AN ACT to allow for an expedited licensure process for attorneys who are military‑trained applicants or military spouses.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  G.S. 93B‑15.1 reads as rewritten:

§ 93B‑15.1.  Licensure for individuals with military training and experience; proficiency examination; licensure by endorsement for military spouses; temporary license.

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(e)        Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to If a military spouse applies under this section to be licensed in this State for the practice of law as regulated under Chapter 84 of the General Statutes.Statutes, then the military spouse shall comply with G.S. 84‑4.3 and other applicable provisions of Chapter 84 of the General Statutes.

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SECTION 1.(b)  Chapter 84 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 84‑4.3.  Limited practice for military spouse expedited licensure.

(a)        If a military‑trained applicant or military spouse is issued a license to practice law under G.S. 93B‑15.1, the licensee must be actively supervised by an attorney with a current license to practice law in good standing in this State for a period of three years from the date of issuance. The supervising attorney must be employed at the same firm as the military‑trained applicant or military spouse. The military‑trained applicant or military spouse must submit the name and information of the supervising attorney to the North Carolina State Bar. If the supervising attorney no longer is able to supervise the military‑trained applicant or military spouse during the three‑year period, the military‑trained applicant or military spouse shall identify a new supervising attorney to the North Carolina State Bar as soon as practicable.

(b)        Upon the completion of the three‑year period, the military‑trained applicant or military spouse shall be granted a license to practice law without the requirement of supervision as long as the military‑trained applicant or military spouse is in good standing with the North Carolina State Bar.

(c)        Any military‑trained applicant or military spouse who applies for a license in accordance with this section is not required to pay any application of licensure fee under this Chapter. Upon completion of the three‑year period, the military‑trained applicant or military spouse shall pay the applicable fees as a licensed attorney under this Chapter.

(d)       The military‑trained applicant or military spouse applying for a license to practice law under this section shall not be required to have been actively practicing law as their principal means of livelihood in a reciprocal jurisdiction prior to the date of application but must have a license to practice law in good standing in a reciprocal jurisdiction.

SECTION 2.  The North Carolina State Bar shall adopt temporary rules to implement the provisions of this act.

SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2023, and applies to applications for licensure on or after that date.