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Exams for Certification
Upon completion of your training, you may apply for the Cosmetology Industry Association of British Columbia examination. Once successfully passing our examination, you will receive a Cosmetology Industry Association of British Columbia Certificate of Qualification.
The CIABC is no longer issuing licenses, as the BC Government deregulated the Cosmetology Act as of December 31, 2003. The CIABC Certificate of Qualification will be used by new industry professionals to purchase supplies from supply houses and apply for malpractice insurance. In some districts, a CIABC Certificate of Qualification is required when applying for a business license.
The Certificate of Qualification is not a Red Seal, however it is recognized by the following Provincial Cosmetology Associations:
Cosmetology Industry Association of Ontario
Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick
Cosmetology Association of Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island Hairdressing Association
Should you wish to contact any of these associations please go to our Affiliated Organizations page.
CIABC Exams
Exams are held by the Association regularly throughout the province and are booked on a first-come-first-serve basis. Candidates cannot be booked for an exam until their completed forms and fees are received at the Association office. Exam instructions are mailed to each candidate with their exam notification. The instructions are also available below in the "About the Exams" section.
Exams are held at the following locations in British Columbia:| Vancouver | Held every other week |
| Victoria, Kamloops & Kelowna | Held every other month |
| Prince George, Abbotsford, Mission & Nelson | Held twice a year |
| Fort St. John | Held once a year |
Results are mailed to the candidates and will not be given over the phone.
Applicants who cancel their examination less than 30 days prior to the exam date (without a doctor's note or justifiable cause approved by the Board) AND candidates who do not appear for their scheduled exam date will forfeit the $75 exam fee and will be charged an additional $75 fee to be re-scheduled. No refunds are provided. Applicants who fail the exam three times will be required to obtain further training before attempting the exam again. Those requiring the assistance of an interpreter will be given one more try before having to obtain further training. No electronic aids are permitted in the examination.
Please note: All exams fees are non-refundable
Out-of-Province Licensed Applicants
To obtain a Cosmetology Industry Association of British Columbia Certificate of Qualification, persons with a previous license (certificate) for hairdressing, esthetics or nail technology from out of the province should register with the Association for a certification exam. Exam and certificate applications can be mailed or faxed to the applicant or picked up at the Association office. Exam forms must be submitted with the required fees to the Association office.
Examination Fee - $125 (full programs) or $65(fast track programs)
Certificate Fee - included in Examination Fee
*** Please Note Exam Fee is Non-Refundable ***
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Please contact the Exams Administrator for more information
Veronica Rosales
Tel: 604-877-4604
Fax: 604-871-0299
E-mail: exams@ciabc.net
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Exam dates are subject to change. Please contact the CIABC for date confirmation.
About the Exams
Hairdressing
Two-hour theory exam and four- to five-hour practical exam consisting of modern trend cut, blow drying and curling iron, permanent waving on mannequin, hair coloring, skip waving or finger waving, hair styling and general trade practices.
Hairdressing Exam Instructions
Esthetics
Two-hour theory exam and three-hour practical exam consisting of a facial, makeup application, manicure and waxing. Esthetics Exam Instructions
Nail Technology
Two-hour theory exam and a four-and-a-half hour practical exam consisting of nail preparation and filing, cuticle care, massage to the elbow, artificial nail and polish application as well as pedicures. Nail Exam Instructions