What CANB is and why it exists
CANB is the regulatory authority created under the New Brunswick Cosmetology Act. It sets and enforces minimum standards of training, hygiene, and practice across the cosmetology professions — including hairdressing, esthetics, barbering, and cosmetology (the broadest licence, which covers all of the above). For consumers, CANB is the body you'd contact if you had a complaint about a salon practitioner. For practitioners, it's where you get and maintain your licence to work.
It's also where you go if you want to teach. Instructor licences are a separate credential above the practitioner licence, granted to working professionals with extra training and hours. Amanda holds an instructor-level credential, which is why she's qualified to coach and certify new artists.
Who needs to be CANB-licensed
Required
- Anyone practicing cosmetology services in a salon, spa, barbershop, or commercial premises in NB.
- Anyone teaching or supervising students in a recognised cosmetology programme.
- Anyone advertising themselves with the protected titles "Cosmetologist," "Hairdresser," "Esthetician," or "Barber" in NB.
Grey area
- Freelance bridal and event makeup artists who work strictly mobile (no fixed premises). The provincial scope here is unclear and has been the subject of ongoing industry conversation. In practice, many working mobile bridal artists in NB are CANB-licensed; some are not. The legitimate ones generally are.
Not required
- Hobby or one-off makeup application for friends and family.
- Content creators who do their own makeup on camera but don't service clients commercially.
The case for getting licensed even if you're not strictly required to be: insurance providers (professional liability) almost always require it, photographers and planners who refer brides expect it, and you're protected if regulations tighten (which they have in other provinces). The annual cost is modest; the credibility upside is significant.
The three licence levels
| Licence | Scope | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Hair, skin, nails, makeup — broadest | 1,500 |
| Hairdresser | Hair only | 1,500 |
| Esthetician | Skin care, makeup, nails (no hair) | 750–1,200 |
For a focused makeup-only artist, Esthetician is the minimum-viable licence and Cosmetologist is the maximum-flexibility one. Most working bridal artists end up with Cosmetology because the broader credential opens more doors over a career (salon employment, instruction, cross-disciplinary work).
How to apply
Step 1 — Complete your hours
Either through a recognised cosmetology programme (Eastern College, Académie Mode & Beauté, Université de Moncton's vocational arm, and several others) or, in rarer cases, through an apprenticeship arrangement with a CANB-licensed practitioner. Hour completion is documented by the school.
Step 2 — Submit your application
Through CANB's website, you submit the application form, proof of training hours, identification, and the application fee. CANB confirms your eligibility and assigns you to the next available exam sitting.
Step 3 — Write the theory exam
A multiple-choice and short-answer exam covering:
- Safety and infection control — disinfection protocols, bloodborne-pathogen handling, communicable-disease awareness.
- Skin anatomy — layers, function, common conditions (rosacea, acne, eczema), what's safe to work over and what to refer.
- Chemistry — product ingredients, pH balance, common allergens, patch-testing protocols.
- Provincial regulations — record-keeping, client consent, advertising rules, scope of practice.
- Business basics — invoicing, tax handling, insurance, professional conduct.
Pass mark is typically 70%. Materials are available from CANB and from your training programme.
Step 4 — Practical exam
Conducted in person, judged by a CANB-appointed examiner, on a real or mannequin subject. You're evaluated on technique, sanitation throughout the application, professionalism, time management, and the final result. The exam content depends on the licence level you're applying for; for cosmetologist/esthetician, the makeup section involves a full bridal-style or day application within a time limit.
Step 5 — Receive your licence
Once both exams are passed and fees paid, CANB issues your licence number. You're listed in the public registry and can begin practicing under the protected title.
Fees (approximate, current 2026)
- Application fee: ~$150
- Theory exam: ~$100
- Practical exam: ~$150
- Initial licence: ~$200
- Annual renewal: ~$150
- Continuing education (CEU) hours: 10–15 hours/year, often delivered through CANB-approved courses ($50–$300 each)
Total first-year cost to get licensed and stay licensed: roughly $750–$1,000 above any training tuition. Modest given the credential's career value.
Continuing education
CANB requires licensed practitioners to complete continuing-education hours each renewal year to stay current with industry standards. CEUs can be earned through approved workshops, conferences, online courses, or in-person training. For a makeup-focused artist, useful CEU options include advanced bridal technique, HD/film makeup, foundation matching for deep skin tones, and business-of-makeup courses.
What to do if you trained outside New Brunswick
If you trained in another Canadian province and hold a credential there, CANB has reciprocity agreements with most provincial boards — your hours and credential transfer with an application fee and sometimes a bridging exam. International credentials require case-by-case review.
What if you're partway through and stuck
If you're approaching the practical exam and feeling underprepared, or struggling with a specific element (foundation matching across skin tones is the most common sticking point), one-on-one coaching with a working CANB-licensed practitioner can fix gaps quickly. Amanda offers exam-prep coaching as a focused use of the one-on-one service.