N.C. Gen. Stat. § 88A-14

Upon request by a licensee for inactive status, the Board shall place the licensee's name on the inactive list. While on the inactive list, the person shall not be subjected to renewal requirements and shall not practice electrology in North Carolina. When that person desires to be removed from the inactive list and returned to an active list, a reactivation application shall be submitted to the Board on a form furnished by the Board and the fee shall be paid for license reactivation. The Board may require evidence of competency to resume practice before returning the applicant to the active status. Any person whose license has lapsed or expired for a period of five years or more shall be required to take and pass the examination for licensure before the license can be reactivated.