Board News & Updates

received Sept 4, 2026 

South Carolina Board of Cosmetology

Clarification of Esthetics Education Requirements

The South Carolina Board of Cosmetology is providing the following clarification regarding esthetics curriculum requirements.

S.C. Code Ann. § 40-13-230(B)requires applicants for esthetics licensure to complete at least 450 hours of instruction, with the required 450 hours and subject areas established inS.C. Code Regs. 35-3(C).

In August 2024, an emergency regulation amended the 450-hour curriculum inRegulation 35-3(C), and established a temporary 600-hour esthetics curriculum. Any school that offered a 600-hour esthetic program was required to adopt and implement that 600-hour approved curriculum. The emergency regulation has since expired.

Accordingly, only the 450-hour education requirements set out in statute and regulation are currently required for South Carolina esthetics licensure.All Training Affidavits submitted to the Board on behalf of a candidate for esthetics licensure should reflect the Board-approved 450-hour curriculum in Regulation 35-3(C).

Schools may continue to offer and teach programs exceeding 450 hours. However, hours beyond the curriculum required byRegulation 35-3(C)are not required for South Carolina licensure and are not subject to Board approval or oversight as part of the required licensure curriculum.

received July 24, 2026

South Carolina Board of Cosmetology

Complete your Continuing Education Early!

Did you know that you can complete your continuing education (CE) hours for the 2027 renewal early? You do not need to wait until closer to your license expiration date to complete your continuing education hours to receive credit for your license renewal that will be open on December 1, 2026. Active licensees and instructors may complete their required 4-hour Board-approved course in-person or online or their instructors course.

Because there is an unavoidable delay between completing a CE course and the completion being verified with the Board, the Board will be periodically communicating with licensees via email regarding early continuing education completion, with the goal of facilitating a more orderly renewal process. You do not need to call the Board if you receive these emails. They are only being sent to encourage early continuing education completion. A list of frequently asked questions regarding the upcoming renewals may also be found on the Board's website at this link.

Please note the following information:

• If you are renewing your license for the first time, you will be required to complete a 4-hour continuing education course prior to the closure of renewals on March 10, 2027. Your license cannot be renewed until the Board receives proof of your completion of the required continuing education hours.

• All licenses NOT renewed on or before March 10, 2027, will lapse on March 11, 2027.

• Renewals for individual licenses will open December 1, 2026.

• The estimated verification of your CE to the Board may take up to 15 business days. Licensees are encouraged to complete their required CE course early to help reduce the delay in licensure renewal when the renewal period opens.

• It is the responsibility of each licensee to complete the renewal process for their license. Completion of a CE course does NOT constitute a completed renewal of your license. You will be required to complete your renewal application and pay your renewal fee.

Are you CE Exempt Eligible?

The applicant for CE exemption must:

• have held a license for at least fifteen consecutive years, and be sixty years of age or older, OR

• have held a license for at least thirty consecutive years, and be fifty years of age, AND

• have not been disciplined by the Board.

Please note, if your license lapsed at any time throughout your licensing years, your years of licensure will begin as of the date of your reinstated license. Licensing must have been continuous for CE exemption eligibility.

For further clarification, please see Section 40-13-250.

Tracy Adams, Board Executive