2026 con ed class delivery methods
In Person
In Person
In Person
In-Person Classes
NSHA’s in-person continuing education courses provide a structured, interactive learning environment that encourages discussion, engagement, and real-time instruction. These classes allow participants to ask questions, share experiences, and receive direct guidance from the instructor. In-person courses are ideal for h
In-Person Classes
NSHA’s in-person continuing education courses provide a structured, interactive learning environment that encourages discussion, engagement, and real-time instruction. These classes allow participants to ask questions, share experiences, and receive direct guidance from the instructor. In-person courses are ideal for hands-on learning, regulatory clarification, and professional networking. YOU MUST LET ME KNOW THAT YOU WILL BE ATTENDING IN PERSON WHEN YOU REGISTER/ PRIOR TO CLASS.
Webinar
In Person
In Person
Live Webinar Classes
NSHA’s live webinar courses are delivered in real time using approved virtual platforms. This format allows participants to attend scheduled classes remotely while maintaining instructor interaction, live discussion, and attendance verification. Webinar courses provide the benefits of live instruction with added conv
Live Webinar Classes
NSHA’s live webinar courses are delivered in real time using approved virtual platforms. This format allows participants to attend scheduled classes remotely while maintaining instructor interaction, live discussion, and attendance verification. Webinar courses provide the benefits of live instruction with added convenience and accessibility for professionals across the state.
On Line
In Person
On Line
Online (Pre-Recorded) Classes
NSHA’s online courses are pre-recorded, board-approved continuing education programs that allow participants to complete coursework at their own pace and on their own schedule. These courses include structured content, learning objectives, and required assessments to ensure comprehension and compliance. Onli
Online (Pre-Recorded) Classes
NSHA’s online courses are pre-recorded, board-approved continuing education programs that allow participants to complete coursework at their own pace and on their own schedule. These courses include structured content, learning objectives, and required assessments to ensure comprehension and compliance. Online delivery offers maximum flexibility while maintaining educational quality and regulatory standards.
2026 con ed exemptions
who needs to attend the CEs
who is exempt from CEs?
In 2006, NSHA successfully led and advanced legislation in South Carolina that created a Continuing Education (CE) exemption for certain long-standing, compliant licensees. This law allows qualified individuals to be exempt from attending a 4-hour CE class as a condition of license renewal.
To qualify, the licensee must:
- Have never allowed their license to lapse, and
- Have no disciplinary history with the South Carolina State Board of Cosmetology, and
- Meet one of the following criteria:
- Age 50+ and licensed 30+ years, or
- Age 60+ and licensed 15+ years.
- Age 50+ and licensed 30+ years, or
This exemption applies only to the CE attendance requirement. It does not exempt anyone from renewing their license. All licensees must still renew on time.
This reform was pursued to recognize the professionalism and compliance history of veteran licensees, while maintaining public protection through continued licensure and renewal requirements.
what class do you need
Nail Technicians, Estheticians and Cosmetologists Classes
Webinars & In Person
- SC Licensing Rights & Responsibilities
- The Beauty Business 360
Online (pre-recorded)
- Aromatherapy for Your Health
Instructors Classes
Webinars & In Person
- Connected but Protected Cyber Safety for Beauty Educators
- AI Advantage: Smart Tools for Today's Instructors
Online (pre-recorded)
- 21st Century Methods of Learning & Teaching
All CEs are 4 hrs in length.
how do I register?
How to Register
Registration for Nails, Skin & Hair of America (NSHA) continuing education courses is straightforward and accessible.
- Select Your Course Format
Choose from In-Person, Live Webinar, or Online (Pre-Recorded) continuing education options based on availability and your preferred learning format.
- Complete Registration & Make Payment
Register through the NSHA website or designated registration platform by completing the required enrollment information.
Course fees must be paid in full at the time of registration unless otherwise noted. Special pricing may apply for members or approved promotions.
- Attend and/or Complete the Course
- In-Person: Attend the scheduled class at the designated location.
- Live Webinar: Log in at the scheduled date and time and participate for the full duration.
- Online: Complete the course content and any required assessments within the allotted timeframe
- In-Person: Attend the scheduled class at the designated location.
Verification & Reporting Upon successful completion, NSHA submits continuing education verification to the University of South Carolina on behalf of the participant in accordance with South Carolina State Board of Cosmetology requirements.
Important Notes
- CE-Exempt Licensees: Individuals who qualify for a CE exemption under South Carolina law are not required to attend a CE class, but must still renew their license.
- Attendance Verification: Full participation is required for CE credit in all formats.
- Refunds & Transfers: There is a Strict No Refund policy. You can transfer your money to another class for a small fee.
why choose NSHA
Regulatory Accuracy
What distinguishes these courses is a firm commitment to regulatory accuracy. Chesley attends everything; board meetings, task force meetings, hearings, and legislation, Course content is developed and delivered using current, enforceable laws and regulations, not assumptions, outdated practices, or industry rumor. Instruction is grounded in primary regulatory sources, including statutes, board regulations, administrative guidance, and real-world enforcement standards.
These courses go beyond surface-level rule review by explaining how regulations are applied in practice, what inspectors and boards actually look for, and where licensees most often encounter compliance issues. Scope of practice, sanitation requirements, documentation standards, and professional responsibility are addressed with precision and clarity, helping licensees understand not only what the rules say, but how to comply with them confidently.
When regulations are unclear, evolving, or inconsistently enforced, this is stated transparently. Licensees are taught how to identify regulatory gray areas, minimize risk, and make informed decisions until formal clarification is issued. Education is clearly separated from authorization to practice, ensuring participants understand that learning about a topic does not expand their legal scope of practice.
The result is Continuing Education that protects the public, safeguards professional licenses, and empowers practitioners with accurate, practical, and responsible regulatory knowledge—rather than misinformation or false assurances.
why choose NSHA
Real Enforcement Context
What “Real Enforcement Context” Means in Continuing Education
Real enforcement context refers to teaching regulations as they are actually applied, inspected, cited, and enforced, rather than as they appear in isolation on paper. It bridges the gap between written law and day-to-day regulatory reality.
In your CE courses, real enforcement context is delivered in the following ways:
1. How Inspectors Apply the Rules
Licensees are taught:
- What inspectors are trained to look for first
- How inspection checklists are prioritized
- Which violations commonly trigger citations, fines, or corrective actions
- Which issues are typically documented as warnings versus formal violations
This prepares licensees for actual inspections, not theoretical compliance.
2. Enforcement vs. Assumption
Many licensees rely on:
- “We’ve always done it this way”
- Vendor or manufacturer claims
- What another salon or school allows
Real enforcement context corrects this by explaining:
- What is explicitly allowed
- What is explicitly prohibited
- What is commonly cited even if widely practiced
- What practices persist in the industry but remain non-compliant
3. Pattern-Based Compliance Education
Rather than focusing on isolated rules, your courses identify patterns of enforcement, such as:
- Repeated sanitation violations involving tools, surfaces, or storage
- Documentation errors that lead to citations
- Scope-of-practice misunderstandings that result in disciplinary action
- Improper use of products or devices due to regulatory misinterpretation
Understanding patterns allows licensees to prevent violations before they occur.
4. Gray Areas and Regulatory Silence
When regulations are:
- Vague
- Silent on a specific practice
- Inconsistently enforced
Your courses address this honestly by teaching:
- How boards typically interpret those areas
- What enforcement history suggests
- How to reduce risk until formal guidance is issued
- Why “not specifically prohibited” does not equal “approved
This protects licensees from accidental noncompliance.
5. Documentation & Corrective Action Expectations
Real enforcement context includes:
- What inspectors expect to see documented
- How to correct violations properly
- When corrective actions are sufficient vs. when escalation occurs
- How compliance history affects future inspections
Licensees learn how to respond professionally and effectively if an issue is identified.
6. Enforcement Is About Public Protection
Courses emphasize that enforcement is not arbitrary—it is tied to:
- Infection control
- Client safety
- Practitioner accountability
- Risk reduction
By understanding enforcement priorities, licensees align their practice with the public-protection mission of the board.
why choose NSHA
Industry Survival Focus
What “Industry Survival Focus” Means in Continuing Education
Industry survival focus refers to an educational approach that prepares licensed professionals to remain viable, compliant, and employable in a rapidly changing regulatory, economic, and legislative environment. It goes beyond technical skill development and addresses the systemic risks that threaten the profession as a whole.
In your CE courses, industry survival focus is expressed through the following elements:
1. Protecting Licensure in a High-Risk Climate
Courses emphasize:
- Understanding evolving regulations and enforcement priorities
- Avoiding common compliance failures that lead to discipline or license loss
- Recognizing how small violations accumulate into larger regulatory consequences
Licensees are taught that license protection is career protection.
2. Addressing Deregulation and Scope Erosion
An industry survival focus includes education on:
- Legislative efforts that weaken licensing standards
- Expansion of unlicensed or minimally regulated services
- Scope-of-practice erosion that undermines professional credibility
Courses explain how these forces impact:
- Public trust
- Professional authority
- Economic sustainability of licensed practice
3. Public Safety as the Foundation of Industry Legitimacy
Your courses reinforce that:
- Sanitation, infection control, and ethical compliance are not optional
- Public protection is the legal justification for licensure
- Failure to uphold standards invites external regulation or deregulation
By framing compliance as a collective responsibility, licensees understand their role in protecting the profession’s future.
4. Economic Survival Through Compliance Literacy
Courses address:
- The financial consequences of regulatory violations
- Business disruption caused by inspections, fines, or closures
- How compliance strengthens business stability and consumer confidence
Regulatory literacy becomes a business survival skill, not just a legal requirement.
5. Preparing for Industry Change, Not Just Current Rules
Industry survival focus includes:
- Monitoring legislative and regulatory trends
- Anticipating shifts in board authority or enforcement models
- Preparing licensees for future compliance expectations
Rather than reacting to change, licensees are taught how to adapt strategically.
6. Unity, Professionalism, and Collective Accountability
Courses emphasize that:
- Individual behavior affects the entire profession
- Widespread noncompliance invites stricter oversight
- Professional unity strengthens regulatory standing
This reinforces that survival is not individual—it is industry-wide.