N.C. General Statutes Chapter 126A, the North Carolina Human Resources Act, established a statewide system of personnel administration under the governor. The Act provides a framework for the fair management of and protections entitled to state employees. The North Carolina Office of State Human Resources works to modernize the North Carolina Human Resources Act, making the State's HR system easier, faster, and better.
The laws, rules, and policies governing employment in State of North Carolina government agencies generally apply to all positions and employees that are subject to the North Carolina Human Resources Act. Some employees are exempt from all or part of the Human Resources Act; see section 126-5 of the General Statutes for more details.
Laws supersede rules, and rules supersede policies.
Priority Level
The North Carolina Human Resources Act is Chapter 126A of the North Carolina General Statutes. Laws take priority over the text of rules or policies.
Chapter 126A replaced Chapter 126, which was repealed effective October 1, 2026.
North Carolina Attorney General opinions on N.C.G.S. § 126-18 (referenced in Recruitment and Posting of Vacancies policy):
The State Human Resources Commission establishes Human Resources rules, subject to the approval of the governor. Rules adopted by the Human Resources Commission are published in Title 25 of the North Carolina Administrative Code. Laws take priority over rules, but rules take priority over the text of policies.
You can also click on the following links to read particular subchapters of the State Human Resources Commission rules.
- General Provisions 25 NCAC Subchapter 01A
- State HR Commission 25 NCAC Subchapter 01B
- Personnel Administration 25 NCAC Subchapter 01C
- Compensation 25 NCAC Subchapter 01D
- Employee Benefits 25 NCAC Subchapter 01E
- Position Analysis 25 NCAC Subchapter 01F
- Classification 25 NCAC Subchapter 01G (repealed; go to the Initial Classification Policy and Position Management Policy instead)
- Recruitment and Selection 25 NCAC Subchapter 01H
- Local government employees who are subject to the State HR Act 25 NCAC Subchapter 01I
- Employee Relations 25 NCAC Subchapter 01J
- Training 25 NCAC Subchapter 01K
- Equal Opportunity 25 NCAC Subchapter 01L
- Interchange of Governmental Employees 25 NCAC Subchapter 01M
- Safety and Health 25 NCAC Subchapter 01N
- Performance Management System 25 NCAC Subchapter 01O (repealed by Session Law 2025-34; go to the Performance Management Policy instead)