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Cosmetologist
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics | NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification
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 New Hampshire Cosmetologist Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Application Fee
$55.00
Exam Fee
$192
Written + state law exam ($88) plus practical exam ($104)
License Fee
No separate license issuance fee listed; application fee ($55) appears to be the only state fee at initial licensure
License fee is included in the application fee
Education / Training Cost
$10,000–$23,000
Varies by school; Keene Beauty Academy lists tuition at ~$19,500 plus fees. Average NH cosmetology school cost is ~$15,284. NOT a government fee.
Renewal Fee
$55.00
Every 2 years (biennial)
CE Required
Not required
No continuing education needed for renewal
Renewal Cycle
2 years (biennial)
Renewal Fee
$55.00
Complete 1,500 hours at a Board-approved cosmetology school (or 3,000 hours of apprenticeship training)
Be at least 16 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED
Register with Prov, Inc. to schedule written and practical exams
Pass the NIC Written Exam and NH State Law Exam with a score of 75% or better
Pass the NIC Practical Exam with a score of 75% or better
Submit licensure application with $55 fee to NH OPLC
Receive cosmetology license
Minimum Age
16 years old
Education Level
High school diploma 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
3,000 hours required
Applicants may complete 3,000 hours of supervised apprentice training over a minimum of 18 months as an alternative to cosmetology school.
Online Hours Allowed
Not specified
Curriculum Includes
See our picks for the best cosmetology programs in New Hampshire.
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Cosmetologists in New Hampshire are licensed to provide hair cutting, coloring, and styling; manicures and pedicures; facials and skin care; and makeup application. They are full-service professionals authorized to work across hair, skin, and nails.
NIC Written Exam
Computer-based exam with 110 multiple-choice questions, but only 100 are scored. Includes NIC written exam plus NH State Law exam. Fee covers both written and state law portions.
NIC Practical Exam
Hands-on practical exam taken at Prov's Testing Center in Concord, NH. 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 Exam
Questions
110 questions
Time Limit
90 minutes
Passing Score
75%
Administered By
Prov, Inc. (confirmed by OPLC-hosted Prov CIB PDF and OPLC FAQ); note: the OPLC 'Links' page still lists DL Roope as test administrator and has not been updated.
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 Written 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 + state law exam ($88) plus practical exam ($104) | |
License Fee License fee is included in the application fee | |
Total Government Fees Application ($55) + exam fees ($192). License fee included in application. |
Cosmetology School Tuition: $10,000–$23,000
Varies by school; Keene Beauty Academy lists tuition at ~$19,500 plus fees. Average NH cosmetology school cost is ~$15,284. 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 on last day of birth month in even-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
2 years (biennial)
Renewal Fee
$55.00
Continuing Education
Not required
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our cosmetology license renewal guide.
New Hampshire accepts applications from cosmetologists licensed in other states. Applicants must demonstrate equivalent training and may need to pass the NH State Law exam.
Additional Requirements: May need to pass NH State Law exam
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare New Hampshire 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
New Hampshire requires passing three exams (NIC Written, NIC Practical, and NH State Law) for licensure. The state also offers an apprenticeship path requiring double the school hours (3,000 vs 1,500).
Exams transitioned from DL Roope to Prov, Inc. as the exam administrator.
Apprentice registration fee is $25 with biennial apprentice renewal at $85.
Licenses expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month in even-numbered years.
Transition to Prov confirmed by OPLC FAQ and OPLC-hosted Prov CIB; however, the OPLC 'Links' page still lists DL Roope and has not been updated
Cosmetologist Schools in New Hampshire
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Cosmetologist requirements in nearby states
See how New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire
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Official Sources
Cosmetologist requirements in New Hampshire verified against Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics | NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, April 2026.
Moving to New Hampshire? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Cosmetologist license to New Hampshire →
Transfer your Cosmetologist license from New Hampshire to: Maine → | Massachusetts → | Vermont →