statexams.com

State Licensure Navigator

Plan for your state requirements

statexams.com supports every U.S. jurisdiction. The states below are the ones with the most frequent legislation nuances—use them as a quick reference, then review your compliance briefing for full coverage.

Board website

https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/cosmetology-board/
  • Total hours: 1,200 required training hours
  • Written exam: Prometric written exam covering 65 scored theory items, 10 sanitation items
  • Practical exam: Florida practical assessment executed via registered school board with mannequin work and sanitation checkpoints
  • Fees: $78 exam fee (two parts), $63 initial licensure
  • Continuing education: 10 CE hours biennially including HIV/AIDS and sanitation updates

Apprenticeship recommended: Not required

View compliance briefing

Detailed state compliance briefings

Each briefing distills total hour requirements, examination delivery methods, recurring fees, and continuing education expectations. Tap the board link for the most current statutory language.

Florida

1,200-hour cosmetology license aligned to DBPR thresholds

Apprenticeship optional; review board site for supervisor oversight criteria.

Total Hours
1,200 required training hours
Written Exam
Prometric written exam covering 65 scored theory items, 10 sanitation items
Practical Exam
Florida practical assessment executed via registered school board with mannequin work and sanitation checkpoints
Fees
$78 exam fee (two parts), $63 initial licensure
Continuing Education
10 CE hours biennially including HIV/AIDS and sanitation updates

DBPR requires HIV/AIDS training before first renewal and within two years prior to reactivation.

Visit Florida board site

Texas

1,000-hour TDLR cosmetology operator licensing pathway

Apprenticeship optional; review board site for supervisor oversight criteria.

Total Hours
1,000 required training hours
Written Exam
PSI written exam with 100 scored questions; 70% minimum to pass
Practical Exam
TDLR practical exam by PSI—includes client protection, thermal styling, haircutting, chemical services
Fees
$50 written, $65 practical, $53 license issuance
Continuing Education
4 CE hours annually (1 sanitation, 3 elective)

TDLR allows 300 apprenticeship hours within approved salons.

Visit Texas board site

California

1,000-hour California BBC cosmetology licensure

Apprenticeship optional; review board site for supervisor oversight criteria.

Total Hours
1,000 required training hours
Written Exam
NIC written examination delivered via PSI
Practical Exam
California practical exam (NIC based) with haircut, chemical waving, color retouch, nail & skin services
Fees
$125 exam application, $50 initial license
Continuing Education
Not required for first renewal; 4 CE hours every two-year cycle beginning 2025

Effective 2022, CA requires only one combined written exam; practical evaluates via training hour attestations.

Visit California board site

New York

1,000-hour New York DOS cosmetology licensure

Apprenticeship optional; review board site for supervisor oversight criteria.

Total Hours
1,000 required training hours
Written Exam
NY DOS written exam with 100 multiple choice questions administered via PSI
Practical Exam
Live model practical focusing on haircutting, chemical waving, blow drying, and nail services
Fees
$40 exam, $40 initial license
Continuing Education
No CE requirement for cosmetologists; barbers require 2 CE beginning 2025

Temporary licenses available for 6 months while awaiting examination results.

Visit New York board site

Georgia

1,500-hour Georgia State Board cosmetology license

Apprenticeship optional; review board site for supervisor oversight criteria.

Total Hours
1,500 required training hours
Written Exam
PSI written exam aligned with NIC theory blueprint
Practical Exam
NIC practical exam with focus on client protection, chemical services, haircutting, finishing
Fees
$45 exam, $75 initial license
Continuing Education
5 CE hours annually (3 sanitation, 2 elective)

Apprenticeship track requires 3,000 supervised hours.

Visit Georgia board site

Arizona

1,500-hour Arizona Board of Cosmetology license pathway

Apprenticeship optional; review board site for supervisor oversight criteria.

Total Hours
1,500 required training hours
Written Exam
NIC written exam offered through PSI
Practical Exam
NIC practical exam executed with mannequin for chemical and cutting services
Fees
$177 application & license issuance, exam fees paid to PSI
Continuing Education
No CE requirement; sanitation refreshers recommended annually

Arizona offers 2,000-hour apprenticeship alternative with board-approved supervisor.

Visit Arizona board site

Illinois

1,500-hour Illinois DFPR cosmetology licensure

Apprenticeship optional; review board site for supervisor oversight criteria.

Total Hours
1,500 required training hours
Written Exam
Continental Testing written exam (NIC theory adaptation)
Practical Exam
School-administered practical evaluation validated by DFPR affidavit
Fees
$50 exam application, $180 initial license
Continuing Education
14 CE hours every two years (includes 1 sexual harassment prevention hour)

Illinois permits 1,500-hour programs to include 150 hours of business curriculum.

Visit Illinois board site

Colorado

1,500-hour Colorado DORA cosmetology license

Apprenticeship optional; review board site for supervisor oversight criteria.

Total Hours
1,500 required training hours
Written Exam
PSI written exam using NIC theory blueprint
Practical Exam
NIC practical exam, mannequin required
Fees
$28 application, $71 license issuance, exam fees paid to PSI
Continuing Education
Not mandated, but 24 CE hours recommended by DORA for renewal

Colorado accepts 50% of hours transferred from other states with board approval.

Visit Colorado board site

Washington

1,600-hour Washington DOL cosmetology licensing

Apprenticeship optional; review board site for supervisor oversight criteria.

Total Hours
1,600 required training hours
Written Exam
PSI written exam derived from NIC theory
Practical Exam
PSI-administered NIC practical exam using kit and mannequin
Fees
$180 license & application, exam fees paid to PSI
Continuing Education
No CE, but 30 hours recommended for instructors

1,600 hours may include up to 10% business skills training.

Visit Washington board site

Nevada

1,600-hour Nevada State Board cosmetology licensing

Apprenticeship optional; review board site for supervisor oversight criteria.

Total Hours
1,600 required training hours
Written Exam
NIC written exam facilitated by D.L. Roope
Practical Exam
NIC practical exam with distinct chemical phase & haircut simulation
Fees
$125 application, $115 practical, $125 theory
Continuing Education
4 CE hours annually focused on sanitation and law updates

Nevada requires domestic violence awareness training for student completion.

Visit Nevada board site