With plenty of salons, spas, and theatres to choose from, you’re sure to find the right path to becoming the makeup artist you’ve always wanted to be. It all begins with your license. Choose one of North Carolina’s beauty schools to start you on your way to being licensed and becoming a big name in the beauty industry.
Are you passionate about the beauty industry? Do you have excellent customer service skills and the natural ability to put people at ease? North Carolina’s beauty industry is great for learning, growing, and building your future.
Education Requirements for NC Makeup Colleges
North Carolina makeup artists must be licensed estheticians to work in the state. That means a 600-hour program covering the basics of skincare and makeup application, color theory, foundation chemistry, skin disease, and facial massage.
Your esthetician license specializes in skin care, but certain schools and programs offer the opportunity to specialize in makeup application and even offer courses in special effects makeup and theatrical makeup.
Do some research and think about what you want for your career, to give yourself the best chance from the beginning. Then, use our app below to see where you can train nearby:
Licensing Procedure
Once you have completed your course load, including theoretical study and practical training, your school can help you prepare for and apply for your exams.
The North Carolina State Cosmetology Board uses the National Interstate Cosmetology exams to test your progress. You must achieve a 75% on both your written and theory exams to earn your license. If you need to work while waiting for exams, you may apply for a temporary permit. It will allow you to work, under the supervision of a licensed esthetician at a licensed establishment. However, your permit is only valid for six months after graduation and can’t be renewed.
Moving To NC From Elsewhere?
If you are currently in another state and looking to move to North Carolina, you’ll want to keep your current license intact. Oklahoma has reciprocity agreements in some cases.
If your current license is a full esthetician license, and you have studied at least 600 hours, you can transfer your current license for a North Carolina license by paying an application fee and applying for a license by reciprocity.
Renew Your License
NC state law requires you to renew your license every two years, as of October 1st. To maintain your license, you must complete at least eight credits (or 8 hours) of continuing education during those two years. The Board is permitted to audit your continuing education hours at any time, so keep a careful record of the course title, description, address, the number of hours of study, as well as the dates of the course.
MUA Job Search in NC
North Carolina’s makeup artists, like the beauty industry itself, have been experiencing a surge in employment and opportunity. Between the top film and television production companies in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Wilmington, to the professional theatre of the Charlotte Ballet Company, and the other live performance houses, you’ll find plenty of career opportunities for a makeup artist just starting out or looking to expand your skills.
Finding the right job is easy as doing the proper research.
Some Makeup Schools in North Carolina
NC Elite Makeup Academy – 512 St Marys Street, Raleigh, NC 27605
The Makeup Addict Academy – 4801 Hargrove Road #104-B, Raleigh, NC 27616
Aveda Institute – 1520 South Boulevard #150, Charlotte, NC 28203
Paul Mitchell – Cross Creek Mall, #505A, Fayetteville, NC 28303
Mitchell’s Academy – 2616 Forest Hills Road SW, Wilson, NC 27893
Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design – 1011 Charles Boulevard Suite A, Greenville, NC 27858
Progressive Edge School of Cosmetology – 1151 North Bragg Boulevard, Spring Lake, NC 28390
Artistic Academy Of Wilkes – 114 Wilkesboro Avenue, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
Other NC schools for nail technicians, estheticians, barbers, and cosmetologists
Did we miss any makeup artist institutes in North Carolina? Please contact us to let us know.