County Clerks Certification Applications
NC County Clerk Certification applications are open from December - January each year. Applications are reviewed between February - March each year.
Fees as follows:
NC County Clerk Certification: $75
NC Master County Clerk Certification: $75
NC County Clerk Re-Certification: $45
NC Master County Clerk Re-Certification: $45
Please click the "Register" tab above to start your application process. Other details are outlined below.
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.
Click "Register" above to complete your County Clerk Certification application and pay the $75 application fee.
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.
Click "Register" above to complete your County Clerk Re-Certification application and pay the $45 application fee.
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.
Click "Register" above to complete your Master County Clerk Certification application and pay the $75 application fee.
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.
Click "Register" above to complete your Master County Clerk Certification application and pay the $45 application fee.
For more detailed information on County Clerk Certification requirements, click HERE.
Additional information
IIMC CERTIFICATION:
Click HERE for more information on the School of Government's IIMC Certification Course
To receive the CMC, NCCCC, or NCCMC designation, participants must meet specific criteria established by IIMC, the NC Association of County Clerks, the Boards of County Commissioners, or the NC Association of Municipal Clerks, respectively. Completion of Certification Institute fulfills the education requirement for designation as a CMC by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks as well as a major part of the requirements for designation as an NCCCC or NCCMC by the respective state clerks association. A passing score on all examinations, successful completion of all homework assignments, and fulfillment of all attendance requirements outlined in the Attendance Policy are required for successful completion of the Certification Institute. Other students may be enrolled at the course director’s discretion if space permits.
