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Cosmetologist
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists (Department of Labor and Industry)
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 Montana Cosmetologist Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Application Fee
$85
Exam Fee
$100
Approximately $50 per exam component (written + practical)
License Fee
$45
Education / Training Cost
$10,000–$20,000
Varies by school. NOT a government fee.
Renewal Fee
$80
Every 2 years (biennial)
CE Required
Not required
No continuing education needed for renewal
Renewal Cycle
2 years (biennial)
Renewal Fee
$80
Complete 2,000 hours of training at a Montana Board-approved cosmetology school (or 2,000-hour apprenticeship under HB 336)
Be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED
Submit proof of graduation and transcripts from approved school
Register with Prov, Inc. for NIC written and practical exams
Pass both the NIC Written Exam and NIC Practical Exam with a score of 75% or better
Submit application with $85 fee and $45 license fee to the Montana Board
Receive cosmetology license
Minimum Age
18 years old
Education Level
High school diploma or GED
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
Not availableOnline Hours Allowed
Not specified
Curriculum Includes
See our picks for the best cosmetology programs in Montana.
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Cosmetologists in Montana are licensed to perform hair cutting, styling, coloring, permanent waving, chemical straightening, manicuring, pedicuring, facials, skin care, and makeup application.
NIC Written (Theory) Exam
Computer-based NIC theory exam with 110 MCQs (100 scored). Must score 75% or higher to pass.
NIC Practical Exam
Hands-on practical exam demonstrating competency in cosmetology services. Must score 75% or higher.
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: 38/100
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: $50Invest 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 Approximately $50 per exam component (written + practical) | |
License Fee | |
Total Government Fees Application ($85) + exam ($100) + license ($45) |
Cosmetology School Tuition: $10,000–$20,000
Varies by school. 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
Up to 2 years (expires March 1 of every other year)
Renewal Cycle
2 years (biennial)
Renewal Fee
$80
Continuing Education
Not required
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our cosmetology license renewal guide.
Montana does not have reciprocity agreements with other states. Out-of-state applicants must apply and pay the associated application fee. Applications are considered under the 'out-of-state' licensing rule for the particular license type.
Additional Requirements: Must apply under out-of-state licensing rules
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Montana 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
Montana requires 2,000 training hours (higher than the typical 1,500), and recently legalized apprenticeships under HB 336 in 2025 with new board rules effective November 2025. Montana explicitly states it has no reciprocity agreements with other states.
Montana requires 2,000 hours of training, which is higher than many states.
HB 336 (2025 Legislature) legalized apprenticeship pathways for cosmetology, with new rules effective 11/22/2025.
Montana does not have reciprocity agreements with any states.
Renewal period runs January 2 through March 1 of every other year.
Cosmetologist Schools in Montana
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Cosmetologist requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana (you) | $230 | 73–118 wks | |
| Idaho | $308 | 73–118 wks | → |
| North Dakota | $170 | 66–108 wks | → |
| South Dakota | $120 | 56–93 wks | → |
| Wyoming | $101–$136 | 60–98 wks | → |
See how Montana 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 Montana 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 Montana
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Montana.
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Official Sources
Cosmetologist requirements in Montana verified against Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists (Department of Labor and Industry), April 2026.
Moving to Montana? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Cosmetologist license to Montana →
Transfer your Cosmetologist license from Montana to: Idaho → | North Dakota → | South Dakota → | Wyoming →