How to get a Cosmetologist license in New Hampshire

New Hampshire cosmetologist licenses

New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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

No background check stated as required⁴
No fingerprints required⁴

How to apply

Application form

Form (PDF, oplc.nh.gov)⁵

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years¹

2. Every license level except School Instructor (cosmetologist) / Shop Instructor

Requirements

High school diploma or GED

Required²⁸

Renewal

Renewal fee

$55¹

Who needs a Cosmetologist license

Hair cutting, coloring, waving and styling, plus facials, manicures, pedicures, artificial nail enhancements, makeup/eyelashes and hair removal⁶

Work that does not need this license:

• Natural hair braiding (no chemicals) is exempt from licensing⁹
• Shampoo assistants in a licensed shop are exempt⁹
• Services solely for residents of nursing homes, long-term care, assisted living or charitable institutions are exempt⁹

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.

Education or training

At least 1,200 clock hours²
Training in a school of cosmetology approved by the Board²
Who may teach it: School of cosmetology approved by the Board; students register with the Board as student apprentices (application signed by the school)²
Alternative: 3,000 hours over at least 18 months under a NH-licensed cosmetologist with 2+ years in-state practice (apprenticeship)²
Alternative: Applicants not meeting the education/training conditions may petition the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification for an exemption²

Exam

NIC Cosmetology written and practical examinations³
Given by: ProV³
Passing score: Overall scaled score of 75.00 on both written and practical exams¹⁰
When you can take it: No Board/Office preapproval needed to register with ProV³
Written (theory) exam - $88; remote or at a ProV testing center¹
Practical exam - $99; at ProV's testing center in Concord, NH¹
Retakes: Failed exams can be retaken as often as needed with no waiting period; same fee each attempt¹⁰

Also required

Good professional character²

How much a Cosmetologist license costs

You pay the Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics (4 fees) and ProV (3 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.

How to apply

1. Register with the Board as a student apprentice ($55) before enrolling, then complete 1,200 hours at an approved cosmetology school (or 3,000 hours over 18+ months under a licensed cosmetologist).²
2. Register directly with ProV for the NIC cosmetology written and practical exams (no Board preapproval) and pay ProV $88 + $99.¹
3. Mail the Initial Application for Licensure (licensure by examination) with the Questionnaire for Applicants and Licensees and the $55 fee to OPLC, 7 Eagle Square, Concord NH 03301 (personal check, money order or cashier's check).¹ Form (PDF, oplc.nh.gov)⁵

Renewal and continuing education

Late renewal

Reinstatement fee: $55¹ (renewal filed within 1 year after expiry)

If it expires

Expired licenses cannot be renewed in the portal: under 1 year expired use the Reinstatement Application; over 1 year expired file a new initial application⁵

Renew online

forms.nh.gov⁵

Moving to New Hampshire with a license from another state

These are the routes the Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics publishes for the Cosmetologist license. The other cosmetologist licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Cosmetologist apprentice certification

Registration with the Board as a student apprentice (school) or shop apprentice, for those training in cosmetology⁵

Requirements

Experience

At least 3,000 hours of on-the-job training²
Shop apprenticeship route to the cosmetologist license: 3,000 hours over at least 18 months²
Supervision: Under a licensed cosmetologist who has practiced cosmetology in NH for at least 2 years²

Social Security number

Social Security number optional on the student apprentice application⁸

Fees

How to apply

1. Before starting school or a shop apprenticeship, file the Application for Registration as a Student Apprentice (school) or as a Shop Apprentice, with the Questionnaire, and pay $55.¹
2. Shop apprentices log hours on the Apprentice Hours Sheet (shop route: 3,000 hours over at least 18 months), then apply for licensure.²

From another state

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

School Instructor

License for instructors teaching cosmetology in a licensed school (school instructor) or shop (shop instructor)¹

Requirements

Experience

At least 8 years⁷
Work experience in a licensed shop: 8 years, or 12 months combined with student-instructor hours (Bar 305.01(c), Bar 301.08(a)(2), Bar 302.06(k))⁷
License you must hold first: Current NH cosmetology (or barber, manicurist, esthetician, master barber) license⁷

Exam

NIC Instructor Examination³
Given by: ProV³
Passing score: Overall scaled score of 75.00¹⁰
Written and practical exams⁷

Social Security number

Social Security number requested on the instructor application⁷

Fees

You pay the Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics (2 fees) and ProV (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. File the Application for Licensure as a School Instructor (or as a Shop Instructor) with the Questionnaire and the $82 fee.¹

Renewal

Renewal fee

$82¹

From another state

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

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license

forms.nh.gov¹¹

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• RSA ch. 313-A (Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics)
• RSA 313-A:11 Qualifications; Cosmetologists (as amended by 2025 c.91)
• N.H. Admin. Rules Plc 1002.07
• N.H. Admin. Rules Plc 1004.03
• N.H. Admin. Rules Plc 313.18 (endorsement qualifying jurisdictions, as listed by OPLC)
• RSA 313-A:8 Rulemaking Authority (as amended by 2024 c.327)
• RSA 313-A:1 Definitions; 313-A:25 Exemptions (current)

Rule changes since January 2024

• October 8, 2025: Plc 1004.03 exam fees ($88 written, $99 practical) adopted as permanent rule (emergency rule 4-23-25).¹
• May 12, 2025: OPLC moved NIC cosmetology written and practical exams to ProV.³

Common questions

Cosmetologist licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
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• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
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• Georgia
• Hawaii
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• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• 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