State by State Licensing Requirements

Cosmetology – Esthetic’s – Nail Technology – Barbering

Not all states have every license available.  Here is a listing of what is available for licensing requirements not only for our state of Iowa but the remainder of the United States.  Please remember that Iowa is a 2100 hour requirement for Cosmetology / Beauty School training and as such, getting licensed in the state of your desire is normally a fairly easy process once you have an Iowa license.  Most states require less hours than Iowa.  (The advantage to the longer program is quality of the education through time spent on each subject.  We have more time to spend on things like salon management, resume building, cutting, perming, coloring techniques, etc…  Who would not want that extra educational time?)  We do assist with licensing requirements with our graduates anywhere you are interested in moving to.  This is a free service to our graduates, as long as we are here.  Again – that is our commitment to you “our graduate”.  So, what are the requirements by state?

Here is the List….

Alabama Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 hours
Esthetician – 1500 hours
Nail Technician – 750 hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Alabama Board of Cosmetology
RSA Union Building
Suite 320
Montgomery, Alabama 36130
334-242-1918
https://aboc.state.al.us/

Alaska Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1650 hours
Barbering – 1650 hours
Esthetician – 750 hours
Special Requirements: Additional licensing requirements needed to perform other cosmetology services.
Contact: Division of Corporations, Businesses and Professional Licensing
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, Alaska 99811
907-465-2550
https://commerce.state.ak.us/dnn/cbpl/professionallicensing/boardofbarbershairdressers.aspx

Arizona Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1600 Hours
Esthetician -600 Hours
Nail Technician -600 Hours
Special Requirements: Must have at least two years of high school education and be a minimum of 23 years of age.
Contact: Arizona Board of Cosmetology
1721 East Broadway
Tempe, AZ 85282
480-784-4539
https://www.azboc.gov/

Arkansas Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 600 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Arkansas State Board of Cosmetology
101 East Capital Avenue, Suite 108
Little Rock, AK 72201
501-682-2168
https://www.arkansas.gov/cos

California Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1600 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Manicurist – 400 Hours
Barbering – 1500 Hours
Special Requirements: Must be at least 17 years old and have completed 10th grade or equivalent.
Contact: Board of Barbering & Cosmetology
2420 Del Paseo Road, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95831
800-952-5210
https://barbercosmo.ca.gov

Colorado Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1800 Hours
Barbering – 1500 Hours
Manicurist – 1200
Special Requirements: Must be at least 16 years old.
Contact: Colorado Office of Barber & Cosmetologist Licensing
1560 Broadway #1350
Denver, CO 80202
303-894-7772
https://cdn.colorado.gov

Connecticut Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Special Requirements: Must have completed 8th grade or equivalent.
Contact:Connecticut Dept. of Public Health Cosmetology & Licensing
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134
860-509-8457
https://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3143&q=388878

Delaware Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 300 Hours
Nail Technician – 125 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Delaware Board of Cosmetology
Cannon Building
Suite 203
Dover, DE 19904
302-739-4522
https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/cosmetology

District of Columbia Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 260 Hours
Nail Technician – 240 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Consumer Regulatory Affairs, Occupational & Professional Licensing
941 North Capitol St. NE
Washington, DC 20002
202-442-4400
https://www.vue.com/dc/barbers_cosmo/

Florida Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1200 Hours
Esthetician – 260
Nail Technician – 240 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Florida Board of Cosmetology, Dept. of Business & Professional Regulation
1940 Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850-487-1395
https://www.myfloridalicense.com/intentions2.asp?chBoard=true&boardid=05&SID

Georgia Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 1000 hours
Special Requirements: Apprenticeships
Contact: Georgia State Board of Cosmetology
166 Pryor St S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30303
478-207-1430
https://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing/plb/16

Hawaii Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 600 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 350 Hours
Barbering – 1500 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Board of Barbering & Cosmetology
335 Merchant St Rm. 301
Honolulu, HI 96813
808-586-3000
https://hawaii.gov/dcca/pvl

Idaho Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 2000 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 350 Hours
Special Requirements: Must be at least 16 ½ years old with two years of high school completed.
Contact: Idaho Board of Cosmetology
Owyhee Plaza
1109 Main St, Suite 220
Boise, ID 83702
208-334-3233
https://ibol.idaho.gov/IBOL/BoardPage.aspx?Bureau=BCB

Illinois Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 750 Hours
Nail Technician – 350 Hours
Special Requirements: Must be at least 16 years old with a minimum of an 8th grade education and may be required to take the Ability to Benefit Test.
Contact: Illinois Dept. of Professional Regulation
320 Washington St, 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62786
217-782-8556
https://www.idfpr.com/profs/cosmo.asp

Indiana Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 750 Hours
Nail Technician – 450 Hours
Special Requirements: Must be at least 18 years old with a minimum of a 10th grade education. Must be at least 17.5 years old with an 8th grade education for the Nail Program.
Contact: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency State Board of Cosmetology Examiners
402 W. Washington St, Rm. WO72
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-2980
https://www.in.gov/pla/cosmo.htm

Iowa Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 2100 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 325 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Iowa Department of Public Health Cosmetology Board of Iowa
Lucas State Office Building
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-4416
https://www.idph.iowa.gov/Licensure/Iowa-Board-of-Cosmetology-Arts-and-Sciences

Kansas Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 650 Hours
Nail Technician – 350 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Kansas State Board of Cosmetology
714 S.W. Jackson St, Suite 100
Topeka, KS 66603
785-296-3155
https://www.accesskansas.org/kboc

Kentucky Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1800 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Special Requirements: Must be at least 16 years old and have completed two years of high school.
Contact: Kentucky State Board of Hairdressers & Cosmetologists
111 St. James Court
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-4262
https://kbhc.ky.gov

Louisiana Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 750 Hours
Nail Technician – 500 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Board of Cosmetology
11622 Sunbelt Court
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
225-756-3404
https://www.lsbc.louisiana.gov

Maine Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Barbering – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 750 hours
Nail Technician – 500 Hours
Special Requirements: Apprenticeships
Contact: Maine State Board of Barbering & Cosmetology
State House Sta. 35
Augusta, ME 04333
207-624-8603
https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/barbers/index.html

Maryland Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 250 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists
500 N. Calvert St, Rm. 201
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-230-6320
https://dllr.state.md.us/license/cos/

Massachusetts Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1000 Hours
Esthetician – 300 Hours
Nail Technician – 100 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure
239 Causeway St.
Boston, MA 02114
617-727-9940
https://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/hd/

Michigan Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 400 Hours
Nail Technician – 400 Hours
Barbering – 1750 Hours
Special requirements: Must be 17 years old and have a minimum of a 9th grade education.
Contact: Michigan Bureau of Commercial Services – Board of Cosmetology
P.O. Box 30018
Lansing, MI 48909
517-241-9201
https://www.michigan.gov/cosmetology

Minnesota Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1550 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 350 Hours
Special Requirements: Must have a 12th grade education or GED.
Contact: Minnesota Dept. of Commerce – Cosmetology Unit
133 E. Seventh St
St. Paul, MN 55101
651-296-6319
https://www.bceboard.state.mn.us/

Mississippi Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1550 Hours
Esthetician – 300 Hours
Nail Technician – 250 Hours
Special Requirements: Must be 17 years old, able to read, write and speak English, and have a high school education or equivalent.
Contact: Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology
3000 Old Canton Rd, Ste. 112
Jackson, MS 39296
601-987-6837
https://www.msbc.state.ms.us/Pages/default.aspx

Missouri Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 750 Hours
Nail Technician – 400 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: State Board of Cosmetology
3605 Missouri Boulevard
P.O. Box 1062
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-1052
https://pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp

Montana Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 2000 Hours
Esthetician – 650 Hours
Nail Technician – 350 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Board of Barbers & Cosmetologists
301 S. Park, 4th Floor
P.O. Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620
406-841-2333
https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/bsd_boards/cos_board/board_page.asp

Nebraska Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 2100 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 300 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Department of Health & Department of Health & Human Services
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68509
401-471-2117
https://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Pages/crl_mhcs_cosi_cosindex.aspx

Nevada Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1800 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 500 Hours
Special Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age and have completed a 10th grade education.
Contact: Nevada State Board of Cosmetology
1785 East Sahara Ave, Suite 255
Las Vegas, NV 89104
702-486-6542
https://cosmetology.nv.gov

New Hampshire Cosmetology / Beauty licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1800 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 500 Hours
Special Requirements: Must have a high school diploma or a GED.
Contact: The Board of Barbering, Cosmetology & Esthetic’s
2 Industrial Park Drive
Concord, NH 03301
603-271-3608
https://www.oplc.nh.gov/cosmetology/

New Jersey Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1200 Hours
Nail Technician – 300 Hours
Beauty School Teacher – 500 Hours
Special Requirements: Must have a high school diploma.
Contact: New Jersey Board of Cosmetology & Hairstyling
P.O. Box 45003
Newark, NJ 07101
973-504-6400
https://njpublicsafety.com/ca/cosmetology/

New Mexico Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1600 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 350 Hours
Barbering – 1200 Hours
Special Requirements: Must be at least 17 years old with at least a 10th grade education.
Contact: Board of Barbers & Cosmetologists
2550 Cerrillos Road
P.O. Box 25101
Santa Fe, NM 87504
505-476-4690
https://www.rld.state.nm.us/boards/Barbers_and_Cosmetologists_Requirements_and_Continuing_Education.aspx

New York Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1000 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 250 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: New York Department of State Division of Licensing Services
84 Holland Ave.
Albany, NY 12208
518-474-4429
https://www.dos.ny.gov/licensing/index.html

North Carolina Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 300 Hours
Beauty School Teacher – 800 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners
1201 Front St. #110
Raleigh, NC 27609
919-733-4117
https://www.nccosmeticarts.com/

North Dakota Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1800 Hours
Nail Technician – 350 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Board of Cosmetology
P.O. Box 2177
Bismarck, ND 58502
701-224-9800
https://www.ndcosmetology.com/home/

Ohio Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 200 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Ohio State Board of Cosmetology
1929 Gateway Circle
Grove City, OH 43123
614-466-3834
https://cos.ohio.gov

Oklahoma Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 600 Hours
Special Requirements: Must be over the age of 16 and have completed 8th grade.
Contact: State of Oklahoma Board of Cosmetology
2401 N.W. 23rd St, Suite 84
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
405-521-2441
https://www.ok.gov/cosmo/Licensing_&_Fee_Information/

Oregon Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1450 Hours
Esthetician – 250 Hours
Nail Technician – 350 Hours
Barbering – 1100 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Oregon Health Licensing Agency
700 Summer St NE, Suite 320
Salem, OR 97301
503-378-8667
https://www.oregon.gov/OHLA/COS/Pages/index.aspx

Pennsylvania Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1250 Hours
Nail Technician – 200 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105
717-783-7130
https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Cosmetology/Pages/default.aspx#.VaQuZ5uPXaA

Rhode Island Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 200 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Rhode Island Dept. of Health Division of Hairdressing & Barbering
3 Capitol Hill, Rm. 104
Providence, RI 02908
401-222-2511
https://www.health.ri.gov/licensing/beauty/

South Carolina Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 450 Hours
Nail Technician – 300 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: South Carolina Board of Cosmetology
110 Center View Drive
Columbia, SC 29210
803-896-4568
https://llr.state.sc.us/POL/Cosmetology

South Dakota Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 2100 Hours
Nail Technician – 400 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: South Dakota Cosmetology Commission
500 East Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-6193
https://dlr.sd.gov/bdcomm/cosmet/default.aspx

Tennessee Cosmetology / Beauty Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 450 Hours
Nail technician – 300 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
615-741-2515
https://www.tn.gov/commerce/section/cosmetology-and-barber-examiners

Texas Cosmetology / Beauty Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 750 Hours
Nail Technician – 600 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Texas Dept. of Licensing & Regulations
920 Colorado
Austin, TX 78701
512-463-6599
https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/cosmet/cosmet.htm

Utah Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 2000 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 200 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing
160 E. 300 St South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-530-6628
https://dopl.utah.gov/licensing/cosmetology_barbering.html

Vermont Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 400 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Office of the Secretary of State Office of Professional Regulation, Board of Barber; Cosmetologists
26 Terrace St, Drawer 09
Montpelier, VT 05609
802-828-1134
https://www.sec.state.vt.us/professional-regulation/list-of-professions/barbers-cosmetologists.aspx

Virginia Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1500 Hours
Barbering – 1500 Hours
Nail Technician – 150 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Virginia Dept. of Professional & Occupational Regulation Board for Barbers & Cosmetology
3600 West Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23230
804-367-8509
https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/BarberCosmo/

Washington Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1600 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 600 Hours
Barbering – 1000 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: State Department of Licensing, Cosmetology Licensing Program
405 Black Lake Blvd. SW
P.O. Box 9026
Olympia, WA 98507
360-664-6626
https://dol.wa.gov/business/cosmetology

West Virginia Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 2000 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 400 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Board of Barbers & Cosmetologists
1716 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 7
Charleston, WV 25302
304-558-2924
https://www.wvbbc.com/

Wisconsin Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 1800 Hours
Esthetician – 450 Hours
Nail Technician – 300 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Wisconsin Dept. of Regulations; Licensing, Barber & Cosmetology Examining Board
P.O. Box 8935
Madison, WI 53708
608-266-5511
https://drl.wi.gov/boards/bac

Wyoming Cosmetology / Beauty Licensing Requirements
Cosmetology / Beauty School – 2000 Hours
Esthetician – 600 Hours
Nail Technician – 400 Hours
Special Requirements: None
Contact: Wyoming Board of Cosmetology
Peter Hansen Building
2515 Warren Ave, Suite 302
Cheyenne, WY 82002
307-777-3534
https://cosmetology.wy.gov/