Cosmetology State Licensing

Completing the courses and required training hours will give you the necessary education to practice cosmetology. Legally practicing to the general public, though, requires a little more than just cosmetology training. In addition to the completion of an accredited cosmetology program, most states also require students to pass a state examination in order to begin practicing to the general public.

Here is a list of requirements for each state: www.beautyschoolsdirectory.com/faq/state_req.php
Here are some common state licensing questions:

Who determines the licensing requirements for each state?
Each state has its own Board of Cosmetology, which is assigned to determine its own licensing requirements for cosmetologists. Since there are no national requirements, states are afforded a certain degree of leniency when making licensing decisions. This is why some states may have stricter licensing requirements than others.

Is the licensing for cosmetologists and barbers the same?
No. While the licensing requirements for both cosmetologists and barbers are determined by the same entity (the state's Board of Cosmetology), there are separate licenses for each. However, since the state examinations are similar for each, it is reasonably simple to earn licensing for both. Crossover licensing usually requires only barbers/cosmetologists to complete a few additional courses to become qualified for the subsequent state examination.

Can I attend cosmetology school in one state and earn licensing in another?
Yes. While most cosmetology schools are designed to help prepare students for the examination in its own state, there is generally little variation between examinations in different states. If you are concerned about passing another state's examination, many cosmetology schools offer short refresher courses for their programs.

What if the requirements for my cosmetology program are different than the licensing requirements for the state in which I plan to practice?
Cosmetology schools will always have requirements that at least match, if not exceed, the licensing requirements for the state in which they are located. That does not mean, however, that the requirements for completion of a program will automatically meet another state's licensing requirements. Therefore you should be sure to check the licensing requirements for the state in which you plan to practice if it differs from the state you will be attending school. This will allow you to plan for additional courses or hours to become eligible for state licensing.