North Carolina · Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners
North Carolina cosmetology license lookup.
North Carolina regulates cosmetic art through its own Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. It runs separate online verification for individuals and for salons and schools.
Short answer: use the Board's Online License Verification page for a person, or its Salon or School License Verification page for a business. Individual licensees who are not exempt or inactive owe 8 hours of continuing education a year.
At a glance
- Regulator: North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners, Cary, NC
- Check a person: Online License Verification (nccosmeticarts.com)
- Check a salon or school: Online Salon or School License Verification
- CE: 8 hours per year for licensees not exempt or inactive
- Shop licence expiry: Annually on February 1
- Board phone: 919-736-6123
Official links
How to check a North Carolina licence
The Board says licence status can be verified and printed online. Individual licences use its Online License Verification page; salon and school licences use a separate Salon or School License Verification page. Use the second one when you are vetting a shop rather than a person. The Board's site does not publish a licence-number format on the pages read, so this guide does not offer a format check.
Renewal windows and shop late fees
The Board's homepage stated that individual renewals in 2026 could be submitted on time between July 1, 2026 and October 1, 2026 (11:59 p.m.). As of this page's retrieval date that window had closed, so an individual who missed it should contact the Board about late renewal terms. Shop licences expire annually on February 1: renewal is on time from December 1 to February 1, a $10 late fee applies from February 2, and from March 1 a $10 late fee plus a $25 reinstatement fee applies. Shops renew by logging in with the shop licence number and a PIN (the last four digits of the file number).
Continuing education
Licensees who are not exempt or inactive must complete 8 hours of continuing education per year. At least half of the education must be in the cosmetic art licensure field. Online courses, tutorials and hands-on classes can count, and licensees should keep the date, time, location or URL and a brief description in case of an audit. The Board offers free CE and cautions against providers that advertise classes as “mandatory”.
Pending legislation
The Board's homepage said no changes have been finalized but that Senate Bill 808 may change licensure requirements and reduce Natural Hair Care licensure hours. Check the Board and ncleg.gov before relying on any hour requirement for a new licence.
Board contact: 121 Edinburgh South Drive, Suite 209, Cary, NC 27511; phone 919-736-6123; nccosmo@nccosmeticarts.com. Staff cannot accept payments over the phone.
Sources
- NC Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners (Retrieved November 2026)
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a North Carolina cosmetology licence?
Use the Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners' Online License Verification page for an individual, or its Salon or School License Verification page for a business.
How much continuing education do North Carolina cosmetologists need?
The Board says licensees who are not exempt or inactive must complete 8 hours per year, at least half in the cosmetic art field.
When do North Carolina salon licences expire?
Annually on February 1. A $10 late fee applies from February 2, and from March 1 a $10 late fee plus a $25 reinstatement fee applies.
When was the 2026 individual renewal window?
The Board stated July 1, 2026 to October 1, 2026. After that, contact the Board about late renewal.
Does this page confirm a licence?
No. It links to the Board's verification pages. Only the Board's record shows a licence.
A guide, not a verification
TNAADO is not a licensing board and this page does not check anyone's licence or imply official verification. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere. This is general information, not legal advice. Use the official links to confirm status, and check the regulator's site for current rules and fees.