NC County Clerk Certification applications are open from December - January each year. Applications are reviewed between February - March each year. For more detailed information on County Clerk Certification requirements, please click HERE.

NC COUNTY CLERK CERTIFICATION:

To qualify as a North Carolina Certified County Clerk (NCCCC) through the North Carolina Association of County Clerks (NCACC) program, a candidate must be a member of the NCACC and must meet the criteria outlined in one of the following categories:

1. Have successfully completed all of the course requirements of the IIMC Clerk’s Certification Institute at the School of Government, including completion of the Institute’s written examinations with passing scores; or
2. Have a minimum of three (3) years of experience as a full-time county clerk, deputy county clerk, Council of Governments (COG) secretary or executive assistant to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and complete and pass the written examinations given at the IIMC Clerks’ Certification; or
3. Have previously received the Certified Municipal Clerk designation or the Master Municipal Clerk designation from the IIMC; or Updated 2019
4. Have successfully completed the Municipal and County Administration Course at the School of Government.

NC COUNTY CLERK RE-CERTIFICATION:

Designation as a NCCCC requires recertification every three years. An application must accompany proof of membership in good standing in the NCACC and completion of thirty (30) hours of continuing education or service as is outlined HERE.

ADVANCED CERTIFICATION – NC MASTER COUNTY CLERK:

The NCMCC certification will require a prerequisite of six years as a NCCCC, and 45 hours of continuing education that must be obtained within the three-year period prior to application for Master County Clerk. See bullet points above. Designation as a NCMCC also requires recertification every three years. An application must accompany proof of membership in good standing in the NCACC and completion of thirty (30) hours of continuing education, service as is outlined HERE.

NC MASTER COUNTY CLERK RE-CERTIFICATION:

The advanced certification can be maintained as long as the Clerk accrues the regular 30 hours of continuing education. Recertification is required every three (3) years and the recertification period begins March 1 in the year you received your certification. This application, $45 fee, and required documentation must be received by the Chair of the Certification Committee on or before January 31 in the year your certification expires. A copy of your transcript from the NC School of Government or other proof of attendance at North Carolina Association of County Clerk’s academy classes and schools is required for proof of the required thirty (30) hours for master recertification.