How to get a Cosmetologist license in Kansas

Kansas cosmetologist licenses

Kansas 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 Kansas cosmetologist license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Requirements

Background check

You can ask the board to review your record before you apply⁹

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years⁵⁷

Renewal fee

$50¹⁰⁸

Renew online

kboc.kansas.gov¹¹

Who needs a Cosmetologist license

Non-invasive cosmetic skin care; temporary hair removal (not electric needles); using cosmetic preparations; manicuring, pedicuring and sculpturing nails.⁶

Work that does not need this license:

• Not covered: licensed barbers and apprentice barbers; physicians, chiropractors, optometrists, nurses, dentists, physical therapists/assistants in their practice; teachers instructing school students in personal care.¹

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Natural hair braiding (no chemicals or dyes) and threading are not cosmetology if the person completes the KDHE infection-control brochure self-test and keeps it where they work.⁶
• A licensee may serve clients at their home or office only if they work in a licensed facility at least 51% of the time and file the in-home services affidavit.¹²

Requirements for a Cosmetologist license

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

Minimum age

17 years old¹³

High school diploma or GED

Graduate of an accredited high school or equivalent (GED); foreign diplomas need a credential evaluation. Transcript must come from the issuing party.³

Education or training

At least 1,500 clock hours²
1,500 clock hours as a licensed apprentice in a Kansas-licensed school (or the credit-hour equivalent). Students must hold an apprentice license, applied for within 15 days of enrolling, and may not work on the public until 320 hours.²
Who may teach it: Training must be in a school licensed by the board; the school reports hours to Ergometrics. Training outside the U.S. needs a credential evaluation sent directly to KBOC.²

Exam

Kansas Board of Cosmetology licensure examinations (written and practical), administered by Ergometrics³
Given by: Ergometrics (www.cosmetologykansas.com)⁴
Passing score: At least 75% on the written exam and an average of at least 75% on the practical sections¹⁴
When you can take it: Written test at completion of 1,000 hours of training; school reports your hours to Ergometrics.¹³
Written examination (may be taken after 1,000 training hours)¹³
Practical examination¹⁴
Retakes: A failed written or practical exam may be retaken on payment of the exam fee again; any temporary permit expires on failure.¹⁵
Exam waived: Out-of-state licensees with 1,500 hours and an active license take a 20-question open-book exam instead of the board exams.¹⁶

Also required

Proof of identity: copy of Social Security card and current U.S. government-issued photo ID; names must match. Non-citizens must be qualified aliens or nonimmigrants.³

How much a Cosmetologist license costs

You pay KBOC (6 fees) and Ergometrics (exam fee).

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. Enrol in a Kansas-licensed cosmetology school and file the apprentice license application ($15) within 15 days of enrolling.¹⁸
2. After training, complete the typed Practitioner License Application with your school, print and sign it, and mail it with the $60 nonrefundable fee, copies of your Social Security card and photo ID, and any name-change papers. Have your high school (or GED issuer) send your transcript.¹⁹ Form (PDF, kansas.gov)³
3. Log in to Ergometrics (cosmetologykansas.com) with the ID your school gives you, pay for and schedule the written and practical exams.⁴
4. Optional: attach a temporary permit application ($15) so you can work in a licensed salon until you test.²⁰
5. Ergometrics reports passing scores to KBOC, which mails the license.⁴

Temporary or provisional license

Temporary permit ($15) for applicants who have finished training and are waiting to test: valid until 6 weeks after the exam date, only one per applicant, void if you fail any part, and only for work in a licensed establishment.²⁰

Processing time

Allow 7–10 business days for KBOC to process documents; once you pass, the license is mailed within 7–10 business days if the application is complete.³

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Expires two years from the last day of the month of issue. Renew no earlier than six weeks before expiry, online or by mail; you must pass the written renewal exam (laws, sanitation, safety) and answer the felony question.⁸

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $25⁸ (renewal after expiry (form total $75)
Reinstatement fee: $100¹⁰ (expired more than six months (form total $125)

If it expires

Practising on an expired license is unlawful. Within six months after expiry: renew with renewal exam + renewal fee + $25 delinquent fee. Over six months: reinstate with renewal exam + delinquent fee + $100 penalty.⁸
Senior status: licensed 10+ years, age 60+, no longer regularly practicing in Kansas: one-time $30 fee; no renewal needed but you may not practice.⁸

Cosmetology instructor's license

Teaching cosmetology (and nail technology or esthetics) in a licensed school.¹

Requirements

Education or training

At least 300 clock hours⁷
Instructor training: 300 hours plus one year of practice as a cosmetologist, or 450 hours. Trainees hold an instructor-in-training permit ($15, filed at least 7 days before starting; valid six months).⁷
Alternative: 450 hours of instructor training without the year of practice⁷

Experience

At least 1 year⁷
Must hold a Kansas cosmetologist license; one year of practice shortens training to 300 hours.⁷
License you must hold first: Kansas cosmetologist license⁷

Exam

Cosmetology instructor written exam⁷
Passing score: At least 75%¹⁴
Written only¹³

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. File the instructor-in-training permit application ($15) at least 7 days before starting instructor training at a licensed school.²¹
2. Complete 300 hours (with 1 year of practice) or 450 hours of instructor training and pass the written instructor exam (75%).⁷
3. Send the Instructor License Application with the $75 fee; the school owner/instructor certifies your training.²² Form (PDF, kansas.gov)²²

Renewal

Continuing education

At least 20 hours each renewal period⁷

Required topics

10 hours teaching skills and methods²³
5 hours practice of the profession (or 5 more teaching hours)²³
5 hours health and sanitation (infection control)²³

Approved courses

Board-approved CE only; max 10 hours per day; no carry-over.²³

Exemptions

No CE for the first renewal after initial licensure or reinstatement.²⁴

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $25⁸ (late renewal (form total $75))

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 Kansas, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Kansas is on the Kansas license lookup page.

Look up a license

kboc.kansas.gov²⁵

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• K.S.A. 65-1901 (definitions)
• K.S.A. 65-1902 (prohibited acts; exclusions)
• K.S.A. 65-1903 (schools; instructor license)
• K.S.A. 65-1904
• K.S.A. 65-1904b (licensure of out-of-state practitioners)
• K.S.A. 65-1905 (examinations; qualifications; temporary permit)
• K.S.A. 65-1912 (apprentice license; training hours)
• K.S.A. 48-3406 (expedited licensure for military and new residents)
• K.A.R. 69-1-1, 69-1-4, 69-1-8, 69-1-10
• K.A.R. 69-11-1
• K.A.R. 69-11-2 (expiration dates for practitioner licenses)
• 2025 HB 2069 (Cosmetology Licensure Compact)

Rule changes since January 2024

• April 8, 2025: Kansas enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact (HB 2069); multistate licenses not yet available.²⁶

Common questions

Cosmetologist licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
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• 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