How to get a Cosmetologist-Hairstylist license in New Jersey
New Jersey licenses cosmetologists statewide through the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling.1 For the Cosmetologist-Hairstylist (cosmetology and hairstyling license) you need at least 1,200 clock hours2 of education and a passing score on the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling licensing examination (cosmetologist-hairstylist): theory and practical2. The board lists $50 for the exam2, $90 for the initial license (License issued in first year of the biennial cycle)2 and $45 for the initial license (License issued in second year of the biennial cycle)2, each a separate charge. You renew every 2 years2.
Who issues it
New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling
Training and experience
Training: at least 1,200 clock hours2
Exam
New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling licensing examination (cosmetologist-hairstylist): theory and practical2
Fees the board lists
Exam fee: $502
Initial license fee (License issued in first year of the biennial cycle): $902
Initial license fee (License issued in second year of the biennial cycle): $452
Renewal
Every 2 years2
On this page
- New Jersey cosmetologist licenses
- Applies to every license level
- Who needs a Cosmetologist-Hairstylist license
- Requirements for a Cosmetologist-Hairstylist license
- How much a Cosmetologist-Hairstylist license costs
- How to apply
- Renewal and continuing education
- Moving to New Jersey with a license from another state
- Beautician license
- Teacher license
- Check a license or report a problem
- Laws and rules
- Rule changes since January 2024
- Common questions
- Cosmetologist licenses in other states
New Jersey cosmetologist licenses
New Jersey issues 3 cosmetologist credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.
| License | What it covers | Training or experience | Exam | Application or license fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beautician (beauty culture license) | A limited cosmetology license: all hair services (cutting, styling, relaxing, perming, coloring, braiding except weaving), cosmetics and makeup on hair, scalp, face, neck and upper body, facial/upper-body massage, waxing/tweezing/depilatory hair removal, manicures, nail sculpting, pedicures and worn-wig styling - but no shaving or beard trimming.1 | Training 1,100 clock hours2 | Yes2 | $902 |
| Cosmetologist-Hairstylist (cosmetology and hairstyling license) | The full license: shaving and beard trimming; coloring and bleaching; cosmetics and makeup on hair, scalp, face and neck; facial, neck and upper-body massage and cleansing; hair removal by depilatory, wax or tweezers (not electrolysis); manicures, nail sculpting and pedicures; and wig cutting/styling while worn.1 | Training 1,200 clock hours2 | Yes2 | $902 |
| Teacher (license to teach cosmetology and hairstyling) | Teaching cosmetology and hairstyling, beauty culture, barbering, skin care, manicuring and hair braiding in licensed schools.2 | Experience 6 months2 | Yes2 | $902 |
Applies to every license level
These rules are the same for several of the New Jersey 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
- High school diploma or GED
- Required2
- Background check
- Applicants must show good moral character. Under N.J.S.A. 45:1-21.5 (P.L.2021, c.81), Division boards may not disqualify someone for a conviction unless the offense directly or substantially relates to the licensed activity.4
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam fee | $502 | New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling | Not refundable |
| Duplicate or replacement license | $502 | New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling | – |
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 years2
- When it expires
- Biennial, on a date set by the board; the board mails a renewal notice at least 60 days before expiry. Renew before the expiration date.2
- Renewal fee
- $902
- Late renewal
- Late renewal fee: $302 (renewal within 30 days after expiry)
Reinstatement fee: $502 (license suspended for non-renewal; plus all past renewal fees) - If it expires
- Not renewed within 30 days after expiry: license suspended without a hearing; practicing on it is unlicensed practice. Reinstate with a renewal application, all back renewal fees, the $50 reinstatement fee and an affidavit listing jobs held while suspended; after more than five years you must also pass the license exam again.2
Inactive status may be chosen for a full biennial period (no practice); resume by paying the current renewal fee.2
From another state
- Route
- Military service members and spouses
- What the board says
- Nonresident military spouses holding a license elsewhere must be licensed by Division boards (endorsement or a temporary courtesy license) under N.J.S.A. 45:1-15.5.3
2. Every license level except Teacher (license to teach cosmetology and hairstyling)
Requirements
- Minimum age
- 17 years old5
- Also required
- Applicant must not have a communicable, contagious or infectious disease that could be transmitted while providing services.5
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $902 | New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling | License issued in first year of the biennial cycle |
| Initial license fee | $452 | New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling | License issued in second year of the biennial cycle |
| Exam retake fee | $502 | New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling | After failing/missing the theory exam, or after two practical attempts. Not refundable |
| License verification to another state | $252 | New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling | – |
| Change of name or corporate status | $502 | New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling | – |
| Temporary license or permit | $202 | New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling | Optional, after the board accepts the exam application |
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
- Apply online
- njconsumeraffairs.gov2
Who needs a Cosmetologist-Hairstylist license
The full license: shaving and beard trimming; coloring and bleaching; cosmetics and makeup on hair, scalp, face and neck; facial, neck and upper-body massage and cleansing; hair removal by depilatory, wax or tweezers (not electrolysis); manicures, nail sculpting and pedicures; and wig cutting/styling while worn.1
Work that does not need this license:
- No license needed (within their own profession): physicians, dentists, chiropractors, acupuncturists; nurses, nurse aides, physical therapists and other licensed health professionals; VA/DoD facility staff; people employed by theatre, radio, TV, film, modelling or photography businesses; retail cosmetic demonstrators who take no payment; registered students with a student permit working in a school clinic or licensed shop outside class hours; and shampoo technicians.1
Other rules on who may do this work:
- Hair braiding only requires the separate hair braider license (40-hour course with three years' braiding experience, otherwise 50 hours).2
Requirements for a Cosmetologist-Hairstylist 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
1,200-hour cosmetology and hairstyling course at a New Jersey-licensed school (351 h related instruction + 849 h practical; incl. shaving 81 h, haircutting 160, hairstyling 160, color 145, perms 115, manicuring/pedicure 135, facials/skin 78), or a State Board of Education-approved public-school vocational program.2
Who may teach it: Licensed New Jersey cosmetology and hairstyling school (official transcript), or a State Board of Education-approved public-school program; out-of-state/foreign training must be certified substantially equivalent by that licensing authority.2
Alternative: Licensed beauticians can upgrade to cosmetologist-hairstylist with a 100-hour shaving course (N.J.A.C. 13:28-6.30).2
Alternative: Holders of both a barbering and a beauty culture license issued before 1985 may get a cosmetology and hairstyling license on notice and fee.2
Alternative: Veterans may get credit for military training (N.J.A.C. 13:28-1.1A).2 - Exam
- New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling licensing examination (cosmetologist-hairstylist): theory and practical2
Passing score: At least 75% on theory to be eligible for the practical; a passing grade on each part (practical pass mark not stated in the rule).2
Theory (written; computer-based test by a board-approved vendor may be taken instead of the written theory exam)2
Practical (only after passing theory)2
Retakes: Failed or missed theory: rebook on written notice plus a new $50 exam fee. The initial fee covers up to two practical sittings; after two fails/no-shows pay the fee again.2
Time limit: Applications not completed within six months are administratively closed; you must reapply and pay the application fee again.2
Exam waived: Licensees from a state or country with substantially similar criteria (or with three years' licensed shop experience) may be licensed by endorsement without examination.5 - Also required
- Proof of age: birth or baptism certificate, passport/immigration papers, NJ driver's license or other valid proof.2
How much a Cosmetologist-Hairstylist license costs
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student permit | $52 | New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling | Registered students |
| Student registration card | $52 | New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling | Registered students |
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
- Enrol in a New Jersey-licensed cosmetology and hairstyling school (or an approved public-school program); the school registers you with the board (registration card $5, student permit $5).2
- Complete the 1,200-hour course and get an official transcript.2
- Get the exam/licensure application from the board office or website and file it with proof of age, proof of high school/GED, the transcript and the $50 examination fee. Finish within six months or the application is closed.2 njconsumeraffairs.gov2
- Optionally request a 120-day temporary permit once the board accepts your exam application.2
- Pass the theory exam (75%; computer-based option through the board-approved vendor, paid to the vendor), then the practical exam; pay the initial license fee.2
- Temporary or provisional license
- Temporary permit ($20), valid 120 days, issued on request once the board accepts your application to sit for the exam; for applicants awaiting scheduling or results.2
Renewal and continuing education
Renewal planner
Enter the expiration date printed on your New Jersey Cosmetologist-Hairstylist (cosmetology and hairstyling license). The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.
Moving to New Jersey with a license from another state
These are the routes the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling publishes for the Cosmetologist-Hairstylist license. The other cosmetologist licenses have their own routes in their sections below.
- Route
- License by endorsement
- What the board says
- Out-of-state or foreign licensees can be licensed as a cosmetologist-hairstylist without the New Jersey exam if the other jurisdiction's eligibility criteria are substantially similar; send certification from that licensing authority and pay the $100 endorsement fee plus the license fee. If the other state's standards are less stringent, three years of practical experience in a licensed shop still qualifies (notarized work affidavit plus license certification).2
- Conditions
- Training from another state or country must be certified by that licensing authority as substantially equivalent to New Jersey school training.2
Division-wide endorsement law (N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5) also requires boards to license holders of a corresponding valid license from another state with substantially equivalent education, training and exam standards.6 - Fee
- $1002
Beautician license
A limited cosmetology license: all hair services (cutting, styling, relaxing, perming, coloring, braiding except weaving), cosmetics and makeup on hair, scalp, face, neck and upper body, facial/upper-body massage, waxing/tweezing/depilatory hair removal, manicures, nail sculpting, pedicures and worn-wig styling - but no shaving or beard trimming.1
Requirements
- Education or training
- At least 1,100 clock hours2
1,100-hour beauty culture course at a New Jersey-licensed school (327 h related + 773 h practical; same subjects as cosmetology minus shaving, beard trimming and barbering history), or an approved public-school program.2
Who may teach it: Licensed New Jersey school, State Board of Education-approved program, or substantially similar out-of-state/foreign school.2 - Exam
- New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling licensing examination (beautician): theory and practical2
Passing score: At least 75% on theory to be eligible for the practical; a passing grade on each part (practical pass mark not stated in the rule).2
Theory (written; computer-based test by a board-approved vendor may be taken instead of the written theory exam)2
Practical (only after passing theory)2
Retakes: Failed or missed theory: rebook on written notice plus a new $50 exam fee. The initial fee covers up to two practical sittings; after two fails/no-shows pay the fee again.2
Time limit: Applications not completed within six months are administratively closed; you must reapply and pay the application fee again.2
Exam waived: Licensees from a state or country with substantially similar criteria (or with three years' licensed shop experience) may be licensed by endorsement without examination.5
How to apply
- Complete the 1,100-hour beauty culture course at a licensed school (registered student with student permit).2
- File the exam/licensure application with proof of age, high school/GED and transcript plus the $50 exam fee.2 njconsumeraffairs.gov2
- Pass theory (75%) and then practical; pay the initial license fee.2
- To add shaving later and become a cosmetologist-hairstylist, take the 100-hour shaving course.2
- Temporary or provisional license
- Temporary permit ($20), valid 120 days, on request once the exam application is accepted.2
From another state
- Route
- License by endorsement
- What the board says
- Out-of-state or foreign licensees can be licensed as a beautician without the New Jersey exam if the other jurisdiction's eligibility criteria are substantially similar; send certification from that licensing authority and pay the $100 endorsement fee plus the license fee. If the other state's standards are less stringent, three years of practical experience in a licensed shop still qualifies (notarized work affidavit plus license certification).2
- Conditions
- Training from another state or country must be certified by that licensing authority as substantially equivalent to New Jersey school training.2
Division-wide endorsement law (N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5) also requires boards to license holders of a corresponding valid license from another state with substantially equivalent education, training and exam standards.6 - Fee
- $1002
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.
Teacher license
Teaching cosmetology and hairstyling, beauty culture, barbering, skin care, manicuring and hair braiding in licensed schools.2
Requirements
- Minimum age
- 18 years old7
- Education or training
- Teacher-training course of 600 hours in the practice and theory of teaching at a licensed New Jersey school (or a substantially similar out-of-state/foreign school), plus a 30-hour teaching methods course at an approved college.7
Who may teach it: Licensed New Jersey school of cosmetology and hairstyling, or an out-of-state/foreign school the board considers substantially similar; teaching-methods course from a college approved by the Commission on Higher Education.7 - Experience
- At least 6 months2
Six months' employment in a licensed New Jersey shop (30 hours a week for six consecutive months), before, during or after teacher training - or six months' licensed employment in another state or country. Proof by former employers' affidavits listing the shop and job description.2
License you must hold first: New Jersey cosmetologist-hairstylist license7 - Exam
- Board teacher examination7
- Also required
- Good moral character and no communicable disease.7
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $902 | New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling |
| Initial license fee | $452 | New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling |
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
- Hold a New Jersey cosmetologist-hairstylist license and complete six months of full-time (30 h/week) work in a licensed shop.2
- Complete the teacher-training course (600 hours under P.L.2024, c.46) and a 30-hour college teaching-methods course.7
- Request the teacher application from the board, attach employer affidavits of your shop work, and pass the board examination.2
From another state
- Route
- License by endorsement
- What the board says
- No teacher-specific endorsement rule was found (N.J.S.A. 45:5B-28 covers practicing licenses). Out-of-state teacher training and six months' licensed employment in another state count toward the New Jersey teacher requirements, and the Division-wide endorsement law (N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5) requires boards to license holders of a corresponding license from a state with substantially equivalent standards.7
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 Jersey, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in New Jersey is on the New Jersey license lookup page.
- Look up a license
- newjersey.mylicense.com8
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
- N.J.S.A. 45:5B-1 et seq. (Cosmetology and Hairstyling Act of 1984), as amended by P.L.2009, c.162
- P.L.2025, c.18 (amends N.J.S.A. 45:5B-3, -6, -7, -25; shampoo technicians 45:5B-22.3 to -22.6)
- P.L.2024, c.46 (N.J.S.A. 45:5B-23, teacher license)
- N.J.A.C. 13:28 (Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling), incl. fee schedule 13:28-5.1
- N.J.S.A. 45:1-7.5 (licensure by endorsement for Division of Consumer Affairs boards; P.L.2018, c.78)
- N.J.S.A. 45:1-15.5 (nonresident military spouses; P.L.2013, c.264)
Rule changes since January 2024
- February 3, 2025: P.L.2025, c.18: new shampoo-technician certification and exemption; student permits now valid while registered (expire on graduation, withdrawal or 90+ days' leave); 60-hour shampoo permit for junior students.1
- July 10, 2024: P.L.2024, c.46 raised teacher-training hours from 500 to 600 (effective immediately).7
- February 26, 2024: Board-posted N.J.A.C. 13:28 shows last revision date 02/26/2024.2
Common questions
How long does it take to get a Cosmetologist-Hairstylist license in New Jersey?
The rules set at least 1,200 clock hours2 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.
Can I transfer my cosmetologist license to New Jersey?
The New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling publishes this route for the Cosmetologist-Hairstylist license: license by endorsement2. Conditions and forms.
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
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- 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
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- P.L.2025, c.18 (A3414) student permits and shampoo technicians - NJ State Library legislative history with…New Jersey State Library (legislative history compilation of enacted New Jersey law)Dated February 3, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- N.J.A.C. 13:28 Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling (board regulations PDF)New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling (Division of Consumer Affairs)Dated February 26, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- 45:1-15.5New Jersey State Library (legislative history compilation of the enacted law)Dated January 17, 2014Checked November 7, 2026
- 45:1-21.5 & 45:1-21.6New Jersey State Library (legislative history compilation of the enacted law)Dated May 11, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
- P.L.2009, c.162 (A3181) Revises cosmetology and hairstyling statutes - NJ State Library legislative…New Jersey State Library (legislative history compilation of enacted New Jersey law)Dated November 20, 2009Checked November 7, 2026
- 45:1-7.5New Jersey State Library (legislative history compilation of the enacted law)Dated August 10, 2018Checked November 7, 2026
- P.L.2024, c.46 (A4587) teacher training hours - NJ State Library legislative history with pamphlet lawNew Jersey State Library (legislative history compilation of enacted New Jersey law)Dated July 10, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- NJ Division of Consumer Affairs License Verification SystemNew Jersey Division of Consumer AffairsChecked November 7, 2026