N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-2-5
The chief officer of the Insurance Department shall be called the Commissioner of Insurance; whenever in the statutes of this State the words "Insurance Commissioner" appear, they shall be deemed to refer to and to be synonymous with the term "Commissioner of Insurance." He shall be elected by the people in the manner prescribed for the election of members of the General Assembly and State officers, and the result of the election shall be declared in the same manner and at the same time as the election of State officers is now declared. His term of office begins on the first day of January next after his election, and is for four years or until his successor is elected and qualified. If a vacancy occurs during the term, it shall be filled by the Governor for the unexpired term.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-2-5