HB 926, the Regulatory Reform Act of 2025, streamlines regulatory processes for North Carolinians. It allows certified wastewater evaluators (not health departments) to issue site denial letters for septic systems (Section 1), grants surveyors limited legal access to land for boundary surveys (Section 2), and prohibits fees for canceled building inspections when canceled over 24 hours in advance (Section 3). The bill also updates rules for awarding attorney fees in trespass or survey negligence cases (Section 2.5). These changes directly affect homeowners, developers, surveyors, and local inspection departments by reducing administrative steps and costs. The wastewater provision is temporary, expiring when permanent rules are adopted.
Bill statussignedall 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Sep 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Sep 2025
Signed into Law
Oct 2025
Introduced Apr 10, 2025Signed Oct 6, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 13 comparisons
What changed between versions
SL 2025-94→Edition 2·8 edits
MODERATE
The bill was substantially rewritten from a regulatory relief package focused on wastewater systems, surveyor rights, and inspection fees into a broader occupational licensing reform bill. The new version adds exemptions for reflexologists, allows physical therapists to evaluate student athlete concussions, exempts legislators from contractor continuing education, and changes audiologist licensing requirements.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from four specific regulatory relief provisions to include six new sections covering occupational licensing exemptions and healthcare provider authority across multiple chapters of the General Statutes.
REQUIREMENT
Removed provisions allowing authorized wastewater evaluators to prepare site denial letters and limiting design methodology for municipal streets.
Removed provision prohibiting inspection departments from charging fees for certain inspection cancellations.
Added authority for physical therapists to evaluate student athletes for concussions during athletic activities.
Added new section requiring disclosure of locked hearing aid software for hearing aid fitters, dealers, and audiologists.
ENFORCEMENT
Removed repeal of G.S. 89C-19.2 regarding surveyor right of entry and changes to attorney fees for trespass or surveyor negligence.
ELIGIBILITY
Added exemption for nationally certified reflexologists from oversight by the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy.
Added exemption for General Assembly members from continuing education requirements for contractor licenses.
Modified audiologist licensing requirements to exempt those with both a doctoral degree in Audiology and a valid permanent unrestricted license.
Edition 1→SL 2025-94·9 edits
MAJOR
This bill was converted from a House Bill into a Session Law (SL 2025-94), indicating it was enacted. The substantive content shows significant changes to regulatory relief measures, including exemptions for reflexologists from massage therapy oversight, allowing physical therapists to evaluate student athletes for concussions, and establishing SUDEP awareness training for schools. Additional provisions address surveyor rights of entry, wastewater system site denial letters, and various occupational licensing reforms.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from House Bill 926 to Session Law 2025-94, indicating successful passage and enactment. The content shows the bill was substantially rewritten with new sections added and some original sections reorganized.
ELIGIBILITY
Certified reflexologists are now exempt from oversight by the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy.
Legislators are exempt from continuing education requirements for general contractor licenses.
REQUIREMENT
Physical therapists are now authorized to evaluate student athletes for head injuries during athletic activities.
School personnel must receive seizure awareness training for students with epilepsy or seizure predisposition.
Dual licensure requirements for audiologists have been ended.
Professional land surveyors now have a right of entry onto private property to perform surveys, with specific limitations on railroad and critical infrastructure lands.
Inspection departments cannot charge fees or fail inspections if permit holders cancel scheduled inspections more than one business day in advance.
Municipalities are limited in their ability to set pavement design standards for public roads, with standards now limited to minimum DOT standards.
ENFORCEMENT
Attorneys' fees are now allowed in trespass to real property actions and surveyor negligence cases.
A3: ARI-76-V-3→Edition 1·6 edits
MODERATE
The bill was converted from an amendment to a full legislative bill, expanding its scope from a single sign ordinance provision to a comprehensive regulatory reform package covering healthcare, occupational licensing, and education. The original amendment focused on protecting existing nonconforming advertising signs, while the new bill adds multiple provisions including reflexologist exemptions, physical therapist concussion clearance authority, SUDEP awareness training, and exemptions for legislators from contractor education requirements.
Scope change
Bill scope expanded from a single amendment addressing sign ordinances to a multi-part bill covering health services, occupational licensing, and education requirements.
SCOPE
Added reflexologist exemption from massage therapy board oversight for ARCB-certified practitioners
Removed original amendment provision regarding on-premises advertising sign amortization periods
ELIGIBILITY
Added physical therapists to list of professionals who can clear student athletes with concussions
REQUIREMENT
Added SUDEP awareness week designation and seizure training requirements for school personnel
Added provisions to end dual licensure requirements for audiologists with medical degrees
EXEMPTIONS
Added exemption for General Assembly members from contractor continuing education requirements
A2: ATQ-71-V-1→A3: ARI-76-V-3·3 edits
MINOR
The amendment version changed from House Bill 926 Amendment A2 (ATQ-71) to Amendment A3 (ARI-76), updating version identifiers and page counts while completely replacing the substantive amendment text. The original amendment proposed adding workplace off-site food service regulations to G.S. 130A-248, while the new amendment proposes adding sign ordinance grandfathering provisions to G.S. 160D-912.1.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed from regulating workplace food service operations to regulating local government sign ordinance compliance and amortization periods.
REQUIREMENT
Removed proposed amendments to G.S. 130A-248 regarding off-site food service for workplace events, including requirements for food preparation, employee certification, and health department notifications.
ELIGIBILITY
Added proposed amendments to G.S. 160D-912.1 regarding exemptions for local sign ordinances that included 10+ year amortization periods with compliance deadlines expiring on or before July 1, 2024.
TECHNICAL
Updated document version identifiers from A2/ATQ-71-v-1 to A3/ARI-76-v-3 and changed page count from 2 to 1.
A1: ABR-49-V-9→A2: ATQ-71-V-1·5 edits
MODERATE
The amendment completely replaces the original content of HB 926, which previously modified dental instructor licensing requirements, with entirely new provisions allowing off-site food service for workplace events. This represents a complete policy shift from dental education regulation to food service regulations.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed from regulating dental instructor qualifications to permitting off-site food service for workplace events.
SCOPE
Removed all provisions related to dental instructor licensing qualifications, including requirements for US licensure, credentialing standards, and affiliation periods.
REQUIREMENT
Added new Section 17.3 to G.S. 130A-248 allowing permitted food establishments to serve food at offsite workplace locations for employees and their guests.
Established seven specific requirements for off-site food service including food preparation at the main establishment, indoor assembly only, contamination protection, utensil return policies, time as public health control, three-day operating limit, and food protection manager certification.
Added notification and scheduling requirements for food establishments to inform local health departments before initiating offsite service.
TIMELINE
Removed the October 1, 2025 effective date that was included in the original dental licensing provisions.
Filed→A1: ABR-49-V-9·5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to add new provisions about dental instructor qualifications and to modify existing sections related to dental licensing, physical therapy, and other occupational licensing requirements. The changes expand how dental instructors can be licensed and teach, clarify physical therapist roles in student athlete concussion evaluations, and adjust various licensing and continuing education rules.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include new dental instructor qualification requirements and modified several existing occupational licensing provisions.
ELIGIBILITY
Added new section allowing dental instructors to be licensed without being licensed to practice dentistry in North Carolina, provided they are licensed in another jurisdiction and meet credentialing standards at an accredited dental school for 36 months.
REQUIREMENT
Modified dental licensing requirements to clarify examination standards and board authority in granting licenses.
Added provision allowing physical therapists to evaluate student athlete head injuries during athletic activities.
TIMELINE
Added effective date of October 1, 2025 for several new sections.
SCOPE
Added new section regarding owner choice for permitting requirements.
Edition 8→Ratified·2 edits
MINOR
The bill was finalized and ratified after multiple committee reviews and amendments. The substantive policy content remains largely unchanged from the previous version, with the main difference being the addition of a new section prohibiting inspection departments from charging fees when permit holders cancel inspections more than one business day in advance. Minor formatting and organizational adjustments were made throughout the document.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on regulatory relief for North Carolina citizens, including wastewater system evaluations, surveyor rights, attorney fee awards, inspection fee prohibitions, and municipal street design standards. No significant changes to applicability were made.
REQUIREMENT
New requirement added prohibiting inspection departments from charging fees or failing inspections when permit holders cancel scheduled inspections more than one business day in advance.
TECHNICAL
Document formatting and organizational structure were updated to reflect the final ratified version, including updated session information and committee adoption dates.
Edition 7→Edition 8·1 edit
MINOR
This update reflects the progression of House Bill 926 from its seventh to eighth edition, primarily involving version numbering and committee adoption dates. The bill's substantive content regarding regulatory reform remains unchanged, with no new policy provisions, funding, or eligibility criteria added or removed in this specific diff.
TECHNICAL
Bill version number updated from Edition 7 to Edition 8, with corresponding revision identifiers changed from H926-v-7 to H926-v-8.
Edition 6→Edition 7·3 edits
MINOR
This bill revision adds a new section awarding attorneys' fees in trespass or surveyor negligence cases, while reorganizing the existing surveyor right of entry provisions. The changes expand legal protections for surveyors by allowing courts to award attorney fees in specific cases, making it easier for surveyors to recover costs when landowners interfere with their work or when surveying errors cause damage.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include new provisions for attorney fee awards in surveyor-related legal disputes, while the surveyor right of entry section was restructured but maintained its core provisions.
ENFORCEMENT
New Section 2.5 adds attorney fee provisions allowing courts to award reasonable attorneys' fees in trespass actions against real property and in negligence cases against professional land surveyors.
TECHNICAL
The surveyor right of entry section was renumbered and reorganized, moving from Section 2(b) to Section 2(b) with the main statute text now appearing under Section 2(b) instead of being referenced separately.
TIMELINE
New committee substitute adoption date of September 22, 2025 by the Senate Judiciary Committee was added to the bill header.
Edition 5→Edition 6·6 edits
MODERATE
This bill version was updated from Edition 5 to Edition 6, adding new provisions related to wastewater evaluation, surveyor rights, municipal street construction standards, and inspection fee protections. The bill also includes a new section regarding dentistry instructor qualifications and modifies existing sections related to occupational licensing reforms.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include new provisions on wastewater system evaluation letters, professional land surveyor right of entry, municipal street design standards, and inspection fee protections for building permits.
REQUIREMENT
New section allows authorized on-site wastewater evaluators to prepare site denial letters for subsurface wastewater systems before permanent rules are adopted.
New section prohibits inspection departments from charging fees or failing inspections when permit holders cancel scheduled inspections more than one business day in advance.
New section limits municipal zoning regulations that set minimum square footage requirements for residential structures and parking space dimensions.
ENFORCEMENT
New section grants professional land surveyors the right of entry onto private property for surveying work, with specific limitations on railroads and critical infrastructure.
ELIGIBILITY
Dentistry instructor license requirements were modified with new provisions about credentialing standards and affiliated dental schools.
TECHNICAL
Document version number updated from Edition 5 to Edition 6 with additional committee substitute approval dates.
Edition 4→Edition 5·6 edits
MODERATE
The bill completely replaced its original content, shifting from three separate provisions about physical therapists evaluating student athletes, general contractor continuing education exemptions, and ending dual licensure for audiologists to a single new provision establishing instructor licenses for dentists who are not licensed in North Carolina. This represents a major substantive change in the bill's purpose and scope, moving from multiple professional licensing reforms to a specific dental education regulation.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed significantly from covering physical therapy, construction, and audiology professions to exclusively addressing dental instructor licensing qualifications for out-of-state dentists.
SCOPE
Removed Section 2 provision allowing physical therapists trained in concussion protocols to evaluate student athletes during interscholastic athletic activities.
Removed Section 3 provision creating continuing education exemptions for General Assembly members and special builder designations for general contractors.
Removed Section 4 provision ending dual licensure requirements for audiologists who hold both a doctoral degree in audiology and a valid permanent unrestricted license.
ELIGIBILITY
Added new Section 2 provision allowing the Board to issue instructor licenses to dentists not licensed in North Carolina if they are licensed elsewhere in the US and meet credentialing standards of an accredited dental school or academic medical center for at least 36 months.
REQUIREMENT
Added requirements that dental instructor license holders may only teach and practice dentistry at state-approved dental schools, academic medical centers, or teaching hospitals adjacent to those institutions.
Modified dental licensing requirements in Section 2(b) to clarify examination standards and allow the Board to accept results from third-party clinical examinations including manikin-based assessments.
Edition 3→Edition 4·4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was reorganized to rename its first section from 'Health and Wellness' to 'Occupational Licensing and Professional Practice Reforms' and added a new provision allowing distance education for massage and bodywork therapy licensure. The physical therapist concussion evaluation requirement was updated to specify that the therapist must be 'specifically trained in concussion protocols and management.' The remaining sections on contractor continuing education, audiologist licensure, and hearing aid disclosures were retained without substantive changes.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded by adding a new section on distance education for massage and bodywork therapy, while the original exemption for reflexologists was removed. The applicability of the physical therapist concussion evaluation requirement was narrowed by adding a training specification.
REQUIREMENT
Added a new section authorizing distance education for massage and bodywork therapy licensure, allowing oversight to be provided virtually through real-time synchronous learning.
Modified the physical therapist concussion evaluation requirement to specify that the physical therapist must be 'specifically trained in concussion protocols and management' to provide written clearance for student athletes.
ELIGIBILITY
Removed the exemption allowing nationally certified reflexologists to practice without oversight from the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy.
TECHNICAL
Renamed the first part of the bill from 'Health and Wellness' to 'Occupational Licensing and Professional Practice Reforms' to better reflect the content.
Edition 2→Edition 3·3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to add a new exemption for special builders from continuing education requirements for contractors, while also reorganizing the bill's structure and adding a new version identifier. The core policy content regarding audiology licensing and hearing aid disclosures remains substantively unchanged.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include special builders with a designation under G.S. 87-15.4 as exempt from continuing education requirements, in addition to General Assembly members.
ELIGIBILITY
Added a new exemption category for licensees holding a special builder designation under G.S. 87-15.4 who meet the requirements of that section, exempting them from annual continuing education requirements.
TECHNICAL
Reorganized the bill structure by moving the continuing education section to appear before the audiology licensing section and updated version identifiers from Edition 2 to Edition 3.
Added new version identifiers and committee substitute dates to reflect the bill's progression through the legislative process.
