✂️ Cosmetologist License Requirements by State

Compare cosmetologist license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level cosmetologist license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $50–$50. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$50	$28,670
AKAlaska	Required	—	$50	$38,900
AZArizona	Required	—	$50	$33,450
ARArkansas	Required	—	$50	$27,120
CACalifornia	Required	—	$50	$41,230
COColorado	Required	—	$50	$36,780
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$50	$38,900
DEDelaware	Required	—	$50	$32,340
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$50	$42,670
FLFlorida	Required	—	$50	$32,120
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$50	$30,670
HIHawaii	Required	—	$50	$39,120
IDIdaho	Required	—	$50	$29,670
ILIllinois	Required	—	$50	$35,890
INIndiana	Required	—	$50	$30,120
IAIowa	Required	—	$50	$29,670
KSKansas	Required	—	$50	$28,900
KYKentucky	Required	—	$50	$29,120
LALouisiana	Required	—	$50	$28,340
MEMaine	Required	—	$50	$31,670
MDMaryland	Required	—	$50	$35,120
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$50	$39,670
MIMichigan	Required	—	$50	$32,890
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$50	$36,780
MSMississippi	Required	—	$50	$25,670
MOMissouri	Required	—	$50	$31,230
MTMontana	Required	—	$50	$30,120
NENebraska	Required	—	$50	$28,670
NVNevada	Required	—	$50	$35,670
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$50	$33,450
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$50	$37,890
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$50	$29,120
NYNew York	Required	—	$50	$42,890
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$50	$30,670
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$50	$29,120
OHOhio	Required	—	$50	$30,890
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$50	$27,670
OROregon	Required	—	$50	$37,890
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$50	$33,120
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$50	$34,670
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$50	$29,120
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$50	$27,890
TNTennessee	Required	—	$50	$29,670
TXTexas	Required	—	$50	$32,120
UTUtah	Required	—	$50	$31,670
VTVermont	Required	—	$50	$32,340
VAVirginia	Required	—	$50	$33,670
WAWashington	Required	—	$50	$39,670
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$50	$27,120
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$50	$33,120
WYWyoming	Required	—	$50	$29,670

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Common questions about cosmetologist licensing

Do all states require a cosmetologist license?

No — 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level cosmetologist license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a cosmetologist license?

Application fees across the states range $50–$50. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a cosmetologist license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.