AN ACT to provide a universal recognition process for licensure, certification, or registration for individuals 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‑15.2.  Licensure recognition.

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

(1)        The applicant is currently licensed, certified, or registered in at least one other jurisdiction 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 by another jurisdiction 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 in which the applicant holds a license, certification, or registration.

(5)        The applicant has not voluntarily surrendered a license, certification, or registration, or had a license, certification, or registration revoked in any other jurisdiction as a result of unprofessional conduct.

(6)        The applicant has met all minimum education, clinical supervision, or work experience requirements in all states that the applicant holds a license, certification, or registration at the time of application.

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

(8)        The applicant does not have a disqualifying criminal history record, as defined in G.S. 93B‑8.1(a)(3), 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.

(b)        If the applicant has any prior 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 pending or resolved, and, if applicable, corrective action has been taken. If the disciplinary action is pending, an occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board shall suspend the application process for any license, certificate, or registration until the disciplinary action has been resolved.

(c)        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, 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.

(d)       Nothing in this section should 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.

(e)        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 through an interstate compact.

(f)        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.

(g)        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, 2022, each occupational licensing board and State agency licensing board 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 the provisions provided for in this act.

(2)        The number of individuals who received licensure, certification, or registration in accordance with the provisions provided for in this act.

(3)        The number of individuals who were denied licensure, certification, or registration in accordance with the provisions provided for in this act.

SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2021, and applies to applications for licensure, certification, or registration received on or after that date.