N.C. Gen. Stat. § 54-109.18A: Hearings and appeals.

(a) Unless otherwise stated in this Chapter, administrative hearings required or permitted to be held by the Administrator shall be conducted in accordance with Article 3A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.

(b) After a hearing under subsection (a) of this section, a party aggrieved may appeal the decision or order of the Administrator or designee of the Administrator to the Commission for appellate review by filing with the Administrator a written notice of appeal no later than 30 days after the day that the Administrator's decision or order is served. Upon receipt of a notice of appeal, the Administrator shall, within 30 days of the notice, certify to the Commission the record on appeal. The notice of appeal shall state the grounds for the appeal and set forth in numbered order the assignments of error for review by the Commission. Failure to state the grounds for the appeal and assignments of error constitutes grounds to dismiss the appeal. Failure to comply with the briefing schedule provided by the Commission also constitutes grounds to dismiss the appeal. The Commission shall review the record on appeal, hear oral arguments by the parties, and make a written final decision or order no later than 60 days after the date of oral arguments.

(c) A party to a proceeding before the Commission under subsection (b) of this section is entitled to judicial review of the decision or order in accordance with Article 4 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the hearing officer at administrative hearings conducted under subsection (a) of this section may be the Administrator or a designee of the Administrator. (2026-31, s. 11(b).)