Gives a board 15 days to adjudicate an application and let the spouse know if it is accepted or not and reasons why if not. Also enacts the Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Compact in North Carolina.

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH AND ENTER INTO AN INTERSTATE COMPACT FOR THE PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING.

Establishes NC as a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact.

Allows North Carolina to join the Occupational Therapy Interstate Compact.

Makes NC a member of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

This bill enacts the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact in North Carolina.

Allows North Carolina to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.

This bill enacts the Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact in North Carolina.

To register a homeschool in North Carolina, you must file a one-time Notice of Intent online with the Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE) at least five days before you begin instruction. On this form, you will provide a name for your school and certify that the primary instructor holds at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. Once the DNPE processes and confirms this notice, your homeschool is legally established with the state.

In accordance with North Carolina General Statute 115C-366(a9), the state's advance enrollment education policy provides significant support for military families by allowing for the preliminary enrollment of their children in public schools, including both district and charter schools, upon receipt of military transfer orders and prior to their physical arrival in the state. it authorizes enrollment by electronic means and defers the requirement of proving residency until after the family's arrival, with provisions allowing for up to a year of attendance while in temporary housing. However, the accessibility of this vital information is a notable weakness, as there is no clear reference to advance enrollment on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction website. This lack of accessible information hinders the policy's effectiveness as military families may be unaware of the advance enrollment options available to them.

North Carolina has built a strong foundation for supporting military families through its accessible website and dedicated district liaisons, and it can become a national leader by implementing several key enhancements. To provide more than just baseline support, the state could outline data collection protocols and establish clear accountability measures, including standardized credit transfer procedures and dispute resolution pathways, especially for special education. The state could also clarify the role of its Education Compact council in educating both school districts and military families about their rights and protections under the law. To ensure these policies are consistently applied, North Carolina could mandate recurring training for school administrators and enrollment staff, and institute annual training for its Education Compact council members to help them fulfill their duties effectively. Adopting these measures would guarantee a seamless, predictable, and superior educational experience for every military-connected student in the state.

According to Department of War-sponsored research, North Carolina is recognized for fully meeting the initiative's objectives by incorporating all specified components of the model program. The state requires participating schools to provide targeted professional development for staff, a student-led transition program, a dedicated webpage for military families, and a clearly identified point of contact. Furthermore, with a clear annual recertification process and easily accessible information on a dedicated state webpage, North Carolina ensures its Purple Star Schools consistently deliver the highest level of support, making it a leading state for military families.