(a)        Notwithstanding the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-21 or any other provision of law, a real estate broker may include in the governing contract with a real estate broker on provisional status whose nonemployee status is recognized pursuant to section 3508 of the United States Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 3508, an agreement for the broker on provisional status to reimburse the broker for the cost of covering that broker on provisional status under the broker’s workers’ compensation coverage of the broker’s business.

(b)        Nothing in this section shall affect a requirement under any other law to provide workers’ compensation coverage or in any manner exclude from coverage any person, firm, or corporation otherwise subject to the provisions of Article 1 of Chapter 97 of the N.C. Gen. Stat.. ?(1995, c. 127, s. 1.; 2000-140, s. 19(b); 2011-217, s. 9.)