(a)        The Commissioner may adopt rules to provide for a program of continuing education requirements for the purpose of enhancing the professional competence and professional responsibility of adjusters and motor vehicle damage appraisers. The rules may include criteria for:

(1)        The content of continuing education courses;

(2)        Accreditation of continuing education sponsors and programs;

(3)        Accreditation of videotape or other audiovisual programs;

(4)        Computation of credit;

(5)        Special cases and exemptions;

(6)        General compliance procedures; and

(7)        Sanctions for noncompliance.

The Commissioner may contract directly with persons for the administration of the program provided for by this section, and those contracts shall not be subject to Article 3 of Chapter 143 of the N.C. Gen. Stat.. However, the Commissioner shall: (i) submit all proposed contracts for supplies, materials, printing, equipment, and contractual services that exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000) authorized by this subsection to the Attorney General or the Attorney General’s designee for review as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 114-8.3; and (ii) include in all contracts to be awarded by the Commissioner under this subsection a standard clause which provides that the State Auditor and internal auditors of the Commissioner may audit the records of the contractor during and after the term of the contract to verify accounts and data affecting fees and performance. The Commissioner shall not award a cost plus percentage of cost agreement or contract for any purpose. The Commissioner may charge a reasonable fee to course providers to offset the cost of the program, including costs associated with contracts authorized by this subsection. The fee authorized by this subsection shall be in addition to the fees specified in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-33-133. As used in this section and in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-33-132, “administrator” means any person with whom the Commissioner has contracted under this subsection.

(b)        The Commissioner may adopt rules to provide for the continuing professional education of all insurance producers who are licensed to sell, solicit, and negotiate the lines of authority specified in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-33-26(c1)(1), (2), (4), (6), (7), or (8). In adopting the rules, the Commissioner may use the same criteria as specified in subsection (a) of this section.

(c)        The license of any person who fails to comply with the continuing education requirements under this section shall lapse except that the Commissioner or administrator may either grant an extension of time for good cause shown or charge an administrative fee of seventy-five dollars ($75.00), or both, in lieu of having the person’s license lapse.

(d)       Biennial continuing professional education hour requirements shall be determined by the Commissioner, but shall not be more than 24 credit hours. The Commissioner may by rule establish a staggered system in which the credit hour compliance period is based on the month and year of birth of each individual licensee.

(e)        Repealed by Session Laws 2007-507, s. 8, effective January 1, 2008, and applicable to fees or charges due, and actions occurring, on or after that date.

(f)        Repealed by Session Laws 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 678, s. 18, effective July 5, 1994.

(g)        Repealed by Session Laws 2007-507, s. 8, effective January 1, 2008, and applicable to fees or charges due, and actions occurring, on or after that date.

(h)        Any licensee who, after obtaining an extension under subsection (c) of this section, offers evidence satisfactory to the Commissioner or administrator that the licensee has satisfactorily completed the required continuing professional education courses is in compliance with this section.

(i)         The Commissioner is authorized to approve continuing professional education courses.

(j)         Repealed by Session Laws 2002-144, s. 3, as amended by Session Laws 2003-284, s. 22.2, and as amended by Session Laws 2004-124, s. 21.1, effective July 1, 2002.

(k)        Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 409, s. 4, effective July 1, 1993. ?(1989, c. 657, s. 1; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 941, s. 6; 1991, c. 476, s. 2; c. 554, s. 1; c. 720, s. 22; 1993, c. 409, s. 4; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 678, s. 18; 1998-211, ss. 20, 21; 2002-144, s. 3; 2003-284, s. 22.2; 2004-124, s. 21.1; 2007-507, s. 8; 2010-194, s. 9; 2011-326, s. 15(i); 2022-46, s. 13(a).)