Cosmetologist / North Carolina
2026 data North Carolina board official source

North Carolina Cosmetologist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides hair, skin, and nail care services. Required in all 50 states.

What the North Carolina data shows for Cosmetologists

Becoming a licensed cosmetologist in North Carolina means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,268 training hours, a passing score on State Cosmetology Board Exam, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 16. North Carolina regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

Upfront cost is $70, with renewal running $45 on a 2-year cycle. Expect roughly 3 weeks of processing once a complete application is submitted. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in North Carolina, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

On reciprocity, cosmetologists should know: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
68/100
Cosmetologist · North Carolina

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
1,268 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$102
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$27/yr
$54 every 2 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in North Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Cosmetology School
1,268 hours
Exam Requirement
State Cosmetology Board Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$102
Renewal Fee
$54
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
3 wks
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
16 years
Compare fees across all states for Cosmetologist →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Cosmetologist All North Carolina licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Carolina licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Cosmetologist in North Carolina? ▼
North Carolina requires 1268 education/training hours, passing an exam (State Cosmetology Board Exam), and an initial fee of $102. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Cosmetologist in North Carolina? ▼
Certification as a cosmetologist in North Carolina means clearing the state's checklist: 1268 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The North Carolina licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Cosmetologist license to North Carolina from another state? ▼
For cosmetologists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Varies by state — check with state board. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the North Carolina licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does North Carolina require a background check for Cosmetologist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the cosmetologist licensing process in North Carolina. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
How much does it cost to get a Cosmetologist license in North Carolina? ▼
The initial licensing fee in North Carolina is $70. The renewal fee is $45 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 3 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Cosmetologist license processing take in North Carolina? ▼
In North Carolina, license processing for cosmetologists typically takes approximately 3 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this cosmetologist license

Cosmetologist in North Carolina, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a cosmetologist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how North Carolina's cosmetologist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Cosmetologist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state cosmetologist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how North Carolina's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. North Carolina overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the North Carolina licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.