Cosmetologist License Requirements in New York
- Training hours
- 1000 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $110
- Exam
- Cosmetology Written Examination, Cosmetology Practical Examination
- Renewal cycle
- Every 4 years
- Issuing board
- New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 17 years old. Minimum age 17, per the DOS Cosmetology Application. A health certificate (examination by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, dated within 30 days of application) is required. No fingerprint or criminal-history background check requirement for individual cosmetology licensure was found on DOS's own application materials or FAQ. [1]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 1000 hours of training at a state-approved program. 1,000-hour approved course of study at a New York State-licensed cosmetology school. DOS may waive the NYS schooling requirement for equivalent out-of-state/out-of-country schooling (school certificate + transcript + state licensure certification), or accept 5 years of documented legal experience outside New York in lieu of schooling. Applicants qualifying via NYS education must also complete a 1-hour Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness course (effective 6/17/2020). [1]
- 3
Cosmetology Written Examination
Pass the Cosmetology Written Examination (fee: $15). Written exam, scheduled online through the applicant's Division of Licensing Services account. Per the DOS's own Cosmetology Application form (DOS 0034-f-a), the $15 exam fee is collected when scheduling the exam online. [1]
- 4
Cosmetology Practical Examination
Pass the Cosmetology Practical Examination (fee: $15). Hands-on practical exam, scheduled online after the written exam is passed. $15 exam fee per the DOS Cosmetology Application form; both written and practical exams must be passed to obtain the 4-year license. [1]
- 5
Submit your application
Submit your application to New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services with the $40 application fee. [1]
- 6
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services issues your Cosmetology License for New York.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [1] | $40 |
| License fee [1] | $40 |
| Renewal fee [1] | None specified |
| Cosmetology Written Examination [1] | $15 |
| Cosmetology Practical Examination [1] | $15 |
| 6-month temporary license fee [1] | $10 |
| 6-month temporary license renewal (separate application) [1] | $10 |
| Combined original application + temporary license fee [1] | $50 |
The $40 original application/license fee (all applicants) is confirmed on DOS's own Cosmetology Application form; for reciprocal applicants or those qualifying via 5 years' experience, this $40 is the only required fee. No official DOS page was found stating the recurring renewal fee for an existing 4-year license (secondary/aggregator sources claim $40, matching the application fee, but this was not confirmed on an official dos.ny.gov page), so renewal is recorded as null rather than assumed equal to the application fee.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 4 years.
The term of licensure is four years, confirmed on both the DOS Cosmetology overview page and the Cosmetology Application form ('The term of licensure is four years'). No continuing education requirement was found for cosmetology license renewal. Note: an applicant who fails to renew within 5 years of the license's expiration date must retake the written exam before relicensing — that 5-year figure is a lapse/retest threshold, not the renewal cycle itself.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
An applicant holding a Cosmetology license in another jurisdiction may obtain a New York license through endorsement or reciprocity, per DOS's own Cosmetology Reciprocity and Endorsement States pages; the applicant submits an original certification (dated within 6 months) from the jurisdiction where they hold an equivalent license, and DOS's endorsement policy can require additional experience where the other state's educational standards are lower. Where reciprocity/endorsement applies without a new exam, the $40 application fee is the only fee required. New York has introduced (not enacted) Cosmetology Licensure Compact legislation (shown as 'Pending' rather than 'Enacted' on the compact commission's own state map as of this research), so it is not currently a Compact member.
34 state-approved training providers in New York — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $40
- $40
- $15
- $15
Frequently asked questions
How many training hours does New York require for a cosmetology license?
1,000 hours at a New York State-approved cosmetology school, or an equivalent out-of-state/out-of-country education, or 5 years of documented legal experience outside New York.
Who administers the New York cosmetology exams?
The Department of State's Division of Licensing Services administers both the written ($15) and practical ($15) exams directly — there is no outside testing vendor.
How long does a New York cosmetology license last?
Four years. New York does not require continuing education to renew.
Can I transfer my out-of-state cosmetology license to New York?
Yes, through endorsement or reciprocity if your issuing state is on DOS's reciprocity/endorsement list. You submit a certification of your current license from that state; DOS may require additional experience if that state's training standards are lower than New York's.
Can I work in New York while I'm still completing my exams?
Yes. Two six-month temporary licenses ($10 each) are available to applicants who qualified through New York State or U.S. education while they finish the written and practical exams.
Sources
- [1] dos.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2026/03/dos-0034-f-a-cosmetology-application_01.2026.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
- [2] dos.ny.gov/renew-or-update-cosmetology-license — accessed 2026-07-10
- [3] dos.ny.gov/cosmetology-reciprocity — accessed 2026-07-10