StateLicensed

Cosmetologist License Requirements in Alabama

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1500 hrs
Upfront cost
$255
Exam
Written Examination, Practical Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 16 years old, Completion of at least 10 grades of secondary school (or the equivalent). Applicants must be at least 16 years old, have completed at least 10 grades of secondary school (or the equivalent), and be legally permitted to work in the United States. No criminal background check is mentioned on the Board's official licensing pages. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1500 hours of training at a state-approved program. 1,500 school clock hours OR 3,000 apprenticeship clock hours (the two tracks may not be combined). Up to 50% of theory and practical instruction may be completed via distance/online learning, but students must be notified in writing that online credits may not transfer for reciprocity purposes in other states. [1]

  3. 3

    Written Examination

    Pass the Written Examination (fee: $75). Candidates have 2 years from program completion to pass both the Written and Practical exams, with up to 3 attempts per exam within that period. [2]

  4. 4

    Practical Examination

    Pass the Practical Examination (fee: $130). [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. [3]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering issues your Cosmetologist License for Alabama.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] None specified
License fee [3] $50
Renewal fee [3] $100
Written Examination [2] $75
Practical Examination [2] $130
Written Examination (PSI) [3] $75
Practical Examination (PSI) [3] $130
Late renewal fee [3] $54

No separate application fee beyond the original license fee ($50) and exam fees ($75 written + $130 practical, paid to PSI). Late renewal (after the birth-month deadline in an odd-numbered year) adds a $54 fee.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years.

Individual cosmetologist licenses renew during the licensee's birth month in odd-numbered years (a 2-year cycle). No continuing-education hours are required to renew a personal cosmetologist license in Alabama.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Alabama accepts out-of-state license transfers via reciprocity: the applicant requests a certification of licensure from their current state, then submits Alabama's reciprocity application ($100 non-refundable fee, plus a $75 written exam fee and/or $130 practical exam fee if the Board determines the applicant's home-state training/testing/tenure doesn't fully meet Alabama's requirements). Out-of-state certification requests cost $25 per state. Separately, Alabama enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact (per cosmetologycompact.gov's enactment announcements), but the Compact Commission has not yet begun issuing multistate licenses as of this research (targeted late 2026/early 2027), so it is not listed under compacts.

23 state-approved training providers in Alabama — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $50
  • $75
  • $130
Total$255

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does Alabama require for a cosmetologist license?

1,500 school clock hours, or 3,000 apprenticeship clock hours — the two paths cannot be combined.

Who administers the Alabama cosmetology licensing exam?

PSI Services administers both the Written ($75) and Practical ($130) examinations.

When do Alabama cosmetologist licenses renew?

During the licensee's birth month in odd-numbered years. There is no continuing-education requirement for renewal.

Can I use online coursework toward my Alabama cosmetology training hours?

Yes, up to 50% of theory and practical instruction can be completed via distance learning, but you must be notified in writing that online credits may not be accepted for reciprocity by other states.

Can I transfer an out-of-state cosmetology license to Alabama?

Yes, through the Board's reciprocity process. You must first have your current state send a certification of licensure to Alabama, then submit the reciprocity application with a $100 fee; depending on how your training compares to Alabama's requirements, you may also need to pass the written and/or practical exam.

Sources

  1. [1] aboc.alabama.gov/licensing/license-types — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] aboc.alabama.gov/exams/exam-requirements-fees — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] aboc.alabama.gov/licensing/fees — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] aboc.alabama.gov/faqs — accessed 2026-07-10
  5. [5] aboc.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/2021-12/Out%20of%20State%20Reciprocity_0.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10