AN ACT TO DEREGULATE NATURAL HAIR CARE; TO LICENSE HAIR DESIGNERS; TO REDUCE the AMOUNT OF TRAINING REQUIRED FOR COSMETOLOGISTS; AND TO ELIMINATE LICENSURE AS AN APPRENTICE, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 88B of the General Statutes, as amended by S.L. 2025‑20, reads as rewritten:

Chapter 88B.

Cosmetic Art.

§ 88B‑1.  Short title.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the North Carolina Cosmetic Art Act.

§ 88B‑2.  Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Chapter:

(1)        Apprentice. – A person who is not a manager or operator and who is engaged in learning the practice of cosmetic art under the direction and supervision of a cosmetologist.

(2)        Board. – The North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners.

(3)        Booth. – A workstation located within a licensed cosmetic art shop that is operated primarily by one individual in performing cosmetic art services for consumers.

(4)        Booth renter. – A person who rents a booth in a cosmetic art shop.

(5)        Cosmetic art. – All or any part or combination of cosmetology, hair design, esthetics, natural hair care, or manicuring, including the systematic manipulation with the hands or mechanical apparatus of the scalp, face, neck, shoulders, hands, and feet. Practices included within this subdivision shall not include the practice of massage or bodywork therapy as set forth in Article 36 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.

(6)        Cosmetic art school. – Any building or part thereof where cosmetic art is taught.

(7)        Cosmetic art shop. – Any building or part thereof where cosmetic art is practiced for pay or reward, whether direct or indirect.

(8)        Cosmetologist. – Any individual who is licensed to practice all parts of cosmetic art.

(8a)      Cosmetology. – The act of arranging, dressing, curling, waving, cleansing, cutting, singeing, bleaching, coloring, or similar work upon the hair of a person by any means, including the use of hands, mechanical or electrical apparatus, or appliances or by use of cosmetic or chemical preparations or antiseptics.

(9)        Cosmetology teacher. – An individual licensed by the Board to teach all parts of cosmetic art.

(10)      Esthetician. – An individual licensed by the Board to practice only that part of cosmetic art that constitutes skin care.

(11)      Esthetician teacher. – An individual licensed by the Board to teach only that part of cosmetic art that constitutes skin care.

(11a)    Esthetics. – Refers to any of the following practices: giving facials; applying makeup; performing skin care; removing superfluous hair from the body of a person by use of creams, tweezers, or waxing; applying eyelashes to a person, including the application of eyelash extensions, brow or lash color; beautifying the face, neck, arms, or upper part of the human body by use of cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, or creams; surface manipulation in relation to skin care; or cleaning or stimulating the face, neck, ears, arms, hands, bust, torso, legs, or feet of a person by means of hands, devices, apparatus, or appliances along with the use of cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, or creams.

(11b)    Hair design. – The act of (i) arranging, dressing, curling, waving, cleansing, cutting, singeing, bleaching, coloring, or similar work upon the hair of a person by any means, including the use of hands, mechanical or electrical apparatus, or appliances or by use of cosmetic or chemical preparations or antiseptics; or (ii) removing superfluous hair from the face of a person by use of waxing.

(11c)    Hair design teacher. – An individual licensed by the Board to teach hair design.

(11d)   Hair designer. – An individual licensed by the Board to practice only that part of cosmetic art that constitutes hair design.

(11e)    Licensee. – An individual who holds one or more licenses or certifications issued by the Board.

(12)      Manicuring. – The care and treatment of the fingernails, toenails, cuticles on fingernails and toenails, and the hands and feet, including the decoration of the fingernails and the application of nail extensions and artificial nails. The term manicuring shall not include the treatment of pathologic conditions.

(13)      Manicurist. – An individual licensed by the Board to practice only that part of cosmetic art that constitutes manicuring.

(14)      Manicurist teacher. – An individual licensed by the Board to teach manicuring.

(14a)    Natural hair care. – A service that results in tension on hair strands or roots by twisting, wrapping, extending, or locking hair by hand or mechanical device. For purposes of this definition, the phrase natural hair care shall include the use of artificial or natural hair.

(14b)    Natural hair care specialist. – An individual licensed certified by the Board to practice only that part of cosmetic art that constitutes natural hair care.

(14c)    Natural hair care teacher. – An individual licensed by the Board to teach natural hair care.

(15)      Shampooing. – The application and removal of commonly used, room temperature, liquid hair cleaning and hair conditioning products. Shampooing does not include the arranging, dressing, waving, coloring, or other treatment of the hair.

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§ 88B‑4.  Powers and duties of the Board.

(a)        The Board shall have the following powers and duties:

(1)        To administer and interpret this Chapter.

(2)        To adopt, amend, and repeal rules to carry out the provisions of this Chapter.

(3)        To examine and determine the qualifications and fitness of applicants for licensure under this Chapter.

(4)        To issue, renew, deny, restrict, suspend, or revoke licenses.

(5)        To conduct investigations of alleged violations of this Chapter or the Board's rules.

(6)        To collect fees required by G.S. 88B‑20 and any other monies permitted by law to be paid to the Board.

(7)        To approve new cosmetic art schools.

(7a)      To adopt rules for cosmetic art schools.

(8)        To inspect cosmetic art schools and shops.

(9)        To adopt rules for the sanitary management and physical requirements of cosmetic art shops and cosmetic art schools.

(10)      To establish a curriculum for each course of study required for the issuance of a license or certification issued under this Chapter.

(11)      To employ an executive director and any additional professional, clerical, or special personnel necessary to carry out the provisions of this Chapter, and to purchase or rent necessary office space, equipment, and supplies.

(12)      To adopt a seal.

(13)      To carry out any other actions authorized by this Chapter.

(b)        A member of the Board shall have the authority to inspect cosmetic art shops and cosmetic art schools at any reasonable hour to determine compliance with the provisions of this Chapter if the inspection is made: (i) at the request of the Board, or with the approval of the chair or the executive director as the result of a complaint made to the Board or a problem reported by an inspector, or (ii) at the request of an inspector who deems it necessary to request the assistance of a Board member and who has the prior approval of the chair or executive director to do so. A Board member who makes an inspection pursuant to this subsection shall file a report with the Board before requesting reimbursement for expenses.

(c)        The Board shall keep a record of its proceedings relating to the issuance, renewal, denial, restriction, suspension, and revocation of licenses. licenses and certifications. This record shall also contain each licensee's name, business and home addresses, license number, and the date the license was issued.

(d)       The Board shall offer or approve a 10‑hour course in infection control for natural hair care specialists. The Board shall make available at least one qualifying course on its website, free of charge.

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§ 88B‑7.  Qualifications for licensing cosmetologists.

The Board shall issue a license to practice as a cosmetologist to any individual who meets all of the following requirements:

(1)        Successful completion of at least 1,500 1,200 hours of a cosmetology curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school, or at least 1,200 hours of a cosmetology curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school and completion of an apprenticeship for a period of at least six months under the direct supervision of a cosmetologist, as certified by sworn affidavit of three licensed cosmetologists or by other evidence satisfactory to the Board.

(2)        Passage of an examination conducted by the Board.

(3)        Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B‑20.

§ 88B‑8.  Qualifications for licensing apprentices.

The Board shall issue a license to practice as an apprentice to any individual who meets all of the following requirements:

(1)        Successful completion of at least 1,200 hours of a cosmetology curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.

(2)        Passage of an examination conducted by the Board.

(3)        Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B‑20.

§ 88B‑8.1.  Qualifications for licensing as a hair designer.

The Board shall issue a license to practice as a hair designer to any individual who meets all of the following requirements:

(1)        Successful completion of at least 900 hours of a hair design curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.

(2)        Passage of an examination conducted by the Board.

(3)        Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B‑20.

§ 88B‑9.  Qualifications for licensing as an esthetician.

The Board shall issue a license to practice as an esthetician to any individual who meets all of the following requirements:

(1)        Successful completion of at least 600 hours of an esthetics curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.school, or, for a licensed hair designer, successful completion of at least 300 hours of an esthetics curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.

(2)        Passage of an examination conducted by the Board.

(3)        Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B‑20.

§ 88B‑10.  Qualifications for licensing manicurists.

The Board shall issue a license to practice as a manicurist to any individual who meets all of the following requirements:

(1)        Successful completion of at least 300 hours of a manicurist curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.school, or, for a licensed hair designer, successful completion of at least 100 hours of a manicurist curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.

(2)        Passage of an examination conducted by the Board.

(3)        Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B‑20.

§ 88B‑10.1.  Qualifications for licensing certifying natural hair care specialists.

The Board shall issue a license to practice as a an infection control certification for a natural hair care specialist to any individual who meets all of the following requirements:

(1)        Successful completion of at least 300 hours of a natural hair care curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.10 hours of an infection control curriculum for natural hair care specialists.

(2)        Passage of an infection control examination conducted by the Board.

(3)        Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B‑20.

§ 88B‑11.  Qualifications for licensing teachers.

(a)        Applicants for any teacher's license issued by the Board shall meet all of the following requirements:

(1)        Possession of a high school diploma or a high school graduation equivalency certificate.

(2)        Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B‑20.

(b)        The Board shall issue a license to practice as a cosmetology teacher to any individual who meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section and who meets all of the following:

(1)        Holds in good standing a cosmetologist license issued by the Board.

(2)        Submits proof of either practice of cosmetic art in a cosmetic art shop, or any Board‑approved employment capacity in the cosmetic arts industry, for a period equivalent to one year of full‑time work immediately prior to application or successful completion of at least 800 500 hours of a teacher curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.

(3)        Passes an examination for teachers conducted by the Board.

(b1)      The Board shall issue a license to practice as a hair design teacher to any individual who meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section and who meets all of the following:

(1)        Holds in good standing a cosmetologist or a hair designer license issued by the Board.

(2)        Submits proof of either of the following:

a.         Practice of hair design in a cosmetic art shop, or any Board‑approved employment capacity in the cosmetic arts industry, for a period equivalent to one year of full‑time work immediately prior to application.

b.         Successful completion of at least 500 hours of a teacher curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.

(3)        Passes an examination for teachers conducted by the Board.

(c)        The Board shall issue a license to practice as an esthetician teacher to any individual who meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section and who meets all of the following:

(1)        Holds in good standing a cosmetologist or an esthetician license issued by the Board.

(2)        Submits proof of either practice as an esthetician in a cosmetic art shop, or any Board‑approved employment capacity in the cosmetic arts industry, for a period equivalent to one year of full‑time work immediately prior to application or successful completion of at least 650 500 hours of a teacher curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.

(3)        Passes an examination for teachers conducted by the Board.

(d)       The Board shall issue a license to practice as a manicurist teacher to any individual who meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section and who meets all of the following:

(1)        Holds in good standing a cosmetologist or manicurist license issued by the Board.

(2)        Submits proof of either practice as a manicurist in a cosmetic art shop, or any Board‑approved employment capacity in the cosmetic arts industry, for a period equivalent to one year of full‑time work immediately prior to application or successful completion of at least 320 hours of a teacher curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.

(3)        Passes an examination for teachers conducted by the Board.

(e)        The Board shall issue a license to practice as a natural hair care teacher to any individual who meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section and who meets all of the following:

(1)        Holds in good standing a natural hair care license issued by the Board.

(2)        Submits proof of either practice as a natural hair care specialist in a cosmetic art shop or any Board‑approved employment capacity in the cosmetic art industry for a period equivalent to one year of full‑time work immediately prior to application or successful completion of at least 320 hours of a teacher curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.

(3)        Passes an examination for teachers conducted by the Board.

§ 88B‑12.  Temporary employment permit; extensions; limits on practice.

(a)        The Board shall issue a temporary employment permit to an applicant for licensure as an apprentice, a cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist who meets all of the following:

(1)        Has completed the required hours of a cosmetic art school curriculum in the area in which the applicant wishes to be licensed.

(2)        Has applied to take the examination within three months of completing the required hours.

(3)        Is qualified to take the examination.

(b)        A temporary employment permit shall expire six months from the date of graduation from a cosmetic art school and shall not be renewed.

(c)        The holder of a temporary employment permit may practice cosmetic art only under the supervision of a licensed cosmetologist, hair designer, manicurist, natural hair care specialist, or esthetician, as appropriate, and may not operate a cosmetic art shop.

§ 88B‑13.  Applicants licensed in other states.

(a)        The Board shall issue a license to an applicant licensed as an apprentice, a cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist in another state if the applicant shows:

(1)        The applicant is an active practitioner in good standing.

(2)        The applicant has practiced at least one of the three years immediately preceding the application for a license.

(3)        There is no disciplinary proceeding or unresolved complaint pending against the applicant at the time a license is to be issued by this State.

(4)        The licensure requirements in the state in which the applicant is licensed are substantially equivalent to those required by this State.

(b)        Instead of meeting the requirements in subsection (a) of this section, any applicant who is licensed as a cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist in another state shall be admitted to practice in this State under the same reciprocity or comity provisions that the state in which the applicant is licensed grants to persons licensed in this State.

(c)        The Board may establish standards for issuing a license to an applicant who is licensed as a teacher in another state. These standards shall include a requirement that the licensure requirements in the state in which the teacher is licensed shall be substantially equivalent to those required in this State and that the applicant shall be licensed by the Board to practice in the area in which the applicant is licensed to teach.

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§ 88B‑15.  Practice outside cosmetic art shops.

(a)        Any individual licensed or certified under this Chapter may visit the residences of individuals who are sick or disabled and confined to their places of residence in order to attend to their cosmetic needs. A licensed or certified individual may also visit hospitals, nursing homes, rest homes, retirement homes, mental institutions, correctional facilities, funeral homes, and similar institutions to attend to the cosmetic needs of those in these institutions.

(b)        An individual licensed or certified under this Chapter may practice in a licensed barbershop as permitted by G.S. 86A‑14.G.S. 86B‑32.

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§ 88B‑18.  Examinations.

(a)        Repealed by Session Laws 2006‑212, s. 2, effective August 8, 2006.

(b)        Each examination shall have both a practical and a written portion.

(c)        Examinations for applicants for apprentice, cosmetologist, hair designer, teacher, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, and manicurist licenses shall be given in at least three locations in the State that are geographically scattered. The examinations shall be administered in Board‑approved facilities.

(d)       An applicant for a cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, manicurist, natural hair care specialist, or teacher's license license, or natural hair care specialist certification, who fails to pass the examination three times may not reapply to take the examination again until after the applicant has successfully completed any additional requirements prescribed by the Board.

§ 88B‑19.  Expired school credits.

No credit shall be approved by the Board if five years or more have elapsed from the date a person enrolled in a cosmetic art school unless the person completed the required number of hours and filed an application to take an examination administered by the Board.

§ 88B‑20.  Fees required.

(a)        The Board may charge the applicant the actual cost of preparation, administration, and grading of examinations for cosmetologists, apprentices, hair designers, manicurists, estheticians, natural hair care specialist, specialists, or teachers, in addition to its other fees.

(b)        The Board may charge application fees as follows:

(1)        Inspection of a newly established cosmetic art shop........................... $ 25.00

(2)        Reciprocity applicant under G.S. 88B‑13............................................ $ 15.00.

(c)        The Board may charge license and certification fees as follows:

(1)        Cosmetologist................................................................. $ 39.00 every 3 years

(2)        Apprentice............................................................................... $ 10.00 per year

(2a)      Hair designer........................................................................... $ 10.00 per year

(3)        Esthetician............................................................................... $ 10.00 per year

(4)        Manicurist................................................................................ $ 10.00 per year

(4a)      Natural hair care specialist...................................................... $ 10.00 per year

(5)        Teacher........................................................................... $ 10.00 every 2 years

(6)        Cosmetic art shop per active booth........................................... $ 3.00 per year

(7)        Cosmetic art school................................................................. $ 50.00 per year

(8)        Duplicate license.................................................................................... $ 1.00.

(d)       The Board may require payment of late fees and reinstatement fees as follows:

(1)....... Apprentice, cosmetologist, Cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, manicurist,

            natural hair care specialist, and teacher late renewal........................... $ 10.00

(2)        Cosmetic art schools and shops late renewal....................................... $ 10.00

(3)        Reinstatement – cosmetic art schools and shops................................. $ 25.00.

(e)        The Board may prorate fees as appropriate.

§ 88B‑21.  Renewals; expired licenses; inactive status.

(a)        Each license to operate a cosmetic art shop shall be renewed on or before the first day of February of each year. As provided in G.S. 88B‑20, a late fee shall be charged for licenses renewed after February 1. Any license not renewed by March 1 of each year shall expire. A cosmetic art shop whose license has been expired for one year or less shall have the license reinstated immediately upon payment of the reinstatement fee, the late fee, and all unpaid license fees. The licensee shall submit to the Board, as a part of the renewal process, a list of all licensed cosmetologists who practice cosmetic art in the shop and shall identify each as an employee or a booth renter.

(b)        Cosmetologist licenses shall be renewed on or before October 1 every three years beginning October 1, 1998. A late fee shall be charged for renewals after that date. Any license not renewed shall expire on October 1 of the year that renewal is required. The Board may develop and implement a plan for staggered license renewal and may prorate license fees to implement such a plan.

(c)        Apprentice, Hair designer, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, and manicurist licenses or certifications shall be renewed annually on or before October 1 of each year. A late fee shall be charged for the renewal of licenses or certifications after that date. Any license or certification not renewed shall expire on October 1 of that year.

(d)       Teacher licenses shall be renewed every two years on or before October 1. A late fee shall be charged for the renewal of licenses after that date. Any license not renewed shall expire on October 1 of that year.

(e)        Prior to renewal of a certification or license, a teacher, cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist shall annually complete eight four hours of Board‑approved continuing education for each year of the licensing cycle. A cosmetologist may complete up to 24 hours 12 hours of required continuing education at any time within the cosmetologist's three‑year licensing cycle. Licensees shall submit written documentation to the Board showing that they have satisfied the requirements of this subsection. A licensee who is in active practice as a cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist, has practiced for at least 10 consecutive years in that profession, and is 60 years of age or older does not have to meet the continuing education requirements of this subsection. A licensee who is in active practice as a cosmetologist cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist and has at least 20 consecutive years of experience as a cosmetologist, does not have to meet the continuing education requirements of this subsection, but shall report any continuing education classes completed to the Board, whether the continuing education classes are Board‑approved or not. Promotion of products and systems shall be allowed at continuing education given in‑house or at trade shows. Continuing education classes may also be offered in secondary languages as needed. No member of the Board may offer continuing education courses as required by this section.

(f)        If an apprentice, a cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, manicurist, natural hair care specialist, or teacher fails to renew his or her license or certification within five years following the expiration date, the licensee shall be required to pass an examination as prescribed by the Board before the license will be reinstated.

(g)        Cosmetic art school licenses shall be renewed on or before October 1 of each year. A late fee shall be charged for licenses renewed after that date. Any license not renewed by November 1 of that year shall expire. A cosmetic art school whose license has been expired for one year or less shall have its license reinstated upon payment of the reinstatement fee, the late fee, and all unpaid license fees.

(h)        Upon request by a licensee for inactive status, the Board may place the licensee's name on the inactive list so long as the licensee is in good standing with the Board. An inactive licensee is not required to complete continuing education requirements. An inactive licensee shall not practice cosmetic art for consideration. However, the inactive licensee may continue to purchase supplies as accorded an active licensee. When the inactive licensee desires to be removed from the inactive list and return to active practice, the inactive licensee shall notify the Board of his or her desire to return to active status and pay the required fee as determined by the Board. As a condition of returning to active status, the Board may require the licensee to complete eight to 24 hours of continuing education pursuant to subsection (e) of this section.

§ 88B‑22.  Licenses and certifications required; criminal penalty.

(a)        Except as provided in this Chapter, no person may practice or attempt to practice cosmetic art for pay or reward in any form, either directly or indirectly, without being licensed or certified as an apprentice, a cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist by the Board.

(b)        Except as provided in this Chapter, no person may practice cosmetic art or any part of cosmetic art, for pay or reward in any form, either directly or indirectly, outside of a licensed cosmetic art shop.

(c)        No person may open or operate a cosmetic art shop in this State unless a license has been issued by the Board for that shop.

(d)       An individual certified or licensed as an esthetician, hair designer, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist may practice only that part of cosmetic art for which the individual is certified or licensed.

(d1)     No person may teach cosmetic art in a Board‑approved cosmetic art school unless the person is a teacher licensed under this Chapter. A guest lecturer may be exempt from the requirements of this subsection upon approval by the Board.

(e)        An apprentice licensed under the provisions of this Chapter shall apprentice under the direct supervision of a cosmetologist. An apprentice shall not operate a cosmetic art shop.

(f)        A violation of this Chapter is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

§ 88B‑23.  Licenses and certifications to be posted.

(a)        Every apprentice, cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, manicurist, natural hair care specialist, and teacher licensed under this Chapter shall display the certificate of license issued by the Board within the shop in which the person works.

(b)        Every certificate of license to operate a cosmetic art shop or school shall be conspicuously posted in the shop or school for which it is issued.

(c)        Every natural hair care specialist shall conspicuously display the infection control certification issued by the Board at any place where the natural hair care specialist is practicing natural hair care.

§ 88B‑24.  Revocation of licenses and other disciplinary measures.

The Board may restrict, suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue, renew, or reinstate any license for any of the following:

(1)        Conviction of a felony shown by certified copy of the record of the court of conviction.

(2)        Gross malpractice or gross incompetency as determined by the Board.

(3)        Advertising by means of knowingly false or deceptive statements.

(4)        Permitting any individual to practice cosmetic art without a license license, infection control certification, or temporary employment permit, with an expired license or temporary employment permit, or with an invalid license license, infection control certification, or temporary employment permit.

(5)        Obtaining or attempting to obtain a license for money or other thing of value other than the required fee or by fraudulent misrepresentation.

(6)        Practicing or attempting to practice by fraudulent misrepresentation.

(7)        Willful failure to display a certificate of license or an infection control certification as required by G.S. 88B‑23.

(8)        Willful violation of the rules adopted by the Board.

(9)        Violation of G.S. 86A‑15 G.S. 86B‑31 by a cosmetologist, hair designer, esthetician, natural hair care specialist, or manicurist licensed or certified by the Board and practicing cosmetic art in a barber shop.

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SECTION 2.  G.S. 86B‑32 reads as rewritten:

§ 86B‑32.  Persons exempt from the provisions of this Article.

The following persons are exempt from the provisions of this Article while engaged in the proper discharge of their duties:

(1)        Persons authorized under the laws of the State to practice medicine and surgery, and those working under their supervision.

(2)        Commissioned medical or surgical officers of the United States Army or other components of the Armed Forces of the United States, and those working under their supervision.

(3)        Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses and those working under their supervision.

(4)        Licensed embalmers and funeral directors and those working under their supervision.

(5)        Persons who are working in licensed cosmetic shops or beauty schools and are licensed or certified by the State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners pursuant to Chapter 88B of the General Statutes.

(6)        Persons who are working in barbershops and are licensed or certified by the State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners pursuant to Chapter 88B of the General Statutes, provided that those persons shall comply with G.S. 86B‑31.

(7)        Inmates under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

(8)        Persons who are employed by barbershops and whose duties are expressly confined to the shampooing or blow drying of hair, provided that the person shall comply with G.S. 86B‑31.

SECTION 3.(a)  Transition from Licenses to Certifications. – The following provisions shall govern the transition from natural hair care specialist licenses previously required for practice under Chapter 88B of the General Statutes to infection control certifications for natural hair care specialists under this act:

(1)        Automatic conversion. – All individuals holding valid natural hair care specialist licenses issued by the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners as of October 1, 2026, shall automatically be deemed to hold the equivalent infection control certification under Chapter 88B of the General Statutes, as amended by this act, without further examination, application, fees, or additional qualification requirements. The Board shall provide any individual who is deemed to hold an infection control certification under this subsection with an infection control certification free of charge.

(2)        Pending applications. – Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any application for a natural hair care specialist license submitted to the Board prior to October 1, 2026, and still pending on that date shall be granted as an infection control certification if the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

a.         Successful completion of at least 300 hours of a natural hair care curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school.

b.         Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B‑20.

SECTION 3.(b)  Transition from Apprentice Licenses to Cosmetologist Licenses. – The following provisions shall govern the transition from apprentice licenses previously required for practice under Chapter 88B of the General Statutes to cosmetologist licenses under this act:

(1)        Automatic conversion. – All individuals holding apprentice licenses issued by the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners as of October 1, 2026, shall automatically be deemed to hold a cosmetologist license without further examination, application, fees, or additional qualification requirements.

(2)        Pending applications. – Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any application for an apprentice license submitted to the Board prior to October 1, 2026, and still pending on that date shall be granted as a cosmetologist license if the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

a.         Successful completion of at least 1,000 hours of a cosmetology curriculum in an approved cosmetic art school, as certified by sworn affidavit of three licensed cosmetologists or by other evidence satisfactory to the Board.

b.         Passage of an examination conducted by the Board.

c.         Payment of the fees required by G.S. 88B‑20.

(3)        Renewal of licenses. – Upon expiration of an apprentice license, the Board shall permit individuals to renew their credential as a cosmetologist license without resubmission or additional qualifications.

SECTION 3.(c)  Rulemaking. – The North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this act. The Board shall prominently post on its publicly available website information about all of the following:

(1)        The elimination of the apprentice license and transition to cosmetologist licensure.

(2)        The elimination of the natural hair care specialist license and transition to certification.

(3)        The requirement for completion of the infection control course for newly certified natural hair care specialists.

(4)        Clear instructions for accessing at least one free Board‑approved infection control course that satisfies the requirements for infection control certification for natural hair care specialists.

SECTION 3.(d)  Rulemaking. – The North Carolina Board of Barber and Electrolysis Examiners may adopt rules to implement Section 2 of this act.

SECTION 4.  Sections 1 and 2 of this act become effective October 1, 2026. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.