Certification and exams

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

If you have completed your training or have enough work experience, it’s time to be recognized as the qualified beauty professional that you are.

Passing the BeautyCouncil Certificate of Qualification exam earns you the sought-after Certified Cosmetology Professional (CCP) designation. Demonstrate your expertise and the professional standard of your services to clients, employers and peers.

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

How to register for the exam

Step 1 – Get a Membership in the Association (BeautyCouncil)

If you are not a member of the association, sign up for membership.

If you already have a membership, skip to Step 2.

Tap here to sign up, then return to this page to continue.

Step 2 – Register for your exam

Register for the exam date you want. Exams are $200 (includes GST).

Before you register:

  • The exam is held in English. Decide if you need a language interpreter (approximately $250 additional). If you wish to request information about having a language interpreter, please email support@beautycouncil.ca
  • Be able to provide the required education or experience documents (listed below)
  • Be able to show your government-issued ID the exam (listed below)

Exam dates

Esthetics, Facial Therapy OR Waxing Exam October 16th, 2023 – Langley, BC

Nail Technology Exam October 16th, 2023 – Langley, BC

Theory Exam Retake October 23rd, 2023 – Vancouver, BC

You can also see our full calendar and register here.

Complete this form to be added to our mailing list

Exam Inquiry Form on Certification Page

Step 3 – Study and prepare for the exam

Now that you have registered, getting ready for your exam is as easy as A-B-C-D!

A. Download the requirements for your exam. Tap for to view the link.

B. Prepare your documentation

  • Education requirements: A diploma, certificate, or other proof of education from Canada or any other country.
  • Experience requirements: This includes proof of hours worked from Canada or any other country.

Back to step 2

C. Study your material

The best way to study for your exam is with the Milady Text Book, available from NP Group. Text books carried by NP Group are:

  • Milady Standard Barbering, 6e Text  $235.95
  • Milady Standard Cosmetology, 14e Text $231.95
  • Milady Standard Nail Technology, 8e Text $214.95
  • Milady Standard Esthetics Fundamentals, 12e Text  $256.95
  • Milady Full Specialty Package: Esthetics Fundamentals 12e, Nail Technology 8e & Standard Foundations Text $373.95

Use may this form to order a text book from NP Group.

It will take approximately 10-12 business days for you to receive your order.  Shipping costs are expected to be $30-$40+

Prices as of March 2023 and subject to change.

D. Collect your documents and supplies for your exam

Bring your documents to the exam
  • For identification, one of these government issued documents: Driver’s License, Identity Card, Passport, or Birth Certificate.
  • Any model release forms listed in the “Exam Requirements” above.
  • All required supplies listed in the “Exam Requirements” above.

Back to step 2

Exam FAQ

Back to top of page

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 $200 non-refundable administrative fee in addition to the exam fees.

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.

The BeautyCouncil Certificate of Qualification is not the same as the Red Seal and they are not interchangeable. The Red Seal is administered by each provincial authority.

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

If you choose to take the exam without being an association member, there is a $200 non-refundable administration fee to process your registration. Membership is more affordable and we highly recommend being a member.

  • Esthetics: 4 hours 45 minutes
  • Hairstyling: 7-8 hours
  • Barbering: 4 hours
  • Facial Therapy: 3.5 – 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 $125 (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.

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.

“*” If you choose to take the exam without being an association member, there is a $200 non-refundable administration fee to process your registration. Membership is more affordable and we highly recommend being a member.