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How to get a Cosmetologist license in Colorado

Colorado licenses cosmetologists statewide through the Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure.1 For the Cosmetologist license you need at least 1,500 clock hours2 of education, a passing score on the Colorado cosmetologist licensing examination (written and practical), administered by PSI3 and a criminal background check4. You renew every 2 years5.

Last checked · 9 official sources

Who issues it

Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure

Training and experience

Training: at least 1,500 clock hours2

Exam

Colorado cosmetologist licensing examination (written and practical), administered by PSI3

Renewal

Every 2 years5

From another state

License by endorsement, Military service members and spouses and Multistate license (interstate compact)12 Details

On this page
  1. Who needs a Cosmetologist license
  2. Requirements for a Cosmetologist license
  3. How to apply
  4. Renewal and continuing education
  5. Moving to Colorado with a license from another state
  6. City and county rules
  7. Check a license or report a problem
  8. Laws and rules
  9. Rule changes since January 2024
  10. Common questions
  11. Cosmetologist licenses in other states

Who needs a Cosmetologist license

Cosmetology is any paid (or public) beauty practice not for treating disease: hair work (arranging, cutting, coloring, lightening, trimming, including facial hair), beard/moustache trimming, manicures and pedicures, facials, makeup and lash application, skin care, hair removal by waxing/tweezing/depilatories, and body wraps.6

Work that does not need this license:

  • Exempt: natural hair braiding; charitable hair washing/setting for patients or homebound people; students past 20% of their hours working under supervision at school; product demonstrations.1
  • Added by HB26-1181 (2026): makeup application services, nail polishing only, theatrical/TV/film hair and makeup, free haircuts for nonprofits, correctional facilities, mortuary professionals, cosmetic facial tattooing (microblading) and electrolysis are outside the Act.6

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • A license is required to practice cosmetology in Colorado.1
  • The salon (place of business) must also register with the Director.1

Requirements for a Cosmetologist license

Minimum age
16 years old1
Education or training
At least 1,500 clock hours2
Cosmetology program at a school approved by DPOS or CCCS (or a registered apprenticeship): 50 credit hours or 1,500 contact hours covering shampooing, hair coloring, cutting, styling, chemical texture, manicuring/pedicuring, artificial nails, facials and skin care, makeup, hair removal, law and rules, management/ethics, and disinfection and safe work practices.2
Who may teach it: School approved by the Division of Private Occupational Schools (DPOS) or Colorado Community College System (CCCS), or an apprenticeship approved by the US DOL Office of Apprenticeship or Colorado's State Apprenticeship Agency.2
Alternative: Registered apprenticeship (US DOL Office of Apprenticeship or Colorado State Apprenticeship Agency).2
Alternative: Foreign work experience can replace contact hours at 3 months per 100 hours, except the disinfection/safety and laws/rules hours.1
Alternative: Training in another state counts if certified as completed in a program approved by that state; shortfalls can be made up at a Colorado school.2
Alternative: Foreign education must be evaluated by AEQUO International or a NACES/AICE member, at the applicant's cost.2
Exam
Colorado cosmetologist licensing examination (written and practical), administered by PSI3
Given by: PSI3
When you can take it: After graduating, with school completion record and transcripts (or a foreign-experience affidavit).4
Two parts: a written (computer-based) exam and a practical exam; both must be passed.4
Retakes: After failing the written exam, wait at least 30 days before rescheduling.2
Exam waived: Endorsement applicants licensed elsewhere who meet Rule 1.4 skip the exam; otherwise they take the parts not taken or passed elsewhere.2
Background check
Background check required4
Licensees must report felony convictions and out-of-state discipline to the Director within 45 days.2
Residency or citizenship
Must be lawfully present in the United States.4
Also required
Display the license at your principal place of business or employment.1
Also required
Fees are non-refundable.1

How to apply

  1. Complete 1,500 contact hours (or 50 credit hours) at a school approved by DPOS or CCCS, or through a registered apprenticeship.2
  2. Apply online to PSI for the exam, with school completion records/transcripts, and pay PSI's application and exam fees.4 test-takers.psiexams.com3
  3. Pass the written and practical exams.4
  4. If you answered "no" to all screening questions and never worked in Colorado, the license is issued on passing; otherwise DORA staff review first.4

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 2 years5
Required topics
Accepted CE topics for cosmetologists include hair, nail, skin, lash and hair-removal services, law and rules, infection control and workplace safety; any provider may be used.7
If it expires
Expired more than 2 but less than 5 years: show competency by an active license elsewhere with recent practice, 16 hours of approved CE in the last two years, or passing the written exam.2
Expired more than 5 years: same options, but 24 hours of CE.2

Renewal planner

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

Moving to Colorado with a license from another state

These are the routes the Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure publishes for the Cosmetologist license.

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Licensure by endorsement (Occupational Credential Portability Program) for holders of a current, unrestricted license in another state, US territory, the federal government, or a military occupational specialty.1
Conditions
Verification of licensure must come directly from every state where you were licensed; California verifications can take up to three months.3
No practice in Colorado until the endorsement license is issued (military spouses excepted).2
Route
Military service members and spouses
What the board says
Military spouses with an active license in another state or territory may get a military spouse license (C.R.S. 12-20-202(3)); DORA lists a separate "Military Spouse - Cosmetologist" license type.2
Route
Multistate license (interstate compact)
What the board says
Colorado enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact (HB 24-1111, effective August 7, 2024); the Director may grant multistate licenses under the compact's terms.1

City and county rules

No local cosmetologist license: DORA licenses the individual, and the business registers with the Director.1

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license
apps2.colorado.gov8
File a complaint
dpo.colorado.gov8

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • October 30, 2025: Current 4 CCR 731-1 version took effect.9
  • August 7, 2024: Cosmetology Licensure Compact adopted (HB 24-1111).1

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Cosmetologist license in Colorado?

The rules set at least 1,500 clock hours2 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 Colorado?

The Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure publishes these routes for the Cosmetologist license: license by endorsement1 and multistate license (interstate compact)1. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Cosmetologist license in Colorado?

Every 2 years5.

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.

  1. Colorado Revised Statutes 2024Colorado General Assembly, Office of Legislative Legal ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  2. 4 CCR 731-1 Barber and Cosmetology Licensure Rules and RegulationsColorado Secretary of State (Code of Colorado Regulations)Dated October 30, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  3. Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure: Applications and FormsColorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and OccupationsChecked November 7, 2026
  4. Skilled Immigrants Licensing Guide for Barbers/Cosmetologists (2019-20)Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and OccupationsChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Professional and Occupational License Types in ColoradoState of Colorado, Colorado Information MarketplaceDated January 8, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  6. HB26-1181 Final Act (06/01/2026)Colorado General AssemblyDated June 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  7. Continuing Education (CE) Accepted Topics/Subject Areas - Barber and CosmetologyColorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and OccupationsChecked November 7, 2026
  8. Colorado Barber and Cosmetology HomepageColorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and OccupationsChecked November 7, 2026
  9. 4 CCR 731-1 rule info (versions)Colorado Secretary of State (Code of Colorado Regulations)Checked November 7, 2026