Cosmetology License Requirements by State (Stylists: Bookmark This!)

Learn what the cosmetology license requirements are in your state so you can get working ASAP.

Whether you’re a salon owner or a stylist, it’s vital that you know what the cosmetology license requirements are in your state — or any that you expect to do business in. In case you missed it, cosmetology is a regulated occupation that requires a license, and that license is usually issued by a regulatory board, often referred to as the board of barbering and cosmetology.

Finding this information sounds like a headache, but don’t worry – you don’t have to deal with it. We’ve done the leg work of gathering the cosmetology license requirements by state so all you have to do is bookmark this page and refer back to as necessary.

First things first: The steps to becoming a cosmetologist

Once you’ve determined which state you want to get licensed in, it’s time to actually get a license! The process isn’t quick, but it is pretty straightforward. 

Step 1: Attend a state-licensed cosmetology school

Different people learn differently. Some prefer to learn in person while others excel better at virtual learning. You can either opt to attend a cosmetology school in person or complete your cosmetology license online. 

Step 2: Graduate

This process takes time. You can expect to spend 9 to 15 months in classes before you can consider yourself a graduate of cosmetology school. 

Step 3: Complete your training hours

Next, it’s time to get hands-on and put what you learned into practice via training. The list below details how many hours of training are required to enter into the specialized area of cosmetology you’re dreaming of.

Step 4: Pass the licensing exam

You’ve put in the hours and done the hard work, and now it’s time for the final exam. No matter what state you want to practice cosmetology in, you’ve first gotta pass the state’s test. Some tests are practical, meaning you’ll have to show off your skills in person.

Step 5: Start styling

Once you’ve passed the exam, congrats! You now have your very own cosmetology license number and are ready to start making magic happen for clients.

Each State’s Cosmetology License Requirements

There’s more to getting your cosmetology license than many people think. Whether you’re looking to become a barber, an esthetician, a nail technician, a manicurist, a cosmetologist, or an instructor, you’ve gotta put in the work. 

And the work comes not only in your initial education and training requirements, but also in the continuing education, license renewals, and more. 

Read on to find out what your state requires in terms of education, training hours, and other needs for you to make your cosmetology dreams come true. 

Alabama

Barber | 1,000 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours or 3,000 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 1,500 hours or 3,000 apprentice hours

Instructor | 1,500 hours or 650 hours if you have a manager’s license. To get a manager’s license you must be licensed for at least 1 year

Nail Technician | 750 hours or 1,200 apprentice hours

Alaska

Barber | 1,650 hours or 2,000 apprentice hours

Cosmetologist | 1,650 hours or 2,000 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 350 hours

Instructor| 600 hours if you’ve been licensed for 1-3 years. If you’ve been licensed for more than 3 years, you need no extra hours

Nail Technician | 250 hours plus an additional 12 hours of instruction

Arkansas

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | Current license and an additional 600 hours

Nail Technician | 600 hours

California

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,600 hours or 3,200 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | Current license in the subject area taught

Nail Technician | 400 hours

Colorado

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,800 hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | Current license in the subject area taught

Nail Technician | 600 hours

Connecticut

Barber | 1,000 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours or 3,000 apprentice hours

Electrologist | 600 hours

Instructor | Current license and two years of experience

Nail Technician | There are no license requirements

Delaware

Barber | 1,500 hours. If you want to become a Master Barber, you must obtain an additional 600 apprentice hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | If you have less than two years of licensed experience, you need 500 hours. If you have more than two years of licensed experience, you need 250 hours

Nail Technician | 300 hours

District of Columbia

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours

Esthetician | 125 hours

Instructor | Current license and 1000 hours

Nail Technician | 350 hours

Florida

Barber | 1,200 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,200 hours

Esthetician | 260 hours

Instructor | Current license and 1000 hours

Nail Technician | 240 hours

Georgia

Barber | 1,140 hours. If you want to become a Master Barber, you must obtain 1,500 hours or 3,000 apprentice hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours or 3,000 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 1,000 hours

Instructor | At least one year of experience plus 750 hours

Nail Technician | 525 hours

Hawaii

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,800 hours or 3,600 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 550 hours or 1,100 apprentice hours

Instructor | 600 hours and one year of licensed experience

Nail Technician | 350 hours

Idaho

Barber | 900 hours for a barber that doesn’t use chemicals or 1,800 hours to become a barber-stylist

Cosmetologist | 2,000 hours or 4,000 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 600 hours or 1,200 apprentice hours

Instructor | 6-month teacher’s course or 3-month teacher’s course with two years of licensed experience. If you have 5 years of licensed experience, you simply have to submit an instructor license application

Nail Technician | 400 hours or 800 apprentice hours

Illinois

Barber | 1500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1500 hours (150 internship hours can be counted towards this total)

Esthetician | 750 hours

Instructor | 1,000 hours or 500 hours with 2 years of licensed experience

Nail Technician | 350 hours

Indiana

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours

Esthetician | 700 hours

Instructor | 1,000 hours

Nail Technician | 450 hours

Iowa

Barber | 2,100 hours

Cosmetologist | 2,100 hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | 1,000 hours

Nail Technician | 325 hours

Kansas

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours

Esthetician | 1,000 hours

Instructor | 450 hours or 300 hours with one year of licensed experience

Nail Technician | 350 hours

Kentucky

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,800 hours

Esthetician | 1,000 hours

Instructor | 1,000 hours

Nail Technician | 600 hours

Louisiana

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist – 1,500 hours

Esthetician | 750 hours

Instructor | 500 hours and 1 year of licensed experience

Nail Technician | 500 hours

Maine

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours or 2,500 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 600 hours or 1,250 apprentice hours

Instructor | 1,000 hours plus 1,500 hours as a licensed professional plus 12 credits from a post-secondary school

Nail Technician | 200 hours or 400 apprentice hours

Maryland

Barber | 1,200 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours or 2 years of an apprenticeship

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | Current license in the subject area taught

Nail Technician | 250 hours

Massachusetts

Barber | 1,000 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,000 hours

Esthetician | 300 hours

Instructor | At least 2 years of licensed experience

Nail Technician | 100 hours

Michigan

Barber | 1,800 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours or 2 years of an apprenticeship

Esthetician | 400 hours

Instructor | 500 hours

Nail Technician | 400 hours

Minnesota

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,550 hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | 2,700 hours of licensed experience

Nail Technician | 350 hours

Mississippi

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | 2,000 hours or the following: 750 hours, 12 college course semester hours, and 2 years licensed experience

Nail Technician | 350 hours

Missouri

Barber | 1,000 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours or 3,000 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 750 hours or 1,500 apprentice hours

Instructor | 300 to 600 hours (depending on prior experience)

Nail Technician | 400 hours or 800 apprentice hours

Montana

Barber | 1,000 hours for a barber that doesn’t use chemicals or 1,500 hours to become a barber-stylist

Cosmetologist | 2,000 hours

Esthetician | 650 hours

Instructor | 650 hours with 1 year of licensed experience or 3 years of licensed experience

Nail Technician | 400 hours

Nebraska

Barber | 2,100 hours

Cosmetologist | 2,100 hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | 925 hours

Nail Technician | 300 hours

Nevada

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,600 hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | At least 1 year of licensed experience plus 500 to 1000 hours (depending on prior experience)

Nail Technician | 500 hours

New Hampshire

Barber | 800 hours for a barber that doesn’t use chemicals, or 1,500 hours or 3,000 apprentice hours to become a barber-stylist

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours or 3,000 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | 8 years of licensed experience, or 500 hours with 1 year of licensed experience, or 800 hours

Nail Technician | 300 hours

New Jersey

Barber | 900 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,200 hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | 500 hours

Nail Technician | 300 hours

New Mexico

Barber | 1,200 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,600 hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | 1,000 hours

Nail Technician | 350 hours

New York

Barber | varies depending on school attended

Cosmetologist | 1,000 hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | 2 years of licensed experience

Nail Technician | 250 hours

North Carolina

Barber | 1,528 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours or 1,200 hours plus a 6-month apprentice program

Cosmetologist Instructor | 800 hours plus 5 years of licensed experienceEsthetician Instructor | 650 hours plus 3 years of licensed experience

Esthetician | 600 hours

Nail Technician | 300 hours

Nail Technician Instructor | 320 hours plus 2 years of licensed experience

North Dakota

Barber | 1,550 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,800 hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | 160 to 960 hours, depending on prior licensed experience

Nail Technician | 350 hours

Ohio

Barber | 1,800 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours (150 of them can be internship hours)

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | 1,000 hours of licensed experience or 1 year apprentice program

Nail Technician | 200 hours

Oklahoma

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours or 3,000 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | 1,000 hours or 300 hours with 2 years of licensed experience

Nail Technician | 600 hours

Oregon

Barber | 1,100 hours

Cosmetologist | 2,300 hours

Electrologist | 600 hours

Instructor | 2 years of licensed experience or 2 years of instructor training

Nail Technician | 600 hours

Pennsylvania

Barber | 1,250 hours or 2,000 apprentice hours

Cosmetologist | 1,250 hours or 2,000 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 300 hours

Instructor | 500 hours

Nail Technician | 200 hours

Rhode Island

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | 300 hours

Nail Technician | 300 hours

South Carolina

Barber | 1,500 hours or 1,920 apprentice hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours

Esthetician | 450 hours

Instructor | 750 hours of training plus 45 hours of Methods of Teaching Course if you have less than 2 years of licensed experience. If you have more than 2 years of licensed experience, you must take 45 hours of Methods of Teaching Course

Nail Technician | 300 hours

South Dakota

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 2,100 hours or 3,000 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | 1,000 hours of licensed experience

Nail Technician | 400 hours

Tennessee

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours

Esthetician | 750 hours

Instructor | 300 hours

Nail Technician | 600 hours

Texas

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours

Esthetician | 750 hours

Instructor | 500 to 750 hours depending on licensed experience

Nail Technician | 600 hours

Utah

Barber | 1,000 hours or 1,500 apprentice hours

Cosmetologist | 1,600 hours or 2,500 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | 400 hours or 3,000 hours of licensed experience

Nail Technician | 300 hours

Vermont

Barber | 1,000 hours or 2,000 apprentice hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours or 2,000 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 300 hours

Instructor | 3 years of licensed experience

Nail Technician | 150 hours

Virginia

Barber | 1,500 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours or 3,000 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | Current license

Nail Technician | 150 hours

Washington

Barber | 1,000 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,600 hours or 2,000 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | 500 hours

Nail Technician | 600 hours

West Virginia

Barber | 1,200 hours for a barber that doesn’t use chemicals, or 1,500 hours to become a barber-stylist

Cosmetologist | 1,800 hours

Esthetician | 750 hours

Instructor | 5 years of licensed experience

Nail Technician | 400 hours

Wisconsin

Barber | 1,000 hours

Cosmetologist | 1,550 hours or 4,000 apprentice hours

Esthetician | 450 hours

Instructor | 150 hours and 2,000 hours of licensed experience

Nail Technician | 300 hours

Wyoming

Barber | 1,000 hours for a barber that doesn’t use chemicals, or 1,250 hours to become a barber-stylist

Cosmetologist | 1,600 hours

Esthetician | 600 hours

Instructor | 500 hours

Nail Technician | 400 hours

Hair Stylist License Cost

The cost of getting your cosmetology license is another thing you want to take into consideration before diving into this profession. This price will vary from state to state and depends largely upon whether you’re in a major city or a more rural area (everything is more expensive in a big city, isn’t it?). 

In addition to the class costs, you want to consider the price of textbooks as well as any equipment you may need: things like scissors, styling products, mannequins, and so forth.