Cosmetologist License Requirements in Vermont
- Training hours
- 1000 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $120
- Exam
- National Written (Theory) Examination, National Practical (Skills) Examination
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), Vermont Secretary of State
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
High school diploma or GED. OPR's official cosmetologist application instructions require a high school diploma or GED but do not list a fixed minimum age; several third-party sources cite 18, but this could not be verified against OPR's own published materials, so it is left null rather than guessed. No criminal background check or fingerprinting requirement was found in OPR's application instructions or FAQ (unlike some other states' cosmetology applications, which include an explicit criminal-history questionnaire). [3]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 1000 hours of training at a state-approved program. 1,000 hours at a licensed or recognized school (or 250 crossover hours for an individual already licensed in a related discipline). Vermont offers a genuine apprenticeship alternative requiring more hours than the school path: 1,500 apprenticeship hours (or 300 crossover hours for an already-licensed individual), completed in Vermont under the direct supervision of a Vermont-licensed instructor in a Vermont-licensed shop — out-of-state apprenticeship hours are not accepted. [1]
- 3
National Written (Theory) Examination
Pass the National Written (Theory) Examination. Computer-based multiple choice, taken after OPR approves the applicant to sit for exams. OPR's own current FAQ names Prometric as the exam vendor OPR submits approved candidates to (accessed 2026-07-10). Some third-party sources report Vermont moved cosmetology/barber national exam administration to Prov around November 2023, but that could not be confirmed against OPR's own current page, so Prometric is used here per the state's own current statement; verify the vendor directly with OPR before publishing a verified page. Exam fee is not published on OPR's site — candidates register and pay directly with the exam vendor. [1]
- 4
National Practical (Skills) Examination
Pass the National Practical (Skills) Examination. Hands-on demonstration of a series of timed cosmetology services, evaluated on technique, sanitation, and safety rather than a fixed multiple-choice question count. Fee not published on OPR's site; candidates register and pay directly with the exam vendor. Schools and technical centers approved as testing sites may administer both exams on-site. [1]
- 5
Submit your application
Submit your application to Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), Vermont Secretary of State with the $120 application fee. [2]
- 6
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), Vermont Secretary of State issues your Cosmetologist for Vermont.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [2] | $120 |
| License fee [2] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [2] | $155 |
| National Written (Theory) Examination [1] | None specified |
| National Practical (Skills) Examination [1] | None specified |
| Apprentice registration (no renewal required) [2] | $50 |
Application fee ($120) and renewal fee ($155) are set by the Legislature per 26 V.S.A. and published on OPR's statewide fee schedule under the 'Cosmetology' profession group (license code 010 - Cosmetologist). No separate license-issuance fee exists beyond the application fee. Exam fees are paid separately, directly to the exam vendor (see exams), and are not set or published by OPR.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years. 0 continuing education hours required per cycle.
All Cosmetologist licenses expire on November 30 of odd-numbered years (a fixed statewide date, not an individual anniversary), per OPR's published fee/renewal-date schedule. No continuing education is required for a Cosmetologist renewal — Vermont's CE requirement applies only to the Instructor specialty (24 CE credits per 2-year cycle).
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
Vermont shows only introduced/pending legislation (H.539, 2026 session) on the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission's official Compact Map (cosmetologycompact.gov/compact-map/) as of 2026-07-10 — it has not enacted the compact, so no compact is listed. Vermont instead offers Licensure by Endorsement for an applicant licensed/certified in another jurisdiction with substantially equivalent requirements (official license verification required from both the initial and most recent licensing states); if the other state's requirements are not substantially equivalent, the applicant may instead show 1,500 documented hours of practice over at least one year via an Affidavit of Experience. A 'Fast Track Endorsement' waives the equivalency review entirely for an applicant continuously licensed in good standing in another jurisdiction for 3+ years immediately preceding the application.
1 state-approved training provider in Vermont — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $120
Frequently asked questions
How many training hours does Vermont require for a cosmetology license?
1,000 hours at a licensed school, or 1,500 hours through a Vermont-supervised apprenticeship (both pathways have lower 'crossover' hour minimums for someone already licensed in a related discipline).
Can I complete a cosmetology apprenticeship in another state and transfer it to Vermont?
No. Vermont apprentices must hold a Vermont apprenticeship registration and train under a Vermont-licensed instructor in a Vermont-licensed shop.
How much does it cost to get licensed in Vermont?
A $120 application fee, plus separate exam fees paid directly to the exam vendor. Renewal is $155 every 2 years.
How often do Vermont cosmetologists renew their license?
Every 2 years — all Cosmetologist licenses expire on November 30 of odd-numbered years. No continuing education is required.
Is Vermont part of the Cosmetology Licensure Compact?
Not yet. As of mid-2026, Vermont has only introduced compact legislation (H.539) without enacting it. Out-of-state cosmetologists use Vermont's Licensure by Endorsement or Fast Track Endorsement process instead.
Sources
- [1] sos.vermont.gov/barbers-cosmetologists/barber-cosmetology-faqs/ — accessed 2026-07-10
- [2] outside.vermont.gov/dept/sos/office_professional_regulation/general/initial_licensing_renewal_fees_dates_90-day_licensing_policy.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
- [3] outside.vermont.gov/dept/sos/office_professional_regulation/professions/barber_cosmetologist/barber_cosmetologist_nail_technician_esthetician_application_instructions.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10