If I file for divorce in TX, spouse lives in NC. Does she have to hire a TX attorney to contest? Or a NC attorney?

If you file an action in Texas, your spouse will most likely need to hire an attorney who has been licensed in Texas to appear on her behalf in court. There are some circumstances that allow an out of state attorney to appear in another state for limited purposes and typically under the "sponsorship" (for lack of a better word) of a local attorney (e.g. Texas attorney in this instance). However, that is typically too much trouble, particularly in a newly filed case. I assume you have contacted an attorney and know the jurisdictional requirements for filing in Texas and meet those. If not, you may want to discuss jurisdictional requirements such as length of residency in the State with an attorney before you file.