State board exam guide · Checked November 1, 2026

South Carolina cosmetology & esthetics state board exam

South Carolina uses NIC's written and practical exams, given by Prov, and you need 75% on both. 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
$78
Practical exam
NIC practical exam, given by Prov
Practical time
295 minutes
Practical exam fee
$89

Esthetics

License
Esthetician
School hours
450 hours
Written exam
110 questions, 90 minutes
Written pass mark
75%
Written exam fee
$78
Practical exam
NIC practical exam, given by Prov
Practical exam fee
$89

Board: South Carolina Board of Cosmetology (LLR). Exams: Prov. Fees are as of November 1, 2026; confirm them before you book.

What's on the written exam

South 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 South Carolina

  • South Carolina asks for 450 hours of esthetics training, fewer than the 600 in North Carolina, Virginia, Oklahoma and Arizona. The written exam is the same NIC test, so leave time for the science: it's 55% of the esthetics exam.
  • Esthetics candidates take the 2025 editions of NIC's esthetics exams, written and practical.
  • Some older requirement sheets on the board's site still name PSI. The board's exam page names Prov.

Practice for the South Carolina written exam

Slay the Board's questions follow NIC's national outlines, the ones South 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.

Download on the App Store

Questions about the South Carolina exam

Does South Carolina use the NIC exam?

South Carolina uses NIC's written and practical exams, given by Prov, and you need 75% on both.

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

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

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

75%, for both cosmetology and esthetics.

How much does the South Carolina state board exam cost?

Prov charges $78 for the written exam and $89 for the practical, for cosmetology and esthetics alike. Fees as of November 1, 2026.

How many school hours do you need in South Carolina?

1,500 hours for cosmetology and 450 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.

Other states

All state guides