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Ethics Commission »  
Education
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Education FAQs

Education - Frequently Asked Questions

Who must attend an ethics and lobbying education presentation?

Public servants, legislators, legislative employees, and ethics liaisons.

Is there a deadline for completion?

Yes. Public servants and ethics liaisons must complete an ethics and lobbying presentation within six months of starting their public positions, and must complete refresher ethics education at least every two years thereafter.

Is completing an ethics and lobbying education presentation mandatory?

Yes. The Ethics Act requires public servants, legislators, legislative employees, and ethics liaisons to complete ethics education.

Do “direct reports” have to complete ethics and lobbying education?

No. Individuals who report directly to a public servant are not required to complete ethics and lobbying education. Still, it can be very helpful for the personnel supporting public servants to have an understanding of the ethical obligations public servants face. The State Ethics Commission therefore strongly encourages legal counsel, executive directors to covered boards and commissions, assistants to public servants, and others to attend ethics education.

Do “judicial officers”(justices, judges, district attorneys, and clerks of court) have to complete ethics and lobbying education training?

Generally, no. However, judicial officers who also serve in other positions covered by the Ethics Act must complete ethics education. For example, if a judge is a member of the Governor´s Crime Commission, the judge is also a public servant and must complete ethics education.

Can anyone attend an ethics and lobbying education presentation?

Yes. Even those who are not covered by the Ethics Act may find the programs useful for their State work.

How can I complete ethics education?

Attending a webinar or completing an online program, available on the Ethics Commission’s website, satisfies the education requirements.

Are there consequences for not completing education by the deadline?

Yes. Failure to timely complete ethics and lobbying education is a violation of the Ethics Act and may result in disciplinary action, including removal from one's public position.

How do I verify my completion of the online program or webinar?
  • At the end of the online program, fill in the necessary information and certify that you have completed the training. You will receive a certificate in your email box.

Staff will be notified electronically and will update your record. 

  • Attendance at ethics education webinars is automatically tracked and documented using Microsoft Teams software.

You can request a record of your completion of ethics education by emailing the Education staff at education.ethics@ncsbe.gov.

I am a lawyer licensed in North Carolina. How do I receive CLE credit for the online program or the live webinar?

The Commission has applied for CLE credit approval by the State Bar has approved the live webinar program for 1.5 CLE credits. If approved, upon taking the webinar you may receive CLE credit by completing the CLE certificate that was sent to you before the program and then emailing it to lnicolicchia@ncbar.gov.

You will be responsible for payment of CLE fees assessed by the State Bar. Those fees are currently $3.50 per credit hour.

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Mailing Address:
State Ethics Commission
Post Office Box 27685
Raleigh, NC 27611

Phone:
919-814-3600

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Ethics@ncsbe.gov 
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Ethics@ncsbe.gov
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Education.ethics@ncsbe.gov
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