LICENSING GUIDE

South Carolina — Esthetician

South Carolina’s Esthetician license requires 450 hours of approved skin-care education and passing scores on both the NIC theory and practical examinations. Licenses renew in odd-numbered years by March 10, and active licensees generally complete four hours of Board-approved continuing education per biennium after the first renewal.

Renewal Period: 24 months

Last Verified: September 17, 2026

PATHWAYS TO LICENSURE

School Pathway

Training Hours: 450

Applicants must be at least 16, have at least a 10th-grade education or approved equivalent, complete 450 hours of skin-care classes at a Board-approved school or comparable Board-approved training, and score at least 75% on both the NIC theory and practical examinations.

Apprenticeship Pathway

The Board’s examination guidance allows comparable training approved by the Board but does not publish a distinct fixed-hour esthetician apprenticeship route.

SOURCES & VERIFICATION

License Sources

South Carolina Esthetician Examination Requirements

South Carolina Board of Cosmetology

South Carolina Cosmetology Continuing Education

South Carolina Board of Cosmetology

No treatment scope rules have been published for this license type yet.