How to get a Certificate of registration as a registered cosmetologist in Louisiana

Louisiana cosmetologist licenses

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

Requirements

Background check

A prior conviction may not by itself bar a certificate except where R.S. 37:2950 allows; the board may deny for grounds in R.S. 37:600.²

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.

Renewal

How often

Every year⁵

When it expires

Renew every year on or before your birthday; an unrenewed certificate expires 30 days after your birthday.⁵

Renewal fee

$35⁴

Renew online

lsbc.louisiana.gov¹¹

Who needs a Certificate of registration as a registered cosmetologist

Cosmetology = esthetics, hair dressing and manicuring, done for pay (including tips).⁸

Work that does not need this license:

• Exempt (outside board-licensed facilities): physicians, military/VA medical officers, licensed barbers, hospital and nursing-home staff, people serving their own household, and ear piercing that meets the needle rules.¹

Requirements for a Certificate of registration as a registered cosmetologist

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

Minimum age

16 years old⁹

High school diploma or GED

Not required⁹

Education or training

At least 1,500 clock hours²
Complete a 1,500-hour cosmetology course at a board-approved school (science, physical and chemical services, hair design and Louisiana law).⁹
Who may teach it: Board-registered or licensed school of cosmetology; register as a student with the board ($10). Hours not completed within 6 years become invalid.⁶
Alternative: High school cosmetology programs are allowed under LAC 46:XXXI §310.²

Exam

Louisiana state theory (written) exam, national theory (written) exam and cosmetology practical exam³
Given by: Board examination team (state theory and practical); national theory exam registered through www.iqttesting.com per the board FAQ³
When you can take it: Written exam after 1,000 hours; practical after 1,400 hours of the 1,500-hour course, with clearances from the school and the board. The school schedules the exams.⁶
State theory exam (written)⁶
National theory exam (written)⁶
Retakes: Retake only the failed phase (the whole phase if it has several portions); $25 per retake ($50 if retaking national and state); a $25 administrative fee applies to rescheduling or a no-show without 7 days' notice.⁶
Exam waived: Holders of an out-of-state license who already passed the national exam or the other state's practical take only the remaining required (state) exam.²

Also required

All money owed to your school must be paid before you can apply for the exam.³

Also required

Exam application packet: student registration certificate, cumulative hours report, color photo, initial license fee and exam fees.²

How much a Certificate of registration as a registered cosmetologist costs

You pay LSBC (5 fees) and iqttesting.com (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 board-approved cosmetology school; the school registers you with the board ($10 student registration).⁴
2. Complete the hours: you may take the written exams after 1,000 hours and the practical after 1,400; finish all 1,500 hours.²
3. Your school sends the board the exam paperwork (registration certificate, hours report, photo, $35 license fee and exam fees) and schedules your exams; register for the national exam at iqttesting.com.⁶
4. Pass the state theory, national theory and practical exams; the initial license is mailed to your school.⁶

Temporary or provisional license

Temporary permit ($50) for out-of-state licensees pending Louisiana application and testing.²

Processing time

Exam date usually 7–10 days after the board receives the school's request; results to the school within 2 weeks.⁶

Renewal and continuing education

If it expires

Within three years of expiry: pay twice the fee for each year expired (maximum $300).⁴
Expired three years (36 months) or more: pass a 25-question multiple-choice restoration exam (Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 am–1 pm; fax the Restoration Form), optionally after a "brush up" course.¹²
Holding an active license in another state counts as active practice for the Louisiana renewal.⁵

Moving to Louisiana with a license from another state

These are the routes LSBC publishes for the Certificate of registration as a registered cosmetologist. The other cosmetologist licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Certificate of registration as a registered teacher of cosmetology

Teaching cosmetology for pay in a school.⁸

Requirements

High school diploma or GED

Required¹⁰

Education or training

At least 500 clock hours²
Teacher training course of at least 500 hours over at least three months under a licensed teacher (teaching methods, testing, classroom management).¹⁰
Who may teach it: Under the supervision of a licensed teacher (in a licensed school).¹⁰
Alternative: An instructor license from another state replaces the 500-hour course.¹⁰

Experience

At least 12 months¹⁰
Hold a cosmetology certificate and practice actively for at least 12 months before starting the instructor course.¹⁰
License you must hold first: Louisiana cosmetology certificate¹⁰

Exam

Cosmetology instructor examination (practical teaching demonstration from a prepared lesson plan)¹⁵
Given by: Board examination team³
When you can take it: After completing 500 hours of the instructor curriculum (or holding another state's instructor license).²
Practical: draw a subject from your assigned category on exam day and teach it to the examiners; bring two printed lesson plans and the textbook.¹⁵

Fees

How to apply

1. Work as a licensed Louisiana cosmetologist for at least 12 months.¹⁰
2. Complete the 500-hour (3-month minimum) teacher training course at a licensed school.¹⁰
3. Prepare lesson plans for your assigned category and pass the instructor practical exam; pay the $35 certificate fee.¹⁵

Renewal

Continuing education

At least 16 hours each renewal period¹⁰

Required topics

Seminar content must relate to cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring and teaching methods, including 3 hours of teaching methodology; sales/product-only sessions do not count.¹⁶

If it expires

Within three years of expiry: pay twice the fee for each year expired (maximum $300).⁴
Expired three years (36 months) or more: pass a 25-question multiple-choice restoration exam (Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 am–1 pm; fax the Restoration Form), optionally after a "brush up" course.¹²
Holding an active license in another state counts as active practice for the Louisiana renewal.⁵
Instructors without the 16 CE hours in the 24 months before renewal get an inactive license; master instructor (MCI) status needs 16 hours every year.²

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

Look up a license

lsbc.louisiana.gov¹⁷

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• La. R.S. 37:563 (definitions)
• La. R.S. 37:581 (unlawful practice; exemptions)
• La. R.S. 37:582 (qualifications: cosmetologist, esthetician, manicurist; out-of-state licensees)
• La. R.S. 37:583 (registered teacher; continuing education)
• La. R.S. 37:584 (temporary registration; special permits)
• La. R.S. 37:586 (examination of applicants)
• La. R.S. 37:590 (renewal)
• La. R.S. 37:599
• LAC 46:XXXI (Cosmetologists) §§301, 307, 309, 505, 509, 1113, 1715

Rule changes since January 2024

• June 20, 2025: R.S. 37:599 (board fees) amended by Acts 2025, No. 355, eff. June 20, 2025.⁴

Common questions

Cosmetologist licenses in other states

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