North Carolina Cosmetology License Requirements

North Carolina

North Carolina Cosmetology, Nail Technician and Esthetician Requirements

Compare training hours, written and practical exam requirements, and verified guide status for the three North Carolina beauty licenses.

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Use the state requirements first, then start the matching course with 10 free questions and explanations.

700+ questions · North CarolinaNail Technician practiceSanitation, nail anatomy, manicure, pedicure, acrylic, gel and wraps.

300 hrs · Written: required · Practical: required

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500+ questions · North CarolinaEsthetician practiceSkin science, infection control, facials, hair removal, makeup and machines.

600 hrs · Written: required · Practical: required

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At a glance

Compare North Carolina requirements side by side

These owner-verified hour and exam flags come from the state dataset. Open a full guide for source-linked fees, renewal, reciprocity and exam details where approved.

RequirementCosmetologyNail TechnicianEsthetician
Training hours1,500 hrsTraining300 hrsTraining600 hrsTraining
Written examRequiredExam statusRequiredExam statusRequiredExam status
Practical examRequiredExam statusRequiredExam statusRequiredExam status

Cosmetology

Training hours
1,500 hrsTraining
Written exam
RequiredExam status
Practical exam
RequiredExam status
Open full guide →

Nail Technician

Training hours
300 hrsTraining
Written exam
RequiredExam status
Practical exam
RequiredExam status
Open full guide →

Esthetician

Training hours
600 hrsTraining
Written exam
RequiredExam status
Practical exam
RequiredExam status
Open full guide →

Licensing board

Who issues these licenses

North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners Licenses renew every annual.

North Carolina board website →

Full guides

Open the verified guide for your license

1,500 hrs · Written: required · Practical: requiredNorth Carolina Cosmetology guideExam details, official sources, fees where verified, and the matching course next step.Open full guide →300 hrs · Written: required · Practical: requiredNorth Carolina Nail Technician guideExam details, official sources, fees where verified, and the matching course next step.Open full guide →600 hrs · Written: required · Practical: requiredNorth Carolina Esthetician guideExam details, official sources, fees where verified, and the matching course next step.Open full guide →

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