How to get a Cosmetologist license in Arizona

Arizona cosmetologist licenses

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

Applies to every license level

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

Requirements

Minimum age

16 years old¹¹¹

Background check

Universal-recognition applicants must not have a disqualifying criminal history under A.R.S. 41-1093.04.⁷

Residency or citizenship

Proof of citizenship or lawful presence (passport, Arizona driver license, or birth certificate plus photo ID) is uploaded with the application.³

Social Security number

Social Security number is required on the application form.¹⁴

Fees

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

Apply online

azbocv7prod.glsuite.us³

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years⁴¹⁵

Renewal fee

$60¹⁶¹⁷ (Every two years)

Renew online

azbocv7prod.glsuite.us³

From another state

Who needs a Cosmetologist license

Cosmetology covers, for cosmetic purposes: massaging, cleansing and applying preparations to the skin; arching and tinting eyebrows and lashes; removing superfluous hair (other than by electrolysis or threading); nail technology; and hairstyling.¹⁰

Work that does not need this license:

• Braiding, twisting, weaving, extending or locking without dyes or chemicals needs no license.¹⁸
• Threading is exempt.¹⁸
• Drying, styling and shampooing hair without chemical services is exempt if the person completes the board sanitation, infection protection and law review class.¹⁸

Requirements for a Cosmetologist license

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

High school diploma or GED

Not required³

Education or training

Cosmetology course in a board-licensed school¹
Who may teach it: School licensed by the Arizona board, or an out-of-state/foreign school with substantially the same requirements.¹

Exam

NIC national written (theory) and practical examinations for cosmetology²
Given by: Virtual Inc. (PCS)²
When you can take it: May be taken before completing the required hours; hours must be complete before licensure.¹⁹
Written (theory), computer-based²
Practical, computer-based; offered in English or Spanish²
Retakes: Retake only the failed part; if a year or more passes since the first attempt, retake both parts.²⁰

How much a Cosmetologist license costs

You pay Virtual Inc. (PCS) (2 fees) and the Arizona Barbering & Cosmetology Board (3 fees).

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

1. Register with Virtual Inc. (PCS) and pass the NIC written and practical exams ($177 paid to PCS). PCS sends results to the board.²
2. Create an account in the board licensing portal using your legal name, start a new application and upload a passport-style photo and proof of citizenship.³ azbocv7prod.glsuite.us³
3. Pay the $60 application fee online (plus the $3 card service fee). Processing takes up to 4 weeks; print your license from the portal once approved.³

Processing time

Application processing currently takes up to 4 weeks once complete (board page); rule overall time frame for license by examination is 90 days.³

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Expires every two years on the licensee's birthday; a first license may run less than two years (expires on the second birthday). Renewal opens 60 days before expiry.¹⁶

If it expires

An unrenewed license becomes inactive. Statute: under 1 year, pay the delinquent penalty; 1 to 5 years, penalty plus the board's educational requirement; suspended after 5 years. Rule R4-10-204: under 2 years, delinquent fee; 2-5 years, delinquent fee plus the board infection protection and law review class; over 5 years, five years of delinquent fees and a new application under R4-10-202.²¹

Moving to Arizona with a license from another state

These are the routes the Arizona Barbering & Cosmetology Board publishes for the Cosmetologist license. The other cosmetologist licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Instructor License

Teaching cosmetology in a board-licensed school, in the subject in which the instructor is licensed.¹¹

Requirements

Education or training

Instructor training for a cosmetologist instructor¹¹
Who may teach it: Arizona-licensed school¹³

Experience

At least 1 year¹¹
Practice in the licensed profession¹¹
License you must hold first: Licensed cosmetologist¹¹

Exam

Instructor written (theory) and practical examinations¹¹
Given by: Virtual Inc. (PCS)¹³
Theory exam in English or Spanish; practical exam English only²

Also required

Must complete the board infection prevention, sanitation and law review class.¹¹

Fees

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

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

1. Hold an Arizona cosmetology license, practice for at least one year, and complete 350 hours of instructor training at an Arizona-licensed school.¹³
2. Pass the instructor written and practical exams through Virtual Inc. (PCS).¹³
3. In the licensing portal, start a new instructor application and upload your certificate of graduation and the Proof of Work Experience form showing at least one year of experience.¹³ azbocv7prod.glsuite.us³
4. Pay the $60 application fee and complete the Infection Protection and Law Review requirement. Processing takes up to 4 weeks.¹³

Processing time

Up to 4 weeks once complete.¹³

Renewal

When it expires

Renew on or before the birthday every two years.¹⁵

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $30⁵ (per R4-10-102(A)(3): renewal fee plus $30 per two years inactive)

If it expires

Inactive/expired instructor licenses reactivate on the same rule as practitioner licenses (delinquent fee; class after two years; re-application after five).¹⁴

From another state

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

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a cosmetologist in Arizona, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Arizona is on the Arizona license lookup page.

Look up a license

azbocv7prod.glsuite.us²³

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 5 (Cosmetology), §§ 32-501 to 32-598
• A.R.S. § 32-511 (Cosmetologists; applications; qualifications)
• A.R.S. § 32-513 (Reciprocity)
• A.R.S. §§ 32-514, 32-515 (Examinations; reexaminations)
• A.R.S. §§ 32-517, 32-518 (License renewal; inactive licenses)
• A.R.S. § 32-507
• A.A.C. Title 4, Chapter 10 (Barbering and Cosmetology Board), R4-10-201 to R4-10-204
• A.A.C. R4-10-102
• A.R.S. § 32-4302 (Universal recognition)
• A.R.S. §§ 32-531 to 32-535 (Instructors)

Rule changes since January 2024

• May 6, 2024: Board fee rule R4-10-102 amended (cosmetology initial and renewal $60, reciprocity/universal recognition $60, delinquent $30 per two years).¹⁴

Common questions

Cosmetologist licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming