North Carolina license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in North Carolina
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in North Carolina: when each expires, the renewal fee, the continuing education it needs, and what to do if you renew late or the license has lapsed. Every answer comes from the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 24 hours per renewal | $39 | Every 3 years | $10 |
| Barber | Not stated | $50 | Every year | $35 |
| Nail technician | 8 hours per renewal | $10 | Every year | $10 |
| Esthetician | 8 hours per renewal | $10 | Every year | $10 |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
At $13 a year, renewing costs less than the $32.50 a year typical across the states; its continuing education works out to 8 hours a year of license.
Cosmetologist
North Carolina cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners.
- When it expires
- Every 3 yearsOn October 1 every three years, the year renewal is due.
- Renewal fee
- $39 ($13 a year)
- Continuing education
- 24 hours per renewalCosmetologists complete 24 hours of Board-approved continuing education per three-year cycle, eight hours a year, and at least half must be in the cosmetic art field. Online and correspondence courses count, and licensees with 20 consecutive years as a cosmetologist can apply for an exemption.
- Late renewal
- $10Renewals after October 1 carry a $10 late fee, and a license not renewed expires on October 1 of the renewal year.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed within five years after expiration can still be renewed with the late fee; after five years the licensee must pass the Board's examination before the license is reinstated.
Barber (Licensed Barber)
North Carolina barber license renewal
Renewed through the North Carolina Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners.
- When it expires
- Every yearOn May 31 of each year.
- Renewal fee
- $50
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the North Carolina Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $35A barber renewed after May 31 is automatically assessed a late fee; restoring an expired license costs $35 within the first year after expiration and $70 after that, up to five years.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAn expired barber license can be restored immediately on payment of the lapsed renewal fees and late fee; after five years the licensee must take the clinical examination before practicing.
Nail technician (Manicurist)
North Carolina nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners.
- When it expires
- Every yearOn October 1 of each year.
- Renewal fee
- $10
- Continuing education
- 8 hours per renewalManicurists complete eight hours of Board-approved continuing education each year, and at least half must be in the cosmetic art field. Online and correspondence courses count.
- Late renewal
- $10Renewals after October 1 carry a $10 late fee, and a license not renewed expires on October 1 of that year.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed within five years after expiration can still be renewed with the late fee; after five years the licensee must pass the Board's examination before the license is reinstated.
Esthetician
North Carolina esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners.
- When it expires
- Every yearOn October 1 of each year.
- Renewal fee
- $10
- Continuing education
- 8 hours per renewalEstheticians complete eight hours of Board-approved continuing education each year, and at least half must be in the cosmetic art field. Online and correspondence courses count.
- Late renewal
- $10Renewals after October 1 carry a $10 late fee, and a license not renewed expires on October 1 of that year.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed within five years after expiration can still be renewed with the late fee; after five years the licensee must pass the Board's examination before the license is reinstated.
Good to know
What else North Carolina says about renewing
- Cosmetic art licensees may ask the Board for inactive status, and an inactive licensee is not required to complete continuing education.
- Barbers who served in the Armed Forces can renew within 90 days after an honorable discharge without retaking the examination.
- The Board offers free continuing education classes for each license type.
Sources
What North Carolina's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026. Fees and deadlines change: confirm with the board before you renew.
- Cosmetologist: renewal period
“Cosmetologist licenses shall be renewed on or before October 1 every three years beginning October 1, 1998.”
ncleg.gov “Any license not renewed shall expire on October 1 of the year that renewal is required.”
ncleg.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“(1) Cosmetologist $ 39.00 every 3 years”
ncleg.gov - Cosmetologist: continuing education
“Prior to renewal of a license, a teacher, cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist shall annually complete eight hours of Board-approved continuing education for each year of the licensing cycle.”
ncleg.gov “A cosmetologist may complete up to 24 hours of required continuing education at any time within the cosmetologist's three-year licensing cycle.”
ncleg.gov “At least half the education completed must be in the cosmetic art field in which licensed.”
nccosmeticarts.com “A licensee who is in active practice as a cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist, has practiced for at least 10 consecutive years in that profession, and is 60 years of age or older does not have to meet the continuing education requirements of this subsection.”
ncleg.gov “A licensee who is in active practice as a COSMETOLOGIST and has at least 20 years of consecutive years of experience as a cosmetologist can apply for an exemption from the continuing education requirement.”
nccosmeticarts.com “Examples of acceptable CE hours would be: learning a new skill from another professional, watching educational videos or tutorials, taking correspondence or online courses, participating in a hands-on class.”
nccosmeticarts.com - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“A late fee shall be charged for renewals after that date.”
ncleg.gov “natural hair care specialist, and teacher late renewal $ 10.00”
ncleg.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“fails to renew his or her license within five years following the expiration date, the licensee shall be required to pass an examination as prescribed by the Board before the license will be reinstated.”
ncleg.gov “A late fee shall be charged for renewals after that date.”
ncleg.gov - Barber: renewal period
“Licensed barbers who continue in practice shall annually, on or before May 31 of each year, renew their licenses and furnish such health certificate as the Board may require and pay the required renewal fee.”
ncleg.gov “Every license shall expire on the 31st day of May in each year.”
ncleg.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“Certificate of registration or renewal as a licensed barber, $50.00 ,21 N.C. Admin. Code 06N .0101(a)(1)”
files.nc.gov - Barber: late renewal
“Licensed renewed after the May 31 deadline will automatically be assessed a late fee.”
bbee.nc.gov “Late fee for restoration of an expired barber license within first year after expiration, $35.00 ,21 N.C. Admin. Code 06N .0101(a)(7)”
files.nc.gov “Late fee for restoration of an expired barber license after first year after expiration but within five years after expiration, $70.00 ,21 N.C. Admin. Code 06N .0101(a)(8)”
files.nc.gov - Barber: expired license
“A licensed barber whose license has expired may have the license restored immediately upon paying all lapsed renewal fees and the required late fee and furnishing a health certificate if required by the Board.”
ncleg.gov “A licensed barber whose license has expired for a period of five years shall be required to take the clinical examination prescribed by the Board and otherwise comply with the provisions of this Chapter before engaging in the practice of barbering.”
ncleg.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“Apprentice, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, and manicurist licenses shall be renewed annually on or before October 1 of each year.”
ncleg.gov “Any license not renewed shall expire on October 1 of that year.”
ncleg.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“(4) Manicurist $ 10.00 per year”
ncleg.gov - Nail technician: continuing education
“Prior to renewal of a license, a teacher, cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist shall annually complete eight hours of Board-approved continuing education for each year of the licensing cycle.”
ncleg.gov “Each licensee must earn 8 hours of CE per year of the license cycle.”
nccosmeticarts.com “At least half the education completed must be in the cosmetic art field in which licensed.”
nccosmeticarts.com “Examples of acceptable CE hours would be: learning a new skill from another professional, watching educational videos or tutorials, taking correspondence or online courses, participating in a hands-on class.”
nccosmeticarts.com “A licensee who is in active practice as a cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist, has practiced for at least 10 consecutive years in that profession, and is 60 years of age or older does not have to meet the continuing education requirements of this subsection.”
ncleg.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“A late fee shall be charged for the renewal of licenses after that date.”
ncleg.gov “natural hair care specialist, and teacher late renewal $ 10.00”
ncleg.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“fails to renew his or her license within five years following the expiration date, the licensee shall be required to pass an examination as prescribed by the Board before the license will be reinstated.”
ncleg.gov “A late fee shall be charged for the renewal of licenses after that date.”
ncleg.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“Apprentice, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, and manicurist licenses shall be renewed annually on or before October 1 of each year.”
ncleg.gov “Any license not renewed shall expire on October 1 of that year.”
ncleg.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“(3) Esthetician $ 10.00 per year”
ncleg.gov - Esthetician: continuing education
“Prior to renewal of a license, a teacher, cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist shall annually complete eight hours of Board-approved continuing education for each year of the licensing cycle.”
ncleg.gov “Each licensee must earn 8 hours of CE per year of the license cycle.”
nccosmeticarts.com “At least half the education completed must be in the cosmetic art field in which licensed.”
nccosmeticarts.com “Examples of acceptable CE hours would be: learning a new skill from another professional, watching educational videos or tutorials, taking correspondence or online courses, participating in a hands-on class.”
nccosmeticarts.com “A licensee who is in active practice as a cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist, has practiced for at least 10 consecutive years in that profession, and is 60 years of age or older does not have to meet the continuing education requirements of this subsection.”
ncleg.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“A late fee shall be charged for the renewal of licenses after that date.”
ncleg.gov “natural hair care specialist, and teacher late renewal $ 10.00”
ncleg.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“fails to renew his or her license within five years following the expiration date, the licensee shall be required to pass an examination as prescribed by the Board before the license will be reinstated.”
ncleg.gov “A late fee shall be charged for the renewal of licenses after that date.”
ncleg.gov - Also good to know
“An inactive licensee is not required to complete continuing education requirements.”
ncleg.gov - Also good to know
“All persons serving in the Armed Forces of the United States and persons whose licenses as a licensed barber were in force one year prior to entering service may, without taking the required examination, renew their licenses within 90 days after receiving an honorable discharge”
ncleg.gov - Also good to know
“The Board has developed free continuing education classes for each license type.”
nccosmeticarts.com
Questions
North Carolina license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Cosmetologist license renews every 3 years for $39, through the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. When it expires: On October 1 every three years, the year renewal is due. Continuing education (24 hours per renewal): Cosmetologists complete 24 hours of Board-approved continuing education per three-year cycle, eight hours a year, and at least half must be in the cosmetic art field. Online and correspondence courses count, and licensees with 20 consecutive years as a cosmetologist can apply for an exemption. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a North Carolina cosmetology license?
Continuing education (24 hours per renewal): Cosmetologists complete 24 hours of Board-approved continuing education per three-year cycle, eight hours a year, and at least half must be in the cosmetic art field. Online and correspondence courses count, and licensees with 20 consecutive years as a cosmetologist can apply for an exemption.
What happens if my North Carolina cosmetology license expires?
Renewals after October 1 carry a $10 late fee, and a license not renewed expires on October 1 of the renewal year. A license not renewed within five years after expiration can still be renewed with the late fee; after five years the licensee must pass the Board's examination before the license is reinstated.
How do I renew my barber license in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Licensed Barber license renews every year for $50, through the North Carolina Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners. When it expires: On May 31 of each year. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the North Carolina Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my North Carolina barber license expires?
A barber renewed after May 31 is automatically assessed a late fee; restoring an expired license costs $35 within the first year after expiration and $70 after that, up to five years. An expired barber license can be restored immediately on payment of the lapsed renewal fees and late fee; after five years the licensee must take the clinical examination before practicing.
How do I renew my nail technician license in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Manicurist license renews every year for $10, through the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. When it expires: On October 1 of each year. Continuing education (8 hours per renewal): Manicurists complete eight hours of Board-approved continuing education each year, and at least half must be in the cosmetic art field. Online and correspondence courses count. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a North Carolina nail technician license?
Continuing education (8 hours per renewal): Manicurists complete eight hours of Board-approved continuing education each year, and at least half must be in the cosmetic art field. Online and correspondence courses count.
What happens if my North Carolina nail technician license expires?
Renewals after October 1 carry a $10 late fee, and a license not renewed expires on October 1 of that year. A license not renewed within five years after expiration can still be renewed with the late fee; after five years the licensee must pass the Board's examination before the license is reinstated.
How do I renew my esthetician license in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Esthetician license renews every year for $10, through the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. When it expires: On October 1 of each year. Continuing education (8 hours per renewal): Estheticians complete eight hours of Board-approved continuing education each year, and at least half must be in the cosmetic art field. Online and correspondence courses count. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a North Carolina esthetician license?
Continuing education (8 hours per renewal): Estheticians complete eight hours of Board-approved continuing education each year, and at least half must be in the cosmetic art field. Online and correspondence courses count.
What happens if my North Carolina esthetician license expires?
Renewals after October 1 carry a $10 late fee, and a license not renewed expires on October 1 of that year. A license not renewed within five years after expiration can still be renewed with the late fee; after five years the licensee must pass the Board's examination before the license is reinstated.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in North Carolina: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in North Carolina
- Running your own salon in North Carolina: the salon license
- What North Carolina inspectors check in a salon
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