Become an electrologist in North Carolina (if you've never practiced electrology)
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1
Attend an approved electrology school
You first must attend an approved electrolysis school. The required curriculum is for 230 hours of classroom training and 370 hours of clinical training.
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2
Gather documents for your application
After you complete your electrolysis education, you'll need to submit an application. Gather the following documents that you'll need for your application.
- Documentation of your proof of age. To get a license, you must be at least 21 years old. You'll need to provide a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you can't get a certified copy of your birth certificate, you'll need to submit a written statement explaining why you can't provide it, along with another proof of age (such as a copy of a passport, marriage license showing age, or medical or school records showing date of birth).
- Certification of completion from your electrology school, with verification of the number of hours completed in theory and clinical training.
- A passport-acceptable photograph. The link below has guidance on what kind of photo will qualify.
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3
Submit the application
Note: You can complete the next step (Schedule and take the written exam) at the same time as this step.
Complete the license application and mail it with the following:
- The documents listed in the previous step; and
- A check, cashier check, or money order for $125.00 made out to North Carolina Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners. (You can include an additional $100.00 for the inspection of the location where you'll work if you plan to begin working as soon as you get licensed. However, you don't need to submit this payment until you're ready for the inspection.)
Please send the application to:
7001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-7000 -
4
Schedule and take the written exam
We use the International Board of Electrolysis Certification (IBEC) test. You'll schedule the written exam on your own through the testing company Prometric. You can select a date and time that is most convenient for you among the exam vendor's offerings.
Below are the steps to schedule the written exam.
- Go to the Prometric website.
- Look for the Test Takers section of the website.
- Select Find my Exam.
- Either browse or search for the American Electrology Association (AEA) test sponsor.
- On the AEA test page, look for the Actions section.
- Select Schedule to set up your exam.
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5
Notify the board after you've taken your written exam
Please contact us at electrolysis@nc.gov or (919) 814-0640 to let us know when you've completed your written exam. Although you're not required to notify us, we encourage you to do so. That way, we can reach out to the testing company if we don't receive the results in a reasonable amount of time.
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6
Prepare to take the practical exam
We'll schedule a time with our examiners for a practical exam. Before your exam, we'll provide information on the requirements, including any equipment you must bring. The components of the exam are:
- Hand-washing demonstration
- Workstation and supply set-up
- Demonstration of a client consultation
- Demonstration of thermolysis
- Demonstration of blend
- Demonstration of galvanic
- Demonstration of tweezer sterilization
- Additional questions about topics such as dry heat sterilizers, autoclaves, and biological testers
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7
Meet the residence requirement
Before you can get a license, you must be a North Carolina resident.
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8
Receive your license and prepare for inspection
After you've passed your exams, you'll receive your license. Please make sure your mailing address is up to date!
If you plan to work in a facility, you'll need to have your area inspected. If you haven't already paid the inspection fee, you'll first need to pay $100.00 for the inspection.