Cosmetologist License Requirements by State
Cosmetologists cut, color, and style hair and, depending on state scope-of-practice rules, may also perform skincare, nail, and makeup services. Every state requires completion of a licensed cosmetology school program — typically 1,000 to 1,600+ clock hours — followed by a written and practical exam, most often administered through PSI Services or the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC), with program hours, fees, and renewal cycles set independently by each state board.
- States verified
- 51
- Median wage (BLS 2024)
- $35,250/yr
- Employment (BLS 2024)
- 575,200
- Outlook (10-yr)
- +5.6%
Pick your state
Requirements at a glance
| State | Training hours | Upfront cost | Renewal cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1500 hrs | $255 | Every 2 years |
| Alaska | 1650 hrs | $420 | Every 2 years |
| Arizona | 1500 hrs | $237 | Every 2 years |
| Arkansas | 1500 hrs | $143 | Every 2 years |
| California | 1000 hrs | $125 | Every 2 years |
| Colorado | 1500 hrs | — | Every 1 year |
| Connecticut | 1500 hrs | $100 | Every 2 years |
| Delaware | 1500 hrs | $128 | Every 2 years |
| District of Columbia | 1500 hrs | $267 | Every 2 years |
| Florida | 1200 hrs | $32 | Every 2 years |
| Georgia | 1500 hrs | $139 | Every 2 years |
| Hawaii | 1800 hrs | $42 | Every 2 years |
| Idaho | 1600 hrs | $298 | Every 2 years |
| Illinois | 1500 hrs | $225 | Every 2 years |
| Indiana | 1500 hrs | $89 | Every 4 years |
| Iowa | 1550 hrs | $143 | Every 2 years |
| Kansas | 1500 hrs | $210 | Every 2 years |
| Kentucky | 1500 hrs | $270 | Every 1 year |
| Louisiana | 1500 hrs | $85 | Every 1 year |
| Maine | 1500 hrs | $20 | Every 1 year |
| Maryland | 1500 hrs | $122 | Every 2 years |
| Massachusetts | 1000 hrs | $68 | Every 2 years |
| Michigan | 1500 hrs | $63 | Every 2 years |
| Minnesota | 1550 hrs | $195 | Every 3 years |
| Mississippi | 1500 hrs | $50 | Every 2 years |
| Missouri | 1500 hrs | $246 | Every 2 years |
| Montana | 1500 hrs | $100 | Every 2 years |
| Nebraska | 1800 hrs | — | Every 2 years |
| Nevada | 1600 hrs | $195 | Every 2 years |
| New Hampshire | 1200 hrs | $255 | Every 2 years |
| New Jersey | 1200 hrs | $193 | Every 2 years |
| New Mexico | 1600 hrs | $313 | Every 1 year |
| New York | 1000 hrs | $110 | Every 4 years |
| North Carolina | 1500 hrs | $98 | Every 1 year |
| North Dakota | 1500 hrs | $200 | Every 1 year |
| Ohio | 1500 hrs | $125 | Every 2 years |
| Oklahoma | 1250 hrs | $180 | Every 2 years |
| Oregon | 1150 hrs | $155 | Every 2 years |
| Pennsylvania | 1250 hrs | $145 | Every 2 years |
| Rhode Island | 1500 hrs | $50 | Every 2 years |
| South Carolina | 1500 hrs | $167 | Every 2 years |
| South Dakota | 1500 hrs | — | Every 1 year |
| Tennessee | 1500 hrs | $60 | Every 2 years |
| Texas | 1000 hrs | $181 | Every 2 years |
| Utah | 1250 hrs | $270 | Every 2 years |
| Vermont | 1000 hrs | $120 | Every 2 years |
| Virginia | 1000 hrs | $314 | Every 2 years |
| Washington | 1600 hrs | $323 | Every 2 years |
| West Virginia | 1800 hrs | $313 | Every 1 year |
| Wisconsin | 1550 hrs | $11 | Every 2 years |
| Wyoming | 1600 hrs | $148 | Every 2 years |
Upfront cost = application fee + license fee + exam fees, from each state's verified fee schedule. States marked "coming soon" are being verified against their issuing board and will be published shortly.