Esthetician Schools in North Carolina
If you want to become an esthetician, North Carolina could be a great place to start. The field is growing quickly, and the state's average salary for estheticians is higher than the national average.
Browse our directory of esthetician schools in North Carolina, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Esthetician Schools in North Carolina
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1520 South Boulevard Suite 150
Charlotte, NC 28203
Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design – Accredited
Greenville, NC 27858
Central Carolina Community College - Lillington – Accredited
Lillington, NC 27546
Davidson-Davie Community College – Accredited
Thomasville, NC 27306
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College - Kannapolis – Accredited
Kannapolis, NC 28083
You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.
Related Beauty Careers
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:
Esthetician Schools Near Me
Check out the Esthetics/Skin Care schools these cities in North Carolina have to offer.
How to Become a Esthetician in North Carolina
- 600 education hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every year.
- 8 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- The average for estheticians in North Carolina is $46,110.
- There is a predicted 13% job increase between 2018 - 2028 for estheticians.
The state board licenses estheticians in North Carolina to practice skin care-related cosmetic art. You may give facials, remove body hair, apply makeup, or perform other skincare techniques in this role.
If you're considering an esthetician career in North Carolina, you must meet several requirements to earn licensure. Qualifications include:
North Carolina Esthetics Careers
Average yearly salary for esthetics in North Carolina
North Carolina estheticians earn a mean wage of $42,770 annually or $20.56 per hour, which is higher than the national average of $41,700 ($20.05). Typical pay for estheticians throughout the state ranges between $23,350 and $62,340.
Jobs for North Carolina estheticians are expected to increase by 13% between 2018 and 2028.
Salaries vary based on skill, experience, and where you work. For example, working at a high-end spa or as a medical esthetician in North Carolina could earn a higher salary. You may also make more if you work in urban areas instead of rural.
As of 2021, the highest-paying metro areas by median pay for estheticians in North Carolina are:
Only one nonmetropolitan area has reported its esthetician salary. The Piedmont North Carolina nonmetropolitan area had a 2021 median salary of $41,490.
Data from O*Net (2022)
How to Become an Esthetician in North Carolina
Required to earn a esthetics license
To earn your esthetician's license, you need to complete a total of 600 hours of training at a certified school.
Your curriculum must cover topics like anatomy, first aid, disinfection, chemistry, aromatherapy, nutrition, hair removal, makeup theory, skincare machines, basic dermatology, and esthetics techniques. You should also learn brow and lash coloring, eyebrow arching, and lash application.
For certification, you need experience performing the following services on a live model:
All students must also pass an infection control and blood exposure procedure evaluation with a 100% score.
In North Carolina, estheticians are only allowed to practice the cosmetic art they're licensed to do. This means you cannot complete manicures and pedicures or natural hair care or braiding without additional licenses.
The board also says their esthetics licenses don't cover dermaplaning, microblading, and needling.
Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in North Carolina?
There are no apprenticeship options for esthetician licensure in North Carolina.
North Carolina Esthetician Licensing Requirements
Once you complete 600 hours of training, you can sign up to take North Carolina's written and practical esthetics exams online at D.L. Roope.com.
All students must schedule license exams within six months of graduating and pass both exams with 75% or better.
After you apply for an online exam and pay the $20 fee, your application transfers to your school for approval. When approved, you receive an email from D.L. Roope Administrations with your scheduled examination date. The written exam takes 90 minutes, and the practical takes around three hours to complete.
The written examination is computerized. You can undergo the test at multiple Iso Quality Testing (IQT) centers around the state, though you can also take it at any IQT testing center in the nation.
The practical examination is most commonly held in Raleigh, though it's offered about once per year in Hickory and Wilmington. For the practical, you must dress professionally and bring a mannequin head and table clamp.
Make sure to register using your full legal name. You need to present proper, government-issued identification for the practical exam, and your name must match exactly.
The practical exam takes place in English only, but the written portion of the exam is available in other languages. Make sure to select your language preference when you apply for the written exam.
If you need to apply for testing accommodations through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), contact your school or D.L. Roope Administrations for the appropriate forms and deadline information. There are three forms to submit with your license application: one from you, one from a medical professional, and one from a school official.
Expect to get your scores relatively quickly. However, a passing score does not guarantee your license. The board must receive all required paperwork before they send your license. Licenses are issued five to 10 business days after approval.
If you need to work while you wait to take your exams, you can apply for a temporary permit with a $10 application fee. The permits last six months. Submit proof of your exam applications and graduation certificate.
You can also request more exam information from D.L. Roope Administrations by phone, mail, or online.
North Carolina Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity
You might be able to transfer your esthetics education if you earned your license or attended school in another state. North Carolina has reciprocity agreements with most states. However, the steps you take to apply may vary based on the state you come from.
Ask your state licensing agency to send your certification by email or mail if you earned licensure in any of the following locations:
Alternatively, you could submit an online application if you earned an esthetician license in any other (except Florida, which doesn't have such an agreement) or Puerto Rico.
Along with your application, submit a $35 license fee online or by mail. North Carolina also requires a copy of your license and ID. Additional requirements apply if you earned your education in Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia, such as mailing your certification before applying for licensure.
If you completed an esthetics program within the past five years, out-of-state graduates could transfer to North Carolina with 600 hours in an approved esthetics program. To apply, ask your school or licensing agency to send a copy of your transcripts to the North Carolina Board by mail or email.
Certificates and registrations are not transferable.
License Renewal
License renewal period
Continuing education required
North Carolina estheticians are required to complete continuing education and online license renewal every year. You need to pay $10 per year in license fees and renew before October 1. Late fees begin the following day. If you fail to renew within five years of the expiration date, you must re-take the exams to reinstate your license.
You need eight hours of continuing education courses for license renewal, with half of the hours specifically in esthetics. Educational videos, online tutorials, and professional courses may count toward your continuing education, and the state offers a number of free courses. Document your hours and location (or URL) with a brief description of the material you learned.
Contact the North Carolina State Board of Esthetics
- 121 Edinbough Dr S Suite 09 Cary, North Carolina 27511
- Website: North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners
- Email: nccosmo@nccosmeticarts.com
- Call: 919-736-6123
- Fax: 919-678-3012