North Carolina Cosmetic Art Act, Board Rules and Regulations
The framework
The Cosmetic Art Act, Chapter 88B of the North Carolina General Statutes, creates the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners and defines the practice of cosmetic art, including cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring, and natural hair care. The Act sets licensing authority and grounds for discipline; the Board's rules fill in sanitation, school, licensing, and inspection detail. Know that the Board - not the health department - is the licensing authority, although local health rules also apply.
Core obligations
- Practice only within your license. A manicurist performs nail services; hair and skin services belong to other licensees.
- A license is personal. It cannot be lent, borrowed, or covered by someone else's supervision.
- Display your license as required and work only in a properly licensed establishment.
- Meet sanitation standards and submit to Board inspections.
- Cooperate with the Board, respond to notices, and keep your contact information current.
Grounds for discipline
Unlicensed practice, allowing an unlicensed person to practice, unsanitary conditions, fraud or misrepresentation, practicing outside scope, and impairment on the job are typical grounds. Penalties can include reprimand, fine, suspension, or revocation.
Traps
- "My coworker's license covers the station" - false; licenses are individual.
- "The owner is responsible, not me" - both the licensee and the establishment can be cited.
- Advertising or implying services you are not licensed to perform is a violation.
Worked example
A client asks for eyebrow waxing at your nail station. Waxing is an esthetic service; unless you hold that license, you decline and refer.