Yep, complete your PPP's ASAP and also get the "Don't Juggle Guns In Public" class out of the way. The shooting qual is as some have said something Stevie Wonder could pass. I'll add that that is true if you've ever handled a pistol. I've seen nervous novices with rented guns fail it a couple of times.
(7) administer a proficiency examination which shall demonstrate that the student is competent in the actual firing and safe handling of a handgun. Such examination shall include the following:
(a) The student shall fire 30 rounds of ammunition at a bulls-eye or silhouette target from three, five and seven yard distances;
(b) At each yard distance the student shall fire ten rounds;
(c) 21 of the 30 rounds fired by the student must hit the target.
The CHP is definitely the way to go in the long run. Purchase without the PPP BS, the BATFE allows NC CHP holders to buy without a NICS check. Still have to do the 4473 though. The FFL has the discretion to run the check or not. Transportation becomes easier too. Just remember that it only covers handguns, it is not a CCW permit. There is a difference. Do what you gotta do and hurry up and wait! Welcome to NC and Mecklenburg! It used to take forever plus two weeks for a CHP, a bit less for PPP with a more or less 2A friendly sheriff. New guy may not be. I've heard not. We'll see.