North Carolina boards would license eligible newcomers from other U.S. jurisdictions

Occupational licensing boards and state agency licensing boards would issue a North Carolina credential to eligible applicants who establish residence in the state. The section covers individuals applying for occupational credentials, with exclusions that include health care practitioners, lawyers, engineers, and sworn law enforcement officers. Applicants must meet the listed requirements, including at least one year of licensure in a covered U.S. jurisdiction, good standing, demonstrated competency, no pending discipline, and no disqualifying criminal history. Boards may not require equivalent standards or extra training, subject to exceptions for federal law and requirements that apply to all applicants; state law exams and background checks may still be required. The section excludes several professions and business or facility licenses. Applicants generally pay a $25 processing fee plus applicable verification costs; listed military applicants qualify for a waiver. These rules apply to applications received on or after October 1, 2026.

Occupational licensing boards and state agency licensing boards would not require qualifying license holders to complete recurring training to renew or keep their credentials. This applies to people age 65 or older who have actively practiced their occupation in North Carolina for at least 25 years. The exemption does not cover boards excluded from the licensure-recognition section. People who qualify may still choose to complete the training. This applies to licenses, certifications, and registrations active on and after October 1, 2026.