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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 Louisiana Cosmetologist Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Application Fee
$25
Initial license fee
Exam Fee
$133
National test ($83) + State test ($25) + Practical exam ($25)
License Fee
$25
Initial license fee
Education / Training Cost
$5,000-$15,000
Tuition ranges are estimates and vary by school. Contact individual schools for current pricing.
Renewal Fee
$25
Every 2 years (biennial)
CE Required
Not required
No continuing education needed for renewal
Renewal Cycle
2 years (biennial)
Renewal Fee
$25
Be at least 16 years old with 10th grade education completion
Complete 1,500 hours at a Louisiana Board-approved cosmetology school (minimum 36 weeks)
Submit exam application with student registration certificate, photo ID, and initial license fee
Pass the National Written Test ($83)
Pass the State Written Test ($25)
Pass the Practical Exam ($25)
Receive your Louisiana cosmetologist license
Minimum Age
16 years old
Education Level
10th grade completion from an approved high school
Residency
No residency requirement
Background Check
Not required
Not sure if you need a cosmetology license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
1,500 hours
Cosmetology school (Louisiana Board-approved)
Apprenticeship Alternative
3,000 hours required
Louisiana does not offer an apprenticeship pathway. All 1,500 hours must be completed at a Louisiana Board-approved cosmetology school across at least 36 weeks.
Online Hours Allowed
Not specified; training must be at a board-approved school
Curriculum Includes
See our picks for the best cosmetology programs in Louisiana.
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Cosmetologists in Louisiana are licensed to perform hair cutting, styling, coloring, perming, chemical treatments, shampooing, conditioning, esthetic services (facials, makeup, superficial chemical peels, dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, nano-needling), and manicuring/nail services. Esthetic services are limited to the epidermis; no procedures that penetrate the dermis are permitted. Louisiana also offers a separate Alternative Hair Design permit for hair-only services.
Louisiana Cosmetology Written Exam (National + State sections)
The written exam consists of a national test ($83) and a state test ($25). Exams are administered by the LSBC directly (not PSI/Prometric) on scheduled testing dates, usually Monday or Tuesday between 9:30am and 1pm. The exam is only available in English.
Louisiana Cosmetology Practical Exam
Hands-on practical exam administered by the state board on scheduled testing dates.
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: 37/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Cosmetology State Board Exam
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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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Louisiana Cosmetology Written Exam (National + State sections)
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
Louisiana Board of Cosmetology (administers its own exams; NIC national content referenced)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $108Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the Louisiana Cosmetology Written Exam (National + State sections).
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 Initial license fee | |
Exam Fee National test ($83) + State test ($25) + Practical exam ($25) | |
License Fee Initial license fee | |
Total Government Fees Initial license ($25) + National test ($83) + State test ($25) + Practical exam ($25). Excludes education costs. |
Cosmetology School Tuition: $5,000-$15,000
Tuition ranges are estimates and vary by school. Contact individual schools for current pricing.
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
2 years
Renewal Cycle
2 years (biennial)
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.
Louisiana recognizes cosmetology, esthetician, and manicurist licenses from all other states. Out-of-state applicants must submit a reciprocity application. Foreign applicants must submit a separate foreign reciprocity form.
Additional Requirements: Submit reciprocity application with proof of licensure from another state
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Louisiana 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
Louisiana is unusual in administering its own exams directly rather than using a third-party testing provider like PSI or Prometric. The state also has a minimum 36-week training duration requirement in addition to the 1,500-hour requirement. A separate Alternative Hair Design permit exists for those who only want to do hair services.
Louisiana administers its own exams directly through the LSBC rather than through PSI or Prometric.
The exam is only available in English.
Training must span at least 36 weeks in addition to the 1,500-hour requirement.
Louisiana offers a separate Alternative Hair Design permit for hair-only services.
If license expires 3+ years, a 25-question multiple-choice restoration exam is required.
Scope of practice rules finalized in December 2023 explicitly list permitted and prohibited esthetic services.
No services that penetrate the dermis are permitted (no tattooing, microblading, body piercing).
Cosmetologist Schools in Louisiana
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Cosmetologist requirements in nearby states
See how Louisiana compares: Cosmetologist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare cosmetologist requirements across all states →
Cosmetologist licensing requirements nationwide →
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How does Louisiana 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 Louisiana
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Official Sources
Cosmetologist requirements in Louisiana verified against Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology (LSBC), April 2026.
Accessed 2026-02-24
Moving to Louisiana? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Cosmetologist license to Louisiana →
Transfer your Cosmetologist license from Louisiana to: Arkansas → | Mississippi → | Texas →