N.C. Gen. Stat. § 126A-5-8: Non-permanent to permanent hiring.

(a) An agency may directly hire an employee serving in a non-permanent position into a vacant permanent position if all of the following are met:

(1) The employee was employed directly by the agency or through JoinNC in the non-permanent appointment.

(2) The employee has worked for a minimum of three months in a substantially similar role, excluding any mandatory breaks required under G.S. 126A-11-2, with satisfactory performance.

(3) The employee meets the minimum qualifications for the position classification and the employee's salary is set within the vacant position's salary range.

(4) The hiring manager and the hiring manager's supervisor approve the hiring.

(b) The Director may waive the requirements of subdivisions (3) and (4) of subsection (a) of this section in his or her discretion.

(c) A hiring under this section is not subject to the other requirements of this Article. (2026-40, s. 1.)