Continuing Education
Inclement Weather Continuing Education Policy
Continuing Education Exemption
A person who has:
- held a license for at least fifteen consecutive years and is sixty years of age or older OR
- held continuous licensure for at least thirty years, is fifty years of age, AND
- who has not been disciplined by the board is exempt from taking continuing education courses.
License renewal for cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians and instructors are every odd year ending on March 10th at 11:59 pm.
Licensees are required to obtain (4) hours of Board-approved continuing education (CE) biennially if you have an active SC license and it is not your first time renewing the SC license.
- A Continuing Education Certificate replacement form request, from the University of South Carolina, can be obtained at USC Continuing Education Programs or by calling 803-777-9440.
Licensure by Endorsement requires the applicant to be in good standing and actively licensed in another state and meet one of the following:
- Actively licensed in another state and passed the National Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) theory and practical examination, or
- Actively licensed, for at least two (2) years, in another state and completed four (4) hours of Board-Approved Continuing Education.
If you are actively license in another state but do not meet the requirements above, you will need to apply by Examination.
All persons licensed in South Carolina as cosmetologists, nail technicians and estheticians must show satisfactory evidence of four (4) contact hours of Board-approved continuing education specific to Board laws and regulations, client safety, and/or infection control to include sanitation and disinfection during the licensing period. CE hours may be completed through a Board-approved in-person or online class.
All persons licensed by the Board as instructors must show satisfactory evidence of having obtained four (4) contact hours of Board-approved continuing education geared toward teaching during the licensing period. These hours may be completed through a Board-approved in-person or online class.
If your instructor license expired March 10, 2025, you must complete 1 (4) hour CE course on safety and sanitation. If your license is not reinstated as of March 10, 2027, you must complete 2 (4) hour CE courses on safety and sanitation. CE courses are located on the Board's website.
In order for your license to be reinstated, you must submit a reinstatement application, the applicable fee, applicable supporting documents, including a current passport photo and copies of your USC CE certificate(s) verifying your CE class(es). If your license is not reinstated as of March 10, 2028, you will be required to pass both parts (practical and theory) of the National Interstate Council (NIC) exam again.
If your instructor license expired March 10, 2025, you must complete 1 (4) hour CE course on safety and sanitation. If your license is not reinstated as of March 10, 2027, you must complete 2 (4) hour CE courses on safety and sanitation. CE courses are located on the Board's website.
In order for your license to be reinstated, you must submit a reinstatement application, the applicable fee, applicable supporting documents, including a current passport photo and copies of your USC CE certificate(s) verifying your CE class(es). If your license is not reinstated as of March 10, 2028, you will be required to pass both parts (practical and theory) of the National Interstate Council (NIC) exam again.