StateLicensed

Cosmetologist License Requirements in Wisconsin

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1550 hrs
Upfront cost
$11
Exam
NIC Written (Theory) Examination, NIC Practical (Skills) Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), Cosmetology Examining Board

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    High school diploma or high-school-graduation equivalency (e.g. GED); alternatively, at least 18 years old and meeting Department of Education 'ability to benefit' criteria, pass a criminal background check. Wisconsin ties eligibility to an education credential rather than a standalone minimum age — an applicant with a high school diploma/GED can qualify below 18, while an applicant without one must be at least 18 and pass an ability-to-benefit assessment — so no single minAge number applies and it is left null. DSPS requires disclosure of any barbering/cosmetology-relevant criminal convictions via the Barbering and Cosmetology Convictions Form (#2253) when applicable, which functions as the state's background-check mechanism. [2]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1550 hours of training at a state-approved program. At least 1,550 training hours completed in not less than 10 months at a school of cosmetology licensed in Wisconsin (or accredited by a Board-approved accrediting agency), per Wis. Stat. § 454.06. Wisconsin also allows an approved apprenticeship pathway under Wis. Stat. § 454.10 in lieu of school hours, though DSPS's own materials do not publish a specific apprenticeship hour total distinct from the school figure, so no separate apprenticeship number is given here. [1]

  3. 3

    NIC Written (Theory) Examination

    Pass the NIC Written (Theory) Examination. Computer-based, administered by Iso-Quality Testing (IQT) at a location the candidate selects after DSPS/DL Roope approval. DL Roope's published materials describe the application and testing process but do not state a specific dollar fee on their general pages; the endorsement application instructions note the exam fee 'includes the fee for your first license' when qualifying by examination. Contact DL Roope (888-375-2020) for current pricing before publishing a verified page. [2]

  4. 4

    NIC Practical (Skills) Examination

    Pass the NIC Practical (Skills) Examination. Hands-on, mannequin-based demonstration covering haircutting, thermal curling, chemical waving, hair coloring/highlighting, virgin relaxer application, and blood exposure procedure. Fee not published on DL Roope's general pages; included with the written exam fee per the endorsement application instructions when qualifying by examination. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), Cosmetology Examining Board with the $11 application fee. [3]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), Cosmetology Examining Board issues your Cosmetologist for Wisconsin.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $11
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $11
NIC Written (Theory) Examination [2] None specified
NIC Practical (Skills) Examination [2] None specified
Late renewal (includes $11 renewal fee) [3] $36

DSPS's Cosmetologist credential carries a flat $11 initial credentialing fee and $11 biennial renewal fee (RDAF Rev. 08/07/2025) — unusually low compared to most states. No separate license-issuance fee exists beyond the application fee. The DL Roope exam fee (paid separately to the exam vendor) is not published on DSPS's site.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 4 continuing education hours required per cycle.

License renews every 2 years on March 31 of odd-numbered years. Renewal requires 4 hours of continuing education per cycle: 1 hour on the statutes/administrative code governing the profession, and 3 hours on safety, sanitation, and infection control.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Wisconsin does not appear as an enacted, pending, or tracked-legislation state on the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission's official Compact Map (cosmetologycompact.gov/compact-map/) as of 2026-07-11. Wisconsin instead offers a low-cost Licensure by Endorsement: for just the $11 initial credentialing fee, an applicant who holds a current license in at least one other state completes a one-hour Wisconsin-specific statutes/rules course, and has each licensing state complete a Verification of Licensure (Form 373) — no new exam is required for qualifying endorsement applicants. An applicant who does not qualify for endorsement, or whose out-of-state school hours match Wisconsin's requirement, must instead pass the DL Roope written and practical exams (fee includes the first license) and have their school complete a Certification of Training (Form 3044).

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

Cost calculator

  • $11
Total$11

Frequently asked questions

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

At least 1,550 hours over a minimum of 10 months at a licensed cosmetology school, or completion of an approved apprenticeship under Wis. Stat. § 454.10.

Who administers Wisconsin's cosmetology exam?

DL Roope Administrations Inc. (a Prometric company), under contract with DSPS, using NIC written and practical exams.

What does it cost to get licensed in Wisconsin?

DSPS charges a flat $11 initial credentialing fee and $11 biennial renewal fee — notably low compared to most states. Exam fees are paid separately to DL Roope.

How much continuing education does Wisconsin require?

4 hours per 2-year renewal cycle: 1 hour on statutes/administrative code and 3 hours on safety, sanitation, and infection control.

Can I transfer an out-of-state cosmetology license to Wisconsin?

Yes, through Licensure by Endorsement for just the $11 fee if you hold a current license elsewhere, complete a one-hour Wisconsin law course, and provide license verification from your state(s) of licensure.

Sources

  1. [1] dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Cosmetologist/Default.aspx — accessed 2026-07-11
  2. [2] dsps.wi.gov/Credentialing/Business/fm1681.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11
  3. [3] dsps.wi.gov/Credentialing/Renewal/RenewalDatesFees.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11