StateLicensed

Cosmetologist License Requirements in Tennessee

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1500 hrs
Upfront cost
$60
Exam
PSI Written (Theory) Examination — National Exam, PSI Practical (Skills) Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 16 years old. The Board's individual-licensure page lists only age (16+), 1,500 training hours, and passing the PSI exam as prerequisites for a first-time applicant — no fingerprint or criminal background check requirement was found in the Board's rules or the Cosmetology Act. Effective 2022-01-01, applicants (the Board's own reciprocity instructions state this applies to 'all applicants') must complete a free 20-minute domestic-violence-awareness training video before licensure. [3]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1500 hours of training at a state-approved program. 1,500 clock hours/45 credit hours at a school of cosmetology, apportioned 300 hours General, 600 hours Chemical, and 600 hours Physical instruction (Rule 0440-01-.03(3)(a)). Tennessee offers a genuine apprenticeship alternative: a licensed school may operate a Board-approved apprenticeship curriculum letting a student earn up to 50% of required hours in any instruction subcategory (General/Chemical/Physical) under the direct supervision of a licensed professional with at least 10 years of experience, with the remaining hours completed as classroom instruction (Rule 0440-01-.03(6)); apprenticeship students must pass the initial theory exam before beginning salon-based apprenticeship activities. [1]

  3. 3

    PSI Written (Theory) Examination — National Exam

    Pass the PSI Written (Theory) Examination — National Exam. Multiple-choice; available at a PSI test center or via online remote proctoring. Exam content switched to the shared multi-state 'National Exam' effective 2022-02-01. Minimum passing score 70% (Rule 0440-01-.09(1)). PSI's exam fee is not published on the Board's own website — candidates pay PSI directly (contact 855-340-3710 or test-takers.psiexams.com). Third-party sites cite roughly $70, but that figure could not be verified against an official PSI/TN candidate bulletin, so it is left null rather than guessed. Tennessee restructured this section of tn.gov and retired the page previously cited; the citation above is its current location. [2]

  4. 4

    PSI Practical (Skills) Examination

    Pass the PSI Practical (Skills) Examination. Hands-on demonstration on a mannequin covering haircutting, chemical services, and sanitation practices. Minimum passing score 70%. The written exam must be passed before the practical exam can be scheduled. Fee not published by the Board; contact PSI directly. Tennessee restructured this section of tn.gov and retired the page previously cited; the citation above is its current location. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. Typical processing time: 3 to 4 weeks to process a reciprocity application once all required certifications and documents are received.. [4]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners issues your Cosmetologist License for Tennessee.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [1] None specified
License fee [1] $60
Renewal fee [1] $60
PSI Written (Theory) Examination — National Exam [2] None specified
PSI Practical (Skills) Examination [2] None specified
Reciprocity/out-of-state application fee [1] $100
Late renewal penalty [1] $25

The $60 'Original License' fee (Rule 0440-01-.13(2)(a)) is paid once a candidate has passed the PSI exam; Tennessee does not charge a separate upfront application fee beyond this. PSI's own exam fee (paid to PSI, not the Board) is separate and not published by the state (see exams).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 0 continuing education hours required per cycle.

License is biennial; renewal notices mail roughly one month before the expiration date. Renewal fee is $60 (Rule 0440-01-.13(3)(a)); a $25 late fee applies if not paid by the expiration date (Rule 0440-01-.13(4)(a)). No continuing education is required for a Cosmetologist renewal (CE applies only to Instructor licenses, which require 16 hours). A license lapsed 3 or more years cannot be reinstated without retaking the state law and practical exams — there are no waivers to this provision (T.C.A. § 62-4-117).

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Tennessee enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact (2024) and is shown as an 'Enacted' member state on the Compact Commission's official Compact Map (cosmetologycompact.gov/compact-map/) as of 2026-07-10 — but the Commission's own FAQ states it only 'hopes to activate the compact for licensees in early 2026' and had not begun issuing multistate licenses as of this research date, so no compact is listed here pending verified operational status. In the meantime, Tennessee runs its own reciprocity licensure: the out-of-state board sends a certification of licensure directly to the TN Board, the applicant completes an 'Out of State' application at core.tn.gov with a non-refundable $100 fee, must show at least 2 years of high school or a GED, meet TN's per-license education-hour thresholds (or document 1-3 years of work history in lieu of hours), pass TN's theory and/or practical exam if not already passed an equivalent exam elsewhere, and complete the domestic-violence-awareness training. Texas and California applicants face additional transcript requirements. Tennessee restructured this section of tn.gov and retired the page previously cited; the citation above is its current location.

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

Cost calculator

  • $60
Total$60

Frequently asked questions

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

1,500 clock hours at a school of cosmetology. Schools may also run a Board-approved apprenticeship curriculum letting a student earn up to 50% of required hours under supervised, on-the-job training.

Who administers Tennessee's cosmetology exam?

PSI Services LLC, under contract with the Board. A written (theory) exam and a hands-on practical exam are both required, each with a minimum passing score of 70%.

What does it cost to get licensed in Tennessee?

A $60 original license fee once you pass the PSI exam (PSI's exam fee is paid separately to PSI). Renewal is also $60 every 2 years, with a $25 late fee if missed.

Is Tennessee part of the Cosmetology Licensure Compact?

Tennessee has enacted the compact, but as of mid-2026 the Compact Commission had not yet activated multistate licensing. Until it does, out-of-state cosmetologists use Tennessee's own $100 reciprocity process instead.

Do I need any special training besides cosmetology hours?

Yes — effective January 1, 2022, applicants must complete a free 20-minute domestic-violence-awareness training video before licensure.

Sources

  1. [1] publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0440/0440-01.20251224.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] tn.gov/commerce/regboards/cosmo/license/psi-exam-info.html — accessed 2026-07-27
  3. [3] tn.gov/commerce/regboards/cosmo/license/individual/cosmetologist.html — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] tn.gov/commerce/regboards/cosmo/license/renewal-reciprocity-other-resources.html — accessed 2026-07-27