Loading...
Loading...
Cosmetologist
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) - State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
Official website →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 Indiana Cosmetologist Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Application Fee
$40.00
Nonrefundable application fee submitted through the Indiana PLA online portal
Exam Fee
$59
Examination fee paid to PSI; covers both written and practical exams
License Fee
$40.00
Individual license fee
Education / Training Cost
$15,000–$25,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Tuition for 1,500-hour cosmetology programs in Indiana.
Renewal Fee
$40.00
Every 4 years; renewal notices sent approximately 90 days prior to expiration
CE Required
Not required
No continuing education needed for renewal
Renewal Cycle
4 years; renewal notices sent approximately 90 days prior to expiration
Renewal Fee
$40.00
Be at least 18 years old (or 17 with high school diploma/GED) and have completed at least 10th grade education
Complete 1,500 hours of cosmetology training at a state-approved beauty culture school (or qualifying DOL apprenticeship program)
Register with PSI Exams to schedule written and practical examinations
Pass the written examination (110 questions, 75% passing score)
Pass the practical examination (haircutting, chemical waving, hair coloring)
Submit license application and $40 fee through the Indiana PLA online portal
Disclose any criminal conviction records as required
Receive cosmetology license
Minimum Age
18 years old
Education Level
Completion of 10th grade or equivalent for cosmetologists; 8th grade for manicurists
Residency
No residency requirement; reciprocity available for out-of-state licensees with 1,500+ training hours or equivalent experience
Background Check
Applicants must disclose any criminal convictions on their application and include a copy of the conviction record indicating the disposition. Fingerprints for background checks may be required. Applicants must have U.S. citizenship or legal work authorization and no disqualifying criminal history.
Not sure if you need a cosmetology license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
1,500 hours
Cosmetology school (state-approved beauty culture school)
Apprenticeship Alternative
Not availableOnline Hours Allowed
Not specified; training must be completed at a state-approved beauty culture school
Curriculum Includes
See our picks for the best cosmetology programs in Indiana.
Browse Cosmetologist study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Launching soon at $20. Be the first to know — and get an early-access link the moment it's ready.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hair cutting and styling, chemical services (perming, relaxing, coloring), skin care, nail care, sanitation procedures, and salon management. The Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners defines the scope of practice for cosmetology professionals.
Indiana Cosmetology Written Examination
110 multiple-choice questions covering sanitation, hair care, chemical services, skin, nails, and Indiana state law. Must score 75% or higher to pass. Unlimited retakes within one year of graduation; each retake requires full exam fee payment.
Indiana Cosmetology Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of cosmetology skills including haircutting, chemical waving, and hair coloring performed under timed conditions. Candidates must bring a complete, sanitized kit and mannequin. Timing is strict with no extra minutes. If you pass the written but fail the practical (or vice versa), you only retake the failed section.
Ready to pass the Cosmetology State Board Exam?
Practice exams built for the Cosmetologist licensing exam — so you can pass faster.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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: 37/100
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
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Prepare with realistic Cosmetology State Board Exam practice tests from Exam Edge →(affiliate link)See our discount
Indiana Cosmetology Written Examination
Questions
110 questions
Time Limit
90 minutes
Passing Score
75%
Administered By
PSI Exams
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $59Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the Indiana Cosmetology Written Examination.
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.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Nonrefundable application fee submitted through the Indiana PLA online portal | |
Exam Fee Examination fee paid to PSI; covers both written and practical exams | |
License Fee Individual license fee | |
Total Government Fees Application fee ($40) + exam fee ($59) + license fee ($40) |
Cosmetology School Tuition: $15,000–$25,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Tuition for 1,500-hour cosmetology programs in Indiana.
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
4 years
Renewal Cycle
4 years; renewal notices sent approximately 90 days prior to expiration
Renewal Fee
$40.00
Continuing Education
Not required
Late Renewal Fee
$50
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our cosmetology license renewal guide.
Indiana grants reciprocity for applicants with at least 1,500 training hours (or equivalent work experience) from another state. One year of licensed practice equals 100 hours of education for those with 1,000+ hours already completed. The originating state must have required at least a 70% passing score on exams.
Additional Requirements: Applicants must pass an exam on Indiana regulations. Reciprocity license fee is $100.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Indiana 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
Indiana has one of the longest renewal cycles at 4 years (vs. the typical 2 years in most states), with all licenses expiring on August 1st. The state recently added an apprenticeship pathway via HB1135 that increases training hours to 2,000 (vs. 1,500 for school) and shifts oversight to the U.S. Department of Labor. Indiana uses a unique reciprocity formula where one year of licensed practice equals 100 hours of education.
Indiana requires 1,500 hours of cosmetology training, which typically takes 10-12 months full-time or up to 2 years part-time.
Indiana has a 4-year license renewal cycle, longer than most states.
Licenses expire on August 1st every four years.
No continuing education is required for license renewal.
HB1135 (2024) established a new apprenticeship pathway requiring 2,000 hours through a U.S. DOL registered program.
Exam results allow partial retakes: if you pass one section but fail the other, you only retake the failed section.
After one year from graduation, candidates who haven't passed must restart the entire application process.
Cosmetologist Schools in Indiana
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Cosmetologist requirements in nearby states
See how Indiana compares: Cosmetologist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Transferring Your License?
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 Indiana 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.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Other professional licenses in Indiana
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Indiana.
Not sure this is the right career? Take a 2-minute quiz →
Answer 6 quick questions and we'll match you with the best-fit licensed profession.
Official Sources
Cosmetologist requirements in Indiana verified against Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) - State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, April 2026.
Moving to Indiana? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Cosmetologist license to Indiana →
Transfer your Cosmetologist license from Indiana to: Illinois → | Kentucky → | Michigan → | Ohio →