SUBCHAPTER 14C ‑ CONTESTED CASES
SECTION .0100 ‑ GENERAL RULES
21 NCAC 14C .0101 ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
Whenever the Board proposes to deny, revoke, or suspend a license, permit, certificate of registration, or letter of approval issued by it, or at any other time when it deems a hearing legally required, it shall give notice to the person affected of the Board's proposed action and the person's right to a hearing. The person may request a hearing by mailing or delivering to the Board a written request for a hearing. The Board will take the proposed action described in the notice unless it receives a request for a hearing prior to the date on which the Board proposes to act or the date specified in the notice. A request mailed to the Board is deemed timely if postmarked prior to the date on which the Board proposes to act or the date specified in the notice.
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B‑38(h); 150B‑40;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1989; April 1, 1988;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
History Note: Authority G.S. 88‑23; 150B‑23;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Repealed Eff. April 1, 1988.
21 NCAC 14C .0103 PRESIDING OFFICER
If no other presiding officer has been designated by the Board, or if the designated presiding officer is unavailable or disqualifies themselves, the chairman of the Board shall act as presiding officer for purposes of issuing subpoenas, ordering the production of records, responding to motions for continuances or extensions of time, controlling and ruling on issues surrounding discovery, and otherwise acting on matters arising in connection with a pending hearing and shall have all powers granted to the presiding officer under G.S. 150B-40.
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B‑38(h); 150B‑40(b);
Eff. April 1, 1988;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1989;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
SECTION .0200 ‑ REQUEST FOR A HEARING
21 NCAC 14C .0201 REQUEST
When any person believes their rights, duties, or privileges have been affected by administrative action of the Board, they may request an administrative hearing.
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B-22(b) 150B‑38(h);
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 14C .0202 PREREQUISITES
History Note: Authority G.S. 88B-4; 150B-38(h);
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. August 1, 2000; July 1, 1993; August 1, 1988;
Repealed Eff. September 1, 2011.
21 NCAC 14C .0203 WRITTEN REQUEST
Any person may file a written request for an administrative hearing with the chairman of the Board at its address.
History Note: Authority G.S. 88B-4; 93B-1(2); 150B‑38;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1989;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 14C .0204 CONTENTS OF REQUEST
A written request for an administrative hearing shall contain the following information:
(1) name and address of petitioner,
(2) a concise statement of the Board action being challenged,
(3) a concise statement of the way in which the petitioner has been aggrieved, and
(4) a clear and specific demand for a hearing.
History Note: Authority G.S. 88B-4; 150B‑38;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 14C .0205 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Requests for administrative hearings must be acknowledged in writing by the Board within 30 days and, if the person making the request is a person aggrieved, a hearing must be scheduled within a reasonable amount of time.
History Note: Authority G.S. 88B-4; 150B‑38;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1989;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
SECTION .0300 ‑ THE GRANTING OF HEARING REQUESTS
21 NCAC 14C .0301 GRANTING A HEARING
History Note: Authority G.S. 88‑23; 150B‑2; 150B‑23;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Repealed Eff. August 1, 1988.
21 NCAC 14C .0302 CRITERIA
21 NCAC 14C .0303 ISSUANCE
21 NCAC 14C .0304 APPROVAL OF REQUEST
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B‑11(1); 150B‑23; 150B‑38;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Repealed Eff. April 1, 1988.
SECTION .0400 ‑ WAIVER
21 NCAC 14C .0401 FAILURE TO NOTIFY
History Note: Authority G.S. 88‑23; 150B‑11(1); 150B‑25;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Repealed Eff. January 1, 1989.
21 NCAC 14C .0402 FAILURE TO APPEAR
History Note: Authority G.S. 88‑23; 150B‑11(1); 150B‑25;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Repealed Eff. January 1, 1989.
SECTION .0500 ‑ NOTICE
21 NCAC 14C .0501 REASONABLE NOTICE
21 NCAC 14C .0502 NOTICE AND HEARING
History Note: Authority G.S. 88‑23; 150B‑23;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Repealed Eff. April 1, 1988.
21 NCAC 14C .0503 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON NOTICES OF HEARINGS
In addition to the items specified in G.S. 150B-38(b) to be included in the notice, notices of administrative hearings shall include the following information:
(1) the name, position, address and phone number of a member, employee, or agent of the Board to contact for further information or discussion;
(2) the date and place for any prehearing conference;
(3) the right to file a written response to the allegations in the notice of hearing no later than ten days prior to the scheduled hearing date; and
(4) other information deemed relevant to informing the party or parties as to the procedure for the hearing.
History Note: Authority G.S. 88B-4; 150B-38;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1989; September 1, 1988;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 14C .0504 WRITTEN ANSWERS TO NOTICE
History Note: Authority G.S. 88‑23; 150B‑25;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. April 1, 1988;
Repealed Eff. January 1, 1989.
SECTION .0600 ‑ WHO SHALL HEAR CONTESTED CASES
21 NCAC 14C .0601 HEARING PANEL
Administrative hearings before the Board will be heard by a majority of the Board.
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B-38; 150B-40;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1989; April 1, 1988;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 14C .0602 APPOINTMENT
History Note: Authority G.S. 88‑23; 150B‑32;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Repealed Eff. January 1, 1989.
SECTION .0700 ‑ PLACE OF HEARING
21 NCAC 14C .0701 LOCATION
21 NCAC 14C .0702 ALTERNATIVE LOCATIONS
History Note: Authority G.S. 88‑23; 150B‑24;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Repealed Eff. April 1, 1988.
SECTION .0800 ‑ INTERVENTION
21 NCAC 14C .0801 INTERVENTION OF RIGHT
A motion to intervene of right as provided for in the G.S. 1A-1 Rule 24, shall be granted if timely and the petitioner meets the criteria of Rule 24. Moving to intervene any time prior to the designated hearing's termination must be considered timely unless a grant of the right to intervene would cause substantial prejudice to the rights of a party, substantial added expense, or compellingly serious inconvenience to the parties.
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B-38(f);
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1989;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 14C .0802 PERMISSIVE INTERVENTION
A motion to intervene permissively as provided for in G.S. 1A-1 Rule 24, shall be granted if the petitioner meets the criteria of Rule 24 and the Board determines that:
(1) There is sufficient legal or factual similarity between the petitioner's rights, privileges, or duties and those of the other parties to the hearing; and
(2) Permitting intervention by the petitioner as a party would aid the purposes of the hearing.
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B-38(f);
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1989;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 14C .0803 DISCRETIONARY INTERVENTION
Discretionary intervention shall be allowed by the Board upon a motion made before the termination of the hearing itself when the Board finds intervention would be helpful to a determination of the issues in the hearing.
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B-38(f);
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1989;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 14C .0804 Intervention
Discretionary intervention will be allowed when:
(1) The information the petitioner desires to present is relevant and not repetitious or merely cumulative; and
(2) The petitioner would lend added facts to arguments of the parties.
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B-38(f);
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 14C .0805 WRITTEN MOTION
A person desiring to intervene in a contested case shall file a written motion with the chairman of the Board at the Board's address.
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B-38(f);
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1989; April 1, 1988;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 14C .0806 PETITION FOR INTERVENTION
History Note: Authority G.S. 88‑23; 150B‑23;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Repealed Eff. January 1, 1989.
21 NCAC 14C .0807 ALLOWANCE
If the Board decides to allow intervention, notification of that decision will be issued in writing within 30 days to all parties including the movant. In cases of discretionary intervention, such notification must include a statement of the limitations, if any, of time, subject matter, evidence, or any other matters deemed necessary by the Board which are imposed upon the intervenor.
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B-38(f);
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1989;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 14C .0808 DENIAL
If the Board decides to deny intervention, the movant shall be notified in writing within 30 days. The notification must state the reasons for the decision and must be issued to the movant and to all parties.
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B-38;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1989;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
SECTION .0900 ‑ HEARING OFFICERS
21 NCAC 14C .0901 HEARING OFFICER
21 NCAC 14C .0902 CONDUCT
History Note: Authority G.S. 88‑23; 150B‑25; 150B‑33;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Repealed Eff. April 1, 1988.
21 NCAC 14C .0903 BIAS OF BOARD MEMBER
If for any reason a board member determines that personal bias or other factors would keep that member from being able to hear a contested case and perform all duties concerning the hearing in an impartial manner, that member shall submit in writing to the Board his or her disqualifications and the reasons therefore.
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B‑38(h); 150B‑40;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1989; April 1, 1988;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 14C .0904 BIAS CLAIMED BY PARTY
If any party in a contested case believes that a board member is personally biased or otherwise unable to conduct the hearing and perform all duties in an impartial manner, the party may file with the Board a sworn notarized affidavit stating the reasons for such belief and all relevant facts.
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B-38(h); 150B‑40;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. April 1, 1988;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 14C .0905 AFFIDAVIT
History Note: Authority G.S. 88‑23; 150B‑25; 150B‑33;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Repealed Eff. April 1, 1988.
21 NCAC 14C .0906 FILING AFFIDAVIT
An affidavit to disqualify a board member shall be considered timely if it was filed at least ten days prior to the scheduled hearing date. Any other affidavit may be found timely provided it is filed at the first opportunity after the party becomes aware of the facts which give rise to a reasonable belief that any board member may be disqualified.
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B‑38(h); 150B‑40;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. April 1, 1988;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 14C .0907 DISQUALIFICATION
The remainder of the members of the Board shall decide whether to disqualify the board member being challenged by the following procedural rules:
(1) The board member whose disqualification is to be determined will not participate in the decision but may be called upon to furnish information to the remaining members of the Board conducting the hearing.
(2) The Board shall appoint a member of the Board, the executive director, or any other appropriate person to investigate the allegations of the affidavit, if necessary, and report his or her findings or recommendations.
(3) The Board shall decide by majority vote, or Board Chair in case of a tie vote, whether to disqualify the challenged individual on the basis of all relevant and appropriate information available to it.
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B‑38(h); 150B‑40;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1989; April 1, 1988;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 14C .0908 NEW HEARING
When a board member is disqualified after a hearing has begun, a new hearing shall be initiated upon request.
History Note: Authority G.S. 150B‑38(h); 150B‑40;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Amended Eff. January 1, 1989; April 1, 1988;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;
Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.
21 NCAC 14C .0909 DISQUALIFICATION OF ENTIRE BOARD
21 NCAC 14C .0910 DETERMINATION TO CONTINUE
21 NCAC 14C .0911 RECORDS
History Note: Authority G.S. 88‑23; 150B‑25; 150B‑33; 150B‑34;
Eff. February 1, 1976;
Repealed Eff. April 1, 1988.