What do I need to do to become a Cosmetology Instructor?

*If you are currently a Cosmetology Instructor in South Carolina and are wondering: How do I get the Cosmetology Instructor CE hours to renew my license? You can do that online, right HERE!

If you or someone you know has a passion to teach others, you may want to consider making it official by becoming an Instructor. Our industry needs great teachers for the upcoming generation of Cosmetologists. How do you become a Cosmetology Instructor in South Carolina? What are the requirements to become a Cosmetology Instructor in South Carolina? Now these requirements of course also apply to South Carolina Esthetics Instructors ans well as those desiring to become a Nail Technician Instructor. All of these fall under the Board of Cosmetology. 

Well, first of all, having your regular Cosmetology, Nail Technician or Esthetician license for two or more years will automatically advance your process for application. If you do not have at least two years of licensure, you will be required to complete 750 hours under an Instructor training program in a Cosmetology School. This will slow you down a bit, and it may be better to wait the full two years unless you have been licensed less than one year, or can afford to attend Cosmetology school for 40 hours per week to knock it out in about 5 months. 

Once you have the required two years of licensure or have completed the 750 hour course, you will also be required to take and successfully complete a Board approved Methods of Teaching course with one of the many approved teachers of the course. How long is the Methods of Teaching course requirement in South Carolina? 45 hours of (in person only) instruction. You must attend a course by one of the approved teachers to qualify. 

After completing the 45 hour Methods of Teaching course, you can then go on to take your written and practical exams to become an Instructor in South Carolina! Once you pass both the written and practical Instructor exams, congratulations!! You made it! 

Here are the official rules from the state laws:

35–4. Instructor Qualifications; Applications.

(A) A license to teach cosmetology, nail technology or esthetics may be issued by the board to any person who:

(1) submits an application for an instructor’s license on a form prescribed by the board; and
(2) holds a high school diploma or a General Education Development (G.E.D.) certificate; and
(3) is a licensed cosmetologist, nail technician or esthetician and has practiced for at least two years

or, after receiving a cosmetologist, nail technician or esthetician license, has completed a seven hundred fifty (750) hour instructor training program meeting the standards of 35–4(B); and

(4) has received forty-five (45) hours training in a teaching methods course approved by the board; and

(5) pays the prescribed fee; and
(6) passes the instructor’s examination prescribed by the board;