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Open Meetings Law | On-Demand Course - 2026

Note: The dates above represent the time available to complete this course. There is no set date for this training. It is on-demand, will be delivered to your NCLM account upon registration, and can be completed at your convenience. 

Transparency is a cornerstone of effective local government. North Carolina’s Open Meetings Law establishes requirements to ensure that the public has access to the decision-making processes of municipal governing boards. Municipal officials must understand when the law applies, how meetings must be noticed and conducted, and the limited circumstances under which closed sessions are permitted.

This course will help municipal officials understand and apply the requirements of the Open Meetings Law, avoid common pitfalls, and conduct public business in a manner that promotes openness, accountability, and public trust.

Course Objectives

• Explain the purpose and scope of North Carolina’s Open Meetings Law, including what constitutes a public body and an official meeting.
• Identify the requirements for public notice, public access, minutes, and electronic communications, and apply these rules to common meeting scenarios.
• Differentiate between open and closed sessions, including the lawful purposes for closed sessions and the procedural steps required to enter and exit them.