Coming Soon!

NIC is excited to announce the release of three Best Practices Examinations! These exams will cater to various needs:

  • Compliance Guidance
  • Pre-Licensing Guidance
  • Continuing Education Guidance

Stay tuned, as these valuable resources will soon be available for purchase!

It’s Here! Obtain your NIC National Exam Certificate with NIC pass results today!

National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology

70th Annual Conference
October 17-20, 2025
Click on the photo below for details

Aurie J. Gosnell Scholarship 2025

Accepting Applications for the Aurie J. Gosnell Scholarship Award

March 15 – May 31, 2025!

Join Our National Database Fireside Chat
Tuesday, March 25th at 2 PM EST

In 30 minutes, you’ll learn the differences between the National Database and the Cosmetology Compact, how easy our process is, and the low cost of involvement.

Promote the National Exam Certificate to your applicants using NIC’s pre-approved language. Our National Exam Certificate Toolkit provides you with graphics and pre-approved language that you can copy and paste however you’d like (website, newsletters, and more!).
Download the toolkit to get started.

Legislative Tracker for NIC Members Stay informed with the latest legislative updates!

  • New Bills Filed: Track the newest legislative proposals.
  • Hearing Notices: Be the first to know about upcoming hearings.
  • Daily Updates: Information refreshed every day to keep you in the loop.

NIC is your one-stop resource for easy access to comprehensive information regarding testing, regulation and advocacy.

Legislative Information

Reciprocity

Sunrise  /  Sunset

Human Trafficking

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Informational Links

Testimonials

NIC has been working diligently to become the primary source verifier for all states that license the professions of cosmetology, barbering, nail technology, esthetics, and electrology. In partnership with Certemy, NIC has developed a database which will assist state licensing boards in their efforts to efficiently identify applicants, the licenses they hold in various states and the exam they completed. It’s exciting to see this level of support for professions that have multiple licensing standards across the country because it will expedite licensure while reducing fraud and identity theft.

Venus Vendoures Walsh, MPA,CPM, Board Executive, Division of Licensing, Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing

I am proud of the longstanding relationship between Milady and the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology. NIC’s focus on professionalizing the organization and collaborating across all states to share best practices strengthens the beauty industry and helps us all push the industry forward.

Sandra Bruce, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Milady

As a recently appointed Executive Director as of November 2022, one of the first items as part of our agenda, was to get involved in the national organizations that provide forums for the cosmetology industry, schools, and the regulatory agencies to discuss and collaborate toward common goals of protecting the health and safety of the public, and educating the industry on regulatory requirements and best safety practices.  The National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) met this standard.  I sincerely appreciate this organization coordinating the forum to exchange vital information important to all stakeholders in our ultimate roles and teamwork in protecting the public.

Steven D. McDonald, Esq., MBA, Executive Director, Nevada State Board of Cosmetology

As a new Executive Director in 2021 it was my understanding that NIC was simply our national exam resource.   My only expectation was to work with our testing provider ensuring we were using the national exam to test all of our potential licensees in Missouri.   Since I became involved with NIC in 2022 I have learned that this organization has become so much more.  The work of the organization to make available national data through the National Data Bank is something that we are very excited about in Missouri.   It is a great tool we are using for applicants wanting to move to Missouri and apply for licensure through reciprocity.  As more states participate in this service it will be even more beneficial.  We anticipate being able to share Missouri information in that data bank in the near future.  I appreciate so much the work of this organization and appreciate that it is a trusted resource for data.   The work that is done to promote collaboration in the industry is to be commended.   Thank you for supporting our states and in particular my appreciation for the support that has been afforded to the state of Missouri and me personally as a new Executive Director.

Karla Johansen, Executive Director, Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, Division of Professional Registration

NIC seeks to unite every state in the “United States” around the need for standardized testing requirements and consistent legal guidelines in the practice of cosmetology and associated fields. NIC provides access to information about how other states are addressing these issues; and we offer a forum for the exchange of ideas between states.

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