North Carolina License, Exam and Renewal Help
The official agency is the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. Use this guide to verify a professional or salon, understand school-hour requirements, register for Prov exams, prepare a practical kit, renew a license, document CE or submit a regulatory complaint.
The Board office is in Cary—not downtown Raleigh. This independent guide explains the process, but official Board and Prov records control licensing, payments, examination eligibility and legal status.
Fast Answer: Which NC Cosmetology Action Do You Need?
School → Prov exams → Board license
Complete the approved curriculum, obtain school or Board eligibility, pass both examinations and then submit the initial license application.
Verify → document CE → renew
Check whether the license is due in 2026, keep the CE activity record and renew through the official license-number login.
Search both person and business
Verify the professional and salon or school separately before hiring, booking, renting space, enrolling or filing a complaint.
North Carolina Cosmetic Art Path Helper
This static helper does not access Board records, accept payment or submit an application. It identifies the official workflow that normally matches your task.
NC Cosmetic Art Board Phone, Address and Office Hours
The Board office, practical exam site and Raleigh written-testing site are different locations. Check which destination your task actually requires before traveling.
919-736-6123
Phone lines are listed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., excluding state holidays.
The Board does not accept payments by phone.
Cary, North Carolina
121 Edinburgh South Drive
Suite 209
Cary, NC 27511
In-office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. The office is closed to in-person customers on Fridays.
nccosmo@nccosmeticarts.com
Fax: 919-678-3012
To request a customer-service assistance appointment, email skuzdrall@nccosmeticarts.com .
Board or Prov: who should you contact?
| Your question | Contact | Prepare before contacting |
|---|---|---|
| License eligibility, renewal, CE, permit or complaint | NC Board: 919-736-6123 | Legal name, license type, license number, status and exact question. |
| Prov registration, candidate ID, scheduling or exam payment | Call/text 801-733-4455 or email support@provexam.com | Candidate ID, test name, appointment date and error message. |
| NC-specific exam instructions | NCSupport@provexam.com | License category and the page or instruction causing confusion. |
| School enrollment, transcript or graduation record | School department or jsharpe@nccosmeticarts.com | School name, enrollment date, graduation date and student details. |
NC Cosmetology License Verification and Login
North Carolina uses one search for individual professionals and a separate search for salons and schools. A valid personal license does not automatically license the business location.
Verify an individual professional
- Search the legal name or license number.
- Confirm the exact license category.
- Read the current status and expiration.
- Check whether the category matches the service offered.
- Save a dated result when employment or safety depends on it.
Verify a salon or school
- Search the licensed business or school name.
- Confirm the exact address and license number.
- Review the inspection grade where displayed.
- Compare the address with the location providing services.
- Search individual workers separately.
License-number login instructions
| Login field | What to enter | Frequent mistake |
|---|---|---|
| License number | Enter only the numeric portion. For M123456, enter 123456. | Including a letter prefix. |
| Personal-license PIN | Last four digits of the licensee’s Social Security number. | Using the salon file number. |
| Salon-license PIN | Last four digits of the salon file number. | Using the owner’s personal PIN. |
| License type | Choose the exact personal, teacher, shop or school category. | Choosing cosmetologist for an instructor or salon record. |
Which Cosmetic Art Services Require an NC License?
The license category must match the regulated service. A salon license, course certificate or business registration does not replace the worker’s professional license.
| Service or activity | NC licensing guidance | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Broad cosmetology services | Require the appropriate cosmetologist authority and work in a properly licensed cosmetic art shop. | Personal cosmetologist record and salon record. |
| Lash-extension application | Falls within licensed cosmetology or esthetics and must be performed in a licensed cosmetic art shop. | Cosmetologist or esthetician license plus shop license. |
| Shampooing and blow-drying only | Board FAQ guidance states an unlicensed person may shampoo and blow-dry hair, but may not perform other regulated treatment. | The activity remains limited to the legal exemption. |
| Microblading or permanent makeup | The Cosmetic Art Board states microblading is not within its scope and is regulated through local environmental-health authorities. | County health-department requirements and permits. |
| Student services | Must occur through a licensed school under licensed-teacher supervision and applicable school rules. | School license, student status and required supervision. |
North Carolina License Requirements and Training Hours
Current requirements remain in effect while proposed 2026 legislation is pending. Do not enroll based on proposed reduced hours until the Board announces an enacted effective change.
| Credential | Current training | Examinations | Passing score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours in an approved cosmetology curriculum and required performances | Written and practical | 75% |
| Apprentice Cosmetologist | 1,200 hours in an approved apprentice cosmetology curriculum | Written and practical | 70% |
| Esthetician | 600 hours | Written and practical | 75% |
| Manicurist | 300 hours | Written and practical | 75% |
| Natural Hair Care Specialist | 300 hours | Written and practical | 75% |
| Teacher | 800 cosmetology, 650 esthetics, 320 manicuring or 320 natural hair teacher-program hours; or the qualifying recent-work route | Applicable teacher examination | 85% |
Teacher applicants
- Hold the current underlying practice license.
- Have a high-school diploma or recognized equivalency.
- Complete the teacher-training program or qualifying full-time work route.
- Pass the applicable teacher examination at 85% or higher.
Apprentice limitations
- Cosmetology apprentices first graduate from a licensed school.
- North Carolina does not provide apprenticeships for esthetics, manicuring or natural hair care.
- An apprentice credential is not the same as a full cosmetologist license.
NC Student Process: Access Hub, Graduation and First License
School enrollment, exam eligibility and first-license issuance are separate stages. Finishing 1,500 hours does not by itself create an active cosmetologist license.
Enrollment Access Hub
- Create the student account using accurate legal information.
- Use the same legal name on school, Board, Prov and ID records.
- Respond to any Board identity-document request.
- Confirm the school correctly links the enrollment.
- Keep copies of enrollment, withdrawal and graduation records.
From graduation to active license
Complete school hours and performances
Finish the full curriculum and practical requirements for the exact license category.
Confirm the school submits graduation information
The graduation record must reach the Board, and the school approves eligible NC candidates electronically for testing.
Register with Prov
Choose the NC Board, correct license and language, select the school and enter the legal name exactly as shown on government photo ID.
Pass both required examinations
Keep the written and practical result emails. Passing the exam does not automatically issue the license.
Submit the Board’s initial-license application
Select the NC graduate route, confirm both exams were passed and pay the correct Board fee.
Verify issuance before working
The Board says completed licenses are generally issued and mailed within five to ten business days. Verify the public record unless you hold a valid temporary permit.
North Carolina Temporary Employment Permit
A temporary permit is for qualifying North Carolina graduates who are completing the examination and licensing process. It is not a permit for reciprocity applicants.
To qualify
- The school submitted the graduation paperwork.
- You applied for examination after graduation and within three months of graduation.
- You are qualified to take the examination.
- You submit the permit application and current $5 fee.
Permit limits
- It expires six months from the graduation date.
- It cannot be renewed.
- Practice requires appropriate licensed supervision.
- The permit holder cannot operate a cosmetic art shop.
- It is not available while waiting for reciprocity.
Register and Schedule the NC Cosmetology Exams With Prov
$84 per attempt
Computer-based NIC theory examination.
$84 per attempt
Candidate supplies the mannequin, products, implements and kit.
75 scaled
Both the written and practical examination must be passed.
Within 3 business days
Prov emails official results after each examination.
Registration sequence
Open Prov and select “Schedule a Test”
Under the certifying body, select NC – Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners.
Select the exact license and language
Choose cosmetology or apprentice cosmetology and the available language option that matches the test you intend to take.
Select the school or NC State Board
NC school candidates select their school. Out-of-state, reinstatement or closed-school candidates select NC State Board and obtain Board eligibility.
Enter the name exactly as shown on ID
Include the middle name or initial exactly. A mismatch at check-in can cause dismissal and forfeiture of the fee.
Wait for electronic approval
Prov sends the application to the school or Board. Return to schedule only after receiving the approval email.
Use Candidate ID to schedule
Sign in as a returning user, choose the location, date and time, pay electronically or use an approved school coupon.
Prov Test-Day, Cancellation and Retake Rules
| Issue | Current rule | Best preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Written reschedule | Cancel or reschedule at least three days before the theory appointment. | Save the updated confirmation. |
| Practical reschedule | Cancel or reschedule at least seven days before the practical appointment. | Inspect the kit well before the seven-day deadline. |
| Late arrival | A candidate arriving after the session begins may be turned away and lose the fee. | Arrive early and verify parking and building access. |
| Identification | Bring government photo ID containing signature, birth date and a current likeness. | Correct any registration-name mismatch before test day. |
| Written retake | A failed written exam may be retaken as needed without more school hours. | Use the result report to target weak subjects. |
| Practical retake | A failed practical may be retaken up to three times. A fourth attempt without required additional school work may be voided. | Contact the Board before registering for a fourth attempt. |
| ADA accommodation | Prov requires accommodation forms and supporting professional documentation. | Submit the request before scheduling whenever possible. |
Computer-exam controls that can help
- There is no penalty for an incorrect answer, so do not leave blanks.
- Use the Flag button to mark difficult questions for review.
- Use Summary to find unanswered or flagged questions.
- The clock continues during a restroom break.
- Notify the proctor immediately if the computer freezes or stops advancing.
- Use the on-screen Comment function for a specific concern about a question.
NC State Board Cosmetology Practice Test
A practice test should identify weak subjects and improve test navigation. It should not promise leaked questions or guaranteed answers.
$39 digital practice exam
- 100 questions.
- Four subject groups.
- Currently available in English.
- Delivered digitally through Trivie after checkout.
- Covers similar subject areas but does not reproduce the real licensing exam.
Check the email before buying again
- Confirm the checkout email address is correct.
- Check spam and junk folders.
- Look for an email from hello@trivie.com.
- Allow approximately 15 minutes after checkout.
- Contact bookstore@provexam.com when access does not arrive.
Study before purchasing
Read the NC Prov bulletin
Learn the current vendor, fees, identity rules, locations, retakes and North Carolina practical requirements.
Read the linked NIC written outline
Build the study plan around official subject categories rather than random social-media question sets.
Study infection control first
Review disinfection, blood exposure, client protection, product safety and prohibited practices.
Take a timed practice exam
Record every incorrect answer by topic and explain the correct principle in your own words.
Complete a full practical rehearsal
Practice the service order with the exact mannequin, kit, labeling and disposal method required for North Carolina.
Original readiness check
These questions test administrative and preparation rules. They are not copied licensing-exam questions.
Your Prov registration omits the middle name shown on your ID. Should you wait until check-in to explain?
No. Correct the registration before test day. The name must match the government photo ID exactly, including the middle name or initial.
How early must a practical appointment normally be rescheduled?
At least seven days before the practical examination.
May you use a pre-sectioned junior mannequin?
No. North Carolina requires a full-size mannequin that is not pre-marked or pre-sectioned.
May hand sanitizer be placed in a bag with a copied label?
No. Disinfectants and hand sanitizers require their original manufacturer containers and original labels.
Does passing the $39 practice exam guarantee licensure?
No. It is a study product. Licensure requires passing the official written and practical exams and completing the Board application.
North Carolina Practical Exam Kit and Service Order
Use the national NIC practical bulletin together with the North Carolina Prov bulletin. The state bulletin adds mannequin, kit, product-label and blood-exposure requirements.
Mannequin and workstation
- Use a full-size mannequin head.
- Do not use a live model.
- Do not use a pre-marked or pre-sectioned mannequin.
- Do not use a junior or “minikin” head.
- Keep the complete kit within 30×30 inches.
- The kit must fit beneath the candidate’s work area.
- Keep any tripod inside the immediate workstation.
Products and sanitation supplies
- Bring every required item; borrowing is not allowed.
- Use a cold thermal curling iron.
- Use simulated soft wax—not a hot wax pot.
- Bring qualifying EPA-registered disinfectant wipes.
- Use non-aerosol sanitizer and other products.
- Keep disinfectant and sanitizer in original labeled containers.
- Do not use simulated disinfectant or simulated hand sanitizer.
Practical sections administered in North Carolina
| Section | Main preparation concern |
|---|---|
| Work area, client preparation and setup | Infection control, organized supplies and client protection. |
| Thermal curling | Cold iron, safe handling and section control. |
| Hair cutting | Approved full-size mannequin and safe implement handling. |
| Chemical waving | Correct wrapping, protection and simulated products. |
| Predisposition and strand testing | Correct procedure and product labeling. |
| Foil highlighting, virgin application | Colored simulated product and correct placement. |
| Hair-color retouch | Retouch placement using colored simulated product. |
| Virgin no-base relaxer | Safe application and colored simulated product. |
| Blood-exposure procedure | First aid, direct disposal, gloves and workstation disinfection. |
| Eyebrow tweezing and simulated soft wax | Client protection, tweezing and no hot wax pot. |
NC blood-exposure mock procedure
Stop the service
In real practice, explain the situation and move to the handwashing and first-aid area.
Clean the affected area
Because candidate sinks are unavailable, demonstrate the bulletin’s hand-sanitizer substitute during the mock exam.
Apply first-aid materials
Remove the adhesive bandage and antibiotic cream from the first-aid kit and demonstrate the application.
Discard single-use items directly
Put them immediately in the waste container—not on the station and not temporarily inside a zip bag.
Glove, clean and disinfect
Put on protective gloves, remove implements, disinfect the implements and workstation, then discard the gloves correctly.
Raleigh, Charlotte and Rocky Mount Exam Locations
North Carolina currently has three practical testing locations and multiple written locations. The appointment confirmation controls because availability can change.
| Practical area | Current bulletin address | Testing pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh Metro Area |
Prov Testing Center 2462 SW Cary Parkway Parkway Point Cary, NC 27513 |
Weekly testing |
| Charlotte Metro Area |
Prov Testing Center 3601 Matthews Mint Hill Road Suite 5 Matthews, NC 28105 |
Weekly testing |
| Rocky Mount |
Rocky Mount Event Center 285 NE Main Street Rocky Mount, NC 27801 |
November, March and July testing |
- Use the address on the final appointment confirmation.
- Map parking and building access before test day.
- Do not drive to the Cary Board office for an exam.
- Keep the confirmation email available offline.
- Arrive early enough to complete check-in before testing begins.
North Carolina Cosmetic Art License Renewal in 2026
The Board states that 2026 individual-license renewals may be submitted on time from July 1, 2026 at 12:00 a.m. through October 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.. Verify your exact record because cosmetologist renewals use a three-year staggered cycle.
| Credential | Renewal cycle | Deadline | CE planning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Every three years; records may be staggered | October 1 in the due year | Eight hours for each year; up to 24 during the cycle |
| Apprentice | Annual | October 1 | Apprentices are exempt from ordinary CE |
| Esthetician | Annual | October 1 | Eight hours unless exempt or inactive |
| Manicurist | Annual | October 1 | Eight hours unless exempt or inactive |
| Natural Hair Care Specialist | Annual under current law | October 1 | Eight hours unless exempt or inactive |
| Teacher | Every two years | October 1 in the due year | Eight hours per year with teacher-content requirements |
Online renewal sequence
Verify that the record is due
Check the exact category, status and expiration in public verification.
Complete and document applicable CE
Record the title, description, date, location or URL and actual learning time.
Log in with the numeric license number
Use the correct personal PIN and exact license type.
Review the renewal information
Confirm name, address, status, CE affirmation and final portal amount before paying.
Pay only through the official portal
Board staff do not accept phone payments. Save the receipt and confirmation.
Verify the updated public status
Confirm that the status and expiration changed before relying on the receipt as proof of active authority.
Shop renewal dates are different
NC Cosmetology Continuing Education Classes
North Carolina does not require licensees to purchase a paid CE package. The Board offers free materials and allows licensees to document qualifying professional education completed since the last renewal.
Activities that may count
- Learning a new skill from another professional.
- Educational videos or tutorials.
- Correspondence or online courses.
- Hands-on classes.
- Other professional education completed during the cycle.
Content and record rules
- At least half must broaden knowledge in the licensed field.
- For teachers, at least half must involve teaching techniques or communication.
- Count actual participation time.
- Keep the title and brief description.
- Keep the date, location or URL and number of hours.
Free Board materials currently listed
| Free material | Hours | What to save |
|---|---|---|
| All Licensees | 4 hours | Keep page one as the completion record. |
| Cosmetologists | 8 hours | The Board states its free class has no test or quiz. |
| Estheticians | 8 hours | Retain a dated record identifying the licensee. |
| Manicurists | 8 hours | Retain the material and completion affirmation. |
Possible CE exemptions
- A practicing cosmetologist with at least 20 consecutive years of cosmetology experience may apply for the work-experience exemption.
- A licensee age 60 or older with at least 10 years of continuous licensed work may apply, except for teacher licenses.
- Inactive licensees do not complete ordinary CE while inactive but cannot practice for compensation.
- Do not assume an exemption until the Board’s form and eligibility requirements are satisfied.
North Carolina Application, Exam and Renewal Fees
Prov examination charges, initial Board fees and recurring statutory license fees are separate. The online portal controls the final amount for a specific record.
| Transaction | Current planning amount | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology written exam | $84 per attempt | Paid to Prov. |
| Cosmetology practical exam | $84 per attempt | Paid to Prov. |
| Initial NC cosmetologist license | $49 | Current Board initial-license page amount. |
| Other initial in-state personal license | $20 | Apprentice, esthetician, manicurist, natural hair or teacher. |
| Statutory cosmetologist license fee | $39 every three years | The Board may prorate; confirm the live renewal amount. |
| Apprentice, esthetician, manicurist or natural hair fee | $10 per year | Confirm the exact record and portal total. |
| Teacher fee | $10 every two years | Separate from a practitioner license. |
| Personal late renewal | $10 | Added after the applicable deadline. |
| Temporary permit | $5 | Available only to qualifying NC graduates. |
| Duplicate license | $1 | Use the existing-license service, not a new application. |
| Out-of-state cosmetologist | $64 | Current Board out-of-state application amount. |
| Other out-of-state personal category | $35 | Apprentice, esthetician, manicurist, natural hair or teacher. |
Expired or Inactive NC Cosmetology License
Renewal, late renewal, reactivation and examination after a long lapse are different actions. Start with the public status and exact expiration date.
| Status | What it means | Best next action |
|---|---|---|
| Active | The record is currently active through the displayed date. | Track renewal and maintain CE documentation. |
| Recently expired | The regular deadline was missed. | Log in, review late requirements and wait for active status. |
| Expired 5+ years | Examination is required before reinstatement. | Obtain Board eligibility before registering with Prov. |
| Inactive | The licensee cannot practice cosmetic art for compensation. | Apply for reactivation and complete any required 8–24 CE hours. |
| Restricted or disciplined | A Board order controls the authority to practice. | Follow the order; ordinary payment does not remove discipline. |
Transfer an Out-of-State Cosmetology License to North Carolina
North Carolina’s reciprocity route requires a current license in good standing and a jurisdiction that offers reciprocity to North Carolina. A registration or certificate is not treated as a transferable license.
Before applying
- Confirm the out-of-state license is current and in good standing.
- Confirm the credential is a license—not only a registration or certificate.
- Check whether the issuing state must send formal certification to North Carolina.
- Make the legal name and name order match on the license and photo ID.
- Do not apply until mismatched names are corrected.
- Confirm that the specific discipline is accepted from the issuing jurisdiction.
When certification is required
Ask the issuing agency to email or mail the certification directly to the NC Board. Certifications are generally held for 90 days or until the license expires, whichever occurs first.
Military and military spouses
Current military and military-spouse applicants may use the special route with current licensure, identification and military orders. The Board currently states no fee is due for qualifying applications.
File an NC Cosmetology Complaint or Regulatory Report
Use the Board process for licensing, sanitation, competence, school or professional-rule concerns. The Board does not decide ordinary payment or refund disputes.
| Complaint category | Possible examples | Useful evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Infection control or sanitation | Dirty implements, unsafe footspa practices, blood exposure or improper disinfection. | Date, location, photographs, service and factual observations. |
| Unlicensed practice | A person or location does not appear in verification or performs services beyond the license. | Lookup results, advertisements, receipts and identifying data. |
| Competency | Unsafe performance or potentially negligent regulated service. | Service details, injury evidence, communications and relevant medical records. |
| School related | Hours, supervision, instruction, school sanitation or licensing. | Enrollment records, schedules, messages and school verification. |
| Customer service or satisfaction | Conduct that may also involve a Board-regulated violation. | Separate regulatory facts from style preference. |
| Payment dispute | Refund, price, charge or contract disagreement. | The Board says it cannot address payment disputes; consider business or consumer-protection channels. |
Prepare the complaint in this order
Verify the professional and business
Save dated personal and salon or school lookup results.
Choose the regulatory category
Identify whether the issue concerns sanitation, licensing, competence, school conduct or another Board rule.
Write a factual timeline
State who, what, when and where. Avoid insults, speculation and unsupported conclusions.
Attach copies of useful evidence
Include receipts, advertisements, messages, photographs, witness names and relevant medical documentation.
Save the submission record
Keep the confirmation, evidence set and later Board correspondence together.
NC Salon Sanitation Grades and What Inspectors Check
North Carolina shops and schools receive sanitation grades. Search the licensed location and compare the grade with the exact address where services are being provided.
| Inspection result | Score | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Grade A | 90% or higher | Highest passing grade under the Board scale. |
| Grade B | 80%–89% | Passing grade with more deficiencies than Grade A. |
| Grade C | 70%–79% | Passing but near the failure threshold. |
| Failed | Below 70% | Immediate suspension and closure until a passing reinspection. |
Common inspection areas
- Handwashing or qualifying sanitizer before and after each client.
- Clean clothing and footwear.
- Clean facility, furniture, floors, walls and equipment.
- Lined waste receptacles and sanitary surrounding areas.
- Clean towels, capes, drapes and proper soiled-linen handling.
- Proper EPA-registered disinfectant and manufacturer contact time.
- First-aid supplies and blood-exposure procedure.
- Hot and cold running water and required bathroom access.
- Ventilation and equipment appropriate to services offered.
- Displayed licenses and current sanitation grade.
Fake-inspector warning
Legitimate Board inspectors
- Carry and present Board identification.
- Inspect licensed shops and schools.
- Document conditions and rule compliance.
- Use official Board enforcement procedures.
They do not
- Collect civil-penalty payments during an inspection.
- Text demands for immediate penalty payment.
- Sell insurance or benefit plans.
- Demand gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers.
NC Cosmetic Art Board Inspector Jobs
Board vacancies change and old job-board copies can remain indexed after closing. Verify an opening on the Board employment page and the official application portal.
No inspector vacancy shown
As checked August 4, 2026, the Board employment page lists an Administrative Associate II position rather than an inspector vacancy.
Use more than “cosmetology inspector”
Search cosmetic art, occupational licensing, inspection, enforcement, investigator, compliance and Board positions.
Match the actual posting
Document licensing history, sanitation knowledge, travel ability, report writing, inspections and conflict-management experience.
- Current relevant professional license where required.
- Detailed employment dates and duties.
- Knowledge of infection-control and sanitation rules.
- Experience writing clear factual reports.
- Customer-service and conflict-resolution experience.
- Travel and driving availability stated in the posting.
- Complete government application rather than résumé-only submission.
2026 Proposed Legislation: Do Not Apply It Before Enactment
Senate Bill 808 proposes changes involving license categories, training, natural hair care, hair design, mobile shops and continuing education. A proposed bill edition is not current licensing law.
Do not act on proposed changes yet
- Do not enroll using proposed reduced cosmetology hours.
- Do not assume the apprentice credential is eliminated.
- Do not assume natural hair licensure has become certification.
- Do not reduce current CE because a bill proposes fewer hours.
- Do not open a mobile shop under a proposed future rule.
Use current requirements
- Cosmetologist training remains 1,500 hours.
- Apprentice cosmetology remains a current route.
- Natural Hair Care Specialist licensure remains required.
- Current CE remains eight hours per year.
- Wait for a Board implementation notice after enactment.
Official North Carolina Action Links
Use the explanations above to choose the correct action. Use these official pages for live records, submissions, payment, scheduling and final legal decisions.
Board home
Current renewal notices, legislation alerts, service guidance, scam warnings and contact information.
Open the NC BoardProfessional verification
Check a personal license category, status and expiration.
Verify a ProfessionalSalon or school verification
Check a business or school license, location and inspection grade.
Verify Salon or SchoolLicense services
Renew, reactivate, upload documents, request duplicates and manage an existing record.
Open License LoginProv exam information
Register, schedule, review fees and access the current NC candidate bulletin.
Open ProvFree continuing education
Access free Board materials, CE policies, record instructions and exemption forms.
Open Free CERelated guides on this website
For a broader explanation of education, exams, transfer and renewal terminology, read the U.S. cosmetology license guide . For help identifying differently named state licensing agencies, use the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology guide .
North Carolina Cosmetology Board FAQs
What is the official name of the NC State Board of Cosmetology?
The official agency is the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. It regulates cosmetic-art professionals, teachers, shops, salons and schools.
What is the NC Cosmetology Board phone number?
Call 919-736-6123. Phone lines are listed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Board staff do not accept payments by phone.
Is the NC Cosmetology Board located in Raleigh?
No. The current Board office is at 121 Edinburgh South Drive, Suite 209, Cary, NC 27511. The “Raleigh Metro” practical site is also in Cary, while a written site is available in Raleigh when shown by the scheduler.
How many hours are required for an NC cosmetology license?
The current full cosmetologist route requires 1,500 approved school hours, completion of required performances and passage of both examinations at 75% or higher.
How much are the NC cosmetology exams?
The current Prov bulletin lists $84 for each written attempt and $84 for each practical attempt. Retakes use the same fee.
Is there an official NC cosmetology practice test?
Prov sells the official NIC Cosmetology Practice Exam for $39. It is a digital English-language product containing 100 questions in four subject groups. It does not contain the actual licensing questions.
When can an NC cosmetic art license be renewed in 2026?
The Board states that on-time 2026 individual renewals may be submitted from July 1, 2026 at 12:00 a.m. through October 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Verify that the exact record is due.
Does North Carolina require paid CE classes?
No. The Board offers free CE and states that paid classes are not mandatory. Licensees may document qualifying education completed since their last renewal and must retain their own records.
Can the Board help me obtain a salon refund?
The Board states that it cannot address payment disputes. It can review sanitation, licensing, competency, school and other regulatory concerns.
Are NC cosmetology inspector jobs currently open?
As checked August 4, 2026, the Board employment page lists an Administrative Associate II vacancy rather than an inspector position. Check the live Board and NC Government Jobs pages for changes.
Final North Carolina License Checklist
- Use the official name: North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners.
- Call 919-736-6123 and never try to pay by phone.
- Verify the individual and salon or school separately.
- Enter only the numeric license number at login.
- Protect the personal-license PIN.
- Follow the current 1,500-hour cosmetologist requirement.
- Use Prov—not an outdated exam vendor.
- Budget $84 for written and $84 for practical testing.
- Match the Prov registration name exactly to photo ID.
- Use a full-size unmarked mannequin and compliant 30×30-inch kit.
- Apply for a temporary permit only after graduation.
- Verify whether the license is due in the 2026 renewal window.
- Document eight CE hours for each required year.
- Use free Board CE instead of assuming paid classes are mandatory.
- Keep the CE title, date, description, location or URL and hours.
- Use the correct complaint category and preserve evidence.
- Check the salon or school sanitation grade.
- Do not pay anyone impersonating a Board inspector.
- Confirm jobs on the live official employment page.
- Do not apply proposed SB 808 changes before enactment.
Independent-site notice: Board-of-Cosmetology.org is not affiliated with the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners, Prov, NIC, the North Carolina General Assembly, any cosmetic-art school or any CE provider. Official Board records, laws, rules and examination instructions control.