North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 58. Insurance § 58-2-55. Designated hearing officers

In any contested case under this Chapter or Article 9A or Article 9B of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, the Commissioner may designate a member of his staff to serve as a hearing officer. When the Commissioner is unable or elects not to hear a contested case and elects not to designate a hearing officer to hear a contested case, he shall apply to the director of the Office of Administrative Hearings for the designation of an administrative law judge to preside at the hearing of a contested case. Upon receipt of the application, the Director shall, without undue delay, assign an administrative law judge to hear the case.