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How to get a Cosmetologist license in Massachusetts

Massachusetts licenses cosmetologists statewide through the Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering.1 For the Cosmetologist license you need at least 1,000 clock hours1 of education, a passing score on the Written theory exam administered by PSI2 and a criminal background check3. The board lists $68 for the application2. You renew every 2 years4.

Last checked · 13 official sources

Who issues it

Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering

Training and experience

Training: at least 1,000 clock hours1

Exam

Written theory exam administered by PSI2

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $682

Renewal

Every 2 years4

From another state

License by endorsement and Military service members and spouses56 Details

On this page
  1. Massachusetts cosmetologist licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Cosmetologist license
  4. Requirements for a Cosmetologist license
  5. How much a Cosmetologist license costs
  6. How to apply
  7. Renewal and continuing education
  8. Moving to Massachusetts with a license from another state
  9. Assistant Cosmetology Instructor license
  10. Cosmetology Instructor license
  11. Check a license or report a problem
  12. Laws and rules
  13. Rule changes since January 2024
  14. Common questions
  15. Cosmetologist licenses in other states

Massachusetts cosmetologist licenses

Massachusetts issues 3 cosmetologist credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversTraining or experienceExamApplication or license fee
Cosmetologist licenseHairdressing, manicuring and aesthetics services (an out-of-state cosmetologist license must cover all three to be equivalent). Training covers shampooing, hairdressing, waving, coloring, cutting, skin care/facial grooming, eyelash and eyebrow extensions/tinting, scalp massage, wigs, straightening and thermal styling.5Training 1,000 clock hours1Yes1$682
Assistant Cosmetology Instructor licenseAssistant instructor in cosmetology schools; two years as an assistant instructor qualifies you for the full instructor license.1–No1–
Cosmetology Instructor licenseMay teach in cosmetology, aesthetics and manicuring schools and work in cosmetology, manicuring or aesthetics salons.1Experience 2 years1Yes1–

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Massachusetts cosmetologist licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 3)

Requirements

Background check
Background check required3
Every new and renewal application includes a notarized CORI Authorization Form (embedded in the eLIPSE application).3

How to apply

  1. Create a MyMassGov account and link/open eLIPSE (read the Linking Your License guide first).2
  2. Submit the application online with all documents, including the notarized DOL CORI form, and pay in eLIPSE. Incomplete applications are abandoned after 180 days.2
Processing time
About 2-3 weeks once all required documents are received.3

Renewal

Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $577 (in addition to the renewal fee when renewing after expiry)

2. Every license level except Cosmetology Instructor license

Renewal

If it expires
No work may be done on a lapsed license until the renewal fee is paid and the renewed license issued.8

3. Every license level except Assistant Cosmetology Instructor license

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years47
Renewal fee
$687 (Per 2-year renewal)

4. Every license level except Cosmetologist license

Requirements

Schooling
High school degree or equivalent1
Education or training
Graduated from a cosmetology program satisfactory to the Board.1

Who needs a Cosmetologist license

Hairdressing, manicuring and aesthetics services (an out-of-state cosmetologist license must cover all three to be equivalent). Training covers shampooing, hairdressing, waving, coloring, cutting, skin care/facial grooming, eyelash and eyebrow extensions/tinting, scalp massage, wigs, straightening and thermal styling.5

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Students may work in shops only as Board-registered apprentices or shop-employed students; shop-employed cosmetology students cannot do chemical services before finishing all school hours and must be supervised at all times.9

Requirements for a Cosmetologist license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training
At least 1,000 clock hours1
At least 1,000 hours of professional training in a Board-approved cosmetology school, over at least six months (includes 50 hours manicuring and 80 hours skin care/facial grooming/eyelash and eyebrow work).1
Who may teach it: Board-licensed cosmetology school (or post-secondary institution); schools cannot require more than the minimum hours before giving exam access.10
Alternative: School apprentice program: after 25 school hours (safety, sanitation, shampooing) and a background check, a student can register as an apprentice; the program must have at least 600 school hours and no more than 400 shop hours of the 1,000-hour curriculum, with a licensed supervisor (max. two apprentices per supervisor). Training only by apprenticeship outside a school is not accepted for transfer applicants without exam.11
Exam
Written theory exam administered by PSI2
Given by: PSI2
When you can take it: After finishing school, apply in eLIPSE and pay the application fee; once the Board processes the application, PSI emails you to schedule.2
Written theory exam (the Board pages describe only a written theory exam for first-time licensure).2
Exam waived: Out-of-state licensees with a current license, a passed U.S. licensing exam, an equivalent school program and equivalent scope do not take an exam.5
Also required
2x2-inch photo and a copy of a driver's license or state ID with the application (stated for apprentice, transfer and reinstatement applications).12

How much a Cosmetologist license costs

FeeAmountPaid to
Application fee$682Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering
Duplicate or replacement license$177Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering
License verification to another state$157Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering
Name Change$277Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering

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; check it with the exam provider, PSI2, when you schedule.

How to apply

  1. Complete 1,000 hours at a Board-licensed cosmetology school (optionally including a registered school apprenticeship).1
  2. Pay the $68 application fee; when PSI emails you, schedule and pass the written theory exam.2

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires
Renew every 2 years on your birthday, online in eLIPSE.4

Renewal planner

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

Moving to Massachusetts with a license from another state

These are the routes the Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering publishes for the Cosmetologist license.

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Out-of-state applicant who must test: $136 application, then the PSI written exam.5
Fee
$1365
Route
Military service members and spouses
What the board says
VALOR Acts: military education/training counts toward licensure; licenses of active-duty members stay valid until 90 days after release; expedited licensing for active-duty members and relocated military spouses licensed elsewhere; the Commonwealth's portion of the initial license fee is waived for veterans and these groups (vendor exam fees may still apply). Self-identify with the affidavit form.6

Assistant Cosmetology Instructor license

Assistant instructor in cosmetology schools; two years as an assistant instructor qualifies you for the full instructor license.1

Requirements

Experience
Must hold a Massachusetts cosmetologist license; no minimum years stated.1
License you must hold first: Massachusetts cosmetologist license1
Exam
Not required1

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Cosmetology Instructor license

May teach in cosmetology, aesthetics and manicuring schools and work in cosmetology, manicuring or aesthetics salons.1

Requirements

Experience
At least 2 years1
At least two years as a Massachusetts licensed cosmetologist or as an assistant cosmetology instructor.1
License you must hold first: Massachusetts cosmetologist license (or assistant cosmetology instructor license)1
Exam
Cosmetology instructor examination1

Renewal

When it expires
Every 2 years on your birthday.7
If it expires
No work may be done on a lapsed license until the renewal fee is paid and the renewed license issued.8
If you have renewed either your instructor or your practitioner license every 2 years, you can reinstate the other without an exam even after 3 years.8

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 3 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license
mass.gov13

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • October 24, 2025: 240 CMR 2.00 and 4.00 republished (Mass. Register #1559).1

Common questions

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

The rules set at least 1,000 clock hours1 before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: About 2-3 weeks once all required documents are received.3

Can I transfer my cosmetologist license to Massachusetts?

The Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering publishes this route for the Cosmetologist license: license by endorsement5. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Cosmetologist license in Massachusetts?

Every 2 years4. The renewal fee is $687.

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. 240 CMR 2.00: Licensure of cosmetologists, manicurists, aestheticians, demonstrators and instructorsMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingDated October 24, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  2. How can I become a cosmetologist, electrologist, manicurist, aesthetician, or barber?Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Frequently Asked Questions and eLIPSE Support for Cosmetology and BarberingMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
  4. Renew a barber, cosmetology, or electrology licenseMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Transfer a cosmetology, aesthetics, manicuring, barber, or electrology license to MassachusettsMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
  6. DOL licensing benefits for active military, spouses & veteransMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
  7. Fees and license renewal schedules for cosmetology, barbering, and electrologyMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
  8. M.G.L. c. 112, § 87GGMassachusetts General CourtChecked November 7, 2026
  9. Apply for cosmetology and barbering apprenticeship or shop employmentMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
  10. 240 CMR 4.00: Operation of cosmetology schools and post-secondary institutionsMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingDated October 24, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  11. Policy on Apprenticeship and Student EmploymentMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingDated August 10, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
  12. Reinstate a lapsed barber, cosmetology, or electrology licenseMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026
  13. Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingMassachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure, Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarberingChecked November 7, 2026