State board exam guide · Checked November 1, 2026

North Carolina cosmetology & esthetics state board exam

North Carolina's written exams for cosmetologists and estheticians are NIC's national theory exams. Prov gives them, along with NIC's practical exams. Here are the hours, fees and test format, checked against the board's and Prov's own pages.

The exams at a glance

Cosmetology

License
Cosmetologist
School hours
1,500 hours
Written exam
110 questions, 90 minutes
Written pass mark
75%
Written exam fee
$84
Practical exam
NIC practical exam, given by Prov
Practical time
295 minutes
Practical exam fee
$84

Esthetics

License
Esthetician
School hours
600 hours
Written exam
110 questions, 90 minutes
Written pass mark
75%
Written exam fee
$84
Practical exam
NIC practical exam, given by Prov
Practical time
151 minutes
Practical exam fee
$84

Board: North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners. Exams: Prov. Written exam languages: English, Spanish, Korean or Vietnamese. Fees are as of November 1, 2026; confirm them before you book.

What's on the written exam

North Carolina's written exams follow NIC's national outlines. Each section's share of the questions:

Cosmetology

  • Scientific Concepts35%
  • Hair Care and Services45%
  • Skin Care and Services10%
  • Nail Care and Services10%

Esthetics

  • Scientific Concepts55%
  • Skin Care and Services45%

New esthetics outline? See what's on NIC's 2025 esthetics exam and what changed.

Good to know in North Carolina

  • Apprentice cosmetologists train for 1,200 hours and take the same 110-question written exam, with a lower pass mark of 70%.
  • Esthetics candidates take the 2025 editions of NIC's esthetics exams, written and practical.

Practice for the North Carolina written exam

Slay the Board's questions follow NIC's national outlines, the ones North Carolina's written exams are built on. Start with a free practice test, or study 690 questions and timed exams weighted like the real one.

Free cosmetology practice test Free esthetics practice test

Or study questions by topic, or race the clock in today's free daily challenge: cosmetology or esthetics.

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Questions about the North Carolina exam

Does North Carolina use the NIC exam?

North Carolina's written exams for cosmetologists and estheticians are NIC's national theory exams. Prov gives them, along with NIC's practical exams.

How many questions are on the North Carolina cosmetology and esthetics written exams?

110 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, for both licenses.

What score do you need to pass the North Carolina written exam?

75%, for both cosmetology and esthetics.

How much does the North Carolina state board exam cost?

Prov charges $84 for the written exam and $84 for the practical, for cosmetology and esthetics alike. Fees as of November 1, 2026.

How many school hours do you need in North Carolina?

1,500 hours for cosmetology and 600 hours for esthetics.

Sources

Checked on November 1, 2026. Fees and rules change, so check with the board or Prov before you book. Slay the Board isn't affiliated with NIC, Prov or any state board.

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