Cosmetologist License Requirements in Michigan
- Training hours
- 1500 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $63
- Exam
- Cosmetologist Theory Examination, Cosmetologist Practical Examination
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing — Board of Cosmetology
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 17 years old, Education equivalent to completion of the ninth grade. LARA requires a Social Security Number (or SSN-exemption affidavit) and a self-attested 'Good Moral Character' question about prior criminal/civil judgments — this is a disclosure attestation on the application, not a formal fingerprint-based criminal background check, so backgroundCheck is set to false rather than true. Verified via archive snapshot 2025-05-31 (michigan.gov 403s automated fetches). [1]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 1500 hours of training at a state-approved program. 1,500-hour course of study in a licensed school of cosmetology, OR service as an apprentice for not less than 2 years in a licensed cosmetology establishment offering hair care, skin care, and manicuring services. For reciprocity/relicensure applicants, years or months of experience can substitute for training hours at a ratio of 100 hours credited per 6 months of experience. Verified via archive snapshot 2025-05-31 (michigan.gov 403s automated fetches; the PDF was read via its Wayback Machine capture). [1]
- 3
Cosmetologist Theory Examination
Pass the Cosmetologist Theory Examination. Written/computer-based knowledge test, scheduled via psiexams.com. Both the practical and theory exam must be passed for licensure by exam. LARA's licensing guide does not publish a separate PSI exam fee (it is paid directly to PSI when scheduling); left null rather than guessed. Verified via archive snapshot 2025-05-31 (michigan.gov 403s automated fetches). [1]
- 4
Cosmetologist Practical Examination
Pass the Cosmetologist Practical Examination. Hands-on, proctored skills demonstration, scheduled via psiexams.com. Both the practical and theory exam must be passed for licensure by exam. Fee not published by LARA (paid directly to PSI); left null rather than guessed. Verified via archive snapshot 2025-05-31 (michigan.gov 403s automated fetches). [1]
- 5
Submit your application
Submit your application to Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing — Board of Cosmetology with the $63 application fee. [1]
- 6
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing — Board of Cosmetology issues your Cosmetologist License for Michigan.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [1] | $63 |
| License fee [1] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [1] | $48 |
| Cosmetologist Theory Examination [1] | None specified |
| Cosmetologist Practical Examination [1] | None specified |
| Relicensure (lapsed license) [1] | $83 |
LARA publishes a single combined 'Application Fee + 2-year license fee' of $63 for licensure by exam or reciprocity — there is no separate line-item license fee distinct from the application fee. Renewal (every 2 years) is $48. PSI's exam fees are billed separately by the vendor and are not published in LARA's licensing guide. Verified via archive snapshot 2025-05-31 (michigan.gov 403s automated fetches).
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years.
Renewal cycle is 2 years; renewal requires only the $48 fee and an online attestation. LARA's licensing guide lists no continuing-education-hour requirement for cosmetologist renewal. Verified via archive snapshot 2025-05-31 (michigan.gov 403s automated fetches).
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
Michigan offers licensure by reciprocity for applicants who hold or have held a cosmetologist license in another U.S. state. The issuing state must send verification of licensure directly to LARA (bpldata@michigan.gov). If the applicant is not actively licensed elsewhere, or the other state's requirements are not substantially equal to Michigan's, the practical and/or theory exam is still required. Per the official Cosmetology Compact Commission site (cosmetologycompact.gov, checked 2026-07-10), Michigan does not appear on the compact's enactment map (no active or enacted legislation), and the compact itself is not yet operational anywhere — no state is issuing multistate licenses under it as of this research. Verified via archive snapshot 2025-05-31 (michigan.gov 403s automated fetches).
38 state-approved training providers in Michigan — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $63
Frequently asked questions
How many training hours does Michigan require for a cosmetologist license?
1,500 hours in a licensed school of cosmetology, or 2 years as an apprentice in a licensed cosmetology establishment offering hair care, skin care, and manicuring services.
Who administers the Michigan cosmetology exam?
PSI Services LLC, under contract with LARA's Board of Cosmetology. Applicants must pass both a practical and a theory exam.
How much does it cost to get licensed and renew in Michigan?
The combined application-and-2-year-license fee is $63 for licensure by exam or reciprocity. Renewal every 2 years costs $48. PSI's exam fees are billed separately.
Is there a minimum age or education requirement?
Applicants must be at least 17 years old with education equivalent to completion of the ninth grade.
Can I transfer my out-of-state cosmetology license to Michigan?
Yes, via licensure by reciprocity. Your current or former licensing state must send verification of your license directly to LARA. If your training or license standing isn't substantially equal to Michigan's requirements, you'll still need to pass the practical and/or theory exam.