After getting your cosmetology licence in North Carolina, you still have to put in the effort to keep it active. The most important part of this is taking continuing education (CE) courses. But life can be hectic at times. When you thought you had enough time to complete the CE course and submit your renewal application before the deadline, a lot might happen along the way, so you end up doing nothing.
After missing the window to take your CE course, the big question that comes up is whether you are still good to renew your cosmetology licence. Here’s what you should know.
There Is a Non-Negotiable Rule You Can’t Work Around
In North Carolina, like many other states, one rule is very clear. You can’t fully renew an active cosmetology licence without completing the required continuing education. You have three years to complete 24 hours of CE, which comes to 8 hours per year. And while 8 hours in more than 300 days looks quite manageable, life is still unpredictable.
Not only that, but some courses can ruin your chances of success because they aren’t created with simplicity in mind. Luckily, top providers like RocketCert offer NC Cosmetology License Renewal courses that are not only easier but also fun to complete.
Either way, you must keep in mind that there isn’t another option when it comes to meeting the CE requirements. You must complete the continuing education course to renew your licence successfully. There is also no shortcut through paid providers or ‘fast track approvals’. In truth, the NC Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners warns against taking courses that are marketed as special or mandatory.
This means only one thing: If you missed your CE, then your renewal is effectively incomplete until you complete the course.
Why Do Some Professionals Miss CE Knowingly?
You might think that every cosmetologist who fails to complete their CE course on time does so because life got busy. But did you know that some professionals knowingly miss their CE? Here’s why. North Carolina doesn’t require cosmetologists to submit their proof of CE completion with the renewal application.
The only time you are required to submit proof that you completed your CE course is during an audit. This is where some cosmetologists see a “gap”. They think it would be a good idea to submit their renewal application and then catch up on CE later.
Theoretically, this sounds like a good plan, but in practice, it can land you in trouble. Remember, you are legally supposed to have completed your CE before or by the time you submit the renewal application, even though the board won’t immediately ask you to prove it. If audited and you can’t show proof, you risk penalties or issues with your licence status.
So, Back To the Main Question, Can You Still Renew?
This is what you came here for. Technically, yes, you can still move forward with the application, but don’t, if you know you can’t correct the gap quickly. If you realise you missed CE before the renewal deadline, you are a tad lucky. You can complete the required hours immediately and then renew.
If, however, the deadline for renewal is close and you think you can’t complete the course on time, your best bet would be to settle for a late renewal. However, keep in mind that late renewals attract a late fee. Still, it is worth taking this direction rather than leaving your licence inactive.
Cases When You Won’t Need CE
You probably didn’t know this, but some exceptions can change your situation entirely. You are exempt from continuing education if:
- You are 60 or older with 10 years or more of continuous experience
- You have gained 20 years of consecutive experience working as a cosmetologist
But there is a caveat: You must formally apply for the exemption.
Avoid Late Renewals With RockerCert
Missing the continuing education requirements for cosmetology in North Carolina doesn’t mean you are out of moves. Still, it’s better to know, as early as now, that ignoring or delaying your CE course isn’t, at all, a good idea.
Luckily, RocketCert makes this journey easier for you. Thanks to their expertly written and fully narrated courses, you can continue your education effortlessly. So, visit rocketcert.com today to start.
