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Sort and compare cosmetologist licensing requirements side-by-side across all 50 states.
| State | Hours | Written | Practical | Apprentice | Gov. Fees | Renewal | CE Req. | Reciprocity | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $285 | 2 years (odd-numbered years during birth month) | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $450 | 2-year biennial cycle, expiring August 31 of odd-numbered years | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | 1,600 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $240 | 2 years (expires on licensee's birthday) | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $175 | 2 years (biennial, expires on practitioner's birthday) | No | reciprocity | April 2026 |
| California(CA) | 1,000 | Yes | No | Yes | $125 | 2 years | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | 1,800 | Yes | Yes | No | $159 | 2 years | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | 1 | Yes | No | No | $165 | 2 years (biennial, by last day of birth month) | No | Endorsement/out-of-state license pathway | April 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $353 | 2 years (biennial) | No | reciprocity | April 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $230 | 2 years (biennial), expiring April 15 of even-numbered years | Yes | reciprocity/endorsement | April 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | 1,200 | Yes | Yes | No | $95.25 | 2 years (biennial) | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $139 | 2 years | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | 1,800 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $292–$365 | Expires December 31 of every odd-numbered year | No | reciprocity | April 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | 1,600 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $308 | Annual | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | 1,500 | Yes | No | No | $137 | 2 years | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $139 | 4 years; renewal notices sent approximately 90 days prior to expiration | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | 2,100 | Yes | Yes | No | $225–$260 | 2 years (biennial, by March 31 of odd-numbered years) | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $195 | Biennial; expiration dates set by board rules and regulations | No | Endorsement / out-of-state license holder application | April 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $100 | Annual renewal; expiration date of 7/31 confirmed | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $158 | 2 years (biennial) | No | reciprocity | April 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $214 | 1 year (annual) | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $104 | 2 years | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | 1,000 | Yes | No | No | $291 | 2 years (expires on licensee's birthday) | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | 1 | Yes | Yes | No | $245–$265 | 2 years | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | 1,550 | Yes | Yes | No | $190 | 3 years | Yes | reciprocity | April 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $245 | 2 years | No | reciprocity | April 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $201 | 2 years (expires September 30 of odd-numbered years) | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $230 | 2 years (biennial) | No | no reciprocity | April 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | 2,100 | Yes | No | No | $30+ | 2 years (biennial, expires December 31 of even-numbered years) | Yes | reciprocity | April 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | 1,800 | Yes | Yes | No | $195 | 2 years (expires on licensee's birthday) | Yes | reciprocity | April 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $247 | 2 years (biennial) | No | Endorsement/reciprocity pathway exists; OPLC application forms page lists 'Reciprocity/Individuals Licensed in Another State Information' as a distinct form | April 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | 1,200 | Yes | Yes | No | $232 | 2 years (biennial, even-numbered years) | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | 1,600 | Yes | Yes | No | $250 | Annual (expires on licensee's birthday each year) | No | reciprocity | April 2026 |
| New York(NY) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | No | $70 | 4 years | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $138–$148 | 3 years | Yes | reciprocity | April 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | 1,800 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $170 | 1 year (annual) | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $90 | 2 years (expires January 31 of odd-numbered years) | Yes | Endorsement (out-of-state license required; board certification sent directly from issuing state board) | April 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $115 | 2 years (biennial, effective November 1, 2025; previously annual) | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | 2,100 | Yes | No | No | $155 | 2 years (certification inactive date is last day of the month, two years from date of issuance) | Yes | reciprocity with exam | April 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 1,250 | Yes | Yes | No | $212 | 2 years | No | reciprocity | April 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $100 | 2 years (biennial) | No | case-by-case endorsement | April 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $162 | 2 years (biennial, every odd year by March 10) | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | 2,100 | Yes | Yes | No | $120 | 1 year (annual) | No | reciprocity | April 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $200 | 2 years (biennial) | Yes | reciprocity | April 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | 1,000 | Yes | Yes | No | $181 | 2 years | Yes | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | 1,600 | Yes | Yes | No | $254 | 2 years | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | No | $275 | 2 years (biennial, odd-numbered years by November 30) | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $314 | 2 years (biennial) | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | 1,600 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $329 | 2 years (biennial) | No | reciprocity | April 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | 1,800 | Yes | Yes | No | $278 | Annual (expires December 31, renewal begins in January) | Yes | reciprocity | April 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | 1,550 | Yes | Yes | No | $418–$427 | 2 years (biennial, by March 31 of odd-numbered years) | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | 2,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $101–$136 | 2 years (biennial) | No | endorsement | April 2026 |
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