How to get a Cosmetologist license in Nevada

Nevada cosmetologist licenses

Nevada issues 3 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 several of the Nevada 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
Felony convictions reviewed case by case; letter to the Executive Director plus court orders; decision within 14 business days; violent felonies may go to a Board meeting³
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply³

2. Every license level except Instructor

Requirements

High school diploma or GED

Not required¹¹⁰

3. Every license level except Certificate of registration as a cosmetologist's apprentice

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old¹

Residency or citizenship

Proof of authorization to work in the US (or ITIN documentation) required²

Social Security number

Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer ID required on the application⁴

Also required

Good moral character¹⁹

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 2 years⁶⁹

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $20¹¹ (per month (or fraction) after expiration)

If it expires

Licenses expired 4 or more years cannot be renewed; an applicant not currently licensed in another US state reinstates with a new Individual Application ($125) and retakes the practical, theory and law exams¹¹
Late fees accrue monthly from the day after expiry and cannot be waived by staff¹¹

Renew online

online.renewal.nvcosmoboard.com¹²

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: License expiry may be deferred for active-duty Armed Forces members (and spouse/dependent child) by Board regulation; the application asks about military service¹

Who needs a Cosmetologist license

Hair care (cutting, styling, coloring, chemical services), scalp care, hair removal by depilatory/waxing/tweezers/sugaring (not lasers or needles), manicuring, skin care and facials¹

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Limited License ($100/yr) lets licensed cosmetologists perform limited services (styling, makeup, nail polish) outside a licensed salon¹³

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 1,600 clock hours¹
Training in a school of cosmetology approved by the Board¹
Who may teach it: School of cosmetology licensed/approved by the Nevada Board; Nevada students register with the Board ($10 Student Enrollment)¹
Alternative: 3,200 hours as a registered cosmetologist's apprentice in a licensed establishment (rural apprenticeship)¹
Alternative: At least 4 years of documented practice as a cosmetologist outside Nevada¹
Alternative: Nevada-registered barbers: 600 hours of Board-approved specialized training¹

Exam

Cosmetologist theory exam (NV-COS)²
Given by: Pearson VUE²
Passing score: 75%¹⁴
When you can take it: After completing the required training hours and receiving an Authorization to Test²
120 multiple-choice items (100 scored + 20 pretest), 2 hours; offered in English, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese²
Retakes: New examination fee paid to the Board; wait 24 hours after a failed exam before booking²
Exam waived: Not required for applicants who have already taken a theory exam in another jurisdiction (reciprocity applicants take only the law test)¹⁴

Exam

Cosmetology practical exam¹⁵
Given by: Nevada State Board of Cosmetology (at the Nevada school or Board office)¹⁵
Passing score: 75%⁸
Nevada school graduates test at their school; others approved through the application process test at the Board offices¹⁵

Exam

Nevada State Law Test (NV-LAW)¹⁶
Given by: Pearson VUE²
Passing score: 75%¹⁶
25 scored items, 30 minutes²
Retakes: New examination fee paid to the Board; wait 24 hours after a failed exam before booking²

Also required

Child-support compliance statement required (NRS 644A.485)⁴

How much a Cosmetologist license costs

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. Complete 1,600 hours at a Nevada-licensed school of cosmetology (or 3,200 hours as a registered apprentice in a rural salon, or 4 years documented out-of-state practice). Applicants with a felony conviction need Board approval before enrolling.²
2. Nevada school students take the practical exam at their school; other approved applicants test at a Board office.¹⁵
3. Submit the Individual Application with photo, ID, work authorization/ITIN, school transcript and the $125 testing fee.² Form (PDF, nvcosmo.com)¹⁷
4. After receiving the Authorization to Test, book the theory and Nevada law exams with Pearson VUE at least 48 hours ahead.²
5. Pass all three tests with 75% or higher, then pay $70 (2-year) or $140 (4-year) for the license.⁸

Apply online

nvcosmo.com¹⁷

Application form

Form (PDF, nvcosmo.com)⁴

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Expires on the 2nd or 4th anniversary of the licensee's birthday nearest the issue date (licensee chooses 2 or 4 years)¹

Renewal fee

$70¹ (2-year renewal ($140.00 for 4 years))

Continuing education

At least 4 hours each renewal period¹

Required topics

4 hours infection control and prevention¹

Approved courses

Course or seminar approved by the Board; the Board offers an online Infection Prevention Course¹²

Moving to Nevada with a license from another state

These are the routes the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology publishes for the Cosmetologist license. The other cosmetologist licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Certificate of registration as a cosmetologist's apprentice

Learns cosmetology on the job in a licensed salon under a licensed cosmetologist (rural areas only)⁸

Requirements

Minimum age

16 years old¹⁰

Experience

At least 3,200 hours of on-the-job training¹
3,200 hours of service as a cosmetologist's apprentice in a licensed establishment where all cosmetology occupations are practiced, within the certificate's validity¹
Supervision: Supervising cosmetologist licensed in Nevada for at least 3 years in good standing; monthly time cards⁸

Residency or citizenship

US citizen or lawfully entitled to remain and work in the US; resident of a county under 50,000 population¹⁰

Social Security number

Social Security number or ITIN required¹⁰

Also required

Only where the apprentice must travel more than 60 miles to a licensed school and the salon is 60+ miles from a licensed school (Board may waive for good cause)¹

Also required

Salon owner's signed consent required¹

Fees

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

How to apply

1. Find a licensed salon at least 60 miles from the nearest licensed beauty school willing to train you, with a supervisor licensed in Nevada 3+ years.⁸
2. Submit the Apprentice Application with checklists, acknowledgement, proof of residency, ID and $100 + $15 by cashier's check or money order.¹⁰ Form (PDF, nvcosmo.com)⁸
3. Once approved, display the certificate, wear an apprentice badge and submit monthly time cards.¹⁰
4. After 3,200 hours, file an Individual Application to take the licensing tests.⁸

Apply online

nvcosmo.typeform.com⁸

Processing time

5-10 business days; Board approves or denies within 30 days; certificate sent within 10 days of approval¹⁰

Renewal

How often

Every 24 months¹

When it expires

Valid 24 months; renewable on good cause¹

From another state

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

Instructor

Instructs in a licensed school within the scope of the holder's own license¹

Requirements

High school diploma or GED

Required⁹

Education or training

At least 700 clock hours⁹
Instructor training in a licensed school: 700 hours as a student instructor or 500 hours as a provisional instructor¹
Who may teach it: Must be enrolled by a licensed school offering a Student Instructor or Provisional Instructor program; self-enrollment not allowed⁹
Alternative: 500 hours as a provisional instructor (requires 1 year of full-time licensed practice)⁹

Experience

At least 1 year¹
Provisional route: 1 year of full-time licensed practice¹
License you must hold first: Valid Nevada license in cosmetology, hair design, esthetics, advanced esthetics or nail technology⁹

Exam

Instructor theory exam (NV-INS)²
Given by: Pearson VUE²
Passing score: 75%⁹
60 items (50 scored), 1 hour 30 minutes²

Exam

Nevada State Law Test (NV-LAW)¹⁶
Given by: Pearson VUE²
Passing score: 75%¹⁶
25 scored items, 30 minutes²
Retakes: New examination fee paid to the Board; wait 24 hours after a failed exam before booking²
Exam waived: Not required if the law exam was passed within the last 10 years⁹

Fees

How to apply

1. Hold a Nevada license (cosmetology, hair design, esthetics, advanced esthetics or nail technology) and enroll through a licensed school's Student Instructor (700 h) or Provisional Instructor (500 h + 1 year experience) program; the school pays the enrollment fee.⁹
2. After the hours, apply for the instructor exams (Individual Application, instructor box) and pass the theory and law exams at 75%.⁹
3. Pay $70 (2-year) or $140 (4-year) for the instructor license.⁹

Temporary or provisional license

Student/provisional instructor licenses expire on completing the hours or after 1 year; 45-day extension possible while awaiting the exam⁹

Renewal

When it expires

Renews every 2 years ($70) or 4 years ($140); expires on the licensee's birthday⁶

Renewal fee

$70⁹ (2-year renewal ($140 for 4 years))

Continuing education

At least 30 hours each renewal period⁹

Required topics

60 hours when renewing a 4-year license⁹

Approved courses

Only Board-approved CEU courses; certificates emailed to the Board before renewal; the Board offers free 30- and 60-hour online courses⁹

From another state

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

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license

nvcosmo.com¹⁸

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• NRS ch. 644A (Cosmetology)

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
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• 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