N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-78A-5

In any contested case involving the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the State Fire Marshal may designate a member of his staff to serve as a hearing officer. When the State Fire Marshal is unable or elects not to hear a contested case and elects not to designate a hearing officer to hear a contested case, the State Fire Marshal shall apply to the Director of the Office of Administrative Hearings for the designation of an administrative law judge to preside at the hearing of a contested case. Upon receipt of the application, the Director shall, without undue delay, assign an administrative law judge to hear the case.