North Dakota Century Code Title 43. Occupations and Professions § 43-51.1-03. Board operations

1. A board shall issue a license within ten business days to an individual who submits a complete, unencumbered, routine application. This section does not apply to processing applications through an effective interstate compact or an executed license transfer agreement. Boards subject to an effective interstate compact shall issue a license in a timely manner.

2. A board may grant authority to staff or selected board members to issue a provisional or temporary license between board meetings to an applicant seeking permanent state licensure if the application is routine, complete, and meets all the requirements for licensure. To the extent this provision conflicts with any existing limitations on such delegated authority, this provision supersedes those limitations.

3. The licensing application form must be made available electronically.

4. As part of a complete application, a board may require an individual seeking licensure in this state to pass a jurisprudence examination on North Dakota law applicable to the licensed profession. If the examination is a requirement for licensure, and the examination is administered by the board, the examination must be made available at least once per month. The board may adopt limits on examination attempts.

5. By July thirty-first of 2026 and 2027, on forms developed by the department of labor and human rights, each board shall report to the labor commissioner data on the number of licenses granted, number of licenses denied, number of licenses that were not issued within the ten-day timeline, and reason for the delay for licenses issued after the ten-day timeline.

6. Unless already a member of an effective interstate compact, a board shall annually review available interstate compacts in professions it regulates to determine whether joining the interstate compact would be in the best interest of the profession and state, giving consideration to workforce shortages and evolving trends in occupation licensure and technology. The review must be noted clearly in the board's agenda and meeting minutes and the board must provide the labor commissioner with a copy of the considered compact and the board's reason for determining that entering the interstate compact was not in the best interests of the profession.

7. A board may contract with an entity, another board, or an individual to obtain administrative and support services to assist in the operation of the board.

8. Unless otherwise specifically authorized by other laws, rules of the board, or national standards to practice, all continuing education requirements for licensure renewal must include the ability to complete all required continuing education hours by virtual or remote means.

9. A board may assist in providing education or resources for a licensee or an individual interested in pursuing the regulated occupation or profession.

10. Unless otherwise provided by law, the governor shall appoint members of a board and may remove members for cause, misconduct, incapacity, or neglect of duty. After expiration of a term, a board member may continue to serve until the governor makes an appointment to fill the position.

11. An applicant aggrieved by a licensure delay first shall try to resolve the matter with the board. If the matter cannot be resolved, the applicant may bring the matter to the office of the governor. Each board shall provide information on its website or initial licensure application regarding how to contact the office of the governor if a matter between the applicant and the board cannot be resolved.