South Carolina State Board of Cosmetology
Information verified:About the South Carolina State Board of Cosmetology
The South Carolina Board of Cosmetology is a professional licensing board within the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR). Unlike states that maintain a standalone cosmetology board, South Carolina's Board of Cosmetology is one of more than two dozen professional and occupational boards housed under LLR, which also administers the State Fire Marshal, SC OSHA, and numerous other licensing programs. The Board operates under S.C. Code of Laws Title 40, Chapter 13 and South Carolina Code of Regulations Chapter 35.
The Board's offices are located at 110 Centerview Drive, Columbia, SC 29210. Staff can be reached by phone at (803) 896-4588 and by email at BoardInfo@llr.sc.gov. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM ET. The Board Executive is Tracy Adams.
The Board's mandate is to protect public health and safety by ensuring that individuals who perform professional cosmetology and cosmetology-related services in South Carolina are qualified through education and examination. The Board licenses cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, and instructors, and also regulates cosmetology schools, salons, and booth renters. It receives and investigates consumer complaints and takes appropriate disciplinary action against licensees found to have violated cosmetology laws or regulations.
South Carolina's cosmetology licensing is governed primarily by the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) examination system, administered by the Board's designated testing vendor, Prov, Inc. Passing scores are 75% for cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians, and 80% for instructor candidates. The Board also requires four hours of Board-approved continuing education per two-year renewal cycle for all active licensees (other than first-time renewers).
Licenses Regulated
The South Carolina Board of Cosmetology licenses individual practitioners and facilities under several distinct license types. A current South Carolina license is required before engaging in professional cosmetology or cosmetology-related services for compensation in this state.
Cosmetologist
A cosmetologist license covers hair care (cutting, styling, coloring, chemical services), nail care, and skin care. Applicants must complete 1,500 hours at a Board-approved cosmetology school, be at least 16 years old, possess at least a 10th-grade education or equivalency, and pass both parts of the NIC examination (theory and practical) administered by Prov. The examination application fee is $45.
Esthetician
An esthetician license covers skin care services. Applicants must complete 450 hours of Board-approved esthetics education and pass NIC theory and practical examinations through Prov.
Nail Technician
A nail technician license covers nail services only. Applicants must complete 300 hours at a Board-approved nail technician school and pass NIC theory and practical examinations.
Instructor
Instructor licenses authorize the holder to teach in a licensed cosmetology school. The application fee is $45 (examination) or $80 (endorsement). Instructor renewal is $82. A passing score of 80% is required on the NIC Instructor examination.
Salon
A salon license is required for any establishment where cosmetology services are provided for compensation. Initial fee is $100; renewal is $72. The salon manager must be a current SC licensed cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician. Salon licenses are tied to a specific address and are not transferable when a location changes.
Booth Renter
Independent contractors renting space within a licensed salon must hold a booth renter license. The initial and renewal fee is the same as a salon ($100 initial, $72 renewal).
School
Cosmetology schools must be licensed by the Board. Initial fee is $300; renewal is $122. Schools must satisfy curriculum requirements and student hour tracking obligations set by Board regulations.
Renew Your South Carolina Cosmetology License
South Carolina cosmetology, esthetician, nail technician, and instructor licenses renew every two years. All practitioner licenses expire on March 10 of odd-numbered years (e.g., March 10, 2027). Salon and booth renter licenses follow the same cycle.
Renewal Fees
- Cosmetologist, Esthetician, or Nail Technician renewal: $52
- Instructor renewal: $82
- Salon or Booth Renter renewal: $72
- School renewal: $122
- Reinstatement (lapsed license): $152 (practitioner); $182 (instructor)
Continuing Education Requirement
All active cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, and instructors (except those renewing for the first time) must complete 4 hours of Board-approved continuing education per two-year cycle before renewal. CE must cover Board laws and regulations, client safety, and/or infection control including sanitation and disinfection. Instructors' 4 CE hours must be geared toward teaching methods. CE may be completed in-person or online through a Board-approved provider. Check your CE hours at the Board's CE verification portal.
How to Renew
Renew through the SC LLR Licensee Portal. You will need to confirm CE completion before your renewal is processed. CE certificates are issued by the University of South Carolina and submitted directly to the Board; allow approximately 15 business days for records to be received.
Lapsed Licenses
Licensees who did not renew by the March 10 deadline must submit a reinstatement application with proof of CE and the reinstatement fee. If your license was not reinstated by March 10, 2026, you must complete one 4-hour CE course on safety and sanitation. Licenses not reinstated by March 10, 2028 require retaking both the NIC theory and practical examinations.
File a Complaint
The South Carolina Board of Cosmetology investigates complaints about cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, instructors, salons, booth renters, and schools licensed under S.C. Code Title 40, Chapter 13. Complaints may involve sanitation violations, unlicensed practice, unprofessional conduct, fraud, or violation of Board regulations.
How to File a Complaint
Complaints must be submitted online using the LLR Online Complaint Form. After submission, you will receive a confirmation. The Board cannot accept complaints by phone.
Investigation Process
Upon receipt, LLR staff assign the complaint to an investigator who gathers information from both the complainant and the licensee. If a violation is substantiated, the case is presented to the Board, which may impose disciplinary action including reprimand, civil penalties, mandatory continuing education, license suspension, or license revocation. Board disciplinary orders are published publicly through the Board Orders system at eservice.llr.sc.gov.
What the Board Cannot Address
The Board does not resolve civil money disputes between clients and salons, arbitrate contract disagreements between students and schools, or adjudicate matters outside its statutory jurisdiction. For billing disputes or contract matters, consult the SC Department of Consumer Affairs or seek legal counsel.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the phone number for the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology?
- The Board's direct line is (803) 896-4588. Email is BoardInfo@llr.sc.gov. The office is located at 110 Centerview Drive, Columbia, SC 29210, and is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM ET. The general LLR number is (803) 896-4300.
- How many training hours are required for a South Carolina cosmetology license?
- A South Carolina cosmetologist license requires 1,500 hours at a Board-approved school. Esthetician applicants need 450 hours. Nail technician applicants need 300 hours. All applicants must also be at least 16 years old and hold at least a 10th-grade education or equivalency.
- What exam is required for South Carolina cosmetology licensure?
- The NIC (National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology) written theory and practical examinations, administered by Prov, Inc. A passing score of 75% is required for cosmetologist, esthetician, and nail technician candidates; 80% is required for instructor candidates. Contact Prov at (801) 733-4455 or visit provexam.com for the South Carolina Candidate Information Bulletin.
- How often does a South Carolina cosmetology license need to be renewed?
- Every two years. All practitioner licenses (cosmetologist, esthetician, nail technician) expire on March 10 of odd-numbered years. The renewal fee is $52. Renewal requires proof of 4 CE hours (waived for first-time renewers). Renew through the LLR Licensee Portal.
- Does South Carolina require continuing education for cosmetology renewal?
- Yes — 4 hours of Board-approved CE per renewal cycle. CE must cover Board laws and regulations, client safety, or infection control. First-time renewers are exempt. CE may be completed in-person or online through a Board-approved provider. CE records are submitted by providers to the University of South Carolina and forwarded to the Board; allow 15 business days for records to be received.
- How can I verify a South Carolina cosmetology license?
- License verification is available through the LLR Online Verification portal. There is a $5 fee for each license verification. You may also request a verification by endorsement through the Licensee Portal if you are applying for licensure in another state.
- Can I transfer my cosmetology license to South Carolina from another state?
- Yes. Licensure by Endorsement is available if you hold an active license in good standing in another state and have either (1) passed the NIC theory and practical examinations, or (2) held an active license for at least two years and completed 4 hours of Board-approved CE. If neither condition is met, you must apply by examination. Submit the Endorsement Application and fee online at the LLR e-service portal.