NC H20

Establishes mandatory licensure for community association managers effective July 1, 2018, requiring applicants to be at least 18 years old, complete 45 hours of approved instruction within three years, pass a licensing examination, and maintain a fidelity bond covering client association budgets up to $2,000,000.

Creates licensing requirements for private community association manager schools, requiring a $5,000 bond, approval by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission, and compliance with standards for facilities, instructors, curriculum, and student record-keeping.

Requires all community associations to register annually with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission beginning January 1, 2018, providing information about the association, board members, management company, and location, with registration fees not exceeding $100.

Conditions the ability of community associations to enforce liens against property owners on maintaining current registration with the Real Estate Commission; unregistered associations cannot pursue lien enforcement.

Authorizes the Real Estate Commission to establish continuing education requirements, conduct investigations, discipline violators through suspension or revocation of licenses, and establishes criminal penalties for unlicensed practice as a Class 1 misdemeanor.