How to get a hair license: Official guide

A fantastic hairdo brightens everyone’s day. From radical changes to basic trims, online services to in-person appointments, hairstylists use their expertise to help their clients try a new look, feel more confident, get ready for a special event, or simply maintain their signature style.

With recent closures due to coronavirus shifting the way we work and the increased attention on offering accessible services to persons living with disabilities, there is more opportunity to provide mobile salon services, online services, and a greater range of in-person services than ever before.

The know-how and experience to provide these services are often hard-earned in the form of education and licensure. In addition, even the most naturally talented stylists would not operate their businesses legally in all 50 states without first becoming licensed.

If you are looking to start a business as a hairstylist, read on to learn the steps you need to take to earn your stylist’s license, as well as some valuable answers to frequently asked questions about state-by-state licensing regulations for hairdressers as well as additional information about regulations for other license types such as those for estheticians, manicurists, and barbers.

What is a hair license?

A beautician’s license, a barber’s license, and a cosmetology license are all acceptable forms of licensure for hairstylists, though they do cover different aspects of the beauty industry.

For example, all cosmetologists are beauticians, but not all beauticians are cosmetologists. Cosmetologists are trained in a wider range of beauty techniques that extend far beyond hair.

On the other hand, barbers focus primarily on men’s care, though they are trained in women’s hair care as well. You will want to determine which path you want to take to know what state and federal requirements you need to fulfill.

No matter which road you take, each license is earned in conjunction with formal education or apprenticeship, both of which allow you to practice the art of cutting, coloring, and/or styling hair as a certified professional. To achieve your license, you must pass a state board exam, achieve a certain number of training hours, and file all necessary paperwork.

What are the costs associated with getting a cosmetology license?

A new application fee will vary from state to state but will likely be no more than a couple hundred dollars. The license exam fee will range from around $75 to $125, and you will need to go through license renewal at a state-dependent cadence—usually every 2 years or so. Professional license renewal fees are generally less than $100.

You should submit your renewal application and any fees to avoid a lapse in licensing that would require you to go through a reinstatement process. The reinstatement process can be a hassle, so look up your license expiration date in advance to ensure you have ample time to complete the reapplication process before it expires.

License application fees and exam fees are not the only costs you will have along the way to achieving your license. You will need to meet the formal education requirement by training at a cosmetology school or going through an apprenticeship program. These programs can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to upwards of $20,000 depending on where you choose to attend.

Remember that you will need a specific number of training hours, which can vary by state. Be sure that the school you choose provides enough training hours for your state as part of their tuition.

In addition, when you research hairstylist training programs, ensure that you do your due diligence to identify a legitimate program. Unfortunately, scams abound, and the hair industry is no different. Choosing a well-established program or a vetted apprenticeship will likely be your best bet.

What will I learn in my hairstylist training?

It depends on where you choose to attend. If you select a high-level cosmetology program, you will learn various haircutting, coloring, styling, and maintenance techniques. You will also receive additional training in makeup, nails, skincare, and more.

On the other hand, beauty schools will focus more on hair and skin. Barbers will concentrate predominantly on men’s hair and skin care, including facial hair. You will likely be in school for at least 2 years for all these programs.

In either case, you will practice on a blend of mannequins and models and learn about the beauty industry during your training. Laws, regulations, and safety protocols will likely be covered. Throughout your time, you should be given ample opportunity to practice your skills to deepen your experience and fulfill your state’s hourly training requirements.

If you go the apprenticeship route, you will learn on-the-job from working professionals to earn your state-regulated training hours. This route may take longer than the traditional path in some cases, as you will not have the full-time, structured schedule of the education program to follow.

However, those working full-time jobs already or who have other commitments may find a more flexible apprenticeship agreement a better fit for their lifestyle.

Required exams

Once you have finished your training and have completed the required number of hours, you may apply to take your state’s hairstylist’s license exam. This exam usually contains both a written examination and a practical examination. If you want to become licensed in a particular specialty, you may need to sit for an additional exam.

You can take your written exam at an approved testing facility. The test is administered via computer in most cases. You will be tested on such topics as physiology, color chemistry, infection control, and general hairstyling knowledge such as coloring, best practices, and trichology.

Your practical exam may involve working on models, mannequins, or both. You will need to demonstrate your proficiency in a wide range of hair skills. These can include shampooing, cutting, coloring, styling, blow-drying, perms, and more. You will be judged on uniformity, evenness, blending, and more.

The National-Interstate Council of State Board of Cosmetology (NIC) is the industry-standard licensing exam used in most states for both written and practical, though some states may have their own exams.

Hair licenses vs. cosmetology business licenses

Your hair license allows you to professionally cut, color, and style hair. A cosmetology business license will enable you to work as a hairstylist and business owner.

Business licenses differ from hairstylists licenses in that you can only procure them after you have registered your business with the state and have completed all requirements to operate legally. You will need both licenses to run a salon, and you may even need a business license to operate within another’s salon, depending on the agreement.

For example, some salon owners allow hairstylists working as sole proprietors to rent a chair in their salon. In these cases, a hairstylist operates as their own business owner rather than an employee. In these cases, both the salon owner and the sole proprietor renting a chair may need a business license to operate legally.

Hairstylist training hour license requirements: State-by-state guide

All states plus the District of Columbia require hairstyling professionals to be licensed to practice their trade. This means training as a cosmetologist for most states, but some states do offer hair-specific training such as beautician training.

You will need to learn about your state’s specific training hour requirements to choose the right program to suit your needs and career desires. Below we have a list of requirements for each state. Find your state to learn what you need to sit for your exam and become certified.

Alabama

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 3,000 hours

Barber:

• Class II training (can be supplemental training for cosmetologists): 1,000 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 3,000 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 750 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 1,200 hours

Alaska

Hairdresser:

• Formal training: 1,650 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 2,000 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,650 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 2,000 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 350 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 350 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 250 hours plus 12 hours of further instruction

Arizona

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,650 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 2,000 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,600 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 400 hours

Arkansas

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 600 hours

California

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,600 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 3,200 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 400 hours

Colorado

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,800 hours

Hairstylist:

• Formal training: 1,200 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Connecticut

Cosmetician/Hairdresser:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 3,000 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,000 hours

Delaware

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 300 hours

District of Columbia

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 350 hours

Florida

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,200 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,200 hours

Georgia

Cosmetology:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 3,000 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 1,000 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 525 hours

Hair Design:

• Formal training: 1,000 hours

Hawaii

Cosmetology:

• Formal training: 1,800 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 3,600 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 550 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 1,100 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 350 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Idaho

Cosmetology:

• Formal training: 2,000 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 4,000 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 1,200 hours

Barber:

• Barber-stylist formal training: 1,800 hours
• Barber formal training (no chemicals): 900 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 400 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 800 hours

Illinois

Cosmetology:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours. 150 internship hours can be counted towards this total

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 750 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 350 hours

Indiana

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 700 hours
• Can be partnered as esthetics/electrologist training for an additional 300 to 1,500 additional hours depending on your professional goals)

Manicurist/Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 450 hours

Iowa

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 2,100 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 2,100 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 325 hours

Kansas

Cosmetology:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 1,000 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 350 hours

Kentucky

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,800 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 1,000 hours

Louisiana

Cosmetology:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Esthetics:

• Formal training: 750 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 500 hours

Maine

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 2,500 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 200 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 400 hours

Maryland

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 2 years

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,200 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 250 hours

Massachusetts

Cosmetologist/Hairdresser:

• Formal training: 1,000 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,000 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 300 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 100 hours

Michigan

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 2 years

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,800 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 400 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 400 hours

Minnesota

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,550 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 350 hours

Mississippi

Cosmetology:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Esthetics:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Manicuring:

• Formal training: 350 hours

Wigology:

• Formal training: 300 hours

Missouri

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 3,000 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,000 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 750 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 1,500 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 400 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 800 hours

Montana

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 2,000 hours

Barber:

• Formal training (with chemicals): 1,500 hours
• Formal training (without chemicals): 1,000 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 650 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 400 hours

Nebraska

Cosmetology:

• Formal training: 2,100 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 2,100 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 300 hours

Nevada

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,600 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Hair Designer:

• Formal training: 1,200 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 500 hours

New Hampshire

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 3,000 hours

Barber:

• Formal training (with chemicals): 1,500 hours
• Formal training (without chemicals): 800 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 3,000 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 300 hours

New Jersey

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,200 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 300 hours

Skin Care Specialist:

• Formal training: 600 hours

New Mexico

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,600 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,200 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Manicurist/Pedicurist:

• Formal training: 350 hours

Manicurist/Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

New York

Cosmetology:

• Formal training: 1,000 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

North Carolina

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours, or 1,200 hours with a 6-month apprenticeship program

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,528 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 300 hours

North Dakota

Cosmetology:

• Formal training: 1,800 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,550 hours

Esthetics:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 350 hours

Ohio

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours. 150 of these hours can be internship hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,800 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Hair Designer:

• Formal training: 1,200 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 200 hours

Natural Hair Stylist:

• Formal training: 450 hours

Oklahoma

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 3,000 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Cosmetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Esthetician/Facialist:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Hair braiding Technician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Oregon

Hair Design:

• Formal training: 1,700 hours

Barbering:

• Formal training: 1,100 hours

Facial Technology:

• Formal training: 500 hours

Nail Technology:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Hair Design, Esthetics and Nail Technology:

• Formal training: 2,300 hours

Hair Design and Esthetics:

• Formal training: 1,950 hours

Hair Design and Nail Technology:

• Formal training: 2,050 hours

Nail Technology and Esthetics:

• Formal training: 850 hours

Pennsylvania

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,250 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 2,000 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,250 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 2,000 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 300 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 200 hours

Rhode Island

Hairdresser, Cosmetician:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 300 hours

South Carolina

Cosmetology:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 450 hours

South Dakota

Cosmetology:

• Formal training: 2,100 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 3,000 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 400 hours

Tennessee

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 750 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Natural Hair Stylist:

• Formal training: 300 hours

Shampoo Technician:

• Formal training: 300 hours

Texas

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Barber Technician:

• Formal training: 300 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Utah

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,600 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 2,500 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,000 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 1,500 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 300 hours

Vermont

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 2,000 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,000 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 2,000 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 300 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 150 hours

Virginia

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 3,000 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,500 hours

Hair Braider:

• Formal training: 170 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 150 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Washington

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,600 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 2,000 hours

Barber:

• Formal training: 1,000 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 600 hours

West Virginia

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,800 hours

Barber:

• Formal training (with chemicals): 1,500 hours
• Formal training (without chemicals): 1,200 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 750 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 400 hours

Wisconsin

Cosmetologist:

• Formal training: 1,550 hours
• Apprenticeship training: 4,000 hours

Barbering:

• Formal training: 1,000 hours

Manicurist:

• Formal training: 300 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 450 hours

Wyoming

Cosmetology:

• Formal training: 1,600 hours

Barber:

• Formal training (with chemicals): 1,250 hours
• Formal training (without chemicals): 1,000 hours

Nail Technician:

• Formal training: 400 hours

Esthetician:

• Formal training: 600 hours

Please note that the above information regarding required training hours is for informational purposes only. Rules, laws, and regulations may change over time. Always check with your local and state government for any new changes to these requirements.

Maintaining your license

Once you have your license, you will need to maintain it. This may mean simply filing for renewal every couple of years. However, it can also mean earning a specific number of continuing education units (CEUs) before you can renew. These CEUs (also called continuing education credits or CEs) can be on topics ranging from safety to new techniques and styling trends. You may take them online or in person. Check with your state board’s licensing department to learn what you need to do to maintain your license. Your state may also offer a list of preferred CEU providers for your reference.

Don’t forget about insurance: Huckleberry small business insurance for hairstylists

Once you are a board-certified hairstylist, you will want to ensure that you have the proper business insurance in place to protect you against liability claims in your new business as a beauty professional. You may need multiple forms of coverage depending on if you are a barber, cosmetologist, or beautician.

Claim your fast and free quote from Huckleberry to learn what forms of insurance you need and how much you’re likely to pay.