State Licensing Requirements in NORTH CAROLINA

Cosmetologists

Licensing Requirements

• Applicant must complete the required hours in an approved cosmetic art school cosmetologist curriculum;
• Applicant must complete the required performances Passage of the State Board examination 75% or higher Payment of appropriate fees;
• Or, the applicant may complete 1,200 hours in an approved cosmetic art school apprentice curriculum and completion of the required performances Passage of the State Board examination 70% or higher Payment of appropriate fees

Exam Requirements

• Applicant may complete 1,500 hours of course study;
• Candidates may apply for their exam online at www.DLRoope.com;
• Pay the exam fee with a credit card or debit card or they may submit a paper application along with a money order;
• If you graduated from a school and you apply online, your school will approve your online application in our School Portal;
• If you prefer to submit a paper application and you graduated from a school in the state where you are going to test, then you must obtain an exam application from your school;
• Paper exam applications for Apprentice, Out of State, Reinstate, and Retake may be obtained on our website at www.DLRoope.com under the state you are obtaining your license in.

Continuing Education Requirements

• 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.
• Licensees shall submit written documentation to the Board showing that they have satisfied the requirements of this subsection.
• 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.
• 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.

Apprenticeship Programs

• The apprenticeship will be effective on the date the apprentice license is issued; time worked under a temporary work permit does not count toward the apprenticeship.
• An apprenticeship cannot be completed in less than 6 months. One must work full-time (38-40 hours/week) to complete the apprenticeship in six months.
• Working less than 38-40 hours per week is considered part-time. A total of 1,040 hours must be completed for any part-time apprenticeship.
• Apprenticeships must be completed in a currently licensed cosmetic arts salon in North Carolina.
• Apprenticeships worked either in a licensed Barber shop or under the supervision of a licensed barber will not be accepted.
• The apprentice must be under the direct supervision of an active and currently licensed North Carolina cosmetologist at all times. The supervising cosmetologist must be licensed for the duration of the apprenticeship.
• Applicants must complete an affidavit.
• Apprenticeships may be completed in more than one salon. Each salon requires an affidavit to be completed.

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

• Hold a current license in good standing (disciplinary actions);
• Be licensed in a state that offers reciprocity to North Carolina

Instructors

• 800 hours(Cosmetologist) in an approved cosmetic art school teacher program; or
• proof of 5 years(Cosmetologist) full-time work in a cosmetic art shop immediately prior to application;
• Passage of the State Board examination 85% or higher;
• Payment of appropriate fees;
• High school diploma or high school graduation equivalency certificate;
• Current license in cosmetology.

Natural Hair Stylists

Licensing Requirements

• Successful completion of at least 300 hours of a natural hair care curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.
• Passage of an examination conducted by the Board.
• Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B-20.

Exam Requirements

• Candidates may apply for their exam online at www.DLRoope.com;
• Pay the exam fee with a credit card or debit card or they may submit a paper application along with a money order;
• If you graduated from a school and you apply online, your school will approve your online application in our School Portal;
• If you prefer to submit a paper application and you graduated from a school in the state where you are going to test, then you must obtain an exam application from your school;
• Paper exam applications for Apprentice, Out of State, Reinstate, and Retake may be obtained on our website at www.DLRoope.com under the state you are obtaining your license in.

Continuing Education Requirements

• 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;
• Licensees shall submit written documentation to the Board showing that they have satisfied the requirements of this subsection;
• 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;
• 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.

Apprenticeship Programs

• Successful completion of at least 1,200 hours of a cosmetology curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school;
• Passage of an examination conducted by the Board;
• Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B-20.

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

• Hold a current license in good standing (disciplinary actions);
• Be licensed in a state that offers reciprocity to North Carolina;
• Reciprocity licenses will not be granted for hair braiders in the state of Texas, Mississippi, South Carolina, or Florida.

Instructors

• Holds in good standing a natural hair care license issued by the Board;
• Submits proof of either practice as a natural hair care specialist in a cosmetic art shop or any Board-approved employment capacity in the cosmetic art industry for a period equivalent to two years of full-time work immediately prior to application or successful completion of at least 320 hours of a natural hair care teacher curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school

Barbers

Licensing Requirements

• Has attended an approved barber school for the required hours;
• Has completed a 12-month apprenticeship under the supervision of a licensed barber, as provided in G.S. 86A-24;
• Has passed a clinical examination conducted by the Board;
• Has submitted to the Board the affidavit required by G.S. 86A-24(c) certifying that the applicant has served the apprenticeship required by subdivision 2;
• Make application to the Board on forms prepared and furnished by the Board, and the application shall contain proof under applicant’s oath of the particular qualifications of the applicant;
• All applications for examination must be filed with the Board at least 30 days prior to the actual taking of such examination by applicants;
• Pay to the Board the required fee.

Exam Requirements

• Applicants must complete 1,528 hours of course study;
• Candidates may apply for their exam online at www.DLRoope.com;
• Pay the exam fee with a credit card or debit card or they may submit a paper application along with a money order;
• If you graduated from a school and you apply online, your school will approve your online application in our School Portal;
• If you prefer to submit a paper application and you graduated from a school in the state where you are going to test, then you must obtain an exam application from your school;
• Paper exam applications for Apprentice, Out of State, Reinstate, and Retake may be obtained on our website at www.DLRoope.com under the state you are obtaining your license in.

Continuing Education Requirements

• Registered barbers who continue in practice shall annually, on or before May 31 of each year, renew their certificates of registration and furnish such health certificate as the Board may require and pay the required renewal fee;
• Every certificate of registration shall expire on the 31st day of May in each year. Any certificate of registration issued under this Chapter is automatically suspended by operation of law after failure to renew the certificate of registration by the expiration date.

Apprenticeship Programs

• Before being issued an apprentice license, an applicant must pass an examination conducted by the Board to determine his competence, including his knowledge of barbering, sanitary rules and regulations, and knowledge of diseases of the face, skin and scalp;
• An apprentice license expires on May 31 of each year. Every holder of an apprentice license shall annually renew the apprentice license by the expiration date and pay the required renewal fee;
• On completion of at least one year’s apprenticeship, evidenced by affidavit of the supervising registered licensed barber or barbers, and upon meeting the other requirements of G.S. 86A-3, the apprentice shall be issued a license as a registered barber.

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

• The Board shall issue, without examination, a license to applicants already licensed in another state provided the applicant presents evidence satisfactory to the Board that:
• He is currently an active, competent practitioner in good standing; and
• He has practiced at least three out of the five years immediately preceding his application; and
• He currently holds a valid license in another state; and
• There is no disciplinary proceeding or unresolved complaint pending against him at the time a license is to be issued by this State; and
• The licensure requirements in the other state are the substantive equivalent of those required by this State.

Instructors

• The Board shall issue an instructor’s certificate to any currently registered barber who has passed an instructor’s examination given by the Board;
• This examination shall cover the subjects listed in G.S. 86A-22(4) and in the Textbook of Barber Styling approved by the Board;
• A person desiring to take an instructor’s examination must make application to the Board for examination on forms to be furnished by the Board and pay the instructor’s examination fee;
• Each person who passes the instructor’s examination shall be issued a certificate of registration as a registered instructor by paying the issuance fee;
• Every instructor’s certificate shall expire on May 31 of each year;
• Any instructor’s certificate issued under this Chapter is automatically suspended by operation of law after failure to renew the instructor’s certificate by the expiration date and may be renewed only upon payment of all lapsed renewal fees and the required late fee;
• Any person whose instructor’s certificate has expired for a period of three years or more shall be required to take and pass the instructor’s examination before the certificate can be renewed.

Estheticians

Licensing Requirements

• Successful completion of the required hours of an esthetics curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school;
• Passage of an examination conducted by the Board;
• Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B-20.

Exam Requirements

• Applicants must complete 600 hours of course study;
• Candidates may apply for their exam online at www.DLRoope.com;
• Pay the exam fee with a credit card or debit card or they may submit a paper application along with a money order;
• If you graduated from a school and you apply online, your school will approve your online application in our School Portal;
• If you prefer to submit a paper application and you graduated from a school in the state where you are going to test, then you must obtain an exam application from your school;
• Paper exam applications for Apprentice, Out of State, Reinstate, and Retake may be obtained on our website at www.DLRoope.com under the state you are obtaining your license in.

Continuing Education Requirements

• 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;
• Licensees shall submit written documentation to the Board showing that they have satisfied the requirements of this subsection;
• 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;
• 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.

Apprenticeship Programs

• Successful completion of at least 1,200 hours of a cosmetology curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school;
• Passage of an examination conducted by the Board;
• Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B-20.

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

• Hold a current license in good standing (disciplinary actions);
• Be licensed in a state that offers reciprocity to North Carolina;
• Reciprocity licenses will not be granted for Estheticians in the state of Texas, Mississippi, or South Carolina.

Instructors

• Holds in good standing a cosmetologist or an esthetician license issued by the Board.
• Submits proof of either practice as an esthetician in a cosmetic art shop, or any Boardapproved employment capacity in the cosmetic arts industry, for a period equivalent to three years of full-time work immediately prior to application or successful completion of at least 650 hours of an esthetician teacher curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.
• Passes an examination for esthetician teachers conducted by the Board.

Nail Technicians/Manicurist

Licensing Requirements

• Successful completion the required hours of a manicurist curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school;
• Passage of an examination conducted by the Board;
• Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B-20.

Exam Requirements

• Applicants must complete 300 hours of course study;
• Candidates may apply for their exam online at www.DLRoope.com;
• Pay the exam fee with a credit card or debit card or they may submit a paper application along with a money order;
• If you graduated from a school and you apply online, your school will approve your online application in our School Portal;
• If you prefer to submit a paper application and you graduated from a school in the state where you are going to test, then you must obtain an exam application from your school;
• Paper exam applications for Apprentice, Out of State, Reinstate, and Retake may be obtained on our website at www.DLRoope.com under the state you are obtaining your license in.

Continuing Education Requirements

• 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;
• Licensees shall submit written documentation to the Board showing that they have satisfied the requirements of this subsection;
• 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;
• 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.

Apprenticeship Programs

• Successful completion of at least 1,200 hours of a cosmetology curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school;
• Passage of an examination conducted by the Board;
• Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B-20.

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

• Hold a current license in good standing (disciplinary actions);
• Be licensed in a state that offers reciprocity to North Carolina;
• Reciprocity licenses will not be granted for hair braiders in the state of Texas, Mississippi, or South Carolina.

Instructors

• • Holds in good standing a cosmetologist or manicurist license issued by the Board;
• Submits proof of either practice as a manicurist in a cosmetic art shop, or any Boardapproved employment capacity in the cosmetic arts industry, for a period equivalent to two years of full-time work immediately prior to application or successful completion of at least 320 hours of a manicurist teacher curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school;
• Passes an examination for manicurist teachers conducted by the Board.

Make-up Artists

Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services

High School Cosmetology Programs

Additional Professions Licensed

• Electrology
• Massage Therapy