posted on: January 13, 2025
In December 2024, the Board of Cosmetology (Board) published an emergency rule in the South Carolina State Register (page 5) temporarily increasing the state’s minimum-hour requirement to receive an esthetics license from 400 hours to 600. ASCP explains why the state is taking this important measure and breaks down the new 600-hour curriculum for you below. Note: While the rule is now effective and technically temporary, you should anticipate the state making this a permanent change.
Why Is This Happening?
The temporary increase in training hours is a result of changes that were issued in the federal Gainful Employment rules in fall 2023. The change meant that as of July 1, 2024, aid-eligible schools could no longer offer esthetics programs in excess of the 400-hour state requirement and still maintain federal aid eligibility. Federal funding requires schools to offer a minimum of 600 hours to maintain eligibility. So, the purpose of the emergency rule is to preserve access to federal funding for esthetics students until the South Carolina legislature reconvenes in 2025.
What’s the Plan Moving Forward?
In 2024, the South Carolina legislature introduced multiple bills that addressed esthetics licensure and attempted to increase hour requirements; however, none of the bills were successful. The Board was approached by the State House of Representatives, requesting the emergency rule described above as a temporary solution until the legislature reconvenes to reconsider increasing esthetics licensing hour requirements. ASCP will keep you posted as future bills are introduced this legislative session.
The 600-Hour Esthetics Program
The emergency rule amends the esthetics curriculum as follows:
- Professional Practices: 50 hours (no change)
- Sciences: 130 hours (previously 120 hours)
- Facial Treatments: 175 hours (previously 125 hours)
- Hair Removal: 60 hours (previously 50 hours)
- Makeup, Eyelash, and Eyebrow: 100 hours (previously 50 hours)
- Makeup procedures (new)
- Eyelash extensions (new)
- Eyelash perming (new)
- Eyebrow lamination (new)
- Body Wraps: 40 hours (no change)
- State Law, Rules, Regulations, and Codes: 15 hours (no change)
- Unassigned—Specific Needs: 30 hours (new)
Effective Date: November 12, 2024
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