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How to get a Cosmetologist license in Nebraska

Nebraska licenses cosmetologists statewide through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).1 For the Cosmetologist license you need at least 1,800 clock hours1 of education and a passing score on the NIC written examination (computer-based, administered by PSI); no hands-on practical exam2. The board lists $95 for the initial license (License issued January-June of an even year or any month of an odd year)3 and $25 for the initial license (License issued July-December of an even-numbered year)3, each a separate charge. You renew every 2 years4 and complete at least 8 hours of continuing education5.

Last checked · 13 official sources

Who issues it

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Training and experience

Training: at least 1,800 clock hours1

Exam

NIC written examination (computer-based, administered by PSI); no hands-on practical exam2

Fees the board lists

Initial license fee (License issued January-June of an even year or any month of an odd year): $953
Initial license fee (License issued July-December of an even-numbered year): $253

Renewal

Every 2 years4, at least 8 hours of continuing education5

From another state

License by endorsement, Universal license recognition, Military service members and spouses and Multistate license (interstate compact)647 Details

On this page
  1. Nebraska 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 Nebraska with a license from another state
  9. Cosmetology instructor license
  10. Check a license or report a problem
  11. Laws and rules
  12. Common questions
  13. Cosmetologist licenses in other states

Nebraska cosmetologist licenses

Nebraska issues 2 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 licenseEsthetics; nail technology; and similar beautifying work on the hair, scalp, face, neck, arms, hands, feet or nails. Licensees must practice in a licensed establishment.1Training 1,800 clock hours1Yes1$953
Cosmetology instructor licenseTeaching any or all practices of cosmetology in a school of cosmetology or an apprentice salon.1Training 600 clock hours8Yes8$508

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every Nebraska cosmetologist license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Requirements

Background check
List ALL misdemeanour and felony convictions (not infractions, diversions or dismissals), with a letter of explanation for each, court records for out-of-state convictions and a probation officer letter if on probation.3
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply5

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Other fee$1005DHHSThe fee. Optional preliminary conviction review

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years4
Continuing education
At least 8 hours each renewal period5

From another state

Route
Universal license recognition
What the board says
Uniform Credentialing Act 38-129.02 (additional route): a current, valid credential from another state, territory or D.C. that has been valid at least one year, with documentation of education, any work experience, exam passage if the other state required it, and no unresolved discipline, earns the equivalent Nebraska credential on payment of the usual fees.4
Conditions
A credential issued this way is not valid for interstate compacts or practice-act reciprocity.4
Route
Military service members and spouses
What the board says
Military spouses with an active license elsewhere and a spouse on active-duty assignment in Nebraska can get a fee-free temporary license (up to 1 year) while the permanent application is processed; they may practice under it without supervision.6
Route
Multistate license (interstate compact)

Who needs a Cosmetologist license

Esthetics; nail technology; and similar beautifying work on the hair, scalp, face, neck, arms, hands, feet or nails. Licensees must practice in a licensed establishment.1

Work that does not need this license:

  • No license needed for: earlobe piercing only; natural hair braiding only; domestic or charitable administration; theatrical/entertainment work; work inside hospitals, nursing homes and similar regulated facilities (unpaid); emergencies; retail product application; non-vocational training; free manufacturer demonstrations; manicuring; airbrush tanning or temporary airbrush tattoos; applying cosmetics.1
  • DHHS page: no Nebraska license is needed for airbrush tanning or the sale of cosmetics or beauty/nail products.5

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 old1
High school diploma or GED
Formal education equivalent to a U.S. high school education (diploma, GED or equivalent document).3
Education or training
At least 1,800 clock hours1
Graduate from a cosmetology school or apprentice salon (in or outside Nebraska) after a program of at least 1,800 hours; the school completes Attachment 1 certifying hours and final exam scores.1
Who may teach it: School of cosmetology or apprentice salon in or outside Nebraska; foreign-trained applicants must show a current foreign license or 5 years of practice in the last 8 and must take the Nebraska exam.1
Alternative: Military education or training substantially similar to the requirement may be submitted for review.3
Exam
NIC written examination (computer-based, administered by PSI); no hands-on practical exam2
Given by: PSI2
When you can take it: After DHHS accepts your complete application it emails an "approval to test" letter; then register and pay PSI. The exam is given in English only.3
Written (computer-based) only2
Retakes: Retake using the same authorization letter, paying the PSI exam fee each time.2
Also required
Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence (a driver's license is not acceptable); non-citizen documents are verified with DHS (up to 30 days).3
Also required
If you hold or have held a health-related license in another state, ask that state to send a certification of the license.3

How much a Cosmetologist license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$953DHHSLicense issued January-June of an even year or any month of an odd year
Initial license fee$253DHHSLicense issued July-December of an even-numbered year (license expires 12/31 that year)
Temporary license or permit$2510DHHSOptional temporary practitioner license while waiting to test
Administrative Penalty$103DHHSPenalty for practicing before licensure or on an expired license (per day, capped at $1,000)

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. Gather copies of your citizenship/lawful-presence document, high school diploma or GED, cosmetology school diploma, and any conviction papers; ask other states to certify any health-related licenses.3
  2. Complete the application and have your school complete Attachment 1.3 Form (PDF, dhhs.ne.gov)5
  3. Mail it to the DHHS Licensure Unit (PO Box 94986, Lincoln NE 68509-4986) with the license fee by check or money order, unless you qualify for a waiver.3
  4. When you get the emailed approval-to-test letter, schedule the NIC written exam with PSI, pay PSI directly, and bring the printed letter and photo ID.3
  5. PSI reports the score to DHHS, which notifies you of licensure.2
Temporary or provisional license
Temporary practitioner license ($25) for applicants whose regular application has been accepted, who have not failed any exam part and who will work in a licensed establishment under a designated supervisor. It expires 8 weeks after issue or when exam results arrive (one 8-week extension possible).1
Processing time
Applications are reviewed in date order; missing items are emailed within about 15 days and you have 90 days to complete the file. After the official PSI score report arrives, DHHS notifies you of licensure within 5-10 days.2

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires
Expires December 31 of even-numbered years; renew online at nebraska.mylicense.com or by mail, postmarked by the expiry date.9
Renewal fee
$1189
Required topics
At least 4 hours on performing the skills or services of the profession5
Approved courses
The board no longer pre-approves CE programs; licensees choose qualifying courses. Records may be audited.5
Exemptions
No CE if first licensed during the current renewal period, or on Active-Military or inactive status; waivers for circumstances beyond your control; instructors meeting instructor CE are exempt from cosmetologist CE.9
Late renewal
Reinstatement fee: $15311 (reinstatement of an expired or inactive license issued January-June of an even-numbered year or any month of an odd-numbered year ($64.50 if reinstated July-December of an even-numbered year))
If it expires
If not renewed by the expiry date the license expires and must be reinstated: complete 8 CE hours within the prior 24 months and file the reinstatement application with fees. Practising without an active license: $10/day administrative penalty up to $1,000.9

Renewal planner

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

Moving to Nebraska with a license from another state

These are the routes DHHS publishes for the Cosmetologist license. The other cosmetologist licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Reciprocity (38-1066): age 17+, high school, currently licensed as a cosmetologist in another jurisdiction with no discipline, license issued on the basis of an exam (otherwise take the NIC exam here), and 1,800 hours, where each month of full-time licensed practice in the last 5 years counts as 100 hours.6
Conditions
If you hold or have held a health-related license in another state, ask that state to send a certification of the license.3
Fee
$956

Cosmetology instructor license

Teaching any or all practices of cosmetology in a school of cosmetology or an apprentice salon.1

Requirements

Education or training
At least 600 clock hours8
Graduate from a cosmetology instructor program of at least 600 hours beyond the cosmetologist program, in a school in or outside Nebraska.1
Experience
Hold a current active Nebraska cosmetologist license (no minimum years of practice in statute).1
License you must hold first: Nebraska cosmetologist license8
Exam
National instructor examination (in English)8
Given by: PSI (per DHHS exam page for cosmetology/esthetics exams)2

Fees

FeeAmountPaid to
Initial license fee$508DHHS

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

How to apply

  1. Complete a 600-hour instructor program while holding an active Nebraska cosmetologist license.8
  2. Mail the Cosmetology and Esthetician Instructor License by Examination application with your instructor diploma and the fee (or waiver).8 Form (PDF, dhhs.ne.gov)5
  3. Pass the national instructor exam after DHHS approval.8

Renewal

When it expires
Expires December 31 of even-numbered years.12
Renewal fee
$5012
Required topics
At least 4 hours of teaching methodology (all 8 may be teaching methodology)5
Approved courses
Board no longer pre-approves CE programs.5
Exemptions
Meeting instructor CE also satisfies cosmetologist CE for that biennium.1
Late renewal
Reinstatement fee: $8511 (reinstatement of an expired or inactive license issued January-June of an even-numbered year or any month of an odd-numbered year ($60 if reinstated July-December of an even-numbered year))

From another state

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Reciprocity for instructors: licensed as an instructor in another jurisdiction (exam-based, no discipline), with the instructor hours met through training or 100 hour-equivalents per month of full-time instructor practice in the last 5 years.1
Fee
$5013

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

Look up a license
dhhs.ne.gov5

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

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

The rules set at least 1,800 clock hours1 before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: Applications are reviewed in date order; missing items are emailed within about 15 days and you have 90 days to complete the file. After the official PSI score report arrives, DHHS notifies you of licensure within 5-10 days.2

Can I transfer my cosmetologist license to Nebraska?

DHHS publishes these routes for the Cosmetologist license: license by endorsement6, universal license recognition4 and multistate license (interstate compact)7. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Cosmetologist license in Nebraska?

Every 2 years4. Continuing education: at least 8 hours5. The renewal fee is $1189.

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. Cosmeticians, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Salons and Schools (statute compilation)Nebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Cosmetology and Esthetics Examination InformationNebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Cosmetologist and Esthetician License by Examination applicationNebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  4. Uniform Credentialing Act (compilation)Nebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Cosmetology and Esthetics (DHHS Licensure)Nebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  6. Cosmetologist and Esthetician License by Reciprocity applicationNebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  7. Pennsylvania becomes 13th state to enact Cosmetology Licensure CompactCosmetology Licensure Compact CommissionChecked November 7, 2026
  8. Cosmetology and Esthetician Instructor License by Examination applicationNebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  9. Cosmetology renewal applicationNebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  10. Application for Temporary PractitionerNebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  11. Cosmetology or Instructor reinstatement applicationNebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  12. Cosmetology instructor renewal noticeNebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  13. Cosmetology/Esthetics Instructor License by Reciprocity applicationNebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesChecked November 7, 2026