The state may refuse to grant a license if a student has been convicted of a crime; committed any act involving dishonesty, fraud, or deceit; or committed any act that, if committed by a licentiate of the business or profession in question, would be grounds for the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology to deny licensure. The South Carolina Board of Cosmetology denies licensure on the grounds that the applicant knowingly made a false statement of fact required to be revealed in the application for such license. Students who are not U.S. citizens or who do not have documented authority to work in the United States will not be eligible to apply to take the state licensure examination. Paul Mitchell The School Columbia, Paul Mitchell The School Charleston, and Paul Mitchell The School Greenville is not responsible for students denied licensure.
state licensing requirements
To get a cosmetology license in South Carolina, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Have a 10th grade education or equivalent
- Complete 1,500 hours of cosmetology training at a board-approved school
- Pass the NIC written and practical exams
- Submit an application and required documentation
- Pay the required fees
To become an esthetician in South Carolina, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Have a 10th grade education or equivalent
- Complete 600 hours of esthetics training at a board-approved school
- Pass the NIC written and practical exams
- Submit an application
- Pay the required fee
To become a licensed nail technician in South Carolina, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Have a 10th grade education or equivalent
- Complete 300 hours of coursework at a board-approved nail technician school
- Pass the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) written and practical exams
- Submit an application
- Pay the required fee
To become a registered barber in South Carolina, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Have a minimum of a 9th grade education or equivalent
- Complete 1,500 hours in an approved barber college or 1,920 hours of on-the-job training in a licensed barbershop
- Pass the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) theory and practical exams
- Receive a training affidavit (transcript) from your barber instructor or barber school
- Pay the required fee
To become a cosmetology instructor in South Carolina, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Hold a current cosmetology, nail technology, or esthetics license
- Complete a 45-hour course in teaching methods and either:
- Complete a 750-hour instructor training program
- Practice as a licensed cosmetologist, nail technician, or esthetician for at least two years
- Pass the instructor's examination
- Submit an application on a form prescribed by the board
- Pay the required fee
You can also instruct theory classes if you have a bachelor's degree in a related field or at least five years of experience.