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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 Ohio Cosmetologist Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Application Fee
$40 (Written & Practical combined application fee)
Exam application fee for Written & Practical (or $80 for Written, Practical & Advanced)
Exam Fee
Included in application fee
Exam fees are included in the $40 application
License Fee
$50
Temporary pre-examination work permit ($15 as of January 2, 2025)
Education / Training Cost
$8,000–$22,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Ohio requires 1,500 hours, and program costs vary by school.
Renewal Fee
$65
Every 2 years (expires January 31 of odd-numbered years)
CE Hours Required
4 hours
Per 2 years (expires january 31 of odd-numbered years) renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
2 years (expires January 31 of odd-numbered years)
CE Details
4 hours per biennial renewal (3 hours infection control &...
4 hours per biennial renewal (3 hours infection control & safety + 1 hour Board laws & rules provided by the Board). Reduced from 8 hours by the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board effective for the current renewal cycle ending January 2027.
Renewal Fee
$65
Complete 1,500 hours of training at a licensed cosmetology school
Be at least 16 years old and have completed the 10th grade
Submit a biometric fingerprint scan for background check
Submit examination application and $40 fee through elicense.ohio.gov
Obtain a temporary work permit ($50) if desired
Receive eligibility email from the Board to schedule exams
Schedule and pass the written examination (70% passing score) through PSI
Schedule and pass the practical examination (70% passing score, ~235 minutes) through PSI
Receive your cosmetology license
Minimum Age
16 years old
Education Level
Completion of 10th grade or equivalent
Residency
No residency requirement; out-of-state applicants may apply
Background Check
Applicants must submit a biometric fingerprint scan as part of the application process. The Board conducts a criminal background check through the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
Not sure if you need a cosmetology license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
1,500 hours
Cosmetology school
Apprenticeship Alternative
Not availableOnline Hours Allowed
Not specified
Curriculum Includes
See our picks for the best cosmetology programs in Ohio.
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Cosmetology includes arranging, braiding, dressing, curling, waving, cleansing, cutting, bleaching, coloring, or similarly treating human hair; giving facials, applying cosmetics, performing manicures and pedicures, and other beauty services.
Ohio Cosmetology Written Examination
Computer-based multiple-choice exam covering cosmetology theory, safety, sanitation, and Ohio regulations.
Ohio Cosmetology Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of cosmetology skills including hair cutting, styling, chemical services, and nail services. Approximately 235 minutes in length.
Ready to pass the Cosmetology State Board Exam?
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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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Ohio Cosmetology Written Examination
Questions
110 questions
Time Limit
90 minutes
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
PSI Services
Cost of failing
Retake fee: Included in $40 application fee (Written & Practical)Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the Ohio 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.
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| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Exam application fee for Written & Practical (or $80 for Written, Practical & Advanced) | |
Exam Fee Exam fees are included in the $40 application | |
License Fee Temporary pre-examination work permit ($15 as of January 2, 2025) | |
Total Government Fees Exam application ($40) + work permit ($50). Note: fees were restructured effective January 2, 2025. |
Cosmetology School Tuition: $8,000–$22,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Ohio requires 1,500 hours, and program costs vary by school.
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 (expires January 31 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
2 years (expires January 31 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal Fee
$65
Continuing Education
4 hours — 4 hours per biennial renewal (3 hours infection control & safety + 1 hour Board laws & rules provided by the Board). Reduced from 8 hours by the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board effective for the current renewal cycle ending January 2027.
Regulatory Board
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our cosmetology license renewal guide.
Out-of-state licensees must submit an Out of State License Application and request a board certification from the state where they hold a current, active license. License certifications must be mailed directly from the issuing Board.
Additional Requirements: Certifications sent from applicants (rather than directly from the Board) will not be accepted.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Ohio 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
Ohio requires biometric fingerprint scanning for all cosmetology applicants, which is relatively uncommon. The practical exam is approximately 235 minutes long, making it one of the most extensive in the nation. The Board regulates both cosmetology and barbering under a combined entity, and 1 hour of the 4 CE hours must be provided exclusively by the Board itself.
Ohio requires biometric fingerprint scanning as part of the application process.
Fee structure was significantly restructured effective January 2, 2025.
The Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board regulates both cosmetology and barbering under one combined board.
The practical exam is approximately 235 minutes (nearly 4 hours), which is one of the longest in the country.
4 hours of CE are required every 2 years (3 hours infection control & safety + 1 hour Board-provided laws and rules training). Reduced from 8 hours effective for the current renewal cycle ending January 2027.
Renewal fee is $65 (after June 30, 2025, previously $70).
Cosmetologist Schools in Ohio
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Cosmetologist requirements in nearby states
See how Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio
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Official Sources
Cosmetologist requirements in Ohio verified against Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board, April 2026.
Moving to Ohio? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Cosmetologist license to Ohio →
Transfer your Cosmetologist license from Ohio to: Indiana → | Kentucky → | Michigan → | Pennsylvania → | West Virginia →