StateLicensed

Cosmetologist License Requirements in Arizona

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1500 hrs
Upfront cost
$237
Exam
Written (Theory) Examination, Practical Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 16 years old, At least two years of high school (10 credits) or its equivalent (GED, homeschool affidavit, or being 16+) if applying under the 16-and-up path; applicants 18 or older need no education documentation.. Under A.R.S. and A.A.C. R4-10-101(35), an applicant qualifies either by being at least 16 with 2 years of high school (or equivalent: 10 credits, a homeschool Affidavit of Intent, or a GED/equivalency test) or by being at least 18 with no education requirement. No criminal background check is listed as a personal-license requirement on the Board's official pages. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1500 hours of training at a state-approved program. 1,500 hours at a board-licensed school, OR a graduate of an out-of-state/country school with substantially the same requirements, OR completion of a U.S. Department of Labor / Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES)-approved apprenticeship program (employer and student must both be registered through the DES Apprenticeship Program). [1]

  3. 3

    Written (Theory) Examination

    Pass the Written (Theory) Examination (fee: $100). [2]

  4. 4

    Practical Examination

    Pass the Practical Examination (fee: $77). [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board. [2]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board issues your Cosmetology License for Arizona.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] None specified
License fee [2] $60
Renewal fee [2] $60
Written (Theory) Examination [2] $100
Practical Examination [2] $77
Written Examination (Virtual Inc./PCS) [2] $100
Practical Examination (Virtual Inc./PCS) [2] $77
Delinquent renewal fee [2] $30
Reciprocity/Universal Recognition fee [2] $60

No separate application fee distinct from the $60 initial personal license fee (cosmetology/aesthetics/nail tech category); a $3 service fee is added to all online payments. Exam fees ($100 written + $77 practical) are paid to the third-party testing vendor, not the Board.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years.

Licenses expire every two years on the licensee's birthday (an initial license may be valid for less than a full two years, expiring on the licensee's second birthday from issuance). No continuing-education requirement is listed for personal license renewal.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Arizona offers a 'Reciprocity & Universal Recognition' personal license pathway for $60 (aesthetics/cosmetology/nail tech). Arizona also has a distinct SCRA-based Military Reciprocity pathway for servicemembers/spouses relocating on military orders who held an active out-of-state license for the 2 years before the move. Separately, Arizona enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact (2nd state to do so, per cosmetologycompact.gov's enactment announcements), but the Compact Commission has not begun issuing multistate licenses as of this research (targeted late 2026/early 2027), so it is not listed under compacts.

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

Cost calculator

  • $60
  • $100
  • $77
Total$237

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does Arizona require for a cosmetology license?

1,500 hours at a board-licensed school, or completion of a DES-approved apprenticeship program (both employer and student registered through the Arizona Department of Economic Security).

Who administers the Arizona cosmetology exam, and what does it cost?

Virtual Inc. (PCS) administers both exams: $100 for the written (theory) exam and $77 for the practical exam, paid to PCS directly.

How much does an Arizona cosmetology license cost?

A $60 initial personal license fee, plus $100 (written) and $77 (practical) paid to the exam vendor. A $3 service fee is added to online payments. Renewal is also $60 every two years.

Can I transfer my out-of-state cosmetology license to Arizona?

Yes, through the Reciprocity & Universal Recognition pathway for a $60 fee. Military servicemembers and spouses relocating on orders may also qualify for expedited Military Reciprocity under the SCRA if they've held an active license for the 2 years before the move.

Do I need a cosmetology license to do threading, braiding, or eyelash extensions in Arizona?

Threading and hair braiding are exempt from cosmetology licensure under A.R.S. §32-506. Eyelash technicians are licensed separately through the Board's Eyelash Technician Registration, not the cosmetology personal license.

Sources

  1. [1] bcb.az.gov/apply/personal-license — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] bcb.az.gov/resources/fees — accessed 2026-07-10