EXAM DEPARTMENT

The Board has selected a new exam vendor, NIC partnering with PSI. Exam candidates must contact PSI to establish a test site, date, and time.  Reservations can be made by telephone at 1(800)733-9267 or at PSI's website .  

The State Board provides special arrangements to candidates with physical impairments and learning disabilities that interfere with the testing process.  Candidates that require special arrangements must submit the proper paperwork and receive written approval prior to scheduling their exams.  Once you are approved for special arrangements, inform PSI when making your reservation.  No special arrangements are available to accommodate limited English proficiency. 

There are testing several locations available throughout the state.  The practical exam will take place in Raleigh, NC.  The written exam will take place in Raleigh, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Greenville, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, and Asheville.  The Board’s exam site will continue to be the location for all practical exams. Instructor exam candidates must receive approval from the Board for testing prior to making exam reservations. 

Payment will be made to PSI by credit card, debit card, or electronic check at the time of the reservation. Fees will not be accepted at the test center. Fees are set at $69 for the practical exam and $50 for the written exam (Theory). Exams are priced separately, so that a candidate that fails an exam needs only repay for the exam failed. Exam results will also be made available while the student is still at the exam site, to enable faster licensing time. There is a rescheduling fee of $30 for any exam cancelled within 48 hours of the exam date.

Every candidate is required to present their ATT along with two forms of valid non-expired government issued ID with at least one bearing their photo and signature for admittance to the test center. Acceptable forms of identification include: Driver’s License, State Issued Identification Card, Passport or Military Identification Card along with a Social Security Card or Government Issued Birth Certificate with Raised Seal. School IDs and banking cards are not valid forms of identification. The testing center reserves the right to ask for additional identification for verification purposes. Should a candidate fail to provide the required documentation at the testing facility, their testing appointment will be cancelled and their exam fee
forfeited. There will be no exceptions to this policy.

Anyone caught cheating will be dismissed from the examination and required to repay testing fees

Test Site Locator

Candidate Handbook - Please note: Manufacturer’s labels are required on all disinfectants and sanitizers.

Candidate Information Bulletins:

Cosmetology Written Exam

Cosmetology Practical Exam

Esthetics Written Exam

Esthetics Practical Exam
The Esthetics examination is performed with simulated wax products.

Mancuring Written Exam

Manicuring Practical Exam

Teacher Written Exam

Teacher Practical Exam

All other languages

First time candidates (recent graduates):  

* Submit your original exam application and $5.00 certified check or money order to “NC State Board of Cosmetic Art” upon approval, a temporary work permit will be mailed to you within 20-30 days; or if you are a teacher exam candidate, upon approval, an examination information letter with instructions will be mailed to you within 2 - 3 weeks.

Non-first candidates or previous licensed (license which has expired for 5 or more years):

Please call 1(800)733-9267 for exam reservations
 

Federal Americans with Disabilities Act

Request for special arrangements request form.(ADA Paperwork)

If you have any other questions, please call or email Amanda Liles
at (919) 733-4117, ext. 235 or aliles@nccosmeticarts.com