Someone asked me the other night how long they had after graduation before they had to take their exams and I honestly don’t know because each state is different and I didn’t know where they were from to find out. So next week I am going to send an email to the respective states and ask. So far this is what I have found on these sites and I hope it helps. I’ll find out more next week and I will be updating this on a regular basis.
I am finding it difficult to gather the information I need for this page. Researching some of these sites is very tedious and I still can’t find what I need. I sent out numerous emails today and I guess some of their email addresses are not up to date so they were undeliverable. If anyone has information about their states I would appreciate any input, but remember the best thing to do is call your state board directly because rules and laws are always changing.
Alabama- How soon after completing school or apprenticeship do I have to take the examination? Your master/instructor and you are jointly responsible for scheduling the proper exam within 90 days after completion of your training. Failure to comply with this rule may subject your master/instructor to a fine and/or other penalties.You must apply for examination within 90 days of completing your hours, and then you have 2 years to get licensed.
Arizona- Reports that your hours are always your hours. The problem becomes proving hours and graduation if too long of a time elapses. And of course, remembering enough to pass the exam.
Arkansas- A recent change to Arkansas’s cosmetology law allows a student to keep hours indefinitely.
California- Says as long as you can prove you took the hours, you can apply for the exam. So there is no time limit there either.
Connecticut-Your hours would not expire, however, you may be required to complete additional requirements prior to determining your eligibility for licensure if you have not practiced in your profession for a significant period of time.
Delaware- Your hours from school currently do not have an expiration date. The board is considering this in the future but as of right now their is no expiration date. To register for the state boards go to the website: www.pcshq.com and click on applicant information
Florida- Your hours never expire, so you don’t have to worry about losing them. Don’t lose your transcripts encase you have to prove your hours.
Hawaii-Students who resume their beauty culture courses after a lapse of three years or more shall not receive credit hours for previous course work.
Indiana- Per 820 IAC 2-2-3 You must take the exam within one year of graduation and you have three years to pass. If you have taken the exam twice and failed you would need to go back for additional education per 820 IAC 2-2-5.
Massachusetts- As long as you graduated, you never lose your hours.
Missouri-Hours are good for 5 years from time of enrollment.
Nevada- If you complete your hours and paid all owed tuition then your hours would be good forever. There is no time limit to take your test once hours are completed.
New Jersey-Upon graduation from a beauty school, you have five years from the date of completion to apply for your license without requiring any additional training. After seven years you lose all your credits.
North Carolina- If your hours are still valid depends on when you enrolled in school and whether or not you ever applied for the State Board Exam. Any hours you earned from an enrollment period that began prior to November 1, 1998 are valid for 10 years from the date of enrollment. Any hours you earned from an enrollment period that began on or after November 1, 1998 are valid for 5 years from the date of enrollment. You must complete the curriculum and file an application with the State Board within this time frame.
Pennsylvania- Hours are indefinite, so long as you can prove your hours you can take the exams even 20 years later.
Tennessee-Once you have obtained the required hours in a curriculum you do not lose the hours. There is no time limit as to when you are required to take the examination.
Washington State-Hours never expire. It is suggested that you keep all records pertaining to your education. The department does not have access to such information and schools close all the time and there is no way to track them down.
thank you so much!you are a life saver!im from chicago,illinois, i forgot to put that important info.i have fallen into nothing but bad luck.i work 2 jobs,i have a 13yr old who acts 21,plus every thing that every one has to deal with in life! so im struggling to pay off my loan 2 the school! are there any goverment loans or help that would consider helpping me?
Hi Jesse,
Have you been making payments and are able to show a satisfactory schedule of repayment? Maybe your school will work with you since they know you are trying and let you take boards. I wonder if everyone understands that even if they have a license and they don’t make their loan payments that their license can be suspended. I found the following on the Ill. state board site.
In accordance with 20 Illinois Compiled Statutes 2105/2105-(5), “The Department shall deny any license or renewal authorized by the Civil
Administrative Code of Illinois to any person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided by or guaranteed by the Illinois
Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State; however, the Department may issue a license or renewal if the
aforementioned persons have established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or other
appropriate governmental agency of this State.” (Proof of a satisfactory repayment record must be submitted.)
As far as government loans that you might be able to apply for, I would suggest that you make an appointment with your daughters guidance councilor because they have knowledge about loans and who to get in touch with and maybe you can explain your situation and see if your daughter might be helped in the process.
You might also want to get in touch with Human Resources in your area and see if they have any programs that could help.
I will try to find out tomorrow how long you have before you would require more schooling to take your exams.
i completed my hours in 2004 ..i passed the practical and failed the theoretical… i never retook the test …what steps do i need to take in order to retake the tests- thank you
Oh i see you have this listed here, any info on Texas??
Thank you so much!! I’m located in Tennnessee, I have completed the required hours in order to take the test. The school that I attended didnt report the hours. There have been to many obstacles placed before this situation.I just wanted to thank you again.
Knowledge is Clear and focus, Lack of Knowledge is confusion.
Do School hours ever expire in Illinois? I have 1250 hours and however I have been out of school for 9 years and want to go back to complet the program and take the board exam.
Hi i actually had the same question about finishing my hours in Rhode Island i have 1000 hours and havn’t been in school for 5 years i was told that it was 10 years before my credits are gone but i am not sure about that and for you i would get in touch with your state board because your close to 10 years out of school you will prob take a placement test to see where you stand when you go back to school
What about Virginia?? I completed my apprenticeship 2 years ago but never applied for state board. Its a long story, but now I want to get my license. Is there any hope?
what about nh did you ever get a response from them ! i am a singel mom of a child born 8 months before i graduated and she had many and still has many medical problems nh is currently trying to do away with licenses in general ! but i would really like to take my test graduated in 2007 (december) so it’s been 3 years can i stilll get my license ! ?
i am from michigan and i want to no. i receive 1500 hours in 1996.and i havnt been to take my exams are my hours still there?
This may help!
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dleg/COSMETOLOGY_FAQ_Jan_09_266622_7.pdf
It looks like as long as your school is in business and they have the ability to send records to the State Board to confirm that you attended and received 1500 hours it’s just a matter of sending it the required paperwork, sending in fee’s, and re-learning the exam!
What about mississippi?
to Kd, Mississippi only gives you 365 days from the date of graduation to take your exam, after one year you are required to go back to school for “brush up hours.” It starts at 10% from 366 days -3 years, then 25% from 3 years to 7 years then after 7 years, you have to do 50% of your hours. Yes, that means after only a year of graduation you have to PAY for MORE school. It is really quite absurd.
http://www.mslawyer.com/statedept/regulations/cosmetology/cosmeto.htm
(source)
Hi. I have graduated cosmetology school in 2003 from NJ, I have 1200hours. Then I took NJ cosmetology test and I passed my Practicle part but failed the Written part in October 2003 and never tried again. Now I want to try to take the test and again and get my Cosmetology license in New Jersey so what do I have to do ? Please help!! . Second, if I want to get PA cosmetology licence does state board of PA take my 1200 hours? I had try to contact NJ and PA state board many time but can’t get reply? Help me please ! thank you very much.
Are you sure about PA? What about Nail Tech?? Thanks, Jess
Hi So I live in Indiana. And I failed my cosmetology written exam twice, It says in our stupid laws I have to do have a 100 hours from a cosmetology school. I really dont want to pay money to go back to school for 100 hours. Can I take the test out of state? Like ohio is close to me!! Its so embarrassing that I failed this twice. only by 1 or 2 points off…Please help!! I need answers.. =(
I FINISH MY HOURS 2010 IN OHIO. I HAVENT TAKE THE TEST YET. DO I STILL HAVE TIME.
does anyone know how long after graduating you have to take your boards in illinois?
Thanks for this information. Do you know about Texas?