State Board Requirements
19 min read
State Board Aesthetician Licensing Requirements
*inquirers should be aware that for the most accurate information on licensing, they should contact their state board department
Alabama
1000 hours of training in an approved school or 2000 hours in an approved apprenticeship program
Must also submit an application and pay $195 licensing fee
Must pass written and practical exams
Renewal: every 2 years, $80 renewal fee, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 800-815-7453
Fax: 334-242-1926
Email: cosmetology@aboc.alabama.gov
Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering website: http://www.aboc.state.al.us/default.aspx
Alaska
350 hours of training in an approved school or 350 hours in an approved apprenticeship program
Must also submit an application and pass written and practical exams
$150 application fee, $120 exam fee
Renewal: every 2 years, $140 renewal fee, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 907-465-2550
Fax: 907-465-2974
Email: license@alaska.gov
Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers website: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofBarbersHairdressers/ApplicationsForms.aspx
Arizona
600 hours of training in an approved school
Must apply and be approved to take licensure exam with Arizona State Board of Cosmetology, $177 exam fee, $70 licensing fee
Renewal: every 2 years, $60 renewal fee, no continuing education hours required
Must pass written and practical exams
Phone: 480-784-4539
Arizona State Board of Cosmetology website: https://boc.az.gov/
Arkansas
600 hours of training in approved school (apprenticeship not accepted)
Must pass written and practical exams, $65 licensing fee
Renewal: every 2 years, $50 fee, done online, no continuing education requirements
Lifetime license option available to aestheticians age 65+ with 30 years as a licensed aesthetician
Phone: 501-682-2168
Fax: 501-682-5640
Email: Cosmo@arkansas.gov
Arkansas Department of Health: Cosmetology website: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/cosmetology
California
600 hours of training in board-approved school or 3200 hours in the department's sponsored Apprenticeship Program
Must pass written and practical exams, $65 licensing fee
Renewal: every 2 years, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 800-952-5210
Fax: 916-575-7281
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology website: http://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/
Colorado
20 credit hours of training in an approved school (600 clock hours)
Must pass written and practical exams, $127exam fee
Renewal: every 2 years, $26 renewal fee, no continuing education hours required
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies: Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure Website: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/Barber_Cosmetology
Phone: 303-894-7800
Fax: 303-894-0364
Connecticut
No license is currently required to practice aesthetics
Connecticut State Department of Health website: http://www.portal.ct.gov/DPH/Practitioner-Licensing–Investigations/Nailtechs/Nail-Technician-and-Esthetician-Information
Delaware
600 hours of training in an approved school or 1200 hours of apprenticeship training
Must pass written and practical exams, $175 exam fee
Renewal: every 2 years, $175 renewal fee, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 302-744-4500
Fax: 302-739-2711
Email: customerservice.dpr@state.de.us
Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering website: https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/cosmetology/
Florida
The current option for licensure available in Florida is a facial specialist license. A facial specialist is defined by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation as "a person registered to do facials in the State of Florida. Facial means the massaging or treating of the face or scalp with oils, creams, lotions, or other preparations. These services must be performed in a licensed salon." A body wrapping license is also available. A body wrapper is defined as "a person who is licensed to engage in the practice of body wrapping which is a treatment program that uses presoaked herbal wraps for the purposes of cleansing and beautifying the skin of the body."
Requirements for a Facial Specialist license:
260 hours of training in an approved school's facial specialty program
No exam, must submit Certification of Eligibility Form as well as a license application and pay fee
Must submit proof of taking an HIV/AIDS course w/in last two years of applying
Renewal: every 2 years, 16 hours of continuing education may be required
Requirements for a Body Wrapping license:
Must complete an approved, 2-day, 12-hour body wrapping course and submit certificate of completion along with application for license
No required exams, must pay application fees
Phone (for Board of Cosmetology): 850-487-1395
Fax (for Board of Cosmetology): 850-488-8040
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation website: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/cosmetology/
Georgia
1,000 hours of training in an approved school or 2,000 approved apprenticeship hours
Must pass written and practical exams, $30 application fee
Renewal: every 2 years, 5 hours of continuing education required, $45 renewal fee
3 of the five continuing education hours must be in a course in health and safety developed or approved by the Board
The other 2 must be in a course previously registered with the Board in any of the following areas: industry or trade show, health and safety, industry trends, computer skills, business management, the area of practice for the type of license held
Phone: 478-207-2440
Georgia Secretary of State Licensing website: http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing
Hawaii
Aestheticians in Hawaii are licensed as "beauty operators"
600 hours of training at an approved school or 1200 hours of an approved apprenticeship
Must pass a written and practical exam, $40 fee
Students can also apply for a temporary license that allows them to work under supervision of a licensed aesthetician while waiting to take the written exam for up to 1 year
Renewal: every 2 years
Phone: 808-586-3000
Email: barber_cosm@dcca.hawaii.gov
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing, Barbering and Cosmetology website: http://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/barber/
Idaho
600 hours of training in an approved school
Must pass written and practical exams, $10 fee
Renewal: must renew every year, $10 fee, no continuing education requirements
Phone: 208-334-3233
Email: cos@ibol.idaho.gov
Idaho Board of Cosmetology website: https://ibol.idaho.gov/IBOL/BoardPage.aspx?Bureau=cos
Illinois
750 hours of training, lasting at least 18 weeks, in an approved program/school
Apprenticeship not accepted
Must pass written and practical exams, $30 fee
Renewal: every 2 years, 10 hours of continuing education required, $25 fee
Phone: 888-473-4858
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Esthetician website: https://www.idfpr.com/profs/Esthetics.asp
Indiana
700 hours of training in an approved school/program completed w/in 3 years
Must pass written and practical exams, $40 application fee
Renewal: every 4 years, $40 fee
Phone: 317- 234-3031
Fax: 317-233-4236
Email: pla12@pla.IN.gov
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency website: https://www.in.gov/pla/2711.htm
Iowa
600 hours of training in an approved school
Must pass written and practical exams, $75 fee per exam, $60 license fee
Renewal: every 2 years, $60 fee, 6 hours of continuing education required.
A minimum of 4 hours of the 6 hours shall be in the prescribed practice discipline and a minimum of 2 hours of the 6 hours shall be in the content areas of Iowa cosmetology law and rules and sanitation. Individuals holding more than one active license shall obtain 4 hours of continuing education in each prescribed practice discipline and an additional 2 hours in the content areas of Iowa cosmetology law and rules and sanitation.
Phone: 515- 281-0254
Fax: 515-281-3121
Iowa Board of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences website: https://idph.iowa.gov/Licensure/Iowa-Board-of-Cosmetology-Arts-and-Sciences
Kansas
Graduation from an approved school/program or 1000 clock hours of apprenticeship
Must pass written and practical exams, $60 fee
Renewal: every 2 years, $60 fee
Phone: 785-296-3155
Fax: 785-296-3002
Email: kboc@ks.gov
Kansas Board of Cosmetology website: http://www.kansas.gov/kboc/
Kentucky
1000 hours of training in an approved school
Must pass a written and practical exam, $75 license fee
Renewal: must renew each year, $50 fee, no continuing education requirements
Phone: 502-564-4262
Fax: 502-564-0481
Kentucky Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists website: https://kbhc.ky.gov/Licensure/Pages/default.aspx
Louisiana
750 hours of training in an approved school
Must pass written and practical exams and pay associated fees
Renewal: must renew each year and pay associated fees
Phone: 225-756-3404
Fax: 225- 756-3410
Email: ashley.cade@la.gov
Louisiana Board of Cosmetology website: www.lsbc.louisiana.gov
Maine
600 hours of training in an approved school/program for at least 3 months or 1000 hours of apprenticeship hours for at least 6 months
Must pass written and practical exams, $41 license fee
Renewal: must renew each year, $20 fee, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 207-624-8603
Fax: 207-624-8637
Email: prof.lic@maine.gov
Maine Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing website: http://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/barbers/
Maryland
600 hours of training in an approved school or 12 months as a registered apprentice
Must pass written and practical exams, $25 licensing fee
Renewal: every two years, $25 renewal fee, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 410-230-6192 or 410-230-6320
Fax: 410-333-6314
Email: barbers.cos@maryland.gov
Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation website: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/cos/cosreq.shtml
Massachusetts
At least 300 hours at an approved school or 2 years of practical experience under a licensed provider
Must pass written and practical exams, $135 exam fee, $68 licensing fee
Renewal: every 1-2 years, must pay associated fees, no continuing education hours necessary
Phone: 617-727-9940 or 800-274-2021
Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-of-cosmetology-and-barbering
Michigan
400 hours of training in a licensed school of cosmetology or a 6-month apprenticeship program with a licensed cosmetology establishment
Must pass written and practical exams, pay associated fees
Renewal: every 2 years, $48 fee
Phone: 517-373-8068
Fax: 517-241-9416
Email: bplhelp@michigan.gov
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs: Cosmetology website: http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-72600_72602_72731_72864—,00.html
Minnesota
600 hours of training in an approved program/school, at least 15 weeks
Must pass written and practical exams, pay required fees
Renewal: every 3 years, 8 hours of continuing education required, pay required fees
Phone: 651-201-2742
Fax: 651-649-5702
Email: cosmetology@state.mn.us
Minnesota Board of Cosmetology website: https://mn.gov/boards/cosmetology/
Mississippi
600 hours of training in a licensed school in which the practice of esthetics is taught
Must pass written and practical exams, pay exam fees and $50 licensing fee
Renewal: every 2 years, $50 renewal fee, 8 hours of continuing education required
Master Esthetician License requirements:
Be a licensed esthetician in Mississippi for at least 12 months
16 hours of approved continuing education, pay fees
Renewal: every 2 years, 8 hours of continuing education, pay fees
Phone: 601-359-1820
Fax: 601-354-6639
Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology website: http://www.msbc.ms.gov/Pages/Licensing.aspx
Missouri
750 training hours in an approved school/program or 1500 hours of approved apprenticeship
Must pass written and practical exams, $280 exam fees, additional licensing fees
Renewal: every 2 years, $50 renewal fee. No continuing education hours required
Phone: 573-751-1052
Fax: 573-751-8167
E-mail: cosbar@pr.mo.gov
Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners website: http://www.pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp
Montana
650 hours of training in an approved program/school
Must pass written and practical exams, pay exam fees, $80 licensing fee
Renewal: every 2 years, $80 renewal fee, continuing education hours may be required
Phone: 406-444-5711
Fax: 406-841-2305
Email: UnitB@mt.gov
Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists website: http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/cos
Nebraska
600 hours and 600 credits in either a school of cosmetology or an apprentice salon
Must pass written and practical exams, pay exam fees and $95 licensing fee
Renewal: every 2 years, $118 renewal fee, 8 hours of continuing education required
Phone: 402- 471-2399
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Resources website: http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Pages/crlCosmCosiEsthHome.aspx
Nevada
900 hours of training in an approved program/school or 1800 hours in an approved apprenticeship program
Must pass written and practical exams, pay $125 exam fee and $70 licensing fee for 2-year license, or $140 licensing fee for 4 year license
Renewal: every 2-4 years, complete the Board's Infection Control Course, pay renewal fee
Phone: 702-508-0015 (Las Vegas office) or 775-688-1442 (Reno office)
Fax: 702- 850-2418
Email: licensing@nvcosmo.com
Nevada Board of Cosmetology website: https://sites.google.com/nvcosmo.com/nevada-board-of-cosmetology/license-services/esthetician
New Hampshire
600 hours of training in an approved school or 1200 hours in an approved apprenticeship
Must pass written and practical exams, pay exam and licensing fees
Renewal: every 2 years, pay renewal fees, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 603-271-3608
Fax: 603-271-3950
Email: joseph.shoemaker@oplc.nh.gov
New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, & Esthetics website: https://www.oplc.nh.gov/cosmetology/index.htm
New Jersey
600 hours in an approved school/program
Must pass written and practical exams, $50 exam fee, $90 licensing fee
Can practice while attending school on a student permit, once half of required coursework is completed
Renewal: every 2 years, pay renewal fees, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 973- 504-6400
New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling website: http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/cos/Pages/default.aspx
New Mexico
600 hours of training (or equivalent credit) in an approved school/program or 6 months (150 hours of training) of work experience
Must pass written and practical exams, pay exam fees and $50 licensing fee
If combined with a manicurist license, 900 hours of training in an approved school
Renewal: every 2 years, no continuing education hours required, pay $50 renewal fee
Phone: 505-476-4622
Fax: 505-476-4665
New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists website: http://www.rld.state.nm.us/boards/Barbers_and_Cosmetologists.aspx
New York
600 hours of training in an approved school/program
Must pass written and practical exams, $15 fee for each exam and $40 licensing fee
Renewal: every 4 years, $40 renewal fee, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 518- 474-4429
Fax: 518- 473-6648
Division of Licensing Services: Esthetics website: https://www.dos.ny.gov/licensing/esthetics/esthetics.html
North Carolina
600 hours of training in an approved program/school
Must pass written and practical exams, pay exam fee and $10 licensing fee
Renewal: must be renewed each year, 8 hours of continuing education required, $20 fee
Phone: 919-733-4117
Fax: 919-733-4127
North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners website: https://www.nccosmeticarts.com/initiallicensing/ncstudents.aspx
North Dakota
600 hours of training in an approved school/program
Must pass practical and written exams$25 exam fee, $25 license fee
Renewal: must be renewed each year, $25 renewal fee, no continuing education hours required
Master Esthetician License:
1000 hours of practice as licensed aesthetician
License fee of $25
Must be renewed annually, $25 renewal fee
Phone: 701-224-9800
Fax: 701-222-8756
Email: info@ndcosmetology.com
North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology website: https://www.ndcosmetology.com/
Ohio
600 hours of training in an approved school/program
Must pass written and practical exams, pay exam fees, and pay licensing fee
Renewal: every 2 years, 8 hours of continuing education required, renewal fee
Licensees age 65+ prior to January 31, 2019 do not need CE hours to renew, just need to pay renewal fee
Advanced Esthetician License:
1800 hours of practice as a licensed esthetician or 150 hours of training in an approved advanced esthetics program
Pay exam and/or licensing fees
Renew: every 2 years, pay renewal fees, 8 hours of continuing education
Phone: 614-466-3834
Fax:614-644-6880
Email: ohiocos@cos.ohio.gov
Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board website: http://www.cos.ohio.gov/FORMS-APPLICATIONS/COSMETOLOGY
Oklahoma
600 hours of study in an approved program/school (or equivalent credit hours) or 1200 hours in an approved apprenticeship
Must pass written and technical exams and pay $35 exam and $25 licensing fees
Renewal: must renew each year, $25 fee, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 405-521-2441
Fax: 405-521-2440
Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering website: https://www.ok.gov/cosmo/Licensing_&_Fee_Information/index.html#EstheticianFacialistLicenseRequirements
Oregon
250 hours of training in an approved school/program
150 hours in Safety/Infection Control and 100 hours of Career Development is also required for initial certification.
Must pass written and practical exams and pay exam and licensing fees
Renewal: every 2 years, pay renewal fee, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 503-378-8667
Email: hlo.info@state.or.us.
Oregon Board of Cosmetology website: http://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HLO/Pages/Board-Cosmetology-Esthetician-License.aspx
Pennsylvania
300 hours of training in a licensed cosmetology school
Must pass written and practical exams, pay exam and licensing fees
Renewal: every 2 years, pay renewal fees, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 717-783-7130
Fax: 717-705-5540
Email: St-COSMETOLOGY@pa.gov
Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology website: http://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Cosmetology/Pages/default.aspx
Rhode Island
600 hours of training in an approved school/program
Must pass written and practical exams, pay exam fees and $25 licensing fee
Renewal: every 2 years, pay renewal fees, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 401-222-5960
State of Rhode Island Department of Health: Barbering, Hairdressing, and Cosmetology website: http://health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=225
South Carolina
450 hours of training in an approved school/program
Must take written and practical exams, pay exam and licensing fees
Renewal: every 2 years, $52 renewal fee, 12 contact hours of continuing education hours required.
Only half of the 12-hour requirement may be completed online.
At least 3 hours of instruction shall be in sanitation or health and safety for clients
Phone: 803-896-4588
Email: boardinfo@llr.sc.gov
South Carolina Board of Cosmetology website: http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Cosmetology/index.asp?file=faq.htm
South Dakota
600 hours of aesthetics education
Pass written and practical exams, as well as a South Dakota state laws/rules exam
Pay $80 fee for exams and initial license
Renewal: must be renewed each year, pay $20 renewal fee, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 605-773-6193
Fax: 605-773-7175
Email: cosmetology@state.sd.us
South Dakota Cosmetology Commission website: http://dlr.sd.gov/cosmetology/licensing_requirements.aspx#esth
Tennessee
750 hours of training in an approved school/program
Must pass written and practical exams, pay exam and licensing fees
Renewal: every 2 years, $60 renewal fee, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 615-741-2241
Email: reg.boards@tn.gov
Tennessee Department of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners: Aesthetician website: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/cosmo/licensee-applicant-resources/how-do-i-get-an-individual-license/aesthetician.html
Texas
750 hours of training in an approved school/program
Must pass written ($52) and practical ($74) exams and pay licensing fees
Renewal: every 2 years, pay $50 renewal fee, and obtain 4 hours of continuing education.
The 4 hours of continuing education must be through department-approved courses. The continuing education hours must include 1 hour of sanitation, and 3 hours of any topic listed in Section 83.120 of the Cosmetology Administrative Rules.
A licensee who is at least 65 years old and has held a license for at least 15 years is required to complete 1 hour of continuing education in sanitation. Courses must be approved.
Phone: 800-803-9202
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Cosmetologists website: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/cosmet/cosmet.htm
Utah
600 hours of training in an approved school (at least 15 weeks) or 800 hours in an approved apprenticeship (at least 5 months)
Master Esthetician: 1200 hours of training in an approved school or 1500 hours of an approved apprenticeship
Must pass written and practical exams, pay exam fees and $60 licensing fee
Master Esthetician: pass written and practical exams, pay exam fees and $85 licensing fee
Renewal: every 2 years, $52 renewal fee, no continuing education hours required
Master Esthetician: every 2 years, $68 renewal fee, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 866-275-3675 or 801-530-6628
Fax: 801-530-6511
Email: doplweb@utah.gov
Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing website: http://dopl.utah.gov/licensing/cosmetology_barbering.html
Vermont
600 hours of training in an approved school/program or 800 hours in an approved apprenticeship (12 months)
Must pass written and practical exams, pay exam and licensing fees
Master esthetician license: 1200 hours of training in an approved school, pay exam and licensing fees
Renewal: every 2 years, $130 renewal fee, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 802-828-1134
Email: ashley.cota@sec.state.vt.us
Vermont Secretary of State: Barbers and Cosmetologists website: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/professional-regulation/list-of-professions/barbers-cosmetologists.aspx
Virginia
600 hours of training in an approved school/program
Must pass written and practical exams, pay exam fees and $105 licensing fee
Master esthetician: 1200 hours of training in an approved school
Pass required exams and pay required fees
Renewal: every 2 years, $105 renewal fee, no continuing education required
Phone: 804-367-8509
Fax: 866- 245-9693
Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology website: http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/BarberCosmo/
Washington
750 hours of training in an approved school/program or 800 hours in an approved apprenticeship
Must pass written and practical exams, pay fees $25 licensing fee
Master esthetician:1200 hours of training in an approved school or 1400 hours in an approved apprenticeship
Pass required exams and pay exam fees and $25 licensing fee
Renewal: every 2 years, $55 renewal fee (for master as well), no continuing education hours required
Phone: 360-664-6626
Fax: 360-664-2550
Email: plssunit@dol.wa.gov
Washington State Department of Licensing: Cosmetologists website: http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/cosmetology/index.html
West Virginia
600 hours of training in an approved school/program
Must pass written and practical exams, pay exam fees and $35 licensing fee
Renewal: must be renewed every year, $35 renewal fee, 4 hours of continuing education required
Phone: 304- 558-2924
Fax: 304-558-3450
Email: Danielle.J.Cordle@wv.gov
West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists website: http://www.wvbbc.com/MenuStructure/GeneralInformation/GeneralInformation/HowtoBecomeLicensed/tabid/1559/Default.aspx
Wisconsin
450 hours (at least 11 weeks) of training in an approved school/program
Must pass written and practical exams, pay exam and licensing fees
Renewal: every 2 years, pay renewal fee, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 608-266-2112 or 877-617-1565
State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services: Aesthetician website: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Aesthetician/Default.aspx
Wyoming
600 hours of training in an approved school/program
Must pass written and practical exams, pay $100 exam fee and $48 licensing fee
Renewal: initial license must be renewed after one year, after that, every 2 years, $96 renewal fee, no continuing education hours required
Phone: 307-777-3534
Fax: 307-777-3681
Wyoming Board of Cosmetology website: http://cosmetology.wy.gov/
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