1. (a) All hearings shall be heard by the Board except that the Board Chair may designate two or more members or Emeritus Members (as recommended by the Board and approved by the State Bar Council) to serve as a Panel to conduct the hearings.
2. (b) The Panel will make a determination as to the applicant's eligibility for admission to practice law in North Carolina. The Panel may grant the application, deny the application, or refer it to the Board for a de novo hearing. The applicant will be notified in writing of the Panel's determination. In the event of an adverse determination by the Panel, the applicant may request a hearing de novo before the Board by giving written notice to the Executive Director at the offices of the Board within 10 days following receipt of the hearing Panel's determination. Failure to file such notice in the manner and within the time stated shall operate as a waiver of the right of the applicant to request a hearing de novo before the Board.
3. (c) The Board or a Panel may require an applicant to make more than one appearance before the Board or a hearing Panel, to furnish information and documents as it may reasonably require, and to submit to reasonable physical or mental examinations, pertaining to the moral character or general fitness of the applicant to be licensed to practice law in North Carolina.
4. (d) The Board or a Panel of the Board may allow an applicant to take the bar examination while the Board or a Panel makes a final determination that the applicant possesses the qualifications and general fitness requisite for an attorney and counselor at law, is possessed of good moral character, and is entitled to the confidence of the public.

History Note: Authority G.S. 84-21; 84-24;
Eff. February 1, 2025.