Cosmetology State Board Website List
Below is the complete list of Cosmetology State Board websites except for North Dakota and Puerto Rico where you can get information about licensing, rules, regulations, requirements, and reciprocity. I hope you can find what you need, but if you have any problems don’t hesitate to ask and I will do my best to help. I have made sure that all links work properly.
Alaska
Division of Occupational Licensing
ARIZONA
Arizona Board of Cosmetology
ARKANSAS
Arkansas State Board of Cosmetology
CALIFORNIA
California State Board
COLORADO
Barbers_Cosmetologists
CONNECTICUT
CONNECTICUT EXAMINING BOARD FOR BARBERS, HAIRDRESSERS& COSMETICIANS
DELAWARE
Delaware Professional Regulation – Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
District of Columbia: Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs: Information
FLORIDA
Division of Professions – Board of Cosmetology
GEORGIA
Georgia State Board of Cosmetology
HAWAII
Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs
IDAHO
Idaho State Board of Cosmetology
ILLINOIS
Illinois Cosmetology Professions Licensed by DPR
INDIANA
State Board of Cosmetology Examiners
IOWA
IDPH – Bureau of Professional Licensure
KANSAS
Kansas Board of Cosmetology
KENTUCKY
KENTUCKY STATE BOARD OF HAIRDRESSERS & COSMETOLOGISTS
LOUISIANA
Louisiana State Boards – Cosmetology
MAINE
OLR – Barber And Cosmetology
MARYLAND
State Board of Barbers
State Board of Cosmetologists
MASSACHUSETTS
Board of Registration – Board of Cosmetology
MICHIGAN
Cosmetology
MINNESOTA
Minnesota Board of Barber and Cosmetology Examiners > Home
MISSISSIPPI
MISSISSIPPI STATE BOARD OF COSMETOLOGY
MISSOURI
Missouri Division of Professional Registration Barbers-Cosmetology
MONTANA
Montana DLI – Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
NEBRASKA
Nebraska HHS System: Credentialing: Cosmetology
NEVADA
State Board of Cosmetology
NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics
NEW JERSEY
Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling
NEW MEXICO
Regulation & Licensing
NEW YORK
Licensing, Appearance Enhancement
NORTH CAROLINA
Board of Cosmetic Arts
NORTH DAKOTA
Website N/A when doing a search you can find information in PDF form.
OHIO
Ohio Board of Cosmetology
OKLAHOMA
State of Oklahoma Board of Cosmetology
OREGON
Oregon Board of Cosmetology
PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania – Cosmetology
BPOA: Mission Statement – Pennsylvania – Barber
PUERTO RICO
PUERTO RICO BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF BEAUTY SPECIALISTS
P.O. Box 9023271
Old San Juan, PR 00902-3271
(787) 722-2122 Website N/A
RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island Licensed Occupations
SOUTH CAROLINA
Professional and Occupational Licensing Boards
SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota Cosmetology Commission-Homepage
TENNESSEE
Department of Commerce & Insurance » Board of Cosmetology
TEXAS
Texas Cosmetology Commission
UTAH
Cosmetology/Barbering, Esthetics, Electrology and Nail Technology Licensing Board
VERMONT
BARBERS AND COSMETOLOGISTS
VIRGINIA
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
WASHINGTON
Cosmetology
WEST VIRGINIA
WEST VIRGINIA STATE BOARD OF BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS
Website
WISCONSIN
DRL – Barbering and Cosmetology Apprentice
Wisconsin Department of Regulation & Licensing
WYOMING
Wyoming State Government Directory – Cosmetology
I would like to renew my license from Pa. I dont have a copy of my license so I dont know the number. My D.O.B. is 2-13-44. I believe I was licensed in October,1963 and have kept it since then but moving around have gotten lost in transit. Please reply. Thank you, Donna L. Boettger
Hi Donna,
You will find my answer here Find Your Cosmetology License Number Easily
Hello,
I currently live in California and relocating to Utah in the summer. I have a question regarding the hours do I have to go back to school to finish the extra 400 hours that Utah needs to get my license transfered to Utah? Please reply. Thank you, Renee M. Waite
Hi Renee,
If you have work history almost all states will give credit for the hours you have worked. You would have to have those work years verified and sent to the state you are moving to. Utah says to “Contact your current state licensing agency and request a verification of license be sent to the state of Utah. Download the application from the Cosmetology/Barbering web page, complete the application and submit it for review and processing with the required fees. Applicants must meet the educational or the experience requirement. ”
Pay attention to section C you need to have at least 4,000 full time working hours if not then you would probably be required to do the hours.
I went to school around 2002 and didn’t finish and i’m now going to go back in the fall to hopefully finish. I need to know if my hours can be transfered over to my new school and where i can look this up at??? Can u help me?
Hi Lori,
Schools are required to record your hours and send them to the state board so depending on whether your hours are still good depends on the state you reside in. You need to contact your state board or the school you attended and ask them how to proceed. If you have a transcript of the hours completed that will be very helpful and your new school can work all of that out for you.
Not all schools are diligent in record keeping, but it is required by law however records and transcripts do get lost so hopefully it will work out for you.
I did not pass my Ohio State Baord of Cosmetology exam in 1999, and in 2001 I was told I have no hrs ,so I went back to school ,and my school closed for alot of reasons . My ? is should I stil be able to retake the baord exam or maybe have some hrs?
Hi Ebonie,
If you took it the first time you should be able to redo the parts you failed and the state board should already have your hours and test scores so I don’t understand why they would say you have no hours. Your school has to send a record of your hours and from this portion of the Ohio Admin Code if you failed 3 times you would need 75 hours more. Get in touch with your state board and get this cleared up.
(E) Cosmetologists who fail the test for the third time will be required to take seventy-five hours additional instruction in theory, rules, sanitation, etc. If they fail the written section and seventy-five hours in cosmetology clinic if they failed the practical. These hours may be met through an equivalent credit hour course.
trying to see if anyone can tell me how to find hours that were received in 1985. Test was taken but not passed for license at the time it was called State Board(Texas). Tdlr cannot find any records on me nor any of my hours. Hopefully you can help. I have contacted my high school and they can”t find the records.
Ja,
Records often get lost and if you don’t have a transcript and they have lost them, then I’m trully sorry there really isn’t anything I can suggest.
Hi i was wondering if you could help me. I am about to take my practical exam (texas) . My teacher didn’t know what she was doing so can you give me something that i can refer to to get ready. Thanks a lot.
Yolanda,
Texas Cosmetology Exam Information
Hello, On 01/31/07 I sent my renewal info and check to State Board to renew my license. I had not received the renewal form they usually send, because of moving. So in error I sent a check for $60 when it was only $45. State Board returned everything to me with a letter saying I now owe $90 because I didn’t send the correct amount a $45 late fee. For what ever reason I never followed up and I need my license. Do I renew this year as normal and included last times $90 and ce hours or is there something else I need to do?
This will be my first year renewing my license. I’ve been told you can do it online. I have since moved and have not received my reservation number. How do I go about changing my address and renewing my license?
hello, i will be taking the california cosmetology exam soon and am in desperate need for a crash/prep course. i haven’t been able to find any in no. california. do you have any suggestions on where i can find such a course or a tutor?
I live in California. I let my manicuring license expire a number of years ago because I was no longer doing nails and didn’t think I ever would again. Circumstances have changed, and in looking into renewing my license I’ve learned that it was cancelled. To replace it I have to retake the written and the practical tests, and may have to go back to cosmetology school. Do you know how many hours I will need to go for, if I do have to go? Is there any way to avoid this?
I & my sister have CA cosmetology &manicurist license. We’ll move to New Jersey next month. Will we have to repeat training or take a test for New Jersey license? Are our CA licenses reciprocal?
I would like to renew my license for cosmetology/instructor as well. I didn’t keep them up to date due to being heavily involved in family business. Can you please help. My d.o.b 05/01/1959 Indiana
I have a NY cosmetology license. According to the state I need another 200 hours in order to obtain a NJ cosmetology license. However, yesterday I met with the admissions rep told me in order to do my 200 hours I needed to pass the written and practical state test BEFORE I take my 200 hours. I took it today and of couse didn’t pass the 150 written test because I had no time to study and took the NY state board over a year ago. Why would I have to take a test before I even take the extra 200 hours…..? I am going to have to pass the state board at the end of the 200 hours anyway? PLEASE HELP!!!!!
Nataliia,
You would be better off sending your question to askconsumeraffairs@dca.lps.state.nj.us because I don’t have an answer for you. Rules and regulations change constantly so go directly to the source. NJ requires a barber/cosmetology license combined that’s why I would imagine you need the extra hours, but I don’t know why they require testing before you even start, sorry I can’t help.
Thank you Jude8753. I sent an email to that address this morning. Waiting to hear….
Has anyone out there ever have a NY cosmetology license and then went to NJ to work? Please, if you did this can you please tell me how? Nobody knows anything and I just spent $150 on a test that I don’t even think I need and I can’t spend the $2200 for 200 hours until someone can tell me what to do!!!!
Nat
I currently live in California and just graduated from beauty school out here. I’m moving very soon to Colorado so do not have time to take state board in California. My hours do transfer to Colorado so I can take state board there….I need a tudor though and having a very tough time finding one. Do you have suggestions? I need to pass because have a job waiting for me already.
Tennille
Hi Tennile,
You can write the Colorada state board and ask if they have a list of qualified teachers and then go from there. I doubt that you will be able to work in Colorada even though you have a promise of a job you need your license. You can ask the person that promised you the job if they have a teaching license and if they would be able to help you with what you need. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
hey everyone i will be finished with school in alabama this week and will be getting state board but will be moving to Cal what will i need to do if i have around 6month in job will that help
Hi I hope you can help me as I have spent hours on the phone with the California Department of Consumer Affairs enduring several transfers and wrong information. I obtained my license in San Francisco, CA approx. 1972. Due to an allergic reation to some of the chemicals I left the industry and did not renew my license after approx. 1976. I no longer have a copy of my license or number and am interested in possibly returning to the industry. I am unclear about the requirements for renewal with an expired license and I have gotten several different answers. Any help you can give me to locate my expired license number would be greatly appreciated.
The name on the liicense would have been either Janice L. Gallo or Janice L. Sickly. DOB 04-03-1952. Thank you.
Janice Gallo
Hi Janice,
I tried to find your license, but since it was longer than 2 years ago it didn’t return any. I’m sorry I really can’t do anything I wish I could.
I went to Cosmetology school in Michigan in 2007, graduated, but never took my michigan state board exam because i had plans to move and not practice in MI. I moved to Chicago, IL and am trying to figure out if i am able to take a state board exam to get an IL license here. The Amount of hours is the same needed, 1500 which i completed… But when i tried to enroll online to take my exam i needed to add in an ILLINOIS state certified school. Is there any way i can take an IL exam to get my license here?
Hi Janice,
I have my California license but am moving to Washington state, which unfortunately does not have reciprocity to California. Do you know where I might find a tutor to prepare me for their exam?
Thanks
I would suggest you contact the stateboard and ask if they have a booklet and or a list of tutors. Sorry I can’t help more.
I was curious if you knew a site I could go to-to find exactly what I need to know t pass the iowa state boards?
thanks,
bizzy
Contact them directly and ask them if they can send you a handbook of what you need to know.
Iowa Dept. of Public Health
Board of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences
Lucas Bldg., 5th Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
515-281-4416 (phone)
I have a full course Oregon cosmetology license. I live in California right now and did not obtain a license here, but am now moving to indiana. Does reciprocity work in my case??
I & my sister have CA cosmetology &manicurist license. We’ll move to New Jersey next month. Will we have to repeat training or take a test for New Jersey license? Are our CA licenses reciprocal?
I am going to soon be moving to South Carolina from NY. And I am trying to get information on transfering my cosmetology license. According to SC they require 500 more hrs then what I got. Please help. I have 8 years this April in this industry, does that count for something? please help!! ~Amanda W~
Amanda your work history will make up for the hours needed.
My friend and I will be moving to California soon. We live in New Jersey we both have our cosmetology licenses and we’re wondering what we have to do to get a California one. Would we have to go back to school, take the test over or both. We both have been working full time at a salon with our licenses for about 3 years. I know that California has 1600 hours and New jersey has 1200 but i didn’t no if us working for 3 years would make a difference.
Nicole
Nothing seems to be easier than seeing someone whom you can help but not helping.
I suggest we start giving it a try. Give love to the ones that need it.
God will appreciate it.
Thank you for helping. I will be in South Carolina in about a week or soo, do I need to contact the state or just put a resume together ? This is a great place to get info. Thank you again
Amanda W,
This link http://judesmultiinfo.com/Beauty_Denominator/2007/11/09/reciprocity-a-few-things-to-do-if-your-moving-out-of-state/ is on the sidebar over there——————> just click where it says moving from 1 state to another or click this one.
I have a NJ cosmo license and a NJ cosmetology instructor license. i have about 3 years work experience in a salon. I will be moving to Washington, DC very soon. D.C. requires 1500 hrs, while NJ requires 1200. Could my 3 year work experience and additional instructor course hours(600) completed make up for the 300 hours difference in these state requirements? How would i go about getting licensed in D.C.?
Hello! I received my license in 2000 for manicuring and stop doing nails for a year and let my license expire. well i’m moving to oregon. do i have to retake the test here in michigan 1st, apply for my license, then apply in oregon for a license? i hope it will not be too difficult. please tell me what i have to do.
hi,
i am currently licensed in new jersey and have been for three years. in the next year or so i will be moving to texas. i wasnt sure if i had to take the exam again since nj is 1200 hrs and tx is 1500 hrs. i was told that having the jersey license and working for two yrs that i wouldnt have a problem going to another state. is that true???
I am a student in WV I have 1500+ hours and in may I Will have my 2000 hrs needed for WV boards. I will not be able to take my WV exam until AUG. I am getting a job in OHIO. My question is will I be able to use a WV work permit in ohio or can I take OHIO exam since I have the required hours for OHIO? I really need this job before aug. can you help me…
I have a valid calif. license and I want to work in Oregon.What would be involved in getting a oregon license?
I am licensed cosmetologist currently living in Oklahoma but I am considering moving to Illinois. What would I need to do to obtain a cosmetology license in Illinois?
i am currently a licensed cosmetologist in Illinois. I have worked in a salon in downtown Chicago apprenticing to be a colorist for the past year. I started cosmetology school February 6th of 2007 and graduated with 1500 hours on February 14th of 2008. i started working at my salon on March 11th 2008. I have also taken one continuing education class since then. I am planning on moving to California within the next year or so and was wondering if there is anything i need to do to get licensed in California before moving there?
i finished and graduated with 400-hours of nail technology, which is required in california. my school forgot to pre-apply me, so by the time i did everything myself and finally got my test date, i had already gotten a job and ended up not going. now i’ve moved to New York and want to get my liscence. there’s really very little information about the process of preparing for the New York state board exam.
so my question is generally about the kit i will use for my state board exam. in california, you can rent a kit and it’s all state board qualified tools, and there’s really nothing like that online. my school back in san francisco is of no help. do i have to get the tools myself? and what tools do i need to have for the test? if you have any kind of list or a website that gives further details about the materials you need to do the new york state board examination, i would really appreciate it. thank you.
Hi I just got my cosmetology license in Florida and want to move to Indiana. Will I have to go back to school since Indiana requires 1500 hours and I have 1200. Do school’s even do that where they will let you go for 300 hrs or do I have to do a whole course because I don’t want to go back to school. Thanks,Christine
I have 1600 hours of school and my certificate of hours from California dated 2005. I now live in Florida and wanted to take the state board here. I did not get licensed in CA. Is there a state board review book of exam questions for Florida? We had a great one for CA, but I cannot find one for Florida. Does Florida have a practical? From the state cosmo website I can only see that there is a written test. Is it true there isn’t a practical exam in FL?
Thanks, Kim
Hi,
I am sure that I you have probally answered this question before. But I will ask anyway. I obtained my lic. back in 02. I got preg. and had a baby so when my lis came up to be renewed I lost track of everything. I have check the state site to see that is shows non-renewed. I need to knwo what I have to do to get it back it expired 09-30-07. Please let me know. I appreciate your help!
Aimee
P.S. I have tried to look at the laws and it is not exactly clear. Thanks so much!
oh sorry… I live in Il.
I currently live in Michigan and just received my Michigan Cosmetology License.. I am moving to Utah in August (My husband is in the US Air Force). Michigan requires 1500 hours, and Utah is 2000 hours.. I have not worked in a salon since obtaining my license, due to the fact that we are moving very soon and I don’t have a vehicle.. What are my options for getting Licensed in Utah?!?!
Hi..my name is vicky and i just got my michigan license in cosmetology(1500hrs) and i will be moving to texas what do i have to do? i reallly need help, please help me….
I completed over 1400 hrs of an 1800 hr cosmetology program that included a mgr license. I did not finish due to financial aid reasons. My hours have since expired (in Ohio). Thanks to this website I see other states will recognize my hours. Is it really this simple? Can I refresh myself and take state boards in another state and transfer my license back to ohio?
Hello, I am currently licensed in michigan as a manicurist and i am trying to figure how to transfer my license to Illinois…..if anyone could point me in the right direction that would be great!!!
Hello. I live in Georgia now but will be moving back to Florida in the spring. The license that I had while I was working there expires Oct 31, 2009. Unsure if I’ll do hair when I move back, I wasn’t going to renew my Florida license or do the CE courses. What will happen or what will I have to do then if I decide several months later or a year later to do hair again? My original license from Ohio is still active. Will it just be like the first time I applied for a Florida license all over again?
hi!…im a student im New Jersey, im about to graduate…and i passed mass testing…in a few months ill be moving to Puerto Rico. my question is…would i have to to take the tests in PR as well…or what???? ive mailed the Puerto Rico Board about 5 times and have received no answer at all…..i really would like to know…help me, please!
How long after completing cosmetology school do I have to to take state board in the state of Mi?
http://judesmultiinfo.com/Beauty_Denominator/2007/10/06/how-long-after-graduation-from-cosmetology-are-exams/
Hi i just finished school in july 09. I live in NJ but went to school in PA. Pa has more hours then nj does but they dont have reciprocity together. I was wondering if i had to take both tests or if i just have to go do the shaving and leave or just do the theory. NJ state boards dont like to respond to any of my emails, phone calls, or faxes. I’m so at a loss of what to do. can you help me? – Nicole
Hello everyone I’m amazed at all of the questions surrounding State Board examinations. I am a licensed Cosmetology Instructor in MI, and now have a new tutoring service for State Board Preparation ( written and practical portions) called Retouch. Our goal is to “get to the root of the process…”. Don’t ever be afraid to test again!
HI
I went to Cosmetology in 2007 and completed, but my main concern is that I was paying my schooling and just actually finished in May of this year, and I was wondering if I can still take my State Board with me waiting so long. I’m all paid up and now I have to contact my school and see if I can get my certificate, and I don’t even know if I can still get it after so long! Can you help me out here? Please I am desparate!!
Kelly check with your state board and school and see how long you have in your state to take your exams.
I am a licensed in Colorado for cosmotolgy and I am trying to relocate to Salt Lake City Utah. When I was licensed we only had to have 1850 hours and got “grandfathered” in to the new requirement of 2200. After doing research Utah requires 2000 hours. I am wondering what I nedd to do to be legally working as a stylist in Salt Lake. Thanks so much!! Heidi
I I have been licensed Cosmetologist since 1989 .Was wondering if it is legal to tutor Cosmetology students privately in Iowa….
i am currently licensed in illinois and have been for four years now. i am going to be moving to wisconsin and want to transfer my license how do i do that?
Jasmine try reading this post http://judesmultiinfo.com/Beauty_Denominator/2007/11/09/reciprocity-a-few-things-to-do-if-your-moving-out-of-state/
How much additional hours do I need if I have hours in pennsylvania but wanted to move to California, if I move there how many more hours will I need to complete in California?
If I wanted to move to California from pennsylevania, and I have already completed my practical is it best if I just stay here or can I move to california?
sue, you have to call your state board and apply for an instructors licensure. They will want you to provide proof showing you have continued working in cosmetology such as a letter from your employer giving date of hire to present. they will take your working hours into consideration for instructor hours. You may have to test. If you do an apprenticeship for someone, you do not need to be a licensed instructor. You only need at least 2 years experience with your license. You cannot collect moneys when you have an apprentice. Meaning you are teaching them for free. good luck!
Hello…….Would you be kind enough to tell me what kind of dog is shown on your website? My friend’s daughter found one for him just like this white one you have the photo of. She found him at an animal shelter and we are curious. He looks like a small spitz…….Thanks.
He is a Spitz, but the Kennel Club changed the name to American Eskimo because the German name Eskimo Spitz had some bad connototions.
i live i illinois im considering moving to california i have a current license , do i need to go back to school to get the extra 100 hrs that california requires?
thanx, kathy
Is there anyone in the Dallas / Fort Worth area that is a tutor or gives instruction on passing the practical part of the Texas State Cosmetology License exam?
I graduated beauty collge I think almost 5 years ago, I received and still have my diploma of completion but never went to state board.My question is can I still go to state board and get my license or would I have to pay all over again to go to school?
Shantel it depends on the state you live in and they all have different expiration years for taking boards, contact your state board and find out.
I completed my boards in CA in 1987(License issued) I moved away Due to military Family Moved to Alabama (Reciprocity Received) I practiced there from 1988 to 1991 However due to military family I moved again, howver I went to another field. How can I receive my license from California or Alabama? I looked up my license in California it was cancelled? Need help..I sent a email request waiting for the next 24 hours reply. NEED HELP.. Have to feed my family I Now live in Texas…..Moved around as a Military Family
More than likely since it’s been so long without a valid license you would probably have to retake the boards, but wait and see what response you get then inquire how you can reinstate. Most states take each case individually and are usually very helpful they will let you know what must be done, many states also require a refresher course. In PA you can put your license in escrow for 5 years, but you have to retake boards before they will issue a current license.
Hello,
I finished manicuring requirements at a beauty school in California in the late 1980s. I passed the State Board examination shortly after graduating. My license was cancelled in about 1991. I was unable to afford renewing the license at that time and I also never thought I would do manicuring professionally again. However, I have since changed my mind like others.
I currently reside in Oregon and I was wondering what hoops I might have to jump. Would I be able to take the Oregon State Board exam by retrieving my transcript from the beauty college in California? Do you think I would need to pay for updated training? If so, how extensive would this be and perhaps how much? I am so broke right now after finishing a BA in Business Administration and can’t find a job like so many others in this horrible economic climate. I have a child to provide for and ………. Hind sight being what it is — I should have done all I could to renew my license in California.
Any insight you can give me is most appreciated.
Thank you.
I have my esthetics license in Washington state, but am moving to california. I am aware you must have 3 years experience for the license to reciprocate, but what i cannot find is that if you have had your license for less than those 3 years do you have to take the practical exam all over again or is it only the written?
I just moved to chicago from michigan and my license is active here, however my name wasn’t on the mailbox at my new house yet so i didnt receive the physical copy of it. I can’t figure out how to get a copy of my license. help!
i havent renewed my license in a year, if i renew it am i able to work again? or do i have to take another class or test?
I graduated from cosmetology school in Maine in Nov. of ‘07. I was granted a temp. permit to work in a salon in March ‘08 which expired 6 months after the fact. I have no been working in the field & have yet to take my state boards. I’m now looking to take either my Maine or New Hampshire state boards but don’t know if I’m able, & don’t know how to find out !
Hey everyone I have my license in DE. I have to take the NJ shave exam to get my license in NJ. Has anyone taken and passed the exam? If so I would appreciate any tips or suggestions.
stateboardcosmetologyhelp (dot) com