How to Get a Cosmetologist License in North Carolina (2026)

At least 1,500 approved school hours, or 1,200 approved school hours plus at least six months of supervised apprenticeship certified to the Board.

At least 1,500 approved school hours, or 1,200 approved school hours plus at least six months of supervised apprenticeship certified to the Board.

(1) Successful completion of at least 1,500 hours of a cosmetology curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school, or at least 1,200 hours of a cosmetology curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school and completion of an apprenticeship for a period of at least six months under the direct supervision of a cosmetologist, as certified by sworn affidavit of three licensed cosmetologists or by other evidence satisfactory to the Board.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Pass the Board examination.

Pass the Board examination.

(2) Passage of an examination conducted by the Board.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

CE normally requires eight hours per year; up to 24 hours may be completed at any time in the three-year cosmetologist cycle.

CE normally requires eight hours per year; up to 24 hours may be completed at any time in the three-year cosmetologist cycle.

Prior to renewal of a license, a teacher, cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist shall annually complete eight hours of Board-approved continuing education for each year of the licensing cycle. A cosmetologist may complete up to 24 hours of required continuing education at any time within the cosmetologist's three-year licensing cycle.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Active cosmetologists with at least 20 consecutive years of experience are exempt from required CE, but must report classes completed.

Active cosmetologists with at least 20 consecutive years of experience are exempt from required CE, but must report classes completed.

A licensee who is in active practice as a cosmetologist and has at least 20 consecutive years of experience as a cosmetologist, does not have to meet the continuing education requirements of this subsection, but shall report any continuing education classes completed to the Board, whether the continuing education classes are Board-approved or not.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Active practitioners age 60 or older with at least ten consecutive years in the profession are exempt from CE.

Active practitioners age 60 or older with at least ten consecutive years in the profession are exempt from CE.

A licensee who is in active practice as a cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist, has practiced for at least 10 consecutive years in that profession, and is 60 years of age or older does not have to meet the continuing education requirements of this subsection.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The statute authorizes a cosmetologist license fee of $39 every three years.

The statute authorizes a cosmetologist license fee of $39 every three years.

(c) The Board may charge license fees as follows: (1) Cosmetologist $ 39.00 every 3 years

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners

North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners

The North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_88B.html

Chapter 88B.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

3 years

3

Cosmetologist licenses shall be renewed on or before October 1 every three years beginning October 1, 1998.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Cosmetologist licenses must be renewed on or before October 1 every three years beginning October 1, 1998.

Cosmetologist licenses shall be renewed on or before October 1 every three years beginning October 1, 1998. Applies to: Cosmetologist license renewal

Cosmetologist licenses shall be renewed on or before October 1 every three years beginning October 1, 1998.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

24 hours

24

Prior to renewal of a license, a teacher, cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist shall annually complete eight hours of Board-approved continuing education for each year of the licensing cycle. A cosmetologist may complete up to 24 hours of required continuing education at any time within the cosmetologist's three-year licensing cycle.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Applicants may qualify with active good-standing practice, at least one of the previous three years of practice, no unresolved complaint or disciplinary proceeding, and substantially equivalent licensing requirements; alternatively the statute provides reciprocal treatment.

Applicants may qualify with active good-standing practice, at least one of the previous three years of practice, no unresolved complaint or disciplinary proceeding, and substantially equivalent licensing requirements; alternatively the statute provides reciprocal treatment.

§ 88B-13. Applicants licensed in other states. (a) The Board shall issue a license to an applicant licensed as an apprentice, cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist in another state if the applicant shows: (1) The applicant is an active practitioner in good standing. (2) The applicant has practiced at least one of the three years immediately preceding the application for a license. (3) There is no disciplinary proceeding or unresolved complaint pending against the applicant at the time a license is to be issued by this State. (4) The licensure requirements in the state in which the applicant is licensed are substantially equivalent to those required by this State. (b) Instead of meeting the requirements in subsection (a) of this section, any applicant who is licensed as a cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist in another state shall be admitted to practice in this State under the same reciprocity or comity provisions that the state in which the applicant is licensed grants to persons licensed in this State.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026