Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners Amendments.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 6
SENATE BILL 808
Regulatory Reform Committee Substitute Adopted 4/28/26
Finance Committee Substitute Adopted 4/29/26
Fourth Edition Engrossed 5/5/26
House Committee Substitute Favorable 6/9/26
House Committee Substitute #2 Favorable 6/30/26

Short Title: Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners Amendments. (Public)
Sponsors:
Referred to:
April 22, 2026
*S808-v-6*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO MODIFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR NATURAL HAIR CARE SPECIALIST 2
LICENSURE AND CREATE A CERTIFICATION FOR HAIR BRAIDERS; TO LICENSE 3
HAIR DESIGNERS; TO A LLOW MOBILE COSMETIC ART SHOPS; AND TO M AKE 4
OTHER CHANGES TO THE COSMETIC ART STATUTES. 5
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 6
SECTION 1. Chapter 88B of the General Statutes, as amended by S.L. 2025 -20, 7
reads as rewritten: 8
"Chapter 88B. 9
"Cosmetic Art. 10
"§ 88B-1. Short title. 11
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the North Carolina Cosmetic Art Act. 12
"§ 88B-2. Definitions. 13
The following definitions apply in this Chapter: 14
(1) Apprentice. – A person who is not a manager or operator and who is engaged 15
in learning the practice of cosmetic art under the direction and supervision of 16
a cosmetologist. 17
(2) Board. – The North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. 18
(3) Booth. – A workstation located within a licensed cosmetic art shop or mobile 19
cosmetic art shop that is operated primarily by one individual in performing 20
cosmetic art services for consumers. 21
(4) Booth renter. – A person who rents a booth in a cosmetic art shop.shop or 22
mobile cosmetic art shop. 23
(5) Cosmetic art. – All or any part or combination of cosmetology, hair design, 24
esthetics, natural hair care, hair braiding, or manicuring, including the 25
systematic manipulation with the hands or mechanical apparatus of the scalp, 26
face, neck, shoulders, hands, and feet. Practices included within this 27
subdivision shall not include the practice of massage or bodywork therapy as 28
set forth in Article 36 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes. 29
(6) Cosmetic art school. – Any building or part thereof where cosmetic art is 30
taught. 31
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 Senate Bill 808-Sixth Edition
(7) Cosmetic art shop. – Any building or part thereof where cosmetic art is 1
practiced for pay or reward, whether direct or indirect. 2
(8) Cosmetologist. – Any individual who is licensed to practice all parts of 3
cosmetic art. 4
(8a) Cosmetology. – The act of arranging, dressing, curling, waving, cleansing, 5
cutting, singeing, bleaching, coloring, or similar work upon the hair of a 6
person by any means, including the use of hands, mechanical or electrical 7
apparatus, or appliances or by use of cosmetic or chemical preparations or 8
antiseptics.The practice of all parts of cosmetic art. 9
(9) Cosmetology teacher. – An individual licensed by the Board to teach all parts 10
of cosmetic art. 11
(10) Esthetician. – An individual licensed by the Board to practice only that part of 12
cosmetic art that constitutes skin care. 13
(11) Esthetician teacher. – An individual licensed by the Board to teach only that 14
part of cosmetic art that constitutes skin care. 15
(11a) Esthetics. – Refers to any of the following practices: giving facials; applying 16
makeup; performing skin care; removing superfluous hair from the body of a 17
person by use of creams, tweezers, or waxing; applying eyelashes to a person, 18
including the application of eyelash extensions, brow or lash color; 19
beautifying the face, neck, arms, or upper part of the human body by use of 20
cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, o r creams; surface 21
manipulation in relation to skin care; or cleaning or stimulating the face, neck, 22
ears, arms, hands, bust, torso, legs, or feet of a person by means of hands, 23
devices, apparatus, or appliances along with the use of cosmetic preparations, 24
antiseptics, tonics, lotions, or creams. 25
(11b) Hair braiding. – A service that results in tension on hair strands or roots by 26
braiding, twisting, or wrapping the hair by hand or a mechanical device. Hair 27
braiding is the intertwining of hair into a patterne d style, which may include 28
the addition of decorative or nonstructural elements such as beads, thread, or 29
ornaments, provided they do not alter the natural hair or require chemical s, 30
adhesives, or heat used on natural hair. Hair braiding also includes minor 31
trimming of hair or hair extensions incidental to the braiding of hair. 32
(11c) Hair design. – The act of arranging, dressing, curling, waving, cleansing, 33
cutting, singeing, bleaching, coloring, or similar work upon the hair of a 34
person by any means, including the use of hands, mechanical or electrical 35
apparatus, or appliances or by use of cosmetic or chemical preparations or 36
antiseptics. 37
(11d) Hair design teacher. – An individual licensed by the Board to teach hair 38
design. 39
(11e) Hair designer. – An individual licensed by the Board to practice only that part 40
of cosmetic art that constitutes hair design. 41
(11f) Licensee. – An individual who holds one or more licenses or certifications 42
issued by the Board. 43
(12) Manicuring. – The care and treatment of the fingernails, toenails, cuticles on 44
fingernails and toenails, and the hands and feet, including the decoration of 45
the fingernails and the application of nail extensions and artificial nails. The 46
term "manicuring" shall not include the treatment of pathologic conditions. 47
(13) Manicurist. – An individual licensed by the Board to practice only that part of 48
cosmetic art that constitutes manicuring. 49
(14) Manicurist teacher. – An individual licensed by the Board to teach 50
manicuring. 51
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Senate Bill 808-Sixth Edition Page 3
(14a) Mobile cosmetic art shop. – A motor home as defined in Article 1 of Chapter 1
20 of the General Statutes that is used for the practice of cosmetic art for pay 2
or reward, whether direct or indirect. 3
(14b) Natural hair care. – A service that results in tension on involves the 4
manipulation of hair strands or roots by twisting, wrapping, extending, or 5
locking braiding, corn rows, locks, knots, twisting, wrapping, heating, 6
arranging, rolling, blow drying, track and sew method for a weft of hair, or 7
extending the hair by hand or mechanical device. Natural hair care also 8
includes minor trimming of hair or hair extensions incidental to the braidi ng 9
of hair. For purposes of this definition, the phrase " natural hair care" shall 10
include the use of artificial or natural hair. 11
(14b)(14c) Natural hair care specialist. – An individual licensed by the Board to 12
practice only that part of cosmetic art that constitutes natural hair care. 13
(14c)(14d) Natural hair care teacher. – An individual licensed by the Board to teach 14
natural hair care. 15
(15) Shampooing. – The application and removal of commonly used, room 16
temperature, liquid hair cleaning and hair conditioning products. Shampooing 17
does not include the arranging, dressing, waving, coloring, or other treatment 18
of the hair. 19
… 20
"§ 88B-4. Powers and duties of the Board. 21
(a) The Board shall have the following powers and duties: 22
(1) To administer and interpret this Chapter. 23
(2) To adopt, amend, and repeal rules to carry out the provisions of this Chapter. 24
(3) To examine and determine the qualifications and fitness of applicants for 25
licensure under this Chapter. 26
(4) To issue, renew, deny, restrict, suspend, or revoke licenses.licenses or 27
certifications. 28
(5) To conduct investigations of alleged violations of this Chapter or the Board's 29
rules. 30
(6) To collect fees required by G.S. 88B-20 and any other monies permitted by 31
law to be paid to the Board. 32
(7) To approve new cosmetic art schools. 33
(7a) To adopt rules for cosmetic art schools. 34
(8) To inspect cosmetic art schools and shops.schools, cosmetic art shops, and 35
mobile cosmetic art shops. 36
(9) To adopt rules for the sanitary management and physical requirements of 37
cosmetic art shops shops, mobile cosmetic art shops, and cosmetic art schools. 38
(10) To establish a curriculum for each course of study required for the issuance of 39
a license or certification issued under this Chapter. 40
(11) To employ an executive director and any additional professional, clerical, or 41
special personnel necessary to carry out the provisions of this Chapter, and to 42
purchase or rent necessary office space, equipment, and supplies. 43
(12) To adopt a seal. 44
(13) To carry out any other actions authorized by this Chapter. 45
(b) A member of the Board shall have the authority to inspect cosmetic art shops shops, 46
mobile cosmetic art shop s, and cosmetic art schools at any reasonable hour to determine 47
compliance with the provisions of this Chapter if the inspection is made: (i) at the request of the 48
Board, or with the approval of the chair or the executive director as the result of a complaint 49
made to the Board or a problem reported by an inspector, or (ii) at the request of an inspector 50
who deems it necessary to request the assistance of a Board member and who has the prior 51
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 4 Senate Bill 808-Sixth Edition
approval of the chair or executive director to do so. A Board member who makes an inspection 1
pursuant to this subsection shall file a report with the Board before requesting reimbursement for 2
expenses. 3
(c) The Board shall keep a record of its proceedings relating to the issuance, renewal, 4
denial, restriction, suspension, and revocation of licenses. licenses and certifications. This record 5
shall also contain each licensee's name, business and home addresses, license number, and the 6
date the license was issued. 7
"§ 88B-5. Meetings and compensation of the Board. 8
(a) Each member of the Board shall receive compensation for services and expenses as 9
provided in G.S. 93B-5, but shall be limited to payment for services deemed official business of 10
the Board when such business exceeds three continuous hours per day. Official business of the 11
Board includes meetings called by the chair and time spent inspecting cosmetic art shops and 12
shops, mobile cosmetic art shop s, and cosmetic art schools as permitted by this Chapter. No 13
payment for per diem or travel expenses shall be authorized or paid for Board meetings other 14
than those called by the chair. The Board may annually select one member to attend a national 15
state board of cosmetic arts meeting on official business of the Board. No other Board members 16
shall be authorized to attend trade shows or to travel out-of-state at the Board's expense. 17
(b) The Board shall hold four regular meetings a year in the months of January, April, 18
July, and October. The chair may call additional meetings whenever necessary. 19
"§ 88B-6. Board office, employees, funds, budget requirements. 20
(a) The Board shall maintain its office in Wake County, North Carolina. 21
(b) The Board shall employ an executive director who shall not be a member of the Board. 22
The executive director shall keep all records of the Board, issue all necessary notices, and 23
perform any other duties required by the Board. 24
(c) With the approval of the Director of the Budget and the Office of Stat e Human 25
Resources, the Board may employ as many inspectors, investigators, and other staff as necessary 26
to perform inspections and other duties prescribed by the Board. Inspectors and investigators 27
shall be experienced in all parts of cosmetic art and shall have authority to examine cosmetic art 28
shops shops, mobile cosmetic art shop s, and cosmetic art schools during business hours to 29
determine compliance with this Chapter. 30
"§ 88B-7. Qualifications for licensing cosmetologists. 31
The Board shall issue a license to practice as a cosmetologist to any individual who meets all 32
of the following requirements: 33
(1) Successful completion of at least 1,500 hours of a cosmetology curriculum in 34
an approved cosmetic art school, or at least 1,200 hours of a cosmetology 35
curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school and completion of an 36
apprenticeship for a period of at least six months under the direct supervision 37
of a cosmetologist, as certified by sworn affidavit of three licensed 38
cosmetologists or by other evidence satisfactory to the Board. 39
(2) Passage of an examination conducted by the Board. 40
(3) Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B-20. 41
"§ 88B-8. Qualifications for licensing apprentices. 42
The Board shall issue a license to practice as an apprentice to any individual w ho meets all 43
of the following requirements: 44
(1) Successful completion of at least 1,200 hours of a cosmetology curriculum in 45
an approved cosmetic art school. 46
(2) Passage of an examination conducted by the Board. 47
(3) Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B-20. 48
"§ 88B-8.1. Qualifications for licensing as a hair designer. 49
The Board shall issue a license to practice as a hair designer to any individual who meets all 50
of the following requirements: 51
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Senate Bill 808-Sixth Edition Page 5
(1) Successful completion of at least 1,000 hours of a h air design curriculum in 1
an approved cosmetic art school. 2
(2) Passage of an examination conducted by the Board. 3
(3) Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B-20. 4
"§ 88B-9. Qualifications for licensing as an esthetician. 5
The Board shall issue a license to pract ice as an esthetician to any individual who meets all 6
of the following requirements: 7
(1) Successful completion of at least 600 hours of an esthetics curriculum in an 8
approved cosmetic art school.school, or, for a licensed hair designer, 9
successful completion of at least 475 hours of an esthetics curriculum in an 10
approved cosmetic art school. 11
(2) Passage of an examination conducted by the Board. 12
(3) Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B-20. 13
"§ 88B-10. Qualifications for licensing manicurists. 14
The Board shall issue a license to practice as a manicurist to any individual who meets all of 15
the following requirements: 16
(1) Successful completion of at least 300 hours of a manicurist curriculum in an 17
approved cosmetic art school.school or, for a licensed hair de signer, 18
successful completion of at least 200 hours of a manicurist curriculum in an 19
approved cosmetic art school. 20
(2) Passage of an examination conducted by the Board. 21
(3) Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B-20. 22
"§ 88B-10.1. Qualifications for licensing natural hair care specialists. 23
The Board shall issue a license to practice as a natural hair care specialist to any individual 24
who meets all of the following requirements: 25
(1) Successful completion of at least 300 hours 150 hours of a natural hair car e 26
curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.school or, for a certified hair 27
braider, successful completion of at least 126 hours of a natural hair care 28
curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school. 29
(2) Passage of an examination conducted by the Board. 30
(3) Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B-20. 31
"§ 88B-10.2. Qualifications for certifying hair braiders. 32
The Board shall issue a certification to practice as a hair braider to any individual who meets 33
all of the following requirements: 34
(1) Successful completion of at least 24 hours of a hair braiding curriculum in an 35
approved cosmetic art school or an approved course offered by the Board. 36
(2) Passage of a hair braider certification examination conducted by the Board. 37
(3) Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B-20. 38
"§ 88B-11. Qualifications for licensing teachers. 39
(a) Applicants for any teacher's license issued by the Board shall meet all of the following 40
requirements: 41
(1) Possession of a high school diploma or a high school graduation equivalency 42
certificate. 43
(2) Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B-20. 44
(b) The Board shall issue a license to practice as a cosmetology teacher to any individual 45
who meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section and who meets all of the following: 46
(1) Holds in good standing a cosmetologist license issued by the Board. 47
(2) Submits proof of either practice of cosmetic art in a cosmetic art shop, shop 48
or mobile cosmetic art shop, or any Board-approved employment capacity in 49
the cosmetic arts industry, for a period equivalent to one year of full-time work 50
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 6 Senate Bill 808-Sixth Edition
immediately prior to application or successful completion of at least 800 500 1
hours of a teacher curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school. 2
(3) Passes an examination for teachers conducted by the Board. 3
(b1) The Board shall issue a license to practice as a hair design teacher to any individual 4
who meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section and who meets all of the following: 5
(1) Holds in good standing a cosmetologist or a hair designer license issued by 6
the Board. 7
(2) Submits proof of either of the following: 8
a. Practice of hair design in a cosmetic art shop or mobile cosmetic art 9
shop, or any Board -approved employment capacity in the cosmetic 10
arts industry, for a period equivalent to one year of full-time work 11
immediately prior to application. 12
b. Successful completion of at least 500 hours of a teacher curriculum in 13
an approved cosmetic art school. 14
(3) Passes an examination for teachers conducted by the Board. 15
(c) The Board shall issue a license to practice as an esthetician teacher to any individual 16
who meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section and who meets all of the following: 17
(1) Holds in good standing a cosmetologist or an esthetician license issued by the 18
Board. 19
(2) Submits proof of either practice as an esthetician in a cosmetic art shop, shop 20
or mobile cosmetic art shop, or any Board-approved employment capacity in 21
the cosmetic arts industry, for a period equivalent to one year of full-time work 22
immediately prior to application or successful completion of at least 650 500 23
hours of a teacher curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school. 24
(3) Passes an examination for teachers conducted by the Board. 25
(d) The Board shall issue a license to practice as a manicurist teacher to any individual 26
who meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section and who meets all of the following: 27
(1) Holds in good standing a cosmetologist or manicurist license issued by the 28
Board. 29
(2) Submits proof of either practice as a manicurist in a cos metic art shop, shop 30
or mobile cosmetic art shop, or any Board-approved employment capacity in 31
the cosmetic arts industry, for a period equivalent to one year of full-time work 32
immediately prior to application or successful completion of at least 320 hours 33
of a teacher curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school. 34
(3) Passes an examination for teachers conducted by the Board. 35
(e) The Board shall issue a license to practice as a natural hair care teacher to any 36
individual who meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section and who meets all of the 37
following: 38
(1) Holds in good standing a natural hair care license issued by the Board. 39
(2) Submits proof of either practice as a natural hair care specialist in a cosmetic 40
art shop or any Board -approved em ployment capacity in the cosmetic art 41
industry for a period equivalent to one year of full -time work immediately 42
prior to application or successful completion of at least 320 hours 200 hours 43
of a teacher curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school. 44
(3) Passes an examination for teachers conducted by the Board. 45
"§ 88B-12. Temporary employment permit; extensions; limits on practice. 46
(a) The Board shall issue a temporary employment permit to an applicant for licensure 47
as an apprentice, cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or 48
manicurist who meets all of the following: 49
(1) Has completed the required hours of a cosmetic art school curriculum in the 50
area in which the applicant wishes to be licensed. 51
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Senate Bill 808-Sixth Edition Page 7
(2) Has applied to take th e examination within three months of completing the 1
required hours. 2
(3) Is qualified to take the examination. 3
(b) A temporary employment permit shall expire six months from the date of graduation 4
from a cosmetic art school and shall not be renewed. 5
(c) The holder of a temporary employment permit may practice cosmetic art only under 6
the supervision of a licensed cosmetologist, hair designer, manicurist, natural hair care specialist, 7
or esthetician, as appropriate, and may not operate a cosmetic art shop. 8
"§ 88B-13. Applicants licensed in other states. 9
(a) The Board shall issue a license to an applicant licensed in another state as an 10
apprentice, cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, hair braider, or 11
manicurist in another state if the applicant shows: 12
(1) The applicant is an active practitioner in good standing. 13
(2) The applicant has practiced at least one of the three years immediately 14
preceding the application for a license. 15
(3) There is no disciplinary proceeding or unresolved complaint pending against 16
the applicant at the time a license is to be issued by this State. 17
(4) The licensure requirements in the state in which the applicant is licensed are 18
substantially equivalent to those required by this State. 19
(b) Instead of meeting the requirements in subsection (a) of this section, any applicant 20
who is licensed as a cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or 21
manicurist in another state shall be admitted to practice in this State un der the same reciprocity 22
or comity provisions that the state in which the applicant is licensed grants to persons licensed in 23
this State. 24
(c) The Board may establish standards for issuing a license to an applicant who is licensed 25
as a teacher in another st ate. These standards shall include a requirement that the licensure 26
requirements in the state in which the teacher is licensed shall be substantially equivalent to those 27
required in this State and that the applicant shall be licensed by the Board to practice in the area 28
in which the applicant is licensed to teach. 29
"§ 88B-14. Licensing of cosmetic art shops.shops and mobile cosmetic art shops. 30
(a) The Board shall issue a license to operate a cosmetic art shop or mobile cosmetic art 31
shop to any applicant who submits a properly completed application, on a form approved by the 32
Board, pays the required fee, and is determined, after inspection, to be in compliance with the 33
provisions of this Chapter and the Board's rules. 34
(b) The applicant shall list all licensee s who practice cosmetic art in the shop or mobile 35
cosmetic art shop and shall identify each as an employee or a booth renter. 36
(c) A cosmetic art shop or mobile cosmetic art shop shall be allowed to operate for a 37
period of 30 days while the Board inspects and determines the shop's or mobile cosmetic art 38
shop's compliance with this Chapter and the Board's rules. If the Board is unable to complete the 39
inspection within 30 days, the s hop or mobile cosmetic art shop will be authorized to operate 40
until such an inspection can be completed. 41
(d) A license to operate a cosmetic art shop or mobile cosmetic art shop shall not be 42
transferable from one location to another or from one owner to another. 43
"§ 88B-15. Practice outside cosmetic art shops. 44
(a) Any individual licensed or certified under this Chapter may visit the residences of 45
individuals who are sick or disabled and confined to their places of residence in order to attend 46
to their cosmetic needs. A licensed or certified individual may also visit hospitals, nursing homes, 47
rest homes, retirement homes, mental institutions, correctional facilities, funeral homes, and 48
similar institutions to attend to the cosmetic needs of those in these institutions. 49
(b) An individual licensed or certified under this Chapter may practice in a licensed 50
barbershop as permitted by G.S. 86A-14.G.S. 86B-32. 51
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 8 Senate Bill 808-Sixth Edition
(c) A natural hair care specialist licensed under this Chapter or a hair braider certified 1
under this Chapter may practice hair braiding at fairs, street festivals, holiday festivals, 2
agricultural festivals, farmers markets, balloon races, local fundraisers, and other similar events 3
approved by the Board. 4
"§ 88B-15A. Mobile cosmetic art shops. 5
(a) The Board shall issue a license to operate a mobile cosmetic art shop to any applicant 6
who submits a properly completed application on a form approved by the Board, pays the 7
required fee, and is determined after inspection to be in compliance with the prov isions of this 8
Chapter and the Board's rules. 9
(b) The Board shall adopt rules for the operation, permitting, and inspection of mobile 10
cosmetic art shop s, including standards for facilities, personnel, and safety and sanitary 11
requirements. All permitting and operating requirements provided by this Chapter or by rules 12
adopted by the Board pursuant to this Chapter that apply to cosmetic art shops shall also apply 13
to mobile cosmetic art shops, except to the extent that the requirements conflict with this section 14
or with any rules adopted by the Board pursuant to this section. 15
(c) In addition to the requirements of this Chapter, individuals and the vehicles th ey 16
operate while providing mobile cosmetic art services shall be subject to the provisions of (i) 17
Chapter 20 of the General Statutes, (ii) Title 19A of the North Carolina Administrative Code, 18
(iii) all applicable OSHA requirements, and (iv) all local laws and ordinances regulating business 19
establishments. 20
(d) A mobile cosmetic art shop must be equipped with a functional sink and toilet 21
facilities and must maintain an adequate supply of clean water and wastewater storage capacity. 22
(e) No cosmetic art service may be performed in a mobile cosmetic art shop while the 23
mobile cosmetic art shop is moving. The mobile cosmetic art shop must be safely parked in a 24
legal parking spot at all times while patrons are present inside the mobile cosmetic art shop. 25
(f) A mobile cosmetic art shop owner must maintain a permanent business address at 26
which records of appointments, itineraries, license numbers, and vehicle identification numbers 27
for each mobile cosmetic art shop being operated shall be kept and made available for verification 28
and inspection by the Board and at which all correspondence from the Board can be received. 29
(g) To facilitate periodic inspections of mobile cosmetic art shops, prior to the beginning 30
of each month, the owner of the mobile cosmetic art shop shall provide to the Board a written 31
monthly itinerary listing locations, dates, and hours of operation for the mobile cosmetic art shop. 32
… 33
"§ 88B-18. Examinations. 34
(a) Repealed by Session Laws 2006-212, s. 2, effective August 8, 2006. 35
(b) Each examination shall have both a practical and a written portion. 36
(c) Examinations for applicants for apprentice, cosmetologist, hair designer, teacher, 37
esthetician, natural hair care specialist, and manicurist licenses and hair braider certifications 38
shall be given in at least three locations in the State that are geographically scattered. The 39
examinations shall be administered in Board-approved facilities. 40
(d) An applicant for a cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, manicurist, natural hair 41
care specialist, or teacher's license license, or a hair braider certification, who fails to pass the 42
examination three times may not reapply to take the examination again until after the applicant 43
has successfully completed any additional requirements prescribed by the Board. 44
"§ 88B-19. Expired school credits. 45
No credit shall be approved by the Board if five years or more have elapsed from the date a 46
person enrolled in a cosmetic art school unless the person completed the required number of 47
hours and filed an application to take an examination administered by the Board. 48
"§ 88B-20. Fees required. 49
(a) The Board may charge the applicant the actual cost of preparation, administration, 50
and grading of examinations for cosmetologists, apprentices, hair designers, manicurists, 51
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Senate Bill 808-Sixth Edition Page 9
estheticians, natural hair care specialist, specialists, hair braiders, or teachers, in addition to its 1
other fees. 2
(b) The Board may charge application fees as follows: 3
(1) Inspection of a newly established cosmetic art shop .......................... $ 25.00 4
(1a) Inspection of a newly established mobile cosmetic art 5
shop ..................................................................................................... $ 25.00 6
(2) Reciprocity applicant under G.S. 88B-13 ........................................... $ 15.00. 7
(c) The Board may charge license and certification fees as follows: 8
(1) Cosmetologist .................................................................. $ 39.00 every 3 years 9
(2) Apprentice ............................................................................... $ 10.00 per year 10
(2a) Hair designer ........................................................................... $ 10.00 per year 11
(3) Esthetician ............................................................................... $ 10.00 per year 12
(4) Manicurist ............................................................................... $ 10.00 per year 13
(4a) Natural hair care specialist ...................................................... $ 10.00 per year 14
(4b) Hair braider ............................................................................. $ 10.00 per year 15
(5) Teacher ............................................................................ $ 10.00 every 2 years 16
(6) Cosmetic art shop per active booth ........................................... $ 3.00 per year 17
(6a) Mobile cosmetic art shop ........................................................ $ 50.00 per year 18
(7) Cosmetic art school ................................................................. $ 50.00 per year 19
(8) Duplicate license ................................................................................... $ 1.00. 20
(d) The Board may require payment of late fees and reinstatement fees as follows: 21
(1) Apprentice, cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, manicurist, hair braider, 22
natural hair care specialist, and teacher late renewal .......................... $ 10.00 23
(2) Cosmetic art schools and shops and mobile cosmetic art 24
shops late renewal ............................................................................... $ 10.00 25
(3) Reinstatement – cosmetic art schools and shops and 26
mobile cosmetic art shops ................................................................... $ 25.00. 27
(e) The Board may prorate fees as appropriate. 28
"§ 88B-21. Renewals; expired licenses; inactive status. 29
(a) Each license to operate a cosmetic art shop or mobile cosmetic art shop shall be 30
renewed on or before the first day of February of each year. As provided in G.S. 88B-20, a late 31
fee shall be charged for licenses renewed after February 1. Any license not renewed by March 1 32
of each year shall expire. A cosmetic art shop or mobile cosmetic art shop whose license has 33
been expired for one year or less shall have the license reinstated immediately upon payment of 34
the reinstatement fee, the late fee, and all unpaid license fees. The licensee shall submit to the 35
Board, as a part of the renewal process, a list of all licensed cosmetologists who practice cosmetic 36
art in the shop and shall identify each as an employee or a booth renter. 37
(b) Cosmetologist licenses shall be renewed on or before October 1 every three years 38
beginning October 1, 1998. A late fee shall be charged for renewals after that date. Any license 39
not renewed shall expire on October 1 of the year that renewal is required. The Board may 40
develop and implement a plan for staggered license renewal and may prorate lice nse fees to 41
implement such a plan. 42
(c) Apprentice, hair designer, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, and manicurist 43
licenses and hair braider certifications shall be renewed annually on or before October 1 of each 44
year. A late fee shall be charged for the renewal of licenses or certifications after that date. Any 45
license or certification not renewed shall expire on October 1 of that year. 46
(d) Teacher licenses shall be renewed every two years on or before October 1. A late fee 47
shall be charged for the renewal of licenses after that date. Any license not renewed shall expire 48
on October 1 of that year. 49
(e) Prior to renewal of a license, license or certification, a teacher, cosmetologist, hair 50
designer, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, hair braider, or manicurist shall annually 51
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 10 Senate Bill 808-Sixth Edition
complete eight four hours of Board-approved continuing education for each year of the licensing 1
cycle. A cosmetologist may complete up to 24 hours 12 hours of required continuing education 2
at any time within the cosmetologist's three-year licensing cycle. Licensees shall submit written 3
documentation to the Board showing that they have satisfied the requirements of this subsection. 4
A licensee who is in active practice as a cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, natural hair 5
care specialist, or manicurist, has practiced for at least 10 con secutive years in that profession, 6
and is 60 years of age or older does not have to meet the continuing education requirements of 7
this subsection. A licensee who is in active practice as a cosmetologist cosmetologist, hair 8
designer, esthetician, natural ha ir care specialist, hair braider, or manicurist and has at least 20 9
consecutive years of experience as a cosmetologist, in that profession, does not have to meet the 10
continuing education requirements of this subsection, but shall report any continuing education 11
classes completed to the Board, whether the continuing education classes are Board-approved or 12
not. Promotion of products and systems shall be allowed at continuing education given in-house 13
or at trade shows. Continuing education classes may also be offered in secondary languages as 14
needed. No member of the Board may offer continuing education courses as required by this 15
section. 16
(f) If an apprentice, cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, manicurist, natural hair care 17
specialist, hair braider, or teacher fails to renew his or her license or certification within five years 18
following the expiration date, the licensee shall be required to pass an examination as prescribed 19
by the Board before the license will be reinstated. 20
(g) Cosmetic art school licenses shall be renewed on or before October 1 of each year. A 21
late fee shall be charged for licenses renewed after that date. Any license not renewed by 22
November 1 of that year shall expire. A cosmetic art school whose license has been expired for 23
one year or less shall have its license reinstated upon payment of the reinstatement fee, the late 24
fee, and all unpaid license fees. 25
(h) Upon request by a licensee for inactive status, the Board may place the licensee's 26
name on the inactive list so long as the licensee is in good standing with the Board. An inactive 27
licensee is not required to complete continuing education requirements. An inactive licensee shall 28
not practice cosmetic art for consideration. However, the inactive licensee may continue to 29
purchase supplies as accorded an active licensee. When the inactive licensee desires to be 30
removed from the inactive list and return to active practice, the inactive licensee shall notify the 31
Board of his or her desire to return to active status and pay the required fee as determined by the 32
Board. As a condition of returning to active status, the Board may require the licensee to complete 33
eight to 24 hours of continuing education pursuant to subsection (e) of this section. 34
"§ 88B-22. Licenses and certifications required; criminal penalty. 35
(a) Except as provided in this Chapter, no person may practice or attempt to practice 36
cosmetic art for pay or reward in any form, either directly or indirectly, without being licensed 37
or certified as an apprentice, cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, 38
hair braider, or manicurist by the Board. 39
(b) Except as provided in this Chapter, no person may practice cosmetic art or any part 40
of cosmetic art, for pay or reward in any form, either directly or indirectly, outside of a licensed 41
cosmetic art shop.shop or mobile cosmetic art shop. 42
(c) No person may o pen or operate a cosmetic art shop or mobile cosmetic art shop in 43
this State unless a license has been issued by the Board for that shop.shop or mobile cosmetic art 44
shop. 45
(d) An individual certified or licensed as an esthetician, hair designer, natural hair care 46
specialist, hair braider, or manicurist may practice only that part of cosmetic art for which the 47
individual is certified or licensed. 48
(d1) No person may teach cosmetic art in a Board-approved cosmetic art school unless the 49
person is a teacher licensed under this Chapter. A guest lecturer may be exempt from the 50
requirements of this subsection upon approval by the Board. 51
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Senate Bill 808-Sixth Edition Page 11
(e) An apprentice licensed under the provisions of this Chapter shall apprentice under the 1
direct supervision of a cosmetologist. An apprentice shall not operate a cosmetic art shop. 2
(f) A violation of this Chapter is a Class 3 misdemeanor. 3
"§ 88B-23. Licenses and certifications to be posted. 4
(a) Every apprentice, cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, manicurist, natural hai r 5
care specialist, hair braider, and teacher licensed or certified under this Chapter shall display the 6
certificate of license or certification issued by the Board within the shop in which the person 7
works. 8
(b) Every certificate of license or certification to operate a cosmetic art shop or shop, 9
mobile cosmetic art shop , or cosmetic art school shall be conspicuously posted in the shop or 10
school for which it is issued. 11
"§ 88B-24. Revocation of licenses and other disciplinary measures. 12
The Board may restrict , suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue, renew, or reinstate any license 13
for any of the following: 14
(1) Conviction of a felony shown by certified copy of the record of the court of 15
conviction. 16
(2) Gross malpractice or gross incompetency as determined by the Board. 17
(3) Advertising by means of knowingly false or deceptive statements. 18
(4) Permitting any individual to practice cosmetic art without a license license, 19
certification, or temporary employment permit, with an expired license or 20
temporary employment permit, or with an invalid license license, certification, 21
or temporary employment permit. 22
(5) Obtaining or attempting to obtain a license for money or other thing of value 23
other than the required fee or by fraudulent misrepresentation. 24
(6) Practicing or attempting to practice by fraudulent misrepresentation. 25
(7) Willful failure to display a certificate of license or certification as required by 26
G.S. 88B-23. 27
(8) Willful violation of the rules adopted by the Board. 28
(9) Violation of G.S. 86A -15 G.S. 86B-31 by a cosmetologist, hair designer, 29
esthetician, natural hair care specialist, hair braider, or manicurist licensed or 30
certified by the Board and practicing cosmetic art in a barber shop. 31
"§ 88B-25. Exemptions. 32
The following persons are exempt from the provisions of this Chapter while engaged in the 33
proper discharge of their professional duties: 34
(1) Undertakers and funeral establishments licensed under G.S. 90-210.25. 35
(2) Persons authorized to practice medicine or surgery under Chapter 90 of the 36
General Statutes. 37
(3) Nurses licensed under Chapter 90 of the General Statutes. 38
(4) Commissioned medical or surgical officers of the United States Army, Air 39
Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force, or Coast Guard. 40
(5) A person employed in a cosmetic art shop or mobile cosmetic art shop whose 41
duties are expressly confined to the shampooing or blow drying of hair, 42
provided that the person shall comply with rules adopted by the Board relating 43
to sanitary management of cosmetic art shops.shops and mobile cosmetic art 44
shops. 45
(6) A person licensed as a massage and bodywork therapist pursuant to Article 36 46
of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes only when that person is engaged in the 47
shampooing, conditioning, or washing of hair. 48
"§ 88B-26. Rules to be posted. 49
(a) The Board shall furnish a copy of its rules relating to sanitary management of 50
cosmetic art shops shops, mobile cosmetic art shops, and cosmetic art schools to each shop shop, 51
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 12 Senate Bill 808-Sixth Edition
mobile cosmetic art shop , and school licensed by the Board. Each shop shop, mobile cosmetic 1
art shop, and school shall post the rules in a conspicuous place. 2
(b) The Board shall furnish a copy of its rules relating to curriculum and schools to each 3
licensed cosmetic art school. Each cosmetic art school shall make these rules available to all 4
teachers and students. 5
"§ 88B-27. Inspections. 6
Any inspector or other authorized representative of the Board may enter any cosmetic art 7
shop or shop, mobile cosmetic art shop, or cosmetic art school to inspect it for compliance with 8
this Chapter and the B oard's rules. All persons practicing cosmetic art in a shop shop, mobile 9
cosmetic art shop , or cosmetic art school shall, upon request, present satisfactory proof of 10
identification. Satisfactory proof shall be in the form of a photographic driver's license or 11
photographic identification card issued by any state, federal, or other government entity. The 12
Board may require a cosmetic art shop or shop, mobile cosmetic art shop, or cosmetic art school 13
to be inspected as a condition for license renewal. 14
…." 15
SECTION 2. G.S. 86B-32 reads as rewritten: 16
"§ 86B-32. Persons exempt from the provisions of this Article. 17
The following persons are exempt from the provisions of this Article while engaged in the 18
proper discharge of their duties: 19
(1) Persons authorized under the laws of the State to practice medicine and 20
surgery, and those working under their supervision. 21
(2) Commissioned medical or surgical officers of the United States Army or other 22
components of the Armed Forces of the United States, and those working 23
under their supervision. 24
(3) Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses and those working under their 25
supervision. 26
(4) Licensed embalmers and funeral directors and those working under their 27
supervision. 28
(5) Persons who are working in licensed cosmeti c shops or beauty cosmetic art 29
schools and are licensed or certified by the State Board of Cosmetic Art 30
Examiners pursuant to Chapter 88B of the General Statutes. 31
(6) Persons who are working in barbershops and are licensed or certified by the 32
State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners pursuant to Chapter 88B of the 33
General Statutes, provided that those persons shall comply with G.S. 86B-31. 34
(7) Inmates under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Department of Adult 35
Correction. 36
(8) Persons who are employed by b arbershops and whose duties are expressly 37
confined to the shampooing or blow drying of hair, provided that the person 38
shall comply with G.S. 86B-31." 39
SECTION 3. The North Carolina Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners may 40
adopt rules to implement Section 2 of this act. 41
SECTION 4. Sections 1 and 2 of this act become effective December 31, 2026. The 42
remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law. 43