North Carolina

Key facts

EEOC filing deadline

300 days (FEPA work-sharing state)

State agency deadline

180 days to NCHRC

Employer coverage

15 or more employees (same as federal Title VII for most claims)

State law

North Carolina Equal Employment Practices Act (NCEEPA); Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act (REDA)

State court statute of limitations

1 year under NCEEPA; 2 years under REDA

Additional protections beyond federal law

• •Sickle cell or hemoglobin C trait
• •Lawful use of lawful products (tobacco, alcohol) off the job

How it works

North Carolina has a work-sharing agreement with the EEOC. A charge filed with NC Department of Justice — Civil Rights Division is generally also considered filed with the EEOC ("dual-filed"), and vice versa. You usually only need to file once.

Key notes

North Carolina's state law is more limited than most states — the NCHRC primarily serves as a referral and mediation agency rather than an enforcement body with broad investigatory powers. For most discrimination claims, the EEOC is the primary avenue. Workers with retaliation claims related to workers' comp, OSHA, wage complaints, or jury service should look to REDA, which provides broader retaliation protections.