Our Success Center

Your Success is Our Success

Graduates Ready to Test

Please use this as a resource to answer your questions if you have already graduated from your Aesthetics program and are preparing to become a Licensed Aesthetician. (This also includes instructions on how to retake failed exams)

HOW TO REGISTER AND TAKE YOUR AESTHETICS EXAMS

STEP 1
Professional Credential Services (PCS) is the company that registers and handles the organization of your aesthetics licensure testing. This is the first part of many steps to receive your license.  Please read all steps below to ensure you have fully registered and understand the process.  You will not be able to schedule your exams with a partial registration.

  1. Go to www.pcshq.com
  2. Click Applicants & Candidates
  3. Click Cosmetology & Barbering
  4. Click Arizona
  5. Click Create an Account (First Time)
  6. Creating a PCS Account (first time users only); enter valid, unique email address, your first and last name, date of birth, and Social Security number.
  7. Click Create Account
  8. Check your email account for a PCS system generated email.
  9. Click link in email to verify account information and create PCS password.
  10. Click Enable Account.

STEP 2
You must complete these steps even though it seems like you already have.

  1. Click Applicant Home
  2. Click edit profile (left side under your name/info)
  3. Complete all required fields (Skip work address)
  4. Click Save

STEP 3
You must complete these steps even though it seems like you already have.

  1. Click on PCS HOME
  2. Click Applicants & Candidates
  3. Click Cosmetology & Barbering
  4. Select Arizona
  5. Click #3 Pre-register and pay for your Exams
  6. You are now in the online application; select appropriate license type (AESTHETICS).
  7. Continue with online application until all required fields have been completed. (must use name as it is listed on your Driver’s license/ID).
  8. Name of School: Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics – Tempe ASL 26.
  9. Enrollment date is the date you started your program. Completion date is your estimated graduation date, or the day you should clock 600 hours. This does not have to be exact.
  10. Select Payment Option. (At this point, you should be able to SAVE APPLICATION add balance to cart. (click log off in upper right hand corner)
  11. You will not be able to upload your passport photo and driver’s license until payment has been made.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I REGISTER WITH PCS TO TAKE MY EXAMS

  1. Once above information is received, you will pay the exam fees
  2. Once fees are paid, you will receive an email from PCS thanking you for submitting an Application, and letting you know they cannot process your application without your passport photo and driver’s license (id).
  3. At this time, please follow instructions in the email to sign into PCS and upload documents. See below instructions on how to create a passport photo.
  4. Once documents are uploaded, you will receive two separate emails from PCS with detailed instructions on how to schedule your theory and written practical exams.
  5. Please read your scheduled test confirmations thoroughly and follow all instructions. You must print and bring your confirmation email with you to the testing center.  If you fail to show up for your exam, you will forfeit your payment and must pay again to re-schedule. Refer to your confirmation email for rescheduling details as PCS has very strict rules.

TROUBLE SCHEDULING / RESCHEDULING EXAMS?

If you are having any issues getting your test scheduled, please call Professional Credential Services (PCS) at 1-888-822-3272. They are very helpful!

HOW TO CREATE A PASSPORT ONLINE & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Create & save your photos for future upload

Passport Photo
A passport photo is required to register for your aesthetics exams. Because this is a digital upload, a hard copy is not necessary. I have listed two options below to support you in getting a passport photo.

  1. Create your own passport and receive a digital copy via email. There are many Apps out there that will help you do this, such as Photo Identite’ for around $7. Below are the requirements that must be met:
    • White background
    • Dark or non-white shirt
    • No glasses
    • 2inch x 2inch
    • Face straight forward and centered  (the app will guide you through all of this)
  2. Walgreens & Walmart can also take and print a passport photo for you. This would need to be scanned and saved in order to upload digitally.
  3. Once you have your 2×2 digital photo, save it where you can easily access it later for upload during your application process.

Driver’s License / State ID
A copy of your Driver’s License or State ID (front only) is required to register for your aesthetic exams.

  1. Take a picture of the front of your Driver’s license or State ID.
  2. Save it where you can easily access it later for upload during your application process

TAKING YOUR EXAMS / TESTING CENTERS

  • Bring a printout of your confirmation letter to the testing center.
  • Expect to go through security and plan to place cell phone, purse, etc., into a locker.
  • You will be given 90 minutes to test, which is plenty of time.
  • Questions are computer based, multiple choices, and give you the option of skipping around and/or flagging items to come back to.
  • Once you have finished your exam, you might see the result on the screen. If you do not see the result, kindly ask the representative at the testing center if they can print out your results.  Most of the time they will, but technically, they do not have to and may tell you that you will receive an email within the next 6 business days including your results.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I PASS BOTH AESTHETIC EXAMS?

  • Upon passing your first exam, you will receive an email from PCS stating you passed, showing your status as INCOMPLETE.  This is because you have passed one of two exams.
  • Upon passing your final exam, you will receive another email from PCS showing your status as PASS. WOOHOO – CONGRATS!! At this time, PCS will email the Arizona Barbering & Cosmetology Board (BCB) to let them know you have passed both exams. The BCB maintains and regulates your license and the practice of aesthetics. You will renew your license every two years through the BCB website at bcb.az.gov.

WHEN DO I REGISTER WITH THE AZ BOARD OF BARBERING AND COSMETOLOGY (BCB)?

Once you pass both exams, and PCS informs the BCB, The BCB will send you an email stating they received notification from PCS that you have passed your boards, and that you need to register so that they can send your license. The BCB will not allow you to register until you have passed both exams.  When completing the application you will need to upload your driver’s license, passport photo and certificate of graduation (I have attached). Once you have completed the application, you will receive an email to confirm your email. When you “confirm” your email, this will bring you to a payment page. There is $63 fee for your license. Once you have paid the fee, you will receive your license within 10 days via email.