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How to get a Cosmetologist license in Minnesota

Minnesota licenses cosmetologists statewide through the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology.1 For the Cosmetologist (operator) license you need at least 1,550 clock hours2 of education and a passing score on the General theory test, written practical test, and test on Minnesota laws and rules (board-approved)2. You renew every 3 years1 and complete at least 8 hours of continuing education2.

Last checked · 5 official sources

Who issues it

Minnesota Board of Cosmetology

Training and experience

Training: at least 1,550 clock hours2

Exam

General theory test, written practical test, and test on Minnesota laws and rules (board-approved)2

Renewal

Every 3 years1, at least 8 hours of continuing education2

From another state

License by endorsement1 Details

On this page
  1. Minnesota 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 Minnesota with a license from another state
  9. Instructor license
  10. Salon manager 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

Minnesota cosmetologist licenses

Minnesota 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
Instructor license (cosmetology)Employed by a school to teach the theory and practice of cosmetology; must keep an active operator or manager license in the same area.1Training 45 clock hours3
Experience 2,700 hours2		Yes2$401
Cosmetologist (operator) licensePersonal services for compensation for the cosmetic care of the hair, nails and the stratum corneum of the skin.1Training 1,550 clock hours2Yes2$401
Salon manager license (cosmetology)A licensed practitioner with a manager license; a designated licensed salon manager is registered with the board and shares responsibility with the salon owner for salon and practitioner compliance.1–Yes2$401

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Minnesota 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)

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$401Minnesota Board of CosmetologyThree-year license. Not refundable
Initial license fee$1551Minnesota Board of CosmetologyThree-year license; refunded (minus processing and application fees) if the applicant is found ineligible
Expedited initial individual license$1501Minnesota Board of CosmetologyOptional; board acts within five business days of a complete expedited application (155A.25 subd. 7)
License verification to another state$301Minnesota Board of Cosmetology–
Duplicate or replacement license$201Minnesota Board of Cosmetology–
Name change$201Minnesota Board of Cosmetology–

Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.

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

How to apply

Processing time
Within 15 working days of a complete application and fees (non-expedited, non-military), the board must issue, deny, or notify of additional review.1

Renewal

How often
Every 3 years1
When it expires
Individual licenses expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month of the year due; renew without waiting for a notice.1

2. Every license level except Instructor license (cosmetology)

Renewal

Continuing education
At least 8 hours each renewal period2
Required topics
4 core hours: 1 hour Minnesota cosmetology laws and rules + 3 hours health, safety and infection control1
4 professional-practice hours on product chemistry, machines and instruments, business management/ethics/human relations, or techniques for the license held2
Approved courses
Core CE only from a board-licensed school, a postsecondary institution, or a board-recognized professional association; professional-practice CE may also come from a board-licensed salon. Providers are approved yearly.1
Exemptions
CE requirements do not apply to an instructor license, a school manager license or an inactive license.1
If it expires
Expired less than three years: renew with the renewal and late fees and current CE; a new license cycle is issued.2
Practice after the expiration date is not allowed until the renewed license is issued.2
Operator or salon manager license expired three years or more: pass the laws and rules test (manager laws and rules test for managers) and a written practical exam within the past year, and pay initial license fees.2

3. Every license level except Cosmetologist (operator) license

Renewal

Renewal fee
$1451 (Three-year renewal)

Who needs a Cosmetologist license

Personal services for compensation for the cosmetic care of the hair, nails and the stratum corneum of the skin.1

Work that does not need this license:

  • Threading is exempt from licensing.1
  • Hairstyling and makeup only: exempt if the person completed a four-hour health, safety, infection-control and state-law course from a board-approved CE provider and carries proof.1
  • Hair braiding is exempt.1
  • Out-of-state licensees doing demonstrations are exempt if services are in the physical presence of a Minnesota-licensed cosmetologist.1

Requirements for a Cosmetologist license

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

Minimum age
17 years old2
High school diploma or GED
Required1
Education or training
At least 1,550 clock hours2
Cosmetologist course at a Minnesota-licensed cosmetology school: 1,550 hours including full nail technician and esthetician content, with 1,130 applied hours and 420 theory hours; completion certificate notarized by the school manager or owner.3
Who may teach it: Board-licensed cosmetology school; online instruction only for theory, not practice-based training; maximum 10 hours of instruction a day.1
Alternative: A registered Minnesota barber may receive up to 500 hours of credit, as determined by the school.1
Alternative: Training more than five years old needs a skills course certificate no more than one year old; students must be licensed within five years of finishing training.3
Exam
General theory test, written practical test, and test on Minnesota laws and rules (board-approved)2
General theory test2
Written practical test2
Test on Minnesota laws and rules2
Time limit: Passing results must be no more than one year old when submitted.2
Also required
Outstanding board penalties must be paid (or a payment plan kept current) before a license is issued or renewed.2

How much a Cosmetologist license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Temporary license or permit$01Minnesota Board of CosmetologyNo fee for a temporary military license for a cosmetologist, nail technician, esthetician, advanced practice esthetician, or eyelash technician

How to apply

  1. Complete the 1,550-hour cosmetologist course at a Minnesota-licensed cosmetology school and get the original completion certificate notarized by the school manager or owner.2
  2. Pass the board-approved general theory, written practical and Minnesota laws and rules tests; results must be under one year old when you apply.2
  3. Submit the completed application form with the certificate and test results, and pay $195 ($155 license + $40 application) under Minn. Stat. 155A.25.1 bcegl.hlb.state.mn.us4
  4. Post your license (or your full name as licensed) at your workstation in a licensed salon.2

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal fee
$1151 (Three-year renewal)
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $451 (renewal application received after the expiration date (Minn. R. 2105.0200 subp. 1(B)))

Renewal planner

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

Moving to Minnesota with a license from another state

These are the routes the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology publishes for the Cosmetologist license.

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Nonresident with an active license from a state or country with the same or greater school hours: licensed after passing a board-approved theory and practice-based exam and the Minnesota-specific written operator exam (state certification can show earlier theory/practical passes). Not available for managers or instructors.1
Conditions
Certification of licensure no more than 90 days old sent directly by each state where licensed (status, discipline, training hours, tests passed).2
General theory and written practical tests are waived if the other state's certification shows they were passed; the Minnesota laws and rules test is always required.2
Fewer than 1,550 hours: an active license for at least three years in another state, or transfer-student completion at a Minnesota school plus the practical skills test.1
If the other-state license is not active, a board-approved skills course certificate no more than one year old.2
Foreign-trained applicants not licensed in another state must be evaluated as transfer students by a board-licensed school; foreign documents need a board-approved credential evaluation.2
Fee
$1951

Instructor license

Employed by a school to teach the theory and practice of cosmetology; must keep an active operator or manager license in the same area.1

Requirements

Education or training
At least 45 clock hours3
Board-approved instructor course on teaching methodology (certificate not more than one year old); courses must have at least 45 hours of theory training.2
Who may teach it: Board-approved instructor course (board approves courses for three years).3
Experience
At least 2,700 hours of on-the-job training2
Licensed practice in the same field as the instructor license within the three years before applying.2
License you must hold first: Active Minnesota operator or manager license2
Exam
Instructor general theory, practical, and laws and rules tests2
Instructor general theory test2
Instructor practical test2
Instructor laws and rules test2
Time limit: Passing results must be no more than one year old when submitted.2

How to apply

  1. Hold an active Minnesota operator or manager license and document 2,700 hours of licensed practice in that field within the last three years.2
  2. Complete a board-approved instructor course on teaching methodology.2
  3. Pass the instructor general theory, practical and laws and rules tests.2
  4. Submit the application and pay $195 (initial instructor license).2 bcegl.hlb.state.mn.us4

Renewal

Continuing education
At least 45 hours each renewal period2
Required topics
At least 30 hours teaching methodology and 15 hours clinical practice in the field of licensure2
Approved courses
Board-approved instructor CE, or qualifying teaching-methods/clinical-practice classes from MnSCU schools, the University of Minnesota or other OHE-licensed postsecondary schools (16 CE hours per credit; 32 per lab credit).2
If it expires
Expired less than three years: renew with the renewal and late fees and current CE; a new license cycle is issued.2
Practice after the expiration date is not allowed until the renewed license is issued.2
Instructor license expired three years or more: hold an active operator or salon manager license, pass the instructor general theory, practical and laws and rules tests within the past year, and pay instructor application fees.2
To renew, the instructor must hold an active operator or salon manager license in the same area.2

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

Salon manager license

A licensed practitioner with a manager license; a designated licensed salon manager is registered with the board and shares responsibility with the salon owner for salon and practitioner compliance.1

Requirements

Experience
Active Minnesota operator license (or apply for operator and manager licenses together).2
License you must hold first: Minnesota operator license (cosmetologist or other practitioner class)2
Exam
Salon manager test2
Salon manager test2
Time limit: Passing results must be no more than one year old when submitted.2

How to apply

  1. Hold an active Minnesota operator license (or apply for the operator license at the same time).2
  2. Pass the salon manager test (results under one year old).2
  3. Submit the application and pay the manager license fees ($195 initial).2 bcegl.hlb.state.mn.us4

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

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license
bcegl.hlb.state.mn.us5
File a complaint
mn.gov4

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • January 1, 2028: New 155A.27 subd. 6a (Laws 2026, ch. 119): instructor and same-class operator/salon manager licenses will share an expiration date, and renewing both together costs only the instructor renewal fee; effective January 1, 2028.1

Common questions

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

The rules set at least 1,550 clock hours2 before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: Within 15 working days of a complete application and fees (non-expedited, non-military), the board must issue, deny, or notify of additional review.1

Can I transfer my cosmetologist license to Minnesota?

The Minnesota Board of Cosmetology publishes this route for the Cosmetologist license: license by endorsement1. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Cosmetologist license in Minnesota?

Every 3 years1. Continuing education: at least 8 hours2. The renewal fee is $1151.

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. Minnesota Statutes chapter 155A, CosmetologistsMinnesota Office of the Revisor of StatutesChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Minnesota Rules chapter 2105, Board of Cosmetologist ExaminersMinnesota Office of the Revisor of StatutesChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Minnesota Rules chapter 2110, Cosmetology schoolsMinnesota Office of the Revisor of StatutesChecked November 7, 2026
  4. Minnesota Board of Cosmetology home pageMinnesota Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Board of Cosmetology License Search ServiceMinnesota Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026