Considering a career as a cosmetologist? This guide covers the key steps, from insurance recommendations to cosmetology license requirements in your state. We’ll walk you through the process to help you get and maintain your license for a successful career.
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Most U.S. states do not mandate business insurance as a prerequisite for getting an individual cosmetology license. However, if you plan to own or operate a salon, many states require certain business licenses and permits, which may include proof of insurance.
Even if not required, obtaining cosmetology insurance is highly recommended to safeguard your business and clients. These are the most common types of policies business owners in the industry get:
If an employee gets hurt on the job or sustains a work-related illness, workers’ compensation insurance can help provide coverage for wage protection and medical expenses. Most states require businesses to have this coverage if they are an employer.
General liability insurance can help cover various cosmetology accidents and basic risks. You’ll have financial protection if someone other than an employee gets hurt or you are held responsible for damaging property that doesn’t belong to you.
Commercial property insurance can help protect your business equipment, inventory, and salon or spa building. If your business property is damaged due to a covered event, such as a burst water pipe or fire, property insurance can help with replacement costs or repairs and the loss of business income while you get back up and running.
A business owner’s policy, or BOP insurance combines general liability and commercial property in a single, cost-efficient bundle. It can help cover damage that you or your employees may accidentally cause to another person’s property and help protect your business equipment in the event of a fire or other covered event.
Professional liability insurance helps you defend yourself if you’re accused of making a mistake that causes someone to lose money. For example, a client claims that you caused an allergic reaction with certain chemicals, forcing them to reschedule their wedding.
It’s common for beauty business owners to offer mobile services. Commercial auto insurance can help protect cosmetologists who drive for work by covering accident-related expenses, such as property damage and medical costs.
To practice professionally in the United States, all states and the District of Columbia require individuals to have a cosmetology license. Each state has its own licensing requirements, typically including completing a state-approved cosmetology program, accumulating a specified number of training hours, and passing written and practical examinations.
You must take a state board-approved accredited cosmetology course to learn your trade through an online program or a local cosmetology school. While you don’t have to have a college degree to become a cosmetologist, most training programs will want you to have a high school diploma or GED to start.
You’ll also need to fulfill your state’s training or work experience hours requirements. Some states may require you to register as an apprentice to track hours. The number of hours required varies by state, but the average amount of study hours is as follows:
Course tuition ranges from $6,500-$10,000, with schools in rural areas often offering lower fees than urban schools.
The licensing process can vary; staying current on your state’s requirements is essential. (See our listing of state requirements below). After completing your cosmetology course, you will likely need to take a state licensing exam to gain clearance to begin working as a cosmetologist.
The written exam covers your knowledge of procedures, skin care, hair analysis, preventing infections, physiology and chemistry.
Some states require a practical component where you perform cosmetology procedures under observation. In the practical exam, you’ll be evaluated based on your cosmetic skills, time management and cleaning habits while performing tasks like hair coloration.
Cosmetology license application fees vary by state but are typically around $150-250 for your application and exam.
Below are the basic training requirements for your state and what kind of exams you’re required to pass. Typically, you must also be at least 16 years of age and may need a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Some states may require you to pass a background check.
Most states offer licensing by reciprocity or endorsement, so don’t worry if you’re moving out-of-state from where you were initially licensed. Check with the state’s board authority.
| State board | License required? | Hour requirements | Exams |
| Alabama Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours OR 3,000 apprenticeship hours | Written and practical |
| Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers | No specific cosmetology license, but licensing for barbers, hairdressers, estheticians and manicurists available | N/A | N/A |
| Arizona Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| Cosmetology Technical Advisory Committee | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| California State Board of Barbering & Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,000 hours OR 3,200 apprenticeship hours | Written only |
| Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure | Yes, cosmetology license | 50 credit hours OR 1,500 contact hours | Written and practical |
| Connecticut Department of Public Health | Yes, hairdresser/cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| Delaware State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours OR 3,000 apprenticeship hours | Written and practical |
| DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation | Yes, cosmetology license | 1.200 hours | Written only |
| Georgia State Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours OR 3,000 apprenticeship hours | Written and practical |
| Hawaii Board of Barbering & Cosmetology | Yes, beauty operator license | 1,800 hours OR 3,600 apprenticeship hours | Written only |
| Idaho Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,600 hours OR 3,200 apprenticeship hours | Written and practical |
| Illinois Division of Professional Regulation | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written only |
| Indiana State Board of Cosmetology Examiners | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| Iowa Board of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences | Yes, barbering & cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written only |
| Kansas Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours OR 1,500 apprenticeship hours | Written and practical |
| Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| Maine Barbering & Cosmetology Program | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetologists | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,000 hours | Written and practical |
| Michigan Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours OR 2-year apprenticeship | Written and practical |
| Minnesota Department of Commerce | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,550 hours | Written and practical |
| Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| Missouri State Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours OR 3,000 apprenticeship hours | Written and practical |
| Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| Nebraska Department of HHS Regulation and Licensure | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,800 hours | Written only |
| Nevada State Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,600 hours OR 3,200 apprenticeship hours | Written and practical |
| New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours OR 3,000 apprenticeship hours | Written and practical |
| New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling | Yes, cosmetologist-hairstylist license | 1,200 hours | Written and practical |
| New Mexico Board of Barbers & Cosmetologists | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,600 hours | Written and practical |
| New York Department of State | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,000 hours | Written and practical |
| North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| Ohio State Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| Oregon Health Licensing Office | No specific cosmetology license, but licensing for barbers, hair design, estheticians and nail technicians are available | N/A | N/A |
| Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,250 hours OR 2,000 apprenticeship hours | Written and practical |
| Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing and Barbering | No specific cosmetology license, but licensing for barbers, hairdressing, estheticians and manicurists is available | N/A | N/A |
| South Carolina State Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| South Dakota Cosmetology Commission | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| Texas TDLR Cosmetology Program | Yes, cosmetology/barber license | 1,000 hours | Written and practical |
| Utah Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing | Yes, cosmetology/barber license | 1,600 hours OR 2,500 apprenticeship hours | Written and practical |
| Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,000 hours OR 1,500 apprenticeship hours | Written and practical |
| Virginia DPOR Board for Barbers and Cosmetologists | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,000 hours OR 3,000 apprenticeship hours | Written and practical |
| Washington State Department of Licensing | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,600 hours OR 3,000 apprenticeship hours | Written and practical |
| West Virginia State Board of Barbers & Cosmetologists | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,800 hours | Written and practical |
| Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,800 hours OR 4,000 apprenticeship hours | Written and practical |
| Wyoming Board of Cosmetology | Yes, cosmetology license | 1,600 hours | Written and practical |
Licensed cosmetologists must renew their licenses, usually every year or two. Check with your state cosmetology licensing board to determine which continuing education requirements courses are mandated for renewal.
You can renew and expand your cosmetology license online through the website of your state’s licensing authority. Renewal fees range from $25–$100.
NEXT can recommend the necessary cosmetology insurance to help protect your business.
We make it fast, easy and affordable to get a certificate of insurance (COI) and apply for coverage 100% online. We’ll ask a few questions about your business and give you a quote.
You can select your coverage options and buy your policy — all in about 10 minutes. Access your policy 24/7 via web or mobile app.
If you have questions, our licensed, U.S.-based insurance professionals are available to help.
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This information has been provided as a service. It is correct and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge; however, it is in no way intended to offer legal advice and you must always consult with local authorities before you make any business decisions. Regulations and requirements may change at any time.
Kim Mercado is a content editor at NEXT. She writes and edits content for small business owners, and enjoys helping entrepreneurs solve their business challenges and learn about insurance. Kim has contributed to Salesforce, Samsara and Google.
You can find Kim trying new recipes and cheering the 49ers.
