Licensed Cosmetologist License Requirements
Compare licensed cosmetologist licensing requirements across 51 states. See education, exam, cost, and timeline details for each state.
51
States Covered
$222
Avg. Est. Cost
$36,169
Avg. Median Salary
51 gold
Data Quality
Requirements by State
Click any state to see full requirements, costs, and step-by-step guide.
| State | Education ↕ | Exam | Est. Cost ↕ | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1000 hrs | Alabama Board Cosmetology Exam | $175 | 6-12 months |
| Alaska | 1650 hrs | Alaska Hairdresser/Hair Stylist Exam | $450 | 9-14 months |
| Arizona | 1600 hrs | Arizona Cosmetology Exam (NIC) | $250 | 9-14 months |
| Arkansas | 1500 hrs | Arkansas Cosmetology State Exam | $200 | 9-14 months |
| California | 1600 hrs | California Cosmetology Exam (PSI) | $175 | 9-14 months |
| Colorado | 1500 hrs | Colorado Cosmetology Exam (NIC) | $250 | 9-14 months |
| Connecticut | 1500 hrs | Connecticut Hairdresser/Cosmetician Exam | $275 | 9-14 months |
| Delaware | 1500 hrs | Delaware Cosmetology Exam (NIC) | $300 | 9-14 months |
| District of Columbia | 1500 hrs | DC Cosmetology Exam | $250 | 9-14 months |
| Florida | 1200 hrs | Florida Cosmetology Exam (Prometric/DBPR) | $250 | 7-12 months |
| Georgia | 1500 hrs | Georgia Cosmetology Written & Practical Exam | $225 | 9-14 months |
| Hawaii | 1800 hrs | Hawaii Beauty Operator Exam (NIC) | $200 | 10-16 months |
| Idaho | 2000 hrs | Idaho Written & Practical Cosmetology Exam | $200 | 12-18 months |
| Illinois | 1500 hrs | Illinois Cosmetology Exam (NIC/PSI) | $225 | 9-14 months |
| Indiana | 1500 hrs | Indiana Cosmetology Exam (PSI) | $200 | 9-14 months |
| Iowa | 2100 hrs | Iowa Cosmetology State Exam | $250 | 12-18 months |
| Kansas | 1500 hrs | Kansas Cosmetology Exam (NIC) | $200 | 9-14 months |
| Kentucky | 1800 hrs | Kentucky Board Cosmetology Exam | $175 | 10-16 months |
| Louisiana | 1500 hrs | Louisiana Cosmetology Exam (NIC/PSI) | $200 | 9-14 months |
| Maine | 1500 hrs | Maine Cosmetology Exam | $175 | 9-14 months |
| Maryland | 1500 hrs | Maryland Cosmetology Exam | $250 | 9-14 months |
| Massachusetts | 1000 hrs | Massachusetts Cosmetology State Exam | $200 | 6-12 months |
| Michigan | 1500 hrs | Michigan Cosmetology Exam (PSI) | $175 | 9-14 months |
| Minnesota | 1550 hrs | Minnesota Cosmetology Exam | $275 | 9-14 months |
| Mississippi | 1500 hrs | Mississippi Cosmetology State Exam | $225 | 9-14 months |
| Missouri | 1500 hrs | Missouri Cosmetology State Exam | $200 | 9-14 months |
| Montana | 1500 hrs | Montana Cosmetology Exam (NIC) | $300 | 9-14 months |
| Nebraska | 2100 hrs | Nebraska Cosmetology Exam | $275 | 12-18 months |
| Nevada | 1600 hrs | Nevada Written & Practical Cosmetology Exam | $250 | 9-14 months |
| New Hampshire | 1500 hrs | New Hampshire Cosmetology State Exam | $225 | 9-14 months |
| New Jersey | 1200 hrs | New Jersey Cosmetology Exam (NIC) | $225 | 7-12 months |
| New Mexico | 1600 hrs | New Mexico Cosmetology Exam (NIC) | $225 | 9-14 months |
| New York | 1000 hrs | New York Cosmetology Exam | $175 | 6-12 months |
| North Carolina | 1500 hrs | North Carolina Cosmetology State Exam | $200 | 9-14 months |
| North Dakota | 1800 hrs | North Dakota Cosmetology State Exam | $200 | 10-16 months |
| Ohio | 1500 hrs | Ohio Cosmetology State Exam | $200 | 9-14 months |
| Oklahoma | 1500 hrs | Oklahoma Cosmetology Exam (NIC) | $200 | 9-14 months |
| Oregon | 1700 hrs | Oregon Hair Design Exam | $250 | 10-16 months |
| Pennsylvania | 1250 hrs | Pennsylvania Cosmetology State Exam | $175 | 8-12 months |
| Rhode Island | 1500 hrs | Rhode Island Cosmetology Exam (NIC) | $175 | 9-14 months |
| South Carolina | 1500 hrs | South Carolina Cosmetology Exam | $175 | 9-14 months |
| South Dakota | 2100 hrs | South Dakota Cosmetology Exam | $200 | 12-18 months |
| Tennessee | 1500 hrs | Tennessee Cosmetology Exam (NIC) | $200 | 9-14 months |
| Texas | 1500 hrs | Texas Cosmetology State Exam | $225 | 9-14 months |
| Utah | 1600 hrs | Utah Cosmetology Exam | $225 | 9-14 months |
| Vermont | 1500 hrs | Vermont Cosmetology Exam (NIC) | $275 | 9-14 months |
| Virginia | 1500 hrs | Virginia Cosmetology Exam (NIC) | $225 | 9-14 months |
| Washington | 1600 hrs | Washington Written & Practical Cosmetology Exam | $150 | 9-14 months |
| West Virginia | 1800 hrs | West Virginia Cosmetology Exam (NIC) | $200 | 10-16 months |
| Wisconsin | 1550 hrs | Wisconsin Cosmetology State Exam | $225 | 9-14 months |
| Wyoming | 1600 hrs | Wyoming Board Cosmetology Exam | $175 | 9-14 months |
Showing 51 of 51 states
Salary Overview
Median annual salaries for licensed cosmetologists by state.