Cosmetologist License Requirements in Nevada
- Training hours
- 1600 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $195
- Exam
- Cosmetologist Theory and Practical Examination
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Nevada State Board of Cosmetology
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 18 years old, Successful completion of the 10th grade or its equivalent (equivalency testing per applicable state or federal requirements). NRS 644A.300 requires applicants to be at least 18, of 'good moral character,' and to have completed the 10th grade or equivalent. 'Good moral character' is a self-attestation on the application, not a formal fingerprint-based criminal background check, so backgroundCheck is set to false. Verified via archive snapshot 2026-07-04 (leg.state.nv.us 403s automated fetches). [1]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 1600 hours of training at a state-approved program. 1,600 hours of training in a Board-approved school of cosmetology (NRS 644A.300, confirmed directly from the current Nevada Revised Statutes as amended through 2023). Alternatives to school hours (NRS 644A.300(4)): (b) 4 years of documented out-of-state/out-of-country practice; (c) for an already-registered barber, 600 hours of specialized training; or (d) 3,200 hours as a registered cosmetologist's apprentice in a licensed cosmetological establishment. Nevada's cosmetology hour requirement has been reduced in past legislative sessions (the statute's amendment history spans 1960-2023) — this 1,600-hour figure is the CURRENT statutory requirement, not a stale/pre-reduction number, verified against a snapshot of the live statute taken 2026-07-04, six days before this research. Verified via archive snapshot 2026-07-04 (leg.state.nv.us 403s automated fetches; the statute was read via its Wayback Machine capture). [1]
- 3
Cosmetologist Theory and Practical Examination
Pass the Cosmetologist Theory and Practical Examination (fee: $125). Practical demonstrations (shampooing, hairdressing, styling, coloring, nail technology, cosmetics, thermal curling, facial/scalp massage, chemical hair procedures, cutting/trimming/shaping) plus written or oral tests on antisepsis/sterilization/sanitation, mechanical apparatus/electricity use, and Nevada cosmetology law (NRS 644A.305). The $125 testing fee published on the Board's official fee schedule combines the application and exam fee (not itemized separately). A $95 retest fee applies if a component is failed. [2]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to Nevada State Board of Cosmetology. [2]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Nevada State Board of Cosmetology issues your Cosmetologist License for Nevada.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [2] | None specified |
| License fee [2] | $70 |
| Renewal fee [2] | $70 |
| Cosmetologist Theory and Practical Examination [2] | $125 |
| Testing Fee (application + exam, combined) [2] | $125 |
| License Fee, 4-year term [2] | $140 |
| Renewal, 4-year term [2] | $140 |
| Retest Fee [2] | $95 |
| Reciprocity (includes NV State Law test) [2] | $325 |
Per the Board's official Service Fees schedule: the License Fee is $70 for a 2-year term or $140 for a 4-year term (licensee's choice at issuance/renewal) — the same amount applies to both initial issuance and renewal, so license and renewal are recorded as $70 (2-year) here, with the 4-year alternative under 'other'. There is no separate 'application' fee distinct from the $125 combined Testing Fee (recorded under 'other', and duplicated under exams.fee).
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years.
Licensees choose a 2-year ($70) or 4-year ($140) renewal term. Most individual licenses expire on the licensee's birthdate in the renewal year. NRS 644A does not impose a continuing-education-hour requirement on standard cosmetologist license renewal (continuing education is required only for instructor licenses under NRS 644A.420). Late fees are $20/month starting the day after expiration.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
Nevada offers license transfer (reciprocity) under NRS 644A.640: an applicant with an active, good-standing license from another state must pass a 25-question Nevada State Law Test (minimum 75%); additional exams may be required depending on license type. The reciprocity fee is $325 (includes the test fee). For applicants from a list of ~30 states the Board names explicitly (including Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, and New Hampshire among this research's states, but NOT Maryland, Massachusetts, or Mississippi), Nevada verifies licensing information online after application submission; applicants from other states/territories must have their state board send a License Certification directly to Nevada. Nevada does not recognize certain out-of-state credentials (e.g., Florida Full Specialist, Alaska Manicurist, specific California schools). Per the official Cosmetology Compact Commission site (cosmetologycompact.gov, checked 2026-07-10), Nevada appears on the compact's map with an introduced bill (AB 371) but is not marked as having enacted the legislation, and the compact itself is not yet operational anywhere — no state is issuing multistate licenses under it as of this research.
10 state-approved training providers in Nevada — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $70
- $125
Frequently asked questions
How many training hours does Nevada currently require for a cosmetology license?
1,600 hours at a Board-approved school, or 3,200 hours as a registered cosmetologist's apprentice. This is the current statutory figure (NRS 644A.300), not an outdated one.
Who administers the Nevada cosmetology exam?
Pearson VUE, under contract with the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology. The exam covers practical skills plus written/oral tests on sanitation, equipment use, and Nevada cosmetology law.
How much does it cost to get licensed in Nevada?
A $125 combined testing/application fee, plus a $70 license fee for a 2-year term (or $140 for a 4-year term).
Is continuing education required to renew a Nevada cosmetology license?
No, standard cosmetologist licenses have no CE requirement for renewal. CE is required only for instructor licenses.
Can I transfer my out-of-state cosmetology license to Nevada?
Yes, via reciprocity ($325 fee, includes a 25-question Nevada State Law test requiring a 75% minimum score). Nevada verifies licenses online for applicants from about 30 named states; others must have their state board send certification directly.
Sources
- [1] leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-644A.html — accessed 2026-07-10
- [2] nvcosmo.com/service-fees — accessed 2026-07-10
- [3] nvcosmo.com/renew-a-license — accessed 2026-07-10
- [4] nvcosmo.com/transfer-to-nevada — accessed 2026-07-10