Certification and exams

Elevate your career today. Be a certified beauty professional with proven expertise.

You’ve completed your training, and it’s time to be recognized as the qualified beauty professional that you are.

Passing the BeautyCouncil Certificate of Qualification exam earns you the internationally recognized Certified Cosmetology Professional (CCP) designation. Demonstrate your expertise and the professional standard of your services to clients, employers and peers — and stand apart from the untrained workforce operating in our industry!

Questions? See the exam Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below.

Tap here to see the exam schedule

If you do not see an exam listed and want more information, fill out this form

When new exams dates are posted, we will send you an email. This applies to both full exams and retakes of either practical or theory.

Before you register for the exam

Become a BeautyCouncil member and get a $100 discount on your exam
  • Join BeautyCouncil as a member. You will not only realize the benefits of belonging to the association, but you will also save $100 (includes GST) on the exam itself. While this is not mandatory, we highly suggest it before you register for the exam.

Once you have registered for your exam

Download the Exam Requirements documentation and checklist
  • Esthetics (PDF) – updated Aug. 16, 2021
  • Hairstyling (PDF) – updated April 4, 2022
  • Barbering (PDF) – updated Sept. 28, 2021
  • Waxing (PDF)
  • Nails (PDF) – updated Feb 9, 2022
 Have your documentation ready to send to us
  • For education requirements, this needs to be a diploma, certificate, or other proof of education from Canada or any other country around the world.
  • For experience requirements, this includes proof of hours worked from Canada or any other country around the world.
  • Submit your documents here.
Study in advance
  • Many people who take the exams study before the exam to have the best chance of getting their certificate on the first try. Either refer to your textbooks and notes from your education or purchase the recommended textbooks from Milady at this link.
Bring your documents to the exam
  • For identification, one of these government issued documents: Driver’s License, Identity Card, Passport, or Birth Certificate.
  • Any items listed in the “Exam Requirements” links above.

Exam FAQ

Esthetics, Hairdressing, Barbering, Nail Technician, and Waxing Technician.

You will need to provide proof of education and hours worked from Canada or any other country around the world.

Check for specifics on your Exam Requirement Document for the exam specific to you.

As a self-employed person, you would have paid taxes on your earnings, or charged GST over a certain income level if you worked in Canada. A copy of your tax return, specifically line 284 – 289 from your tax return which identifies the type of work you obtained your income from. Please note this page is kept in confidence with our association, transmitted to us via an encrypted link, and protected by our Privacy Policy.

Dates with openings will be on our website page for certifications.

Yes, you must sign up first as a member to process access to the registration pages. If you choose to not become a member, there is a $100 non-member additional administrative fee per exam.

The Theory exam: At the exam venue, you will take our multiple choice theory exam. 

The Practical exam: At the exam venue, you will perform the practical exam and be graded by our examiner. 

You must bring your own products and equipment to complete all exam services as listed on the Exam Requirement document. Products must be approved for sale in Canada (for example, they must have English and French on the label, including metric measurements).
Borrowing is prohibited.
No exceptions will be made for these requirements.

Yes. Models must not be beauty school students, beauty professionals, or be working or have experience in the beauty industry. No exceptions will be made for the model requirements.

COVID-19 protocols are in place for all exams until further notice. All registrants, examiners, models, must wear a mask at all times. If during segments of the exam the model must remove the mask to perform the service, the registrant will be required to wear a face shield in addition to a mask. You and your model will be asked to answer COVID-19 screening questions. Persons presenting with symptoms or having had recent exposure to COVID-19 will be asked to leave the premises and rebook at a later date. You will be required to sanitize your hands upon entry.

You can register to challenge the BeautyCouncil Certificate of Qualification in Exam, provided you have completed the required school hours or work experience hours. Each exam is different – be sure to check the requirements of each exam for education and experience hours. See the next FAQ item to learn more about acceptable forms of documents.

The first step is to go to our website page for certifications. Follow the instructions there.

Exam cost (price includes GST)

  • $200 for BeautyCouncil Members
  • $300 for non-members
  • Esthetics: 4 hours 45 minutes
  • Hairstyling: 7-8 hours
  • Barbering: 4 hours
  • Nail Technician: 4.5 hours
  • Waxing Technician: 3 hours

Many people who take the exams study before the exam to have the best chance of getting their Certificate on the first try. Either refer to your textbooks and notes from your education or purchase the recommended textbooks listed on the exam requirements documents.

All details are included in our Exam Requirement document related to each specific exam. No exceptions will be made for these requirements.

Registrants who do not pass the exam may apply to retake failed portion(s) of the exam (theory, practical, or both) within 2 years (no limit on the number of retakes). Retakes are $100 (includes GST). A pass requires a score of 70% or higher.

Yes, according to the rules under the TILMA agreement, you may simply order a Certificate of Qualification for any trade in which you hold a valid Alberta (Canada) Red Seal certification. The cost is $200 and you may order by contacting us.

All communication in the practical exam is in English. The written (theory) exam can be completed in other languages, with the help of an interpreter (based on availability of an interpreter). Please contact our office at least two (2) weeks prior to taking the theory exam so we area aware you will have an interpreter. All costs associated with the interpreter are to be paid by the candidate prior to taking the exam. You may arrange your own services with an interpreter with this approved company.