All states · North Carolina
Licensing in North Carolina
In North Carolina, beauty licenses are issued by the Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners, and barbers are licensed by a separate state board. Massage therapists are licensed by the Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, nurses by the Board of Nursing, and contractors by separate boards for each trade.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours | State Board exam with a practical part | Every 3 years | 24 per cycle |
| Esthetician | 600 hours | State Board exam with a practical part | Annually | 8 |
| Manicurist | 300 hours | State Board exam with a practical part | Annually | 8 |
| Natural Hair Care Specialist | 300 hours | State Board exam with a practical part | Annually | 8 |
| Registered Barber | 1,528 hours and a 12-month apprenticeship | Barber board exam | Annually, by May 31 | — |
- Beauty licenses are issued by the Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners: 8 CE hours are required for each year of the cycle.
- Licensees aged 60+ with 10+ years of experience and cosmetologists with 20+ years can apply for a CE exemption.
- You can become a cosmetologist through an apprenticeship — 1,200 hours. There are no apprenticeships for esthetics, manicuring or natural hair care.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist | 500 hours | MBLEx | Every 2 years | 24 |
- Licenses are issued by the NC Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy.
- A massage business needs a separate establishment license.
| License | Issued by | Exam | Renewal | Renewal condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | NC Board of Nursing | NCLEX-RN | Every 2 years | 30 CE hours, or 15 CE hours and 640 practice hours |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | NC Board of Nursing | NCLEX-PN | Every 2 years | 30 CE hours, or 15 CE hours and 640 practice hours |
| Nurse Aide ICNA | Nurse Aide I Registry | State exam | Every 24 months | At least 8 hours of paid work |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification | — | — |
- North Carolina is in the Nurse Licensure Compact: a multistate nursing license is valid.
- To renew, a nurse chooses one of 8 continuing competence options — for example, national certification or a refresher course.
| Profession | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| General Contractor | NC Licensing Board for General Contractors | A license is required for work of $40,000 or more; limits: up to $750,000, up to $1.5 million, or unlimited |
| Electrical Contractor | NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors | Electrical contractor license |
| Plumbing, Heating, Fire Sprinkler | NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors | Contractor license in the specific trade |
- Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work is licensed by separate state boards, not the general contractors board.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Beauty salon | Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners | Salon license; renewed annually by February 1 |
| Barbershop | Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners | Shop permit; renewed annually by May 31 |
| Massage business | Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy | Establishment license |
| LLC | Secretary of State | Registration — $125 |
| Annual Report | Secretary of State | Annual report — $200, due April 15 |
Your state requires an exam — we prepare you online
An exam-prep platform for Cosmetology, Barber, Esthetician and Nail Technician, as well as state law tests. Questions in the real exam format, a breakdown of every mistake, access from your phone and computer — study whenever it suits you.
Learn about the program- Tests in the real exam format
- An explanation for every answer
- Study materials in your personal account
- Study in Russian and English
North Carolina specifics
- CE every year. Beauty professionals need 8 CE hours for each year of the license cycle.
- Cosmetologists — every 3 years. Cosmetologist licenses renew every 3 years, other beauty licenses annually.
- Barbers — with an apprenticeship. After 1,528 school hours, a barber completes a 12-month apprenticeship.
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate nursing license is valid here.
- Contractors — from $40,000. A general contractor license is required for work of $40,000 or more.
- LLC report — $200. LLCs file an annual report with the Secretary of State by April 15.
What professionals earn in North Carolina
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours does a cosmetologist need?
8 hours for each year of the cycle — 24 hours over 3 years.
Can I be exempt from CE?
Yes, if you are 60 or older with 10+ years of experience, or a cosmetologist with 20+ years. You must apply.
Which exam does a massage therapist take?
The MBLEx. You also need 500 training hours.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate license is valid.
*Current as of September 30, 2026. The information on this page is not official and is for general reference only. Requirements are set by state and local authorities and may change — always check the official websites: NC Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners, NC Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners, NC Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, NC Board of Nursing, NC Licensing Board for General Contractors, NC Secretary of State. Wage data — BLS.