All states · South Carolina
Licensing in South Carolina
In South Carolina, professional licenses are issued by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) through state boards: the Board of Cosmetology, the Board of Barber Examiners, the massage therapy panel, the Board of Nursing, and the boards for contractors and builders.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,500 school hours | NIC written and practical | Every 2 years | 4 |
| Esthetician | 450 school hours | NIC written and practical | Every 2 years | 4 |
| Nail Technician | 300 school hours | NIC written and practical | Every 2 years | 4 |
| Registered Barber / Master Hair Care Specialist | 1,500 school hours or 1,920 on-the-job hours | NIC written and practical | Every 2 years | — |
| Barber Assistantshampoo and manicure | 240 hours | State Board exam | Per board schedule | — |
| Hair Braider | 6-hour online sanitation course | Online test | Per board schedule | — |
- Cosmetologists, estheticians and nail technicians are licensed by the Board of Cosmetology. Their licenses expire on March 10 of odd years.
- Barbers, barber assistants and hair braiders are registered by the Board of Barber Examiners. Barber licenses expire on June 30 of odd years.
- Cosmetology CE: 4 hours per cycle — board laws and rules, client safety, sanitation and disinfection.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Massage Therapist | 650 hours | MBLEx | Every 2 years | 12 |
- Licenses expire on June 30 of even years. No CE is required for the first renewal.
- If clients come to your own space, you need an establishment license. Outcall-only work at the client's location does not require one.
| License | Issued by | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | SC Board of Nursing | NCLEX-RN |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | SC Board of Nursing | NCLEX-PN |
| Certified Nurse AideCNA | State Nurse Aide Registry | State exam |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification |
- South Carolina is in the Nurse Licensure Compact: a multistate nursing license is valid.
- RN and LPN licenses renew every 2 years: the current cycle expires on April 30, 2028.
- To renew a CNA certificate, you need at least 8 paid work hours in the last 24 months.
| Profession | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| General / Mechanical Contractor | Contractor's Licensing Board | License required for projects over $10,000 |
| Residential Builder | Residential Builders Commission | License required for work over $5,000 |
| Residential Specialty Contractor | Residential Builders Commission | Registration for work over $500; up to 3 trades |
| Residential Electrician, Plumber, HVAC | Residential Builders Commission | Separate licenses for residential work |
- Commercial contractors pass the state business and law exam, plus a trade exam for technical classifications.
- The per-project limit depends on the license group: from $100,000 to unlimited.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Salon | Board of Cosmetology | Establishment license |
| Barbershop | Board of Barber Examiners | Permit; the manager must hold a barber license |
| Massage establishment | Massage therapy panel | Establishment license if clients come to you |
| LLC | Secretary of State | Registration — file Articles of Organization |
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
South Carolina specifics
- One agency. All licenses are issued by LLR through its professional boards.
- Two boards for hair. Cosmetologists are licensed by the Board of Cosmetology, barbers by the Board of Barber Examiners.
- Barbering without school. Instead of 1,500 school hours, you can complete 1,920 hours of on-the-job training.
- Short training. Nail technicians need 300 hours, estheticians 450.
- Massage — 650 hours. Massage therapists need 650 training hours and the MBLEx exam.
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate nursing license is valid here.
What professionals earn in South Carolina
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does a cosmetologist need?
1,500 hours at a board-approved school, then the NIC exams.
When do cosmetology licenses renew?
Every 2 years: licenses expire on March 10 of odd years; 4 CE hours are required.
Can I become a barber without school?
Yes: 1,920 hours of on-the-job training instead of 1,500 school hours.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in South Carolina?
Yes. The state 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: SC Board of Cosmetology, SC Board of Barber Examiners, SC Massage/Bodywork Therapy Panel, SC Board of Nursing, SC Contractor's Licensing Board, SC Residential Builders Commission, South Carolina Code of Laws. Wage data — BLS.