Please review the general requirements for certification and continued certification, as well as the standards for Utilities Law.

SUMMARY OF STANDARDS

LICENSURE

Licensed and in good standing to practice law in North Carolina as of the date of application.

SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT IN UTILITIES LAW

During the five years preceding application:

Average of at least 500 hours a year.

Minimum of 400 hours for any one year.

Practice equivalents may be accepted for the following:

• Each year of service as a Commissioner;
• Each year of service on the legal staff of the Commission or of the Public Staff;

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION

During the three years preceding application:

At least 36 hours of CLE in utilities law and related areas.

Of the 36 hours, at least 18 hours in utilities law.

The remaining 18 hours may be in related areas including: accounting, appellate practice, finance and business transactions, real property law and environmental and natural resources law.

PEER REVIEW

Must provide the names of ten lawyers or judges who are familiar with the competence and qualification of the applicant in utilities law.

All references must be licensed and in good standing to practice law and should have significant legal or judicial experience in utilities law.

A reference may not be related by blood or marriage to the applicant nor may the reference be a colleague at the applicant’s place of employment at the time of the application.

EXAM

Four 90-minute sessions (six hours long).

Exam sessions begin around 8:15 am and finish prior to 5 pm.

Includes multiple-choice, short answer, and short essay questions.

Exam administered at the NC State Bar building or through a remote proctoring option.