South Carolina Cosmetology License Requirements
Updated
Licenses in South Carolina are issued and regulated by the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology. This page covers what it takes to get licensed, what renewal costs, how the board handles license transfers, and how to reach it.
Training Hours
1,500 hrs
Minimum Age
16 years old
Exam Provider
Prov, Inc.
Application Fee
$45
Renewal Fee
$52
Renewal Period
2 years (expires March 10 of odd-numbered years)
CE Hours Required
4 hrs
Renewal Portal
Renew Online ↗License Lookup
How to Verify a License →The South Carolina Board of Cosmetology
Phone
(803) 896-4588Official Website
Official Site ↗Mailing Address
South Carolina Board of Cosmetology
110 Centerview Dr
Columbia, SC 29210
Office Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM (general LLR office hours; the Board of Cosmetology does not publish separate hours).
Renewal Portal
Renew Online ↗Complaints
File a Complaint ↗South Carolina regulates the cosmetology field through the Board of Cosmetology, which sits inside the state's Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) rather than operating as a freestanding agency. The board licenses cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, and instructors, and it also licenses and inspects the salons, booth-rental locations, and cosmetology schools where those licensees work.
The board's office is at 110 Centerview Dr in Columbia, part of LLR's Synergy Business Park campus. Licensing questions go to BoardInfo@llr.sc.gov or (803) 896-4588, and the board is led by a board executive who oversees day-to-day licensing operations. LLR's general office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM; the cosmetology board does not publish separate hours or offer walk-in exam scheduling outside its standard licensing process, and nearly all licensing, renewal, and complaint activity is handled online through LLR's e-Service portal.
South Carolina offers licensure by examination or by endorsement. Examination applicants must complete a set minimum of hours at a board-approved cosmetology school — 1,500 hours for Cosmetologist, 450 for Esthetician, and 300 for Nail Technician — or qualify through a combination of work experience and reduced school hours, then pass the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) theory and practical exam. Endorsement applicants who have held an active license in another state for at least two years and completed four hours of board-approved continuing education can skip the exam requirement. Instructor licensure requires either two years of active licensure as a cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician plus 45 hours of board-approved teaching-methods training, or 750 hours of student instructor training for those licensed less than two years.
Personal licenses do not renew on the licensee's birthday. Instead, South Carolina runs cosmetology licenses on a shared two-year cycle with a fixed statewide deadline — for example, the 2025–2027 renewal period closed on March 10, 2025, with the next cycle due around the same date in 2027. Renewal requires four hours of board-approved continuing education for cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians, though first-time licensees and endorsement licensees are exempt from CE for their first renewal, and long-tenured, older licensees can qualify for an experience/age exemption.
How to Get a Cosmetology License in South Carolina
Earning a South Carolina cosmetology license requires 1,500 hours of approved training followed by NIC written and practical examinations administered by Prov, Inc. Here is the step-by-step process:
- Enroll in a board-approved cosmetology school. You must be at least 16 years old and have completed the eighth grade or equivalent. Find licensed schools through the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology at llr.sc.gov/cosmo.
- Complete 1,500 hours of training. Your school tracks and certifies your hours. South Carolina's curriculum covers hair design, skin care, nail technology, sanitation, and state law.
- Submit your license application. Complete the cosmetology applicant application available on the board's website. Submit the application with the $45 fee to the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology, 110 Centerview Drive, Columbia, SC 29210, or apply online through eservice.llr.sc.gov.
- Schedule and pass both Prov examinations. Once the board approves your application, register at provexam.com. A minimum score of 75% is required on both the NIC written theory exam and NIC practical exam. Fees are paid at the time of scheduling.
- Receive your license. Prov transmits passing scores to the board. The board issues your South Carolina cosmetology license, authorizing you to practice in the state.
Training Requirements
South Carolina requires 1,500 hours of cosmetology training at a board-licensed school. The curriculum must prepare students for the NIC written and practical examinations and cover the full scope of South Carolina cosmetology practice:
- Hair design services: Haircutting, thermal and wet styling, chemical waving and relaxing, hair coloring, highlighting, and bleaching procedures
- Skin care: Basic facials, skin analysis, client consultation, and cosmetic product application
- Nail technology: Manicures, pedicures, nail enhancements, and nail product chemistry and safety
- Sanitation and infection control: Disinfection procedures, bloodborne pathogen protocols, and compliance with South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation standards
- Anatomy and physiology: Structure and function of hair, skin, and nails as they pertain to cosmetology services
- State law and professional ethics: South Carolina Cosmetology Act, board regulations, and professional conduct
South Carolina does not allow apprenticeship as an alternative to school-hour requirements. All 1,500 hours must be completed at a board-approved cosmetology school.
Cosmetology Exam Requirements
South Carolina requires two NIC examinations administered by Prov, Inc. before a cosmetology license is issued. A minimum score of 75% is required on each exam.
Written Theory Examination
- Administrator: Prov, Inc. (NIC exam)
- Registration: Online at provexam.com
- Format: Computer-based multiple-choice questions covering cosmetology theory, sanitation, South Carolina law, and professional practices
- Minimum passing score: 75%
- Scoring: Results transmitted electronically to the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology
Practical Examination
- Administrator: Prov, Inc. (NIC exam)
- Registration: Same Prov portal as written exam
- Format: Hands-on demonstration of cosmetology services covering hair, skin, and nail techniques within South Carolina's scope of practice
- Minimum passing score: 75%
- Scoring: Results transmitted to the board upon completion
Both examinations must be passed before the board will issue a South Carolina cosmetology license. Failed exams may be rescheduled through Prov after paying the applicable fee again.
How to Renew Your South Carolina Cosmetology License
$52–$82
Renewal Fee
2 years (fixed cycle)
Renewal Period
South Carolina cosmetology licenses renew on a biennial (two-year) cycle. Licenses expire on March 10 of odd-numbered years. Here is what you need to know:
- Renewal fee: $52 per renewal period
- Renewal portal: Renew online at eservice.llr.sc.gov
- Continuing education: South Carolina requires 4 CE hours per renewal cycle. CE must be completed at a board-approved provider before renewing.
- Late renewals: Licenses not renewed by March 10 of odd-numbered years are subject to late fees. Contact the board at (803) 896-4588 for current penalty schedules.
- License verification: Verify any South Carolina cosmetology license at eservice.llr.sc.gov online verification.
The South Carolina Board of Cosmetology recommends completing CE requirements and renewing well before the March 10 deadline to avoid late fees or lapses in license status.
Does South Carolina Take Part in the Cosmetology Licensure Compact?
Not a member stateSouth Carolina has not enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. The compact is an agreement among 12 states to recognize one another's cosmetology licenses through a single multistate license, and a state has to pass it into law before its licensees can take part.
In practical terms, that means a South Carolina license cannot be converted into a multistate license, and a multistate license issued elsewhere will not authorize you to work in South Carolina. If you are moving into or out of South Carolina, you will go through the normal reciprocity or endorsement route: applying directly to the receiving state's board, documenting your training hours, and meeting whatever additional requirements that state sets.
It is worth noting that even in the 12 states that have enacted the compact, multistate licenses are not being issued yet — the Commission is still building the system that will administer them. So at the moment, a South Carolina licensee is not at a practical disadvantage compared with one in a member state.
Other Compact member states
Licenses the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology Regulates
| License | Training Hours | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cosmetologist |
1,500 hrs | $45 | $52 |
|
Esthetician |
450 hrs | $45 | $52 |
|
Nail Technician |
300 hrs | $45 | $52 |
|
Instructor |
750 hrs | $45 | $82 |
|
Salon |
— | $100 | $72 |
|
Booth Renter |
— | $100 | $72 |
|
School |
— | $300 | $122 |
Notes
Cosmetologist: Full scope: hair, skin, and nails. Endorsement fee is $60.
Esthetician: Skin care services. Endorsement fee is $60.
Nail Technician: Endorsement fee is $60.
Instructor: 750 hours of student instructor training required if licensed under 2 years, plus 45 hours of teaching-methods training; endorsement fee is $80.
Salon: Mandatory inspection required for new and reinstated locations.
Booth Renter: Nontransferable between salons.
School: Mandatory inspection required for new and reinstated schools.
Other Cosmetology License Types in South Carolina
The South Carolina Board of Cosmetology licenses several categories of cosmetology practitioners and establishments:
- Cosmetologist: Full-scope license covering hair design, coloring, chemical services, skin care, and nail technology. Requires 1,500 school hours and passage of NIC written and practical exams via Prov.
- Esthetician: Limited to skin care services including facials, makeup application, and related treatments. Requires 450 school hours.
- Nail Technician: Limited to nail services including manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements. Requires 300 school hours.
- Natural Hair Care Specialist: Limited to natural hair care services not involving chemicals. Requires 300 school hours.
- Cosmetology Instructor: Required to teach in a licensed South Carolina cosmetology school. Requires an active cosmetology license and completion of instructor training requirements.
- Cosmetology Salon License: Required for any business offering cosmetology services to the public in South Carolina. Must maintain current salon licensure separate from individual practitioner licenses.
For specific fees, application forms, and detailed requirements for each license type, visit llr.sc.gov/cosmo or call (803) 896-4588.
File a Complaint
Complaints against South Carolina cosmetology licensees are investigated by LLR's Office of Investigations and Enforcement (OIE), which determines whether the facts alleged could represent a violation of the laws governing the profession, including unlicensed practice. The board has no authority to award monetary restitution to a complainant — someone seeking a refund or damages is directed to pursue that separately, for example through an attorney or small-claims court.
Complaints against a specific license holder are filed online through LLR's complaint portal; a separate online form exists for reporting unlicensed activity. A complaint analyst first reviews the submission to confirm it falls within the board's legal jurisdiction — complaints outside that jurisdiction, or lacking enough detail to evaluate, are closed without an investigation unless the complainant supplies additional information within about ten business days of a request.
Complaints can be filed anonymously, but doing so limits what LLR can do for the complainant: an anonymous filer will not receive updates or confirmation that a case was opened, and investigators may be unable to follow up if more information is needed. For named complaints, South Carolina law generally requires that the license holder be given the complainant's name and the materials filed against them as part of due process, though a board can withhold that identity in limited circumstances for good cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many training hours are required for a South Carolina cosmetology license? +
South Carolina requires 1,500 hours of training at a board-approved cosmetology school. All hours must be completed through a licensed school — apprenticeship is not an alternative pathway.
What exams does South Carolina require for a cosmetology license? +
South Carolina requires two NIC examinations administered by Prov, Inc.: a written theory exam and a practical exam. Both require a minimum score of 75% to pass. Register at provexam.com.
Does South Carolina require continuing education for cosmetology license renewal? +
Yes. South Carolina requires 4 CE hours per two-year renewal cycle. CE must be completed at a board-approved provider before renewing. Renewal occurs by March 10 of odd-numbered years.
How much does it cost to get a South Carolina cosmetology license? +
The application fee is $45. NIC exam fees are paid to Prov at scheduling. Biennial renewal is $52. Contact Prov at provexam.com or the board at (803) 896-4588 for current exam fee amounts.
How do I renew my South Carolina cosmetology license? +
Renew online every two years at eservice.llr.sc.gov. Licenses expire March 10 of odd-numbered years. The renewal fee is $52 and 4 CE hours must be completed before renewing.
Can I transfer my out-of-state cosmetology license to South Carolina? +
South Carolina accepts reciprocity applications from licensed cosmetologists in other states. Download the endorsement/reciprocity application from llr.sc.gov/cosmo or call (803) 896-4588 for current requirements.
Is South Carolina part of the Cosmetology Licensure Compact? +
No. South Carolina has not enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. 12 states have enacted it so far.
Can I get a multistate cosmetology license right now? +
Not yet. 12 states have passed the compact into law, but the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission has not started issuing multistate licenses. Until it does, transferring a license between states still goes through each state board's reciprocity or endorsement process.
How do I transfer a cosmetology license to South Carolina today? +
Through the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology's reciprocity or endorsement process, not the compact. You will typically need proof of licensure in good standing from your current state, documentation of your training hours, and the application fee set by South Carolina. Requirements differ by state, so check the board's current instructions before applying.
How much does it cost to renew a South Carolina cosmetology license? +
Cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians renew for $52 every two years. Instructors renew for $82. Salons and booth renters renew for $72, and schools renew for $122.
When does my South Carolina cosmetology license expire? +
South Carolina uses a shared two-year renewal cycle with a fixed statewide deadline rather than a birthday-based schedule. The 2025–2027 cycle closed on March 10, 2025, so the next renewal deadline falls around the same date in 2027.
Is continuing education required to renew in South Carolina? +
Yes. Cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians must complete four hours of board-approved continuing education before renewing. First-time licensees and those licensed by endorsement are exempt for their first renewal only, and licensees meeting certain age-and-tenure thresholds can apply for a standing exemption.
How do I contact the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology? +
Call (803) 896-4588 or email BoardInfo@llr.sc.gov. The board's office is at 110 Centerview Dr, Columbia, SC 29210, within LLR's general office hours of Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM.
What license types does the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology regulate? +
The board licenses Cosmetologists, Estheticians, Nail Technicians, and Instructors, along with Salons, Booth Renters, and cosmetology Schools.
How do I file a complaint against a South Carolina salon or licensee? +
Complaints against a licensed individual or company are filed online through LLR's complaint portal; a separate form covers unlicensed practice. Complaints can be filed anonymously, but anonymous filers won't receive case updates and investigators may be unable to follow up for more information.
Helpful Resources
South Carolina Esthetician License Requirements
Training hours, exam providers, fees, and renewal periods for an South Carolina Esthetician license.
Learn more →South Carolina Nail Technician License Requirements
Training hours, exam providers, fees, and renewal periods for a South Carolina Nail Technician license.
Learn more →South Carolina Barber License Requirements
Training hours, exam providers, fees, and renewal periods for a South Carolina Barber license.
Learn more →License Reciprocity
Already licensed elsewhere? See how endorsement and reciprocity work for South Carolina.
Learn more →South Carolina Cosmetology License Lookup
How to verify a South Carolina license: what you can search by, and what each status means.
Learn more →Continuing Education
See how many CE hours the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology requires before you can renew.
Learn more →License Renewal
Renewal fees, deadlines, and CE requirements for South Carolina and every other state.
Learn more →Compare Other States
Licensing rules change at the state line. These states either border South Carolina or line up with it on training hours or the exam you would sit — useful whether you are planning a move or weighing where to train.