Cosmetology License Requirements

Alabama

• Complete 1,500 hours of a formal cosmetology program, or 3,000 hours in a 3-year apprenticeship under a licensed cosmetologist. Then, pass a theory and a practical exam.

Alaska

• Finish 1,650 hours of a board-approved cosmetology program. Find the list of approved programs here. You can also do 2,000 hours of an apprenticeship under a licensed cosmetologist. You must pass an exam to get your license.

Arizona

• You'll need 1,450 hours of a board-certified cosmetology program. Pass both a theory and a practical exam to receive your license.

Arkansas

• Complete a 1,500-hour formal cosmetology program, and pass a written test to obtain your license.

California

• Pass a 1,600-hour board-approved course or complete an apprenticeship of 3,200 hours plus 220 hours of classroom time. You must pass a theory and a practical test to get the license.

Colorado

• Complete an Associate degree of 60 credit hours. Take a practical and a written exam to get your license.

Connecticut

• Graduate from a 1,500-hour course of study and pass a written test with a score of 70% or higher.

Delaware

• Complete a 1,500-hour cosmetology program or a 3,000-hour apprenticeship. Pass the online exam with a 75% or higher.

Florida

• Finish a course of study that is at least 1,200 hours. Pass a two-part exam to obtain your cosmetology license. 

Read the 11 Best Cosmetology Schools in Florida

Georgia

• Complete a 1,500-hour cosmetology program or a 3,000-hour apprenticeship with at least 18 months of training. Pass the two-part cosmetology exam to receive your license.

Hawaii

• Attend a program of at least 1,800 classroom hours or 3,600 hours of an apprenticeship. Pass the closed-book exam to get your license.

Idaho

• Complete a program with at least 2,000 hours of classroom time. Pass a written and practical exam with at least a 75%, and you'll be ready to start your career!

Illinois

• Finish a 1,500-hour cosmetology program and pass the written exam. Check out the best beauty schools in Chicago.

Indiana

• The cosmetology license requirements for Indiana include: Graduating from a 1,500-hour course of study and passing the state exam with a 75% or higher.

Iowa

• You must complete 2,100 classroom hours of a board-approved program. Pass the National Interstate Cosmetology exam with a 75% or higher.

Kansas

• Complete a 1,500-hour course of study, then pass the Kansas Board Exam with a 75% or higher. There are two parts to the exam, both written and practical.

Kentucky 

• Finish a board-certified course of at least 1,800 hours. Pass the apprentice practical and written exam. Work for six months under a licensed cosmetologist before taking the cosmetology exam. Take the exam, and you're fully licensed!

Louisiana

• Get a 1,500-hour course from a board-certified school under your belt; then you'll have three tests to tackle. Pass the written and practical National Interstate Cosmetology tests, then get a 75% or higher on the Louisiana State Cosmetology exam, which focuses on state laws relating to your work.

Maine

• The state of Maine has unique cosmetology license requirements. Maine requires a 1,500-hour cosmetology program, and it needs to take at least nine months to complete. Alternatively, you can do 2,500 hours of an apprenticeship under a licensed cosmetologist. Pass the written and practical portions of the National Interstate Cosmetology exam, and you'll be on your way to starting your career!

Maryland

• Complete an approved 1,500-hour program or work at least 20 hours a week for 24 months as a registered apprentice. Then, pass a written and practical exam. Maryland also has a Senior Licensed Cosmetologist distinction, which requires another test after two years of work.

Massachusetts

• This state has a two-level system. After completing a course of at least 1,000 hours of instruction, you can get licensed as a Type 2 Operator. This level allows you to work under a licensed cosmetologist. You must pass a written and a practical exam to obtain this certification.
• To work unsupervised, you must work for two years under a licensed cosmetologist. You don't have to take any more tests, and your supervisor just has to sign an affidavit confirming you worked with them for two years.

Michigan

• Complete a formal 1,500-hour course of study, or do a two-year apprenticeship that is 1,920 hours long and no more than 40 hours a week. With this option, the person you study under must have at least three years of experience. When you're done, pass the Michigan Cosmetology Exam with at least a 75% on the practical portion and a 70% on the written part.

Minnesota

• A cosmetologist in Minnesota needs a GED or high school diploma. They must complete a 1,550-hour program of study. Pass a General and State written exam after completing the program. Once you have your license, complete four hours of continuing education every three years to keep it.

Mississippi

• This state requires a 12th-grade education with GED or high-school diploma, plus 1,500 hours of a formal cosmetology program. Pass a theory test and a practical exam, and you're on your way!

Missouri

• Get 1,500 hours of training at one of these schools, or complete a 3,000-hour apprenticeship under a licensed cosmetologist. Pass a practical exam and a theory test with a 75% or higher to get your license.

Montana

• Obtain 2,000 hours of training at a board-approved school, then pass a written test and a practical exam.

Nebraska

• Complete a board-approved, 2,100-hour training program. Pass the National Interstate Cosmetology written exam and an exam that covers Nebraska state laws. Get 8 hours of continuing education credit every 2 years to keep your license.

Nevada

• The cosmetology license requirements for Nevada vary. Finish a 1,800-hour course at a board-approved school, complete 3,600 hours of an apprenticeship under a licensed practitioner, or show proof of four years of experience as a cosmetologist in another state. Either way, you'll have to pass the National Interstate Cosmetology written and practical exams, plus a Nevada state exam. Complete four hours of continuing education in infection control to keep your license.

New Hampshire

• Complete 1,500 hours of training at a board-approved school, or 3,000 hours of training over 18 months with a licensed cosmetologist who has at least 2 years of experience. Pass a written and a practical exam and you'll be ready to start your career.

New Jersey

• Finish a 1,200-hour cosmetology program. After 6 months, you can get a student permit and start working while you're still in school! Pass a written and a practical exam with a 75% to get your license.

New Mexico

• Complete a 1,600-hour program at one of these board-approved schools. Pass the national practical and written exams, plus the state law exam, with a 75% or higher.

New York

• Graduate from a course of at least 1,000 hours or show proof of 5 years of certified experience as a cosmetologist in another state. Pass the written and practical exams with a 70% or higher to get your license.

North Carolina

• Complete 1,500 hours of training at a cosmetic art school, then pass the written and practical exams with a 75% or higher. You'll need 8 hours of continuing education credit to renew your license.

North Dakota

• Finish a 1,800-hour training course at an approved cosmetology school, then pass the three required exams with a 75% or higher to receive your license. Take a look at their State Board website.

Ohio

• The state of Ohio requires 1,200 hours of cosmetology school. Pass the practical and theory tests, then take 8 hours of continuing education credit every 2 years to keep your license.

Oklahoma

• The cosmetology license requirements for Oklahoma include: Completing a 1,500-hour cosmetology course, then passing the state written and practical exam to get your license.

Oregon 

• Finish 1,450 hours of training at a cosmetology school, then pass the written exam and the state law exam to start your career as a cosmetologist.

Pennsylvania

• Complete 1,250 hours of beauty school or do a 2,000-hour apprenticeship under a licensed cosmetologist with 5 years of experience and two employees. Pass the practical and theory exams.

Rhode Island

• Complete a 1,500-hour program of study. You can do a work-study program after 1,000 hours. Pass the written and practical exams and you'll be a licensed cosmetologist.

South Carolina

• Finish a 1,500-hour training program, then pass the theory and practical exams. You must complete 12 hours of continuing education every year to maintain your license.

South Dakota

• You'll need a school with a 2,100-hour curriculum or an apprenticeship where you work 40 hours a week for 18 months. Pass a theory exam, a practical exam, and a state law test.

Tennessee

• Tennesse has relatively easy cosmetology license requirements. Attend a board-approved beauty school with 1,500 hours of training. Pass the practical and theory exams and begin your career!

Texas

• Complete a 1,500-hour cosmetology program, or 1,000 hours of cosmetology school plus 500 hours at a high school or vocational program. Take a written and a practical exam. You'll need four hours of continuing education every two years. 

Utah

• Finish a board-certified training program with at least 1,600 hours. Pass a theory and practical exam to obtain your license and begin work as a cosmetologist.

Vermont

• If you are at least 18 years old and have a GED, you can apply to a 1,500-hour program of study or do a 24-month apprenticeship with a licensed cosmetologist who worked in Vermont for at least the past 5 years. Pass the written, practical, and state law exams to get your license.

Virginia

• The cosmetology license requirements for Virginia include: Completing 1,500 hours of study at a cosmetology school or finishing 3,000 hours of training at an apprenticeship. Pass the written and practical exams.

Washington

• Finish a 1,600-hour cosmetology course, or do a 2,000-hour apprenticeship approved by the state. Pass a written and a practical exam to get your license.

West Virginia

• Attend an approved cosmetology college with at least 1,800 hours of instruction. Pass a written and practical exam to get your license. You'll need at least four hours of continuing education credit each year.

Wisconsin

• Graduate from an approved cosmetology school with 1,550 hours of training. Alternatively, you can complete a 4,000-hour apprenticeship. Then, pass a theory test and a practical skills exam. Earn four hours of continuing education every two years to renew your license.

Wyoming

• Complete a 10.5-month program with at least 2,000 hours of training. Pass a written and a practical exam, and you'll be on your way to starting your career.

With excellent cosmetology programs in every state, deciding which school is the best fit for you is a real challenge. Since state expectations can vary, narrow your search to schools that meet the requirements for your state.

Read more on our website for advice about the best cosmetology schools to discover the perfect program for your career!