U.S. Senate
No person may serve more than 12 years in the United States Senate.
U.S. House
Representatives serve four-year terms and may serve no more than two terms.
All congressional service
Combined service in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate may not exceed 12 years.
N.C. General Assembly
No more than two four-year terms in either chamber and no more than 12 years combined in the House and Senate.
N.C. Council of State
No more than eight years in one office and no more than 12 years across all Council of State offices.
Changing offices does not erase prior service
Combined-service limits prevent an officeholder from simply moving between chambers or among Council of State offices to restart the clock. Appointed service and qualifying partial terms count toward the applicable limit.
Why term limits matter
Public office should be a period of citizen service—not a permanent profession. Reasonable limits create regular opportunities for new people, new experience, and new ideas while still allowing enough time for an elected official to learn the job and accomplish meaningful work.