Cosmetologist in North Carolina

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NC. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$36,140

trending_up +2.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, North Carolina.

engineering

8,720

Jobs (NC)

monitoring Strong

+5.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$197

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies depending on program length and individual progress; typically 9-12 months for 1500 hours.

Time to complete

route How to become a cosmetologist in North Carolina

To become a licensed cosmetologist in North Carolina, individuals must complete 1500 hours of training in an approved cosmetic art school or 1200 hours with a 6-month apprenticeship. After completing the education, applicants must pass the North Carolina State Board written and practical examinations, which are NIC exams administered by DL Roope Administrations. Finally, a license application and fee must be submitted to the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. North Carolina offers reciprocity with most states for licensed cosmetologists, and there is no explicit minimum age requirement in the statute, though schools typically require applicants to be at least 16 years old.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $24,060

25th percentile $28,120

50th (median) $36,140

75th percentile $47,830

90th (experienced) $61,620

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for North Carolina. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist North Carolina requirements

Licensing body	North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners
State license	Required
Education	1500 hours of training in an approved cosmetic art school, or 1200 hours in an approved cosmetic art school and completion of a 6-month apprenticeship. A 10th-grade education is generally required by most approved schools for enrollment, though not explicitly by statute.
Exam	North Carolina State Board examination (NIC written and practical exams administered by DL Roope Administrations) ($148)
Application fee	$49
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age is not explicitly required by statute, but most schools require applicants to be at least 16 years old. Cosmetologists with 10+ years of experience and aged 60 or older are exempt from CE requirements. A temporary permit ($5) is available for 6 months after graduation.

Source: North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+5.6%

Faster than average

Annual openings

75,800

Nationwide per year

Total employment

575,200

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.68/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleNorth Carolina license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+5.6%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a cosmetologist career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a cosmetologist in North Carolina? expand_more

To become a cosmetologist in North Carolina, you need to complete the required education (1500 hours of training in an approved cosmetic art school, or 1200 hours in an approved cosmetic art school and completion of a 6-month apprenticeship. A 10th-grade education is generally required by most approved schools for enrollment, though not explicitly by statute.), pass the North Carolina State Board examination (NIC written and practical exams administered by DL Roope Administrations), and submit your application ($49 fee).

Does North Carolina require cosmetologist licensure? expand_more

You cannot practice as a cosmetologist in North Carolina without a state license from North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. The required exam is the North Carolina State Board examination (NIC written and practical exams administered by DL Roope Administrations).

What is the average cosmetologist salary in North Carolina? expand_more

The median cosmetologist salary in North Carolina is $36,140 per year. — within a few percent of the $35,250 national figure. Wages range from $24,060 (10th percentile) up to $61,620 (90th percentile).

How much does it cost to become a cosmetologist in North Carolina? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($148) and application fee ($49) plus your education and training.

How long does it take to become a cosmetologist in North Carolina? expand_more

In North Carolina, becoming a cosmetologist generally takes Varies depending on program length and individual progress; typically 9-12 months for 1500 hours., accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

What are the continuing education requirements for cosmetologists in North Carolina? expand_more

License renewal in North Carolina requires completing 24.0 hours of continuing education on a 3.0-year cycle.