South Carolina Cosmetology License Requirements

This page provides information for South Carolina license requirements including how to apply for a new license, renew an existing one, reactivate an expired license and South Carolina license reciprocity for when you need to transfer a license to this state or out of state. If available, we provide other useful information such as cosmetology school hours requirements, how to apply for additional license for professions like manicurists, nail technicians, instructors etc. If you did not find the answer you were looking for on this page or if you have questions or issues pertaining to cosmetology, then we recommend you contact the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology.

South Carolina Cosmetology License Verification

If you need to verify a license for a salon or person, then you can do so by visiting the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology license verification website. From there you can search for the person or business and see if there are any disciplinary actions on record. This will allow you to make an informed decision about the person and or business providing your service.

South Carolina Licensure Requirements

• Be at least 16 years old
• Possess at least a 10th grade education or equivalency by tests used in the public schools or tests approved by the Board
• Successfully complete 1,500 hours in a cosmetology school approved by the Board or be licensed as a master hair care specialist for a period of five years
• Pass the NIC written and practical exam
• Submit an application
• Pay the prescribed fee

• Be at least 16 years old
• Possess at least a 10th grade education or equivalency by tests used in the public schools or tests approved by the Board
• Successfully complete 300 hours of class work in a nail technician school approved by the Board or comparable training approved by the board
• Pass the NIC written and practical exam
• Submit an application
• Pay the prescribed fee

• Be at least 16 years old
• Possess at least a 10th grade education or equivalency by tests used in the public schools or tests approved by the Board
• Successfully complete 450 hours in classes in skin care at a school approved by the Board or comparable training approved by the board
• Pass the NIC written and practical exam
• Submit an application
• Pay the prescribed fee

• Possess a high school diploma or GED
• Possess a license as a cosmetologist, esthetician or nail technician and have practiced for at least two years after receiving the respective license or, after receiving a cosmetologist, nail technician or esthetician license, has completed a seven hundred fifty (750) hour instructor training program meeting the standards of Regulation 35-4(B)
• Successfully complete a 45-hour method of teaching program approved by the Board
• Submit an application
• Pay the prescribed fee
• Pass the NIC written and practical exam

• Minimum of 5 years of experience or Bachelor's degree in related profession, occupation or cognitive area may instruct theory classes with prior approval by the Board. You must supply an official college transcript

Cosmetology, Nail Technician, Esthetician and Instructor theory/written and practical examinations are administered by Professional Credential Services (PCS). PCS may be contacted by phone at 888-822-3272 or visit their web site at: https://pcshq.com/?page=cosmetologyandbarber,SouthCarolina.

• Designate a licensed cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician as the manager of the salon who will be responsible for compliance with Cosmetology statutes and regulations and responsible for all personnel physically located in the salon
• Submit a completed application along with the prescribed non-refundable fee, and include the self-inspection sheet at least 10 business days prior to the opening date of the salon. Where applicable, submit documented proof of the federal tax identification number (or EIN)
• Have a satisfactory salon inspection

Please note: It may take up to five business days before an inspector makes contact with you to set a date for an inspection.

Beauty salon or salon means a building or any place, or part of a place or building including, but not limited to, a rental booth, in which cosmetology is performed on the general public for compensation.

• Must be a South Carolina licensed cosmetologist, nail technician or esthetician
• Submit a completed application along with the prescribed non-refundable fee, and the notarized affidavit of eligibility
• Have the licensed salon manager sign and date the application

• Complete and submit an application at least 60 days prior to opening (a board appearance is required)
• Submit proof of federal identification number (EIN)
• Submit all ancillary documents which includes but is not limited to the original $10,000 surety bond and the signed power of attorney
• Supply a listing of current full/part time instructors (include names, license numbers and specify those who are backups)
• Pay the prescribed fee
• Successfully pass the preliminary and final inspections (after the board appearance)

All applications, except for exam applications, can be printed from the Applications and Forms page.

Change License Name/Address or Request Duplicate License

If you need to change the name or address on your current license, or need ot request a duplicate copy of your licence, then click here to download the form. If changing your name you will need to send your completed form along with proof of your name change which can include marriage license, divorce decree, etc.

If you prefer, you can change your address online by logging in at https://eservice.llr.sc.gov/SecurePortal/Login.aspx.

To request a verification of licensure, click here.

South Carolina Cosmetology School Hours

South Carolina Endorsement Applications

• Endorsement Instructor Application
• Endorsement Application

• Click Here to Download Endorsement Online Application Forms
• Click Here to fill out the Online Endorsement Application

Professional Credential Services Inc.
Phone: 888-822-3272
Fax: 615-846-0153
Email: sccos@pcshq.com

I haven't received my renewal notice, what do I do?

Renewal notices are mailed in January (odd years) for RC, NT and ES and April (even years) to salons, booth renters and schools to your last known mailing address in the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology database. You may renew your license online using your User ID and Password. If you do not remember your User ID and Password, you may still renew your license on the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology website using the online services at: www.llr.state.sc.us/pol/cosmetology.

A login window will open. If you do not know your user ID/Password select the Alternative Login option I Do Not Know My User ID/Password and the system will provide you with an Alternative Login option where you will place the last 5-digits of your social security number, your last name, type in the quirky work, and the licensing board in order to log into the system. Complete the online renewal questions and pay the renewal fee online. Be sure to obtain your confirmation number as proof of payment. Your license will be processed within 10 business days.

I'm trying to obtain my South Carolina cosmetology license, but I went to high school in another country. What do I have to do to get my high school information verified?

The South Carolina Board of Cosmetology voted to only accept evaluations from Aequo International. All foreign educated applicants not currently licensed in the US or territorial possession of the US must remit proof of meeting educational standards prior to being authorized for the NIC theory and NIC practical examinations. You may contact the evaluation service by calling or by going to their web page:

South Carolina will not accept education documents translated and/or evaluated by any other sources.

I have a current cosmetology license in South Carolina and I'm applying for a license in another state. How do I verify my South Carolina license?

You can request a license verification using the state online services option. Once you click that link a login window will open. If you do not know your user ID/Password select the Alternative Login I Do not Know My User ID/Password and the system will provide you with an Alternative Login option where you will place the last 5-digits of your social security number, your last name, type in the quirky work, and the licensing board in order to log into the system. Complete the online order form and pay the $5 fee online. Be prepared to enter the mailing address of the board where you want the license verification mailed to. License verifications are processed within 10 business days.

I have a current cosmetology license in South Carolina and I'm applying for a license in another state. How do I verify my South Carolina?

If you would like to apply for a South Carolina license, fill out the Endorsement application online. Or if you prefer, you can download the Endorsement paper application, fill it out and mail in your documents. You will also need to request a license verification from your current state of licensure and or the state where you took your license examinations. South Carolina requires that all applicants have passed the National Interstate Council (NIC) written and practical examinations in order to qualify for licensure. If we determine that additional information is required, or that retesting is required, we will send you an official letter explaining the next steps to take.

Once you have submitted your endorsement application, you can track the status of your application 24-hours per day on the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology website using the online service called Application Status. Once you click that link, follow the prompts to check the progress of your application online. A login window will open. If you do not know your user ID/Password select the Alternative Login option I do Not Know My User ID/Password and the system will provide you with an Alternative Login option where you will place the last 5-digits of your social security number, your last name, type in the quirky work, and the licensing board in order to log into the system to check your application status. Once all documents are received, a license can be released.

How do I apply for a salon license?

You will need to fill out the Salon Application form. Submit the completed application ten days before you plan to open. An inspector will contact you to conduct an inspection of your new salon. Once you pass inspection and have a salon license, you may open for business.