.13.(a) North Carolina Code Officials Qualification Board. – 21
G.S. 143-151.13A reads as rewritten: 22
"§ 143-151.13A. Professional development program for officials. 23
(a) As used in this section, "official" means a qualified Code-enforcement official as that 24
term is defined in G.S. 143-151.8. 25
(b) The Board may establish professional development requirements for officials as a 26
condition of the renewal or reactivation of their certificates. The purposes of these professional 27
development requirements are to assist officials in maintaining professional competence in their 28
enforcement of the Code and to assure the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of North 29
Carolina. An official subject to this section shall present evidence to the Board at each certificate 30
renewal after initial certification, that during the 12 months the official has completed the 31
required number of credit hours in courses approved by the Board during the applicable period 32
before the certificate expiration date, the official has completed the required number of credit 33
hours in courses approved by the Board. Annual continuing Continuing education hour 34
requirements shall be determined by the Board but shall not be more than six three credit hours. 35
hours per year, or alternatively, at the Board's choice, the Board may require up to six credit 36
hours to be completed over a two-year period. The Board shall notify officials of the selected 37
continuing education option no less than 90 days before the start of the applicable continuing 38
education cycle. 39
(c) The Board may require an individual who earns a certificate under programs 40
established in G.S. 143-151.13 to complete professional development courses, not to exceed six 41
three hours in each technical area of certification, within one year after that individual is first 42
employed by a city or county inspection department. 43
(d) As a condition of reactivating a standard or limited certificate, the Board may require 44
the completion of professional development courses within one year after reemployment as an 45
official as follows: 46
(1) An individual who has been on inactive status for more than two years and 47
who has not been continuously employed by a city or county inspection 48
department during the period of inactive status shall complete professional 49
development courses not to exceed six three hours for each technical area in 50
which the individual is certified. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
DRS45243-NN-28B Page 11
(2) An individual who has been on inactive status for more than two years and 1
who has been continuously employed by a city or county inspection 2
department during the period of inactive status shall complete professional 3
development courses not to exceed three one and one-half hours for each 4
technical area in which the individual is certified. 5
(3) An individual who has been on inactive status for two years or less shall 6
complete professional development courses not to exceed two hours one hour 7
for each technical area in which the individual is certified. 8
…." 9
SECTION 2.13.(b) Rulemaking. – The North Carolina Code Officials Qualification 10
Board shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. 11
SECTION 2.14.(a) North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board. – 12
G.S. 143-151.64 reads as rewritten: 13
"§ 143-151.64. Continuing education requirements. 14
(a) Requirements. – The Board may establish programs of continuing education for 15
licensees under this Article. A licensee subject to a program under this section shall present 16
evidence to the Board upon the license renewal following initial licensure, and every renewal 17
thereafter, that during the 12 months applicable period preceding the annual license expiration 18
date the licensee has completed the required number of classroom hours of instruction in courses 19
approved by the Board. Annual continuing Continuing education hour requirements shall be 20
determined by the Board, but shall not be less than 12 six credit hours and no more than 20 hours. 21
10 credit hours annually, or alternatively, at the Board's choice, shall not be less than 12 credit 22
hours and no more than 20 credit hours over a two-year period. The Board shall notify licensees 23
of the selected continuing education option no less than 90 days before the start of the applicable 24
continuing education cycle. No member of the Board shall provide or sponsor a continuing 25
education course under this section while that person is serving on the Board. 26
…." 27
SECTION 2.14.(b) Rulemaking. – The North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure 28
Board shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. 29
SECTION 2.15.(a) North Carolina Manufactured Housing Board. – 30
G.S. 143-143.11B reads as rewritten: 31
"§ 143-143.11B. Continuing education. 32
(a) The Board may establish programs and requirements of continuing education for 33
licensees, but shall not require licensees to complete more than eight four credit hours of 34
continuing education. education annually, or alternatively, at the Board's choice, shall not require 35
licensees to complete more than eight credit hours of continuing education over a two-year 36
period. The Board shall notify licensees of the selected continuing education option no less than 37
90 days before the start of the applicable continuing education cycle. Before the renewal of a 38
license, a licensee shall present evidence to the Board that the licensee has completed the required 39
number of continuing education hours in courses approved by the Board during the two months 40
applicable period immediately preceding the expiration of the licensee's license. No member of 41
the Board shall provide or sponsor a continuing education course under this section while that 42
person is serving on the Board. 43
… 44
(c) The Board may adopt any reasonable rules not inconsistent with this Part to give 45
purpose and effect to the continuing education requirement, including rules that govern: 46
(1) The content and subject matter of continuing education courses. 47
(2) The criteria, standards, and procedures for the approval of courses, course 48
sponsors, and course instructors. 49
(3) The methods of instruction. 50
(4) The computation of course credit. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 12 DRS45243-NN-28B
(5) The ability to carry forward course credit from one year to another.between 1
continuing education cycles. 2
(6) The waiver of or variance from the continuing education requirement for 3
hardship or other reasons. 4
(7) The procedures for compliance and sanctions for noncompliance. 5
…." 6
SECTION 2.15.(b) Rulemaking. – The North Carolina Manufactured Housing 7
Board shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. 8
SECTION 2.16.(a) The North Carolina Interpreter and Transliterator Licensing 9
Board. – G.S. 90D-8 reads as rewritten: 10
"§ 90D-8. Provisional license. 11
(a) Upon application to the Board and the payment of the required fees, an applicant may 12
be issued a one-time provisional license as an interpreter or transliterator if the applicant meets 13
all of the following qualifications: 14
(1) Is at least 18 years of age. 15
(2) Is of good moral character as determined by the Board. 16
(3) Completes two one continuing education units unit approved by the Board. 17
These units must be completed Board for each renewable year.year, or 18
alternatively, at the Board's choice, completes two continuing education units 19
over a two-year period. The Board shall notify applicants of the selected 20
continuing education option no less than 90 days before the start of the 21
applicable continuing education cycle. 22
(4) Holds at least a two-year associate degree in interpreting from an accredited 23
institution and satisfies one of the following: 24
a. Holds a quality assurance North Carolina Interpreter Classification 25
System (NCICS) level C classification. 26
b. Holds a valid National Association of the Deaf (NAD) level 2 or 3 27
certification. 28
c. Holds a current Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment 29
(EIPA) level 3.5 or above classification. 30
d. Repealed by Session Laws 2005-299, s. 2, effective August 22, 2005. 31
e. Repealed by Session Laws 2023-137, s. 45(b), effective October 10, 32
2023. 33
f. Holds any other certificate or assessment issued by a nationally 34
recognized body approved by the Board by rule." 35
SECTION 2.16.(b) The North Carolina Interpreter and Transliterator Licensing 36
Board shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. 37
38
PART III. CARRYOVER OF EARNED HOURS 39
SECTION 3.1.(a) Carryover of Continuing Education Hours. – Notwithstanding any 40
provision of law to the contrary, each occupational licensing board subject to this act may adopt 41
or amend its rules to allow licensees to carry over continuing education or professional 42
development hours from one compliance window to the next, provided all of the following 43
conditions are met: 44
(1) Preservation of the fifty percent (50%) reduction. – Whether a board has 45
shortened the total hours per renewal cycle or extended the continuing 46
education or professional development hour compliance window (e.g., from 47
12 months to 24 months), any carryover policies shall not undermine the intent 48
of this act to reduce the effective continuing education and professional 49
development hour burden by fifty percent (50%) on an annualized basis. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
DRS45243-NN-28B Page 13
(2) No double counting. – Any hours used to satisfy a licensee's continuing 1
education or professional development hour requirement for one compliance 2
window or renewal cycle may not fully satisfy the requirement for a 3
subsequent compliance window or renewal cycle, unless the board's rules 4
clearly define allowable partial carryover or additional hours earned in excess 5
of the requirement. 6
(3) Uniform application. – Any hours earned prior to the effective date of this act 7
that are carried forward to a future compliance window shall be treated 8
uniformly for all licensees similarly situated. The board may set a maximum 9
limit on the number of hours carried over, how long those hours remain valid, 10
or whether partial hours (e.g., half-hour increments) are permissible. 11
SECTION 3.1.(b) Annual Renewal vs. Continuing Education Compliance Window. 12
– Nothing in this section requires a board to alter its statutory or regulatory license renewal 13
period. A board may maintain its current renewal cycle, whether it is annual or already longer 14
than one year, while granting licensees a compliance window sufficient to achieve a fifty percent 15
(50%) annualized reduction in the existing CE/PDH requirement mandated by this act. 16
17
PART IV. EFFECTIVE DATE 18
SECTION 4.1. This act becomes effective October 1, 2025, and applies to 19
applications for and renewals of licensure, certification, and permits on or after that date. 20