RALEIGH, N.C. – A new survey by The Associated Press shows North Carolina among the best states at posting public records on the Internet.

But those records are sometimes hard to find.

The Sunshine Week 2009 Survey of State Government Information examined how all 50 states provide online access to 20 different kinds of records, ranging from consumer complaints to teacher certifications. North Carolina ranked third.

The survey found the Department of Transportation’s Web site lists status updates for every road project and the Attorney General’s Office allows users to file consumer complaints.

But there are inconsistencies in the type and depth of public records. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Web site doesn’t post comprehensive details about the safety inspections at places such as nursing homes.