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Cosmetologist
Exam: Yes
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
Renewal Cycle
Gov. Fees
Get the Idaho Cosmetologist Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Application Fee
$0
No separate application fee; exam fee of $75 serves as the board fee
Exam Fee
$208
Theory exam ($88) + practical exam ($120) paid to Prov, plus $75 board examination fee
License Fee
$25
Original license fee (annual)
Education / Training Cost
$8,000–$20,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Idaho cosmetology schools vary in price.
Renewal Fee
$25
Every Annual
CE Required
Not required
No continuing education needed for renewal
Renewal Cycle
Annual
Renewal Fee
$25
Complete 2,000 hours of cosmetology training at a licensed school (or 4,000 hours apprenticeship)
Pay $75 board examination fee
Schedule and pass the NIC theory exam and Idaho Jurisprudence exam through Prov ($88)
Schedule and pass the NIC practical exam through Prov ($120)
Pay $25 license fee
Receive cosmetology license
Minimum Age
16.5 years old
Education Level
Completion of 10th grade or equivalent
Residency
No state residency requirement
Background Check
Not required
Not sure if you need a cosmetology license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
1,600 hours
Cosmetology school or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
2,000 hours required
Apprenticeship requires 4,000 hours (double the school requirement) of training under the supervision of a licensed cosmetologist.
Online Hours Allowed
Not specified; practical training must be in-person
Curriculum Includes
See our picks for the best cosmetology programs in Idaho.
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Cosmetologists in Idaho may perform hair cutting, styling, coloring, chemical treatments, nail care (manicuring), skin care, hair removal, facial treatments, and makeup application. Idaho cosmetology scope uniquely includes hair removal and manicuring as required competencies beyond the standard NIC exam requirements.
NIC Theory Exam + Idaho Jurisprudence Exam
NIC theory examination plus Idaho Jurisprudence exam. Computer-based tests administered at Prov testing centers.
NIC Practical Exam
NIC practical examination testing hands-on cosmetology skills. Idaho adds hair removal and manicuring components beyond the standard NIC practical.
Ready to pass the Cosmetology State Board Exam?
Practice exams built for the Cosmetologist licensing exam — so you can pass faster.
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Didn't pass on your first try? Read our guide on what to do if you fail the cosmetology state board exam.
Overall licensing difficulty: 40/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Cosmetology State Board Exam
Browse study guides
Cosmetology Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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NIC Theory Exam + Idaho Jurisprudence Exam
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
Prov
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $88Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the NIC Theory Exam + Idaho Jurisprudence Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — National Cosmetology Written Examination
Prepare for your National Cosmetology Written Examination with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, online courses, and practice tests.
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| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee No separate application fee; exam fee of $75 serves as the board fee | |
Exam Fee Theory exam ($88) + practical exam ($120) paid to Prov, plus $75 board examination fee | |
License Fee Original license fee (annual) | |
Total Government Fees Board exam fee ($75) + Prov theory exam ($88) + Prov practical exam ($120) + license ($25) |
Cosmetology School Tuition: $8,000–$20,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Idaho cosmetology schools vary in price.
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Initial License Term
1 year (annual)
Renewal Cycle
Annual
Renewal Fee
$25
Continuing Education
Not required
Late Renewal Fee
$25
Regulatory Board
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our cosmetology license renewal guide.
Idaho offers licensure through endorsement for qualified out-of-state cosmetologists. Reciprocity is granted to licensed applicants who provide official documentation showing the requirements under which the license was issued are of a standard not lower than Idaho, or who provide official documentation the applicant has practiced for at least three (3) years immediately prior to making application.
Additional Requirements: Endorsement fee is $100; must show equivalent or higher licensing standards, or 3+ years of practice experience
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Idaho with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Skin care, facials, and related services
Manicures, pedicures, and nail services
Hair cutting, shaving, and barbering services
Idaho has an unusual minimum age requirement of 16 and a half years (not a whole number). The state adds hair removal and manicuring competencies to the standard NIC practical exam. License renewal is annual at just $25, making it one of the cheaper annual renewals. The Board was considering switching to biennial licensure in 2025 rulemaking.
Idaho requires 2,000 hours, which is among the higher requirements nationally
Apprenticeship option requires 4,000 hours (double the school requirement)
Idaho adds hair removal and manicuring to the NIC practical exam
Minimum age is 16.5, an unusual fractional age requirement
The Board is undergoing negotiated rulemaking during 2025 to discuss fee increases, biennial licensure, and other changes
License renewal is annual, not biennial
Cosmetologist Schools in Idaho
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Cosmetologist requirements in nearby states
See how Idaho compares: Cosmetologist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare cosmetologist requirements across all states →
Cosmetologist licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure cosmetologist is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does Idaho compare to other states for cosmetologist? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your cosmetologist license →
Study guides and practice tests for the cosmetology licensing exam.
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Other professional licenses in Idaho
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Official Sources
Cosmetologist requirements in Idaho verified against Idaho Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board, April 2026.
Moving to Idaho? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Cosmetologist license to Idaho →