Amends GS 153A-233, GS 153A-234, and GS 160A-292 to allow counties, incorporated fire departments, fire marshals, and fire chiefs to conduct the criminal history check required of applicants for all paid or volunteer positions with a fire department or fire-fighting and prevention service through the office of the clerk of superior court or a third-party vendor, rather than pursuant to the procedures of GS 143B-943, if the applicant has been a State resident for at least five years and did not report any charges or conviction on their application. Additionally exempts junior members under 18 from the statutes' criminal history record check requirements. Makes conforming changes to GS 143B-943 to refer to criminal history record checks rather than verified criminal history record checks.

Further amends GS 153A-233 to refer to incorporated fire department with whom counties contract for fire-fighting or prevention services (was, incorporated volunteer fire departments).