Prior to selling bees in North Carolina, a person shall obtain a permit from the Commissioner. Application for the permit shall be made on a form provided by the Commissioner, and shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00). The Commissioner may deny, suspend, or revoke a permit for any violation of this Article or rules adopted to implement the Article. Permits shall expire annually on December 31 and may be renewed upon payment of a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00). All proceedings concerning the denial, suspension, or revocation of a permit shall be conducted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, Chapter 150B of the General Statutes. No permit shall be required for (i) the sale of less than 10 bee hives in a calendar year, (ii) a one-time going-out-of-business sale of less than 50 bee hives, or (iii) the renting of bees for pollination purposes or the movement of bees to gather honey.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 106-639.1