North Carolina State Board of Cosmetology License Requirements

North Carolina Board of Cosmetology License Information

Last Updated: December 27, 2012

In order to obtain a license in cosmetology, esthetics or nail technology in the state of North Carolina, students must complete the requirements listed below from the North Carolina State Board of Cosmetology. When getting a North Carolina cosmetology license or other beauty practitioner certification, you must attend a licensed school and complete the state of North Carolina's minimum required training hours and then take the state's cosmetology board exams. After finishing your training, you are required to pass a licensing exam issued by the North Carolina State Board of Cosmetology. Once you pass this exam, you will receive your North Carolina cosmetology license shortly thereafter. You're now able to work in the state of North Carolina. Keep in mind, even though North Carolina requires only 8 continuing education to renew cosmetology licenses and 4 for esthetics and nail tech licenses, you may wish to consider taking more cosmetology continuing education hours in North Carolina annually to stay current on the latest trends. For specific questions, please contact the NC Board of Cosmetology directly for more information. The cosmetology board exams in NC may be taken in English, Spanish or Korean. 

Find North Carolina beauty schools that can help you obtain a license from the North Carolina Board of Cosmetology in nail technology, cosmetology, esthetics and other programs in NC.

North Carolina Board of Cosmetology License Requirements

North Carolina Cosmetology License Renewal

Beauty professional licenses expire on October 1. Cosmetologists must renew every 3 years, so they must complete 24 continuing education hours during that 3-year period. Estheticians, manicurists and cosmetology instructors all renew annually, so 8 hours of continuing education must be completed during that time. Cosmetologist licenses are $23 to renew, whereas estheticians, manicurists, instructors and apprentices all pay $20 to renew.

Cosmetology License Reciprocity (Transfer) in North Carolina

North Carolina has reciprocity with all states. The licensing fees are the same as listed above, but there is also a $15 transfer fee on top of that. You must show that you have a current license from your home state, that you have passed a state board exam or national cosmetology exam, and you have no disciplinary actions against your license. International transfers must show original documents that show the school where you got your training hours, and an evaluation of those school documents.

Please contact the NC State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners office for reciprocity details regarding your cosmetology license in NC.

NC State Board of Cosmetology Contact Information

North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners
1201 Front St. #110
Raleigh, NC 27609-7533
Phone Number: 919-733-4117
Fax Number: 919-733-4127
E-mail: nccosmo@nccosmeticarts.com

The North Carolina State Board of Cosmetology can help you with replacing a lost cosmetology license, updating change of name or change of address information, and acquiring out-of-state and other useful forms, as well as answer additional questions about obtaining a NC state cosmetology license.

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