All content in this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not medical or legal advice. Please consult with a lawyer or a medical professional.
An esthetician provides beauty services to clients specializing in the skin and body. Most of the time, the services they do include facials, hair removals, waxing, and other types of services that would enhance one’s beauty.
So how do you become an esthetician in North Carolina? To become an esthetician in North Carolina, five steps must be completed:
- Obtaining a 600-hour esthetician training program degree
- Passing both the written and practical licensing exams
- Applying for your esthetician license
- Beginning your esthetician career in North Carolina
- Maintaining your education and renewing your license biannually
Steps to Become a Medical Esthetician in North Carolina
In achieving your goal of becoming an esthetician, there are steps you need to complete before getting your license to become an established esthetician or medical aesthetician in North Carolina. These are as follows:
1) Obtain a 600-Hour Esthetician Training Program Degree
It takes time to become an esthetician in North Carolina and other states across the US. The National Board requires about 600 hours of esthetician training in theory and performance before you can apply for the esthetician licensing exams.
40 hours of the 600 are divided amongst a number of sanatomy, physiology, hygiene, disinfection, first aid, chemistry, drapery, facial and body treatments, basic dermatology, machines, electricity, aromatherapy, makeup, and color theory.
Also, advanced styles and techniques, facials, makeup application, advanced skincare and hair removal, business management, and professional ethics take up the remaining 560 hours of instruction.
The 560 hours are divided into various performance requirements following North Carolina’s esthetics education standards.
2) Pass Both the Written and Practical Licensing Exams
There are two national exams that you need to pass to become a licensed esthetician. The NIC Esthetician Practical exam and the NIC Esthetician Written exam.
The North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners requires a score of at least 75% or higher for both exams. DL Roope Administrations helps administer the national esthetician licensing exams for North Carolina.
The steps to register for the exam is to submit the online exam application and pay a registration fee of $10.00, and you can also search their website for frequently asked questions.
In preparing for the examination, read through the North Carolina Esthetician Candidate Handbook, the NIC Practical Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) which is included in the handbook, and the NIC Written Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) to help you prepare for the exams.
The practical exam will take 3 hours, and the written exam will take 90 minutes. The exam scores report will be posted on the DL Roope Administrations website. They will then submit your scores to the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners.
3) Apply for your Esthetician License
Following your graduation from the training program and passing the board exams, you may now apply for your license. There are two ways to apply for your license, the online license application or the paper license application via mail.
There is a fee of $20 for the esthetician license application and within 5 to 10 business days, the North Carolina Board will issue your license in the mail.
4) Begin Your Esthetician Career in North Carolina
As you receive your North Carolina esthetician license, you can now work at clinics, dermatology practices, hospitals, medical spas, and long-term care facilities that employ medical estheticians. They provide their skincare services for consumers while being supervised by medical professionals.
Additionally, your education qualifies you to apply for careers in skincare product sales, beauty consulting, and makeup artistry. The kind of clientele you have, the treatments you’re more likely to offer, and the compensation model—which could be an hourly plus commission, salaried, or even self-employed—will depend on the reputation and popularity of the salon and spa where you work.
You can also advance your career by being an esthetician teacher in a beauty school.
5) Maintain your Education, and Renew Your License Biannually
The renewal cycle is on October 1st of every year, your license will expire. To renew your license in North Carolina, you must complete at least eight (8) credits on additional education.
You should maintain track of your continuing education credits since the Board may audit you at any time. The following details should be on your credit certification: Course Title, Description, Date, Location of the Course Address, and the total hours worked.
After completing your continuing education requirements, you can renew your license online or by filling out a personal license renewal application.
Education to become an Esthetician in North Carolina
Aspiring estheticians must have completed their high school education to participate in esthetician certificate programs as almost all authorized beauty schools and community colleges require a high school education.
Notable Esthetician Schools in North Carolina
There are notable programs and colleges in North Carolina that offer affordable and quality education for aspiring estheticians.
Some of these schools are:
- AB Tech Community College
- Central Carolina Community College
- Craven Community College
- Durham Tech
- Gaston College
Their curriculums cover more than just the bare essentials; there are sections on advanced esthetician subjects that surely will prepare you for the esthetician licensure exams.
Comprehensive Training Modules at FACE Med Store
It takes a lot of work to become an esthetician. There’s much effort involved to be accepted into a program that is catered toward estheticians. Also, passing the National Licensure exams for estheticians takes a great amount of time to study and review. Being able to renew your license, while also needing more credits for renewal is time-consuming while you are working.
FACE Med Store offers comprehensive training modules that can help in the career growth of estheticians who would want to pursue a career in becoming a medical aesthetician. Purchase your training modules with us now or contact us for more information.
