South Carolina Cosmetology State Requirement for Licensure

Step-by-Step South Carolina Cosmetology Licensing Requirements

South Carolina’s cosmetology licensing process is structured, traditional, and rooted in educational foundations that emphasize both classroom training and public safety. Whether you’re applying as a cosmetologist, esthetician, nail technician, or master hair care specialist, you’ll need to meet specific state-approved qualifications that are carefully outlined by the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology.

Unlike some states, South Carolina requires ongoing continuing education for license renewal and does not accept apprenticeships as a path toward licensure, placing a strong emphasis on classroom instruction through a cosmetology school approved by the board. From theory and practical exams to sanitation training and safe chemical use, the state maintains high standards across all beauty disciplines.

This guide walks you through the step-by-step process of obtaining a cosmetologist license in South Carolina, from completing the required hours at a licensed school to passing the National Interstate Council (NIC) exams. Studying in Columbia or preparing for your exams in Charleston? South Carolina’s cosmetology state requirement framework need to be knuckled down before starting and sustaining a successful beauty career.

South Carolina Cosmetology Licensing Pathway: Age, Education, and Training Essentials

In South Carolina, becoming a licensed cosmetologist means meeting the minimum requirements set by the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology. These standards are in place to provide public safety, professional skill, and proper training in handling hazardous and harmful chemicals. Whether you’re drawn to hair care, skin care, or nail technology, understanding the state’s step-by-step licensure process is fundamental to beginning your career.

Licensing Criteria

To legally practice cosmetology in South Carolina, all applicants must meet the following state requirements:

• Be at least 16 years of age.

• Complete a 10th-grade education or its equivalent, using tests accepted in public schools or tests approved by the Carolina Board of Cosmetology.

• Graduate from a cosmetology school approved by the Board, or hold a valid master hair care specialist license with five years of experience.

• Submit a completed application form with all required documents.

• Pass both the NIC theory and practical exams.

• Pay all prescribed fees.

These steps are mandatory for all applicants seeking to receive a cosmetologist license in South Carolina.

Examination Requirements

Licensure in South Carolina requires passing both a cosmetology theory exam and a practical exam administered through the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC). Here’s what’s required to sit for the exam:

• Complete 1,500 hours of class work in a South Carolina cosmetology school approved by the board (or have comparable training approved by the board).

• Pass both the NIC theory and practical exams with a qualifying score.

• Submit proof of education (10th grade or higher) and an original certified transcript of school hours within 24 months of graduation.

If an applicant hasn’t passed both tests approved by the board within 24 months, all hours earned become invalid.

Continuing Education

Unlike California, South Carolina requires licensed cosmetologists to complete 12 hours of continuing education every two years. This must include:

• At least 3 hours focused on sanitation, health, or safety.

• A maximum of 6 hours may be completed online; the remaining hours must be completed in person with the same CE provider.

Apprenticeship Programs

South Carolina does not accept apprenticeship training hours for licensure. All required hours must come from a school approved by the South Carolina Board. This includes class instruction and hands-on training with oversight.

License Reciprocity

Reciprocity is available for professionals licensed in other U.S. states or territories. To qualify:

• The license must be active, valid, and in good standing.

• The applicant must have passed a nationally recognized exam.

• The applicant must be able to read, write, and understand English to avoid the unlawful use of harmful chemicals.

• A completed application including applicant’s age and supporting documentation must be submitted.

Instructor Licensing

To teach cosmetology in South Carolina, instructors must:

• Hold a high school diploma or GED.

• Be a licensed cosmetologist.

• Have at least two years of work experience or complete 750 hours in an instructor training program.

• Complete 45 hours of teaching methods training through a course approved by the board.

• Submit a form prescribed by the board, pass the board-approved instructor exam, and pay the required fee.

For theory instruction, individuals with five years of experience or a bachelor's degree in a related field may be eligible, pending board approval.

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Estheticians

Licensing Criteria

Anyone interested in offering skin care services in South Carolina must hold an esthetician license as outlined by the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology. To qualify, applicants must:

• Be at least 16 years old

• Have completed 10th grade education or an equivalent using public school or board-approved tests

• Graduate from a school approved by the board with 600 hours of training in skin care or hold comparable training approved by the board

• Pass both the NIC theory and practical exams

• Submit a completed application, including all supporting documentation and prescribed fees

This is the only approved pathway to becoming a licensed esthetician in South Carolina.

Examination Requirements

To receive your license, you must:

• Complete 600 classroom hours at a cosmetology school approved by the board or submit approved comparable training

• Pass both a written (NIC theory) and practical exam based on national standards

• Provide proof of 10th-grade education or higher

• Submit an original certified transcript of school hours earned within 24 months of graduation

• Pay all required testing and licensing fees

If both tests are not passed within the 24-month window, all recorded hours become invalid and must be retaken.

Continuing Education

To maintain a South Carolina esthetician license, professionals must complete 12 contact hours of continuing education every two years. This includes:

• 3 hours in sanitation, health, or client safety

• A maximum of 6 hours may be completed online; the remaining hours must be completed in person with the same continuing education provider

This guarantees that estheticians stay current on hazardous and harmful chemicals, health codes, and sanitation practices.

Apprenticeship Programs

Unlike some states, South Carolina does not allow apprenticeships to count toward esthetics licensure. All training hours must come from a cosmetology school approved by the board.

License Reciprocity

South Carolina does not have formal reciprocity agreements with other states. Instead, it offers licensure by endorsement. To qualify, you must:

• Hold a license that is active and in good standing

• Have passed a nationally recognized examination, such as those by the National Interstate Council

• Submit a completed application, including proof of age, and demonstrate the ability to read, write, and understand the English language

• Show compliance with the state’s rules regarding the unlawful use of harmful chemicals

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Hairstylists/Barbers

Licensing Criteria

In South Carolina, hairstylists and barbers are licensed under separate boards, with hairstylists falling under the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology and barbers under the Barber Examiners Board. To practice legally as a hairstylist or barber, applicants must meet the following licensing requirements:

• Be at least 16 years old

• Have completed the 10th grade or its equivalent, verified through public school or board-approved tests

• Graduate from a cosmetology school approved by the board with 1,500 training hours, or complete 12 months of full-time training (approx. 1,920 hours) under a licensed barber instructor

• Submit a completed application, including proof of education, training transcripts, and the prescribed fee

• Pass both the written and practical exams as required by the respective board

A licensed master hair care specialist with five years of experience may also qualify for licensure without repeating training hours.

Examination Requirements

Exams are administered by Professional Credential Services (PCS) or the NIC, depending on license type. To qualify, applicants must:

• Complete the required hours through either a nail technician school approved, a barber school, or approved apprenticeship training

• Pass both the written theory and practical exams

• Submit official transcripts and other documentation

• Pay all applicable testing and licensing fees

For barbers, a negative tuberculosis test is also required.

Continuing Education

Barbers in South Carolina are not required to complete continuing education, but hairstylists must complete 12 contact hours every two years, including:

• 3 hours in sanitation, health, or client safety

• A maximum of 6 hours online, with the remaining hours completed in person with the same CE provider

These courses help confirm that hairstylists understand the unlawful use of hazardous and harmful chemicals and remain in good standing.

Apprenticeship Programs

South Carolina does not allow apprenticeship hours for hairstylists, but barber apprenticeships are accepted. To qualify:

• Complete 12 months of full-time training under a licensed barber instructor

• Submit notarized statements, proof of hours, and a negative tuberculosis test

• Fulfill all licensing requirements and pass exams before applying

Hairstylists must attend a cosmetology school approved by the state and cannot earn credit through salon-based training.

License Reciprocity

South Carolina does offer license reciprocity for both barbers and hairstylists. To qualify:

• Hold a current license in good standing from another U.S. state or territory

• Have passed a nationally recognized exam, such as the NIC theory and practical

• Submit a completed application with proof of education, training, age, and the ability to understand English

• Meet any additional requirements, including a negative TB test for barbers

Failure to meet reciprocity standards requires the applicant to follow South Carolina’s full licensing process.

Instructor Licensing

To teach hair care or barbering, instructors must:

• Be a licensed cosmetologist or registered barber

• Hold a high school diploma or GED

• Have at least two years of work experience or complete 750 instructor training hours

• Complete a 45-hour teaching methods course approved by the board

• Pass the instructor’s exam and pay the prescribed fee

Instructors must also complete 12 contact hours of continuing education every two years, with half allowed online and the other half in person.

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Nail Technicians/Manicurists

Licensing Criteria

Suppose you want to offer nail care services in South Carolina legally. In that case, you must first earn a nail technician license by following the official steps laid out by the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology. To qualify, applicants must:

• Be at least 16 years old

• Complete the 10th grade or an equivalent education verified through public school or board-approved tests

• Graduate from a nail technician school approved by the board with at least 300 hours of instruction, or receive comparable training approved by the board

• Submit a completed application form along with all required documents and the prescribed fee

• Pass both the NIC theory and practical examinations

These minimum requirements are important to getting your cosmetologist license in the field of nail technology.

Examination Requirements

All applicants for licensure must:

• Complete 300 hours of class work at a cosmetology school approved by the board

• Pass both the written (NIC theory) and hands-on practical exam

• Provide proof of education (10th grade or higher)

• Submit an official transcript of school hours completed within 24 months of graduation

• Pay all exam registration and licensing fees

Failure to pass both exams within the 24-month period renders your hours void, requiring you to retake the training.

Continuing Education

To maintain a nail technician license, South Carolina requires 12 contact hours of continuing education every two years, which must include:

• At least 3 hours focused on sanitation, health, or safety

• A maximum of 6 hours may be completed online, with the remaining hours completed in person from the same CE provider

This ensures that nail technicians stay up-to-date on the safe handling of hazardous and harmful chemicals.

License Reciprocity

Reciprocity is available for licensed nail technicians moving to South Carolina. To qualify, applicants must:

• Hold a license in good standing from another U.S. state or territory

• Have passed a nationally recognized exam, such as the NIC theory and practical

• Submit a completed application that includes proof of age, documentation of training, and confirmation of the ability to read, write, and comprehend the English language

• Show knowledge of proper use of harmful and hazardous chemicals in nail care services

Failure to meet reciprocity requirements will require applicants to complete South Carolina’s full licensing process, including education and exams.

Instructor Licensing

To become a licensed nail technology instructor, individuals must:

• Hold a high school diploma or GED

• Be a licensed nail technician in good standing

• Have at least two years of experience or complete 750 hours of instructor training

• Complete 45 hours in a teaching methods course approved by the board

• Pass the instructor’s exam prescribed by the board and pay the prescribed fee

Licensed instructors must also complete 12 contact hours of continuing education biennially, with no more than 6 hours taken online; the remainder must be completed in person with the same CE provider.

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Makeup Artists

In South Carolina, makeup artists are regulated under the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology and must hold either an esthetician license or a cosmetologist license, depending on the range of services provided. Plan to apply makeup professionally, especially with skin care or facial services. You must meet the appropriate licensing requirements, including completing training at a school approved by the board and passing both the NIC theory and practical exams.

For additional guidance on which license applies to your services or to confirm minimum requirements, training hours, and application forms, contact the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology directly.

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