N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-3-85
Any corporation or voluntary association, other than an association of companies, the members of which are licensed in this State, issuing contracts of insurance and maintaining a principal, branch, or other office within this State, whether soliciting business in this State or in foreign states, shall qualify under the insurance laws of this State applicable to the type of insurance written by such corporation or association and secure license from the Commissioner as provided under Articles 1 through 64 of this Chapter on insurance, as amended, and the officers and agents of any such corporation or association maintaining offices within this State and failing to qualify and secure license as herein provided shall be deemed guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-3-85