StateLicensed

Nail Technician License Requirements in South Carolina

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
300 hrs
Upfront cost
$212
Exam
Nail Technician Written Examination, Nail Technician Practical Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
South Carolina Board of Cosmetology

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 16 years old, At least a 10th-grade education or equivalent. Must be at least 16 years of age and possess at least a 10th-grade education or equivalent. A SLED criminal background check is only required if the applicant discloses a conviction or disciplinary history on their application. [5]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 300 hours of training at a state-approved program. Must complete at least 300 hours in classes at a board-approved nail technician school under S.C. Code of Laws Section 40-13-230(C). [1]

  3. 3

    Nail Technician Written Examination

    Pass the Nail Technician Written Examination (fee: $78). Written National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) theory examination administered by Prov, Inc. [2]

  4. 4

    Nail Technician Practical Examination

    Pass the Nail Technician Practical Examination (fee: $89). Practical National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) practical examination administered by Prov, Inc. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to South Carolina Board of Cosmetology with the $45 application fee. [3]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, South Carolina Board of Cosmetology issues your Nail Technician for South Carolina.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $45
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $52
Nail Technician Written Examination [2] $78
Nail Technician Practical Examination [2] $89
Endorsement Application Fee [3] $60

The initial application by examination fee is $45 and biennial renewal is $52. A separate license issuance fee is null because South Carolina does not charge a separate fee to issue the license beyond the application fee.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 4 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Renewable biennially on odd-numbered years by March 10th. Requires 4 contact hours of Board-approved continuing education.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

An applicant who is actively licensed in another state can obtain licensure by endorsement if they passed the NIC theory and practical exams, or have been licensed for at least 2 years in another state and complete 4 hours of South Carolina board-approved continuing education.

4 state-approved training providers in South Carolina — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $45
  • $78
  • $89
Total$212

Frequently asked questions

Which exams are required to obtain licensure in South Carolina?

Successful passage of the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) examination (theory and practical) is required by the Board.

How long will it take Board staff to process my application?

Board staff processes applications in the order in which they are received therefore we are unable to offer a specific time frame for processing. After your application has been processed, you will receive an email with further instructions.

Does the Board of Cosmetology offer reciprocity?

No, the Board does not currently offer reciprocity for any license types. Out-of-state applicants may apply via endorsement if they meet specific criteria.

What are the continuing education (CE) requirements for license renewal?

For license renewal, all cosmetologists, nail technicians, and estheticians must show satisfactory evidence of having obtained four (4) contact hours of board-approved continuing education biennially.

Sources

  1. [1] scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c013.php — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] provexam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/SC_Prov_Cosmetology_CIB_2025.08.15.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] llr.sc.gov/cosmo/fees.aspx — accessed 2026-07-12
  4. [4] llr.sc.gov/cosmo/ce.aspx — accessed 2026-07-12
  5. [5] llr.sc.gov/cosmo/forms/Nail%20Tech%20License%20Requirements%20and%20Application%20Overview.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
  6. [6] llr.sc.gov/cosmo/pub.aspx — accessed 2026-07-12