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Cosmetologist
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation)
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 Maine Cosmetologist Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Application Fee
$40
Exam Fee
$174
Written exam ($87) + practical exam ($87) for first-time candidates
License Fee
$0
License fee included in application fee
Education / Training Cost
$10,000–$20,000
Average Maine cosmetology school cost is ~$18,052 (tuition $15,663 + kit $2,361). NOT a government fee.
Renewal Fee
$20
Every 1 year (annual)
CE Required
Not required
No continuing education needed for renewal
Renewal Cycle
1 year (annual)
Renewal Fee
$20
Complete 1,500 hours at a Board-approved cosmetology school (or 2,500 apprenticeship hours)
Be at least 17 years of age and have completed the 10th grade or equivalent
Submit application with $40 fee to Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Register with Prov, Inc. for NIC written and practical exams
Pass both the NIC Written Exam and NIC Practical Exam with 75% or better
Receive cosmetology license
Minimum Age
17 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
1,500 hours
Cosmetology school or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
2,500 hours required
Applicants may complete 2,500 hours of apprenticeship training as an alternative to 1,500 hours of cosmetology school.
Online Hours Allowed
Not specified
Curriculum Includes
See our picks for the best cosmetology programs in Maine.
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Cosmetologists in Maine are licensed to provide hair styling, cutting, coloring, chemical texturing, manicuring, pedicuring, facials, skin care, and related beauty services. The cosmetology license covers hair, nails, and skin services.
NIC Written (Theory) Exam
Computer-based exam with 110 multiple-choice questions, 100 scored. The NIC theory exam covers hair, skin, nails, safety, and sanitation. Retake fee is $87.
NIC Practical Exam
Hands-on practical exam lasting approximately 4-5 hours. Candidates demonstrate competency in hair, skin, and nail services.
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
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 Written (Theory) Exam
Questions
110 questions
Time Limit
90 minutes
Passing Score
75%
Administered By
Prov, Inc.
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $87Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the NIC Written (Theory) 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 | |
Exam Fee Written exam ($87) + practical exam ($87) for first-time candidates | |
License Fee License fee included in application fee | |
Total Government Fees Application ($40) + exam fees ($174). May vary slightly depending on source. |
Cosmetology School Tuition: $10,000–$20,000
Average Maine cosmetology school cost is ~$18,052 (tuition $15,663 + kit $2,361). NOT a government fee.
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
Annual renewal; expires October 31
Renewal Cycle
1 year (annual)
Renewal Fee
$20
Continuing Education
Not required
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our cosmetology license renewal guide.
Maine may waive the examination and grant a license to any individual who presents proof of authorization to practice from another state or jurisdiction that maintains professional standards equal to, or higher than, those set forth in Maine.
Additional Requirements: Applicant must demonstrate substantially equivalent qualifications
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Maine 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
Maine is one of the few states with annual license renewal (most states use biennial cycles). The minimum age is 17, and only 10th grade completion is required rather than a high school diploma.
Maine licenses expire annually on October 31st, making it one of the few states with annual (rather than biennial) renewal.
Exam administration transitioned from DL Roope to Prov, Inc.
Applicants can perform services in clients' homes under their practice license without an additional shop license.
Cosmetologist Schools in Maine
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Cosmetologist requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine (you) | $214 | 56–93 wks | |
| Massachusetts | $291 | 40–68 wks | → |
| New Hampshire | $247 | 56–93 wks | → |
| Vermont | $275 | 56–93 wks | → |
See how Maine 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 Maine 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 Maine
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Maine.
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Official Sources
Cosmetologist requirements in Maine verified against Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation), April 2026.
Moving to Maine? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Cosmetologist license to Maine →
Transfer your Cosmetologist license from Maine to: New Hampshire →