PCC Now Offering Written Portion of State Cosmetology Exam

WINTERVILLE—Eastern North Carolina residents pursuing cosmetology careers no longer have as far to travel to take state licensing exams, because the testing is now offered at Pitt Community College.

According to PCC Placement Testing Coordinator Crissy Stewart, Pitt is now offering the written portion of licensing exams needed for becoming a cosmetologist, esthetician, natural hair care specialist and/or nail technician. She said testing is available to current students and members of the community who meet exam eligibility requirements.

“Offering the exam at PCC for our cosmetology students and those from surrounding communities means they won’t have to drive as far as the Raleigh area or further to take their exams,” Stewart said. “North Carolina’s test sites are in Boone, Cary, Durham, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Wilmington and, since the beginning of January, Winterville.”

The North Carolina cosmetology written exam is a 90-minute test. There is also a cosmetology practical exam students must complete that is four to five hours long. Students who pass both exams may apply for a license from the North Carolina State Board of Cosmetology.

Stewart said the computer-based written exam is being administered in the PCC Testing Center, which is located in the Ed & Joan Warren Building on Pitt’s main campus. She said test-takers came from places like Goldsboro and Raleigh for the very first exam administered at PCC on Jan. 11, and the feedback they provided was positive.

“The students who tested with us said they were glad they didn’t have to drive as far for the exam, especially with the cost of gas,” Stewart said. “We’re super excited to be able to provide this service, and we are looking at adding more test dates in the future, as well as weekend testing opportunities.”

Students who qualify for the state licensing exam can register and pay for it by visiting https://provexam.com/scheduler/. “The cost of the exam is $84, and the registration and payment steps are handled by ProV Exams,” Stewart said. “PCC does not handle that part of the process.”

Prior to registering for the exam, students can visit https://provexam.com/tutorials/ for step-by-step videos on how to schedule the test, test-taking tips, and general information on the exam.

For more details about testing at PCC, students may contact Stewart at (252) 493-7561 or cystewart999@my.pittcc.edu.

01/20/2023