North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 143B. Executive Organization Act of 1973 § 143B-921. Use of private investigators limited

No State executive officer, department, agency, institution, commission, bureau, or other organized activity of the State that receives support in whole or in part from the State except for counties, cities, towns, other municipal corporations or political subdivisions of the State or any agencies of these subdivisions, or county or city boards of education may employ a private investigator without the consent of the Director of the State Bureau of Investigation. If the Director of the State Bureau of Investigation determines that it is impracticable for the Bureau to conduct the investigation, the Director of the State Bureau of Investigation shall employ a private investigator and shall fix the compensation for his services. The cost of the private investigator shall be paid from funds credited to the entity requesting the investigation or from the Contingency and Emergency Fund.