How to get a Hairdresser license in Alaska

Alaska licenses cosmetologists statewide through the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers.¹ For the Hairdresser license you need at least 1,650 clock hours² of education, at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job training² and a passing score on the National Hair Design Test (written), sponsored by the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology². The board lists $150 for the application³, $180 for the initial license³ and $125 for the registration³, each a separate charge. You renew every 2 years³.

Last checked November 7, 2026 · 6 official sources

Who issues it

Board of Barbers and Hairdressers

Training and experience

Training: at least 1,650 clock hours²
Experience: at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job training²

Exam

National Hair Design Test (written), sponsored by the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology²

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $150³
Initial license fee: $180³
Registration fee: $125³

Renewal

Every 2 years³

From another state

Temporary license or permit and Military service members and spouses¹⁴⁵ Details

On this page

Alaska cosmetologist licenses
Applies to every license level
Who needs a Hairdresser license
Requirements for a Hairdresser license
How much a Hairdresser license costs
How to apply
Renewal and continuing education
Moving to Alaska with a license from another state
Instructor
Laws and rules
Common questions
Cosmetologist licenses in other states

Alaska cosmetologist licenses

Alaska issues 2 cosmetologist credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

License	What it covers	Training or experience	Exam	Application or license fee
Hairdresser	For a fee and for cosmetic purposes: trimming or cutting beards. A hairdresser license also covers manicuring, hair braiding and limited esthetics (facial/neck waxing, makeup, false eyelashes).¹	Training 1,650 clock hours² Experience 2,000 hours²	Yes⁴	$150³
Instructor (hairdressing)	Teaches hairdressing in a school or supervises hairdressing apprentices; may teach only in fields of a valid Alaska practitioner license. A hairdressing instructor may also teach the manicuring course.²	Training 600 clock hours² Experience 3 years²	Yes⁴	$150³

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every Alaska cosmetologist license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Requirements

Background check: The board may refuse, suspend or revoke a license or permit for failure to comply with AS 08.13, its regulations or board orders, in addition to the general grounds in AS 08.01.075.¹

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Application fee	$150³	Board of Barbers and Hairdressers	Not refundable

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, Prov⁴, when you schedule.

Renewal

How often: Every 2 years³
If it expires: A lapsed license is reinstated within three years by applying and paying all renewal and delinquent fees for the lapsed period; after more than three years the applicant must also pass the written exam again.¹

From another state

Route: Military service members and spouses
What the board says: Spouse of an active-duty service member stationed in Alaska: temporary license valid 180 days (extendable once for 180 days), expedited; $100 application fee plus $100 temporary military courtesy license fee.⁵
Fee: $100⁶

Who needs a Hairdresser license

For a fee and for cosmetic purposes: trimming or cutting beards. A hairdresser license also covers manicuring, hair braiding and limited esthetics (facial/neck waxing, makeup, false eyelashes).¹

Work that does not need this license:

No license needed for barbering, hairdressing, hair braiding, manicuring or esthetics in a community under 1,000 people that is more than 25 miles from a community over 1,000, if no chemicals (or only chemicals sold to the public) are used; also exempt: licensed health care professionals and out-of-state licensees demonstrating to Alaska licensees.¹

Other rules on who may do this work:

Work must be done in a licensed shop or school, except Board-permitted cases (institutionalised or limited-mobility clients, charity events, demonstrations).¹

Requirements for a Hairdresser license

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Education or training: At least 1,650 clock hours²
Hairdressing course at a Board-approved school (or one approved by another licensing jurisdiction), including at least 185 hours of theory (5 hours of Alaska law) and the manicuring curriculum; set minimum practical operations.²
Who may teach it: Alaska-licensed school (student permit required) or a school approved by another licensing jurisdiction; up to 25% of theory hours may be done online (Milady, Pivot Point or similar Board-approved provider).²
Alternative: 2,000-hour apprenticeship instead of school (see experience); or a Board-approved combination (1 school hour = 1.212 apprenticeship hours).²
Experience: At least 2,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Apprenticeship alternative: 2,000 hours in a Board-approved shop, completed in no less than one and no more than two years, under a licensed hairdresser instructor; apprentice holds a student permit.¹
Supervision: Licensed instructor in a licensed shop, on premises whenever the apprentice works; max two apprentices per instructor; max 10 credited hours per day; quarterly hour reports.²
Substitute: No credit for apprenticeship work done before the student permit is issued; a two-year interruption forfeits earlier hours.²
Exam: National Hair Design Test (written), sponsored by the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology²
Given by: Prov⁴
Passing score: 75% or higher²
When you can take it: After the notarized application with training verification is accepted and the department sends preauthorization; the exam must be taken within one year of the application.⁴
Written exam (state law requires a written exam; the license checklist lists only the written exam)¹
School/apprenticeship practical proficiency exam in all curriculum subjects, given by the school or instructor before the affidavit of completion²
Retakes: Reschedule directly with Prov. After three or more written-exam failures, 50 hours of theory training (with a student permit) are required first. If not retaken at least once a year for three years after the first sitting, the application is abandoned.⁴
Time limit: First attempt within one year of application.⁴
Exam waived: Exam waived for holders of a current hairdresser license from another state that required a written exam, with equivalent training/experience (license by waiver).²
Also required: Student permit required while attending school or apprenticing (hairdressing permit valid two years).¹

How much a Hairdresser license costs

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Initial license fee	$180³	Board of Barbers and Hairdressers	Initial biennial license period (all or part)
Registration fee	$125³	Board of Barbers and Hairdressers	Fee for student permit, student instructor permit, or apprenticeship that is valid for (B) two years. Student or apprentice permit (hairdressing permits run two years); one-year permit $100
Temporary license or permit	$100³	Board of Barbers and Hairdressers	120-day non-renewable temporary license after applying for the exam, working under direct supervision
License verification to another state	$20⁶	Board of Barbers and Hairdressers	Fee for verification or certification of an Alaska license, registration, or examination

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

Get a student permit and enroll in a licensed hairdressing school (1,650 hours), or start a 2,000-hour apprenticeship with a licensed instructor in a licensed shop.²
Pass the school's (or instructor's) practical proficiency exam; the school/instructor files the affidavit of completed training.²
Send the notarized application for licensure by examination with training records, the $150 application fee and the $180 license fee.⁴
After the department's preauthorization, take the written exam with Prov (fees paid to Prov) within one year of applying.⁴

Temporary or provisional license: After applying for the exam, a 120-day non-renewable temporary license lets you work under direct supervision of a licensed hairdresser ($100).¹

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal fee: $180³

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Alaska Hairdresser license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Expiration date

Moving to Alaska with a license from another state

These are the routes the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers publishes for the Hairdresser license. The other cosmetologist licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route: Temporary license or permit
What the board says: Out-of-state hairdressers get a temporary permit while the board decides the application (within six months); pay application, license and $100 temporary permit fees.¹
Fee: $100³

Route: Temporary license or permit
What the board says: Courtesy hairdresser license for a TV, film or stage production for out-of-state licensees, valid for the production up to 12 months ($80).⁴
Fee: $80³

Instructor

Teaches hairdressing in a school or supervises hairdressing apprentices; may teach only in fields of a valid Alaska practitioner license. A hairdressing instructor may also teach the manicuring course.²

Requirements

Education or training: At least 600 clock hours²
Student-instructor training (600 hours) at an approved school, if using the one-year-practice route.²
Alternative: Three years of licensed practice instead of the 600 hours.²
Experience: At least 3 years²
Current Alaska hairdresser license plus three years of licensed practice, or one year plus 600 student-instructor hours.²
License you must hold first: Current Alaska practitioner license in the field taught.²
Exam: National Teachers Test (written), National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology²
Given by: Prov⁴
Passing score: 75% or higher²
Retakes: After three or more failures, 50 hours of theory training are required before retesting.²
Exam waived: Waived for a current out-of-state instructor license that required a written exam.²

Fees

Fee	Amount	Paid to	Notes
Initial license fee	$260³	Board of Barbers and Hairdressers	Initial biennial license period
Registration fee	$125³	Board of Barbers and Hairdressers	Fee for student permit, student instructor permit, or apprenticeship that is valid for (B) two years. Student-instructor permit (valid two years)

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

If you have under three years of licensed practice, get a student-instructor permit and complete 600 hours at a licensed school.²
Send the notarized instructor application with proof of license and practice, the $150 application fee and $260 license fee; then take the National Teachers Test with Prov.⁴

Renewal

Renewal fee: $260³

From another state

Route: License by endorsement
What the board says: Instructor license by waiver: current out-of-state instructor license meeting Alaska standards, where a written exam was required.²
Fee: $150³

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Hairdresser license in Alaska?

The rules set at least 1,650 clock hours² and at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job training² before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.

Can I transfer my cosmetologist license to Alaska?

The Board of Barbers and Hairdressers publishes these routes for the Hairdresser license: temporary license or permit⁴. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Hairdresser license in Alaska?

Every 2 years³. The renewal fee is $180³.

Cosmetologist licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

AS 08.13 Barbers and HairdressersAlaska State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
12 AAC 09 Board of Barbers and HairdressersAlaska State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
12 AAC 02.140 Board of Barbers and Hairdressers feesAlaska State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
12 AAC 09.005 Application for examinationAlaska State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
12 AAC 02.900-.990 license periodsAlaska State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
12 AAC 02 fees for all centralized licensing programs, printed from akleg.govAlaska State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026