AN ACT to provide for occupational licensure recognition for individuals licensed in certain neighboring states who establish residence in this state.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 93B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 93B‑15.3.  Licensure recognition for individuals licensed in neighboring states.

(a)        Applicability. – This section applies to all occupational licensing boards and State agency licensing boards except as provided in this subsection. This section shall not apply to:

(1)        Licensure related to the diagnosis or treatment of human or animal ailments, conditions, or diseases by:

a.         Chiropractors under Article 8 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.

b.         Dentists under Article 2 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.

c.         Optometrists under Article 6 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.

d.         Physicians under Article 1 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.

e.         Podiatrists under Article 12A of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.

f.          Veterinarians under Article 11 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.

(2)        Admission to the practice of law or licensure as an attorney under Chapter 84 of the General Statutes.

(b)        Licensure Recognition. – Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an occupational licensing board or a State agency licensing board subject to this section shall issue a license, certification, or registration to any applicant who establishes residence in this State and satisfies all of the following conditions:

(1)        The applicant is currently licensed, certified, or registered in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia in the discipline applied for in this State at the same or substantially equivalent practice level, as determined by the occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board.

(2)        The applicant has been licensed, certified, or registered in one or more of the states listed in subdivision (1) of this subsection for at least one year.

(3)        The applicant has passed an examination required for the license, certification, or registration in the jurisdiction in which the applicant holds a current license, certification, or registration, if an examination was required.

(4)        The applicant is in good standing in all jurisdictions within the United States in which the applicant holds or has ever held a license, certification, or registration in the profession for which the applicant is seeking licensure, certification, or registration in this State.

(5)        The applicant has not voluntarily surrendered a license, certification, or registration or had a license, certification, or registration revoked in any jurisdiction within the United States as a result of unprofessional conduct related to the profession for which the applicant is seeking licensure, certification, or registration in this State.

(6)        The applicant demonstrates competency in the profession through methods determined by the board, which may include having met the minimum education, clinical supervision, or work experience requirements in effect in the originating state at the time the applicant obtained the license, certification, or registration from that state.

(7)        The applicant does not have any active or pending disciplinary actions from an occupational licensing board or agency in another jurisdiction within the United States, and, if applicable, the occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board has completed verification under subsection (c) of this section.

(8)        The applicant does not have a disqualifying criminal history record, as determined by the occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board under G.S. 93B‑8.1 and related provisions of law.

(9)        The applicant has paid all applicable fees, including fees for application processing, license issuance, verification of credentials, and background checks.

(c)        Prior Disciplinary Actions. – If the applicant has any prior resolved disciplinary actions from an occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board at the time of application, the occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board to which the applicant is applying shall determine and verify that the disciplinary action is resolved and, if applicable, corrective action has been taken. If a disciplinary action is pending in another jurisdiction, an occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board shall suspend the application process for any license, certificate, or registration under this section until the disciplinary action has been resolved.

(d)       Required Information. – Each occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board shall publish a document that lists the specific criteria or requirements for licensure, certification, or registration by the board under this section and any necessary documentation needed for satisfying the requirements. The information required by this subsection shall be published on the occupational licensing board's or State agency licensing board's website.

(e)        Effect on Other Agreements. – Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent any occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board in this State from entering into a reciprocity agreement with another jurisdiction or to invalidate any existing reciprocity agreement between any occupational licensing board or agency in this State and another jurisdiction.

(f)        Scope of License. – Any license, certification, or registration granted by an occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board to any applicant under this section shall be valid only in this State and does not extend validity to other jurisdictions, including through an interstate compact, unless otherwise provided by law or interstate agreement.

(g)        Rights and Obligations. – Any individual who is licensed, certified, or registered under this section shall be entitled to the same rights and subject to the same obligations as required of an individual who was licensed, certified, or registered by an occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board in this State under any other provision of law.

(h)        Alternative Pathway. – Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an individual from proceeding under the existing licensure, certification, or registration requirements established by an occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board in this State.

SECTION 2.  Report. – Beginning on October 31, 2026, each occupational licensing board and State agency licensing board subject to G.S. 93B‑15.3, as enacted by this act, shall include all of the following data for the previous fiscal year in the annual report to the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee, as required by G.S. 93B‑2:

(1)        The number of individuals who applied for licensure, certification, or registration in accordance with G.S. 93B‑15.3.

(2)        The number of individuals who received licensure, certification, or registration in accordance with G.S. 93B‑15.3.

(3)        The number of individuals who were denied licensure, certification, or registration in accordance with G.S. 93B‑15.3, including the reasons for denial.

SECTION 3.  Effective Date. – This act becomes effective October 1, 2025, and applies to applications for licensure, certification, or registration received on or after that date.