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How to get a Cosmetologist License in New Mexico

New Mexico licenses cosmetologists statewide through the New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.1 For the Cosmetologist License you need at least 1,600 clock hours1 of education and a passing score on the NIC national practical and national theory written examinations plus a New Mexico state law written examination, scheduled through Professional Credential Services (PCS)2. The board lists $100 for the initial license3 and $10 for the application4, each a separate charge. You renew every 2 years1.

Last checked · 17 official sources

Who issues it

New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists

Training and experience

Training: at least 1,600 clock hours1

Exam

NIC national practical and national theory written examinations plus a New Mexico state law written examination, scheduled through Professional Credential Services (PCS)2

Fees the board lists

Initial license fee: $1003
Application fee: $104

Renewal

Every 2 years1

From another state

License by endorsement and Military service members and spouses15 Details

On this page
  1. New Mexico 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 New Mexico with a license from another state
  9. Instructor License
  10. Check a license or report a problem
  11. Laws and rules
  12. Rule changes since January 2024
  13. Common questions
  14. Cosmetologist licenses in other states

New Mexico cosmetologist licenses

New Mexico 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 LicenseFacials and scalp treatments and hair removal (not shaving or electrolysis); shampooing, bleaching and dyeing; applying cosmetics to any part of the body; manicures, pedicures and nail extensions; wig care; trimming beards with clippers or scissors; and eyelash/eyebrow products including extensions and tinting. No straight-razor shaving without a barber license. Licensees may use the initials "R.C.".4Training 1,600 clock hours1Yes1$1003
Instructor License (cosmetologist instructor)A cosmetologist instructor may teach all phases of cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring/pedicuring and salon business in a licensed school, but not shaving. Licensees may use the initials "R.I.".1Training 1,000 clock hours6Yes1$1004

Applies to every license level

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

Requirements

Minimum age
17 years old14
Background check
No background check stated as required7
No fingerprints required7
No background check, but listed felony convictions (homicide, kidnapping/aggravated assault, sexual offenses, child abuse, fraud/forgery/embezzlement, and attempts or conspiracies to commit them) may disqualify an applicant; other convictions, arrests without conviction, sealed or expunged records and juvenile adjudications may not be considered. Applicants answer the application's screening questions.8

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$10034New Mexico Board of Barbers and CosmetologistsNot refundable
Application fee$104New Mexico Board of Barbers and CosmetologistsNot refundable
Duplicate or replacement license$259New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists–

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.

How to apply

Processing time
The FAQ says applications are approved within 3–5 business days of being complete.3

Renewal

Renewal fee
$10039

From another state

Route
Military service members and spouses
What the board says
Military service members, spouses (including surviving spouses), dependent children and veterans with a current license in good standing from any jurisdiction (including a branch of the armed forces) may apply for expedited licensure with military orders/DD-214 and related documents; the license is issued within 30 days of a complete application. Service members and veterans who get an expedited license pay no licensing fee for the first three years (the rule does not extend this to spouses or children).5
Conditions
Documents: military orders (service member); orders plus marriage license (spouse); DD 214 plus marriage license (surviving spouse); orders listing the dependent or orders plus birth certificate/tax return (dependent child); proof of honorable discharge such as DD Form 214 (veteran).5

Who needs a Cosmetologist License

Facials and scalp treatments and hair removal (not shaving or electrolysis); shampooing, bleaching and dyeing; applying cosmetics to any part of the body; manicures, pedicures and nail extensions; wig care; trimming beards with clippers or scissors; and eyelash/eyebrow products including extensions and tinting. No straight-razor shaving without a barber license. Licensees may use the initials "R.C.".4

Work that does not need this license:

  • Eyebrow threading and hair braiding need no board license (since July 1, 2025).1
  • Exempt while on duty: physicians, surgeons and chiropractors; U.S. military medical officers; registered nurses; funeral service practitioners; and make-up artists or hairstylists employed for theatrical or film productions.1

Requirements for a Cosmetologist License

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Education or training
At least 1,600 clock hours1
Cosmetology course of at least 1,600 clock hours (or equivalent credit) at a board-licensed school, completed within the preceding 12 months. Curriculum: theory 75 h; sterilization/sanitation/bacteriology 75; shampoo/rinses/scalp 75; perms and relaxers 200; hairstyling 150; coloring/bleaching 125; haircutting 200; facials 175; manicuring/pedicuring 175; salon business/retail 50; miscellaneous 300. No more than 25% of a practitioner program may be online.6
Who may teach it: School approved and licensed by the New Mexico board; students register with the board (student permit, $25) and may work on the public in school only after 15% of the program. High-school programs may supply no more than 15% of the program.6
Alternative: Applicants who completed an equivalent course of study in another U.S. state within the preceding 12 months but hold no license may sit the New Mexico exams on the same terms as New Mexico graduates.2
Exam
NIC national practical and national theory written examinations plus a New Mexico state law written examination, scheduled through Professional Credential Services (PCS)2
Given by: Professional Credential Services (PCS)3
Passing score: Scaled score of at least 75 on each segment2
When you can take it: After completing the 1,600-hour course at a board-approved school.3
National practical2
National theory written2
State law written2
Retakes: Only the failed segment is retaken, in its entirety.2
Exam waived: Holders of a valid, unrestricted license from an eligible jurisdiction get an expedited license without the exam, but must pass the board exams before their first renewal.1
Also required
Post the license, with a recent passport-size color photo attached, where the public can see it, and show ID on request.8

How much a Cosmetologist License costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Student Permit Registration$259New Mexico Board of Barbers and CosmetologistsStudent permit while enrolled in school
License verification to another state$1511New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists–

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 as a student at a board-licensed cosmetology school (minimum age 16); the school files your registration and $25 student permit fee within 15 days.6
  2. Finish the 1,600-hour course; the school sends a sealed official transcript of training to the board and to you.6
  3. Self-register on NM-PLUS (your email is your username) and start the Cosmetology License application; answer the pre-screening (reciprocity/military), profile and screening questions, upload documents, sign the attestation and pay by card or e-check.10 nmrldlpi.my.site.com10
  4. Schedule the national practical, national theory and state law exams with Professional Credential Services (1-888-822-3272, [email protected]) and score at least 75 on each.2
  5. Track the application (number starting PAR-) under My Applications; once issued, attach a recent passport-size color photo to the license and post it at your workstation.12

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 2 years1
When it expires
Licenses run up to two years and expire on the last day of your birth month; initial licenses may be issued for 12–24 months to line up with the cycle. Renew online on NM-PLUS.3
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $403 (renewal after the expiration date)
If it expires
A license not renewed is void, but can be restored within one year after expiry by paying the fee plus the late charge.1
Expired one to five years: retake the applicable exams. Expired more than five years: re-enter a licensed school, complete at least 150 hours of remedial education, then take the full written theory, practical and state law exams.2

Renewal planner

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

Moving to New Mexico with a license from another state

These are the routes the New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists 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
Expedited licensure (the board page calls it reciprocity): hold a valid, unrestricted license in good standing from another jurisdiction that is not on the board's disapproved list, apply on NM-PLUS with proof of the license, pass the online jurisprudence (state law) exam and pay the $150 fee. The board must issue the license within 30 days of a complete application, without a New Mexico exam; but to renew an expedited license you must pass the board's practical and written exams. Cosmetologists licensed in California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas or Puerto Rico (training not consistent with New Mexico) and Alaska or the Northern Mariana Islands (no license) are not eligible.1
Condition for California
Not eligible for expedited cosmetologist licensure (16.34.6.8(B) NMAC).5
Condition for Florida
Not eligible for expedited cosmetologist licensure (16.34.6.8(B) NMAC).5
Condition for Massachusetts
Not eligible for expedited cosmetologist licensure (16.34.6.8(B) NMAC).5
Condition for New Jersey
Not eligible for expedited cosmetologist licensure (16.34.6.8(B) NMAC).5
Condition for New York
Not eligible for expedited cosmetologist licensure (16.34.6.8(B) NMAC).5
Condition for Oregon
Not eligible for expedited cosmetologist licensure (16.34.6.8(B) NMAC).5
Condition for Pennsylvania
Not eligible for expedited cosmetologist licensure (16.34.6.8(B) NMAC).5
Condition for Rhode Island
Not eligible for expedited cosmetologist licensure (16.34.6.8(B) NMAC).5
Condition for Texas
Not eligible for expedited cosmetologist licensure (16.34.6.8(B) NMAC).5
Condition for Puerto Rico
Not eligible for expedited cosmetologist licensure (16.34.6.8(B) NMAC).5
Condition for Alaska
Not eligible for expedited cosmetologist licensure (16.34.6.8(B) NMAC).5
Condition for Northern Mariana Islands
Not eligible for expedited cosmetologist licensure (16.34.6.8(B) NMAC).5
Conditions
No temporary license is issued while a reciprocity application is pending.11
Applicants with a disqualifying conviction (or other grounds for denial) go to the board at its next meeting, so the 30-day issue deadline does not apply.5
Applicants without training equivalent to New Mexico's may count licensed, verified work experience: six full months equals 150 training hours (less than six months is not counted).5
Foreign-trained applicants with similar or greater training file a reciprocity application and jurisprudence exam, then schedule exams with PCS; if they fail any part they must complete at least 150 remedial hours at a licensed school before re-examining.3
Fee
$15011

Instructor License

A cosmetologist instructor may teach all phases of cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring/pedicuring and salon business in a licensed school, but not shaving. Licensees may use the initials "R.I.".1

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
Not required1
Education or training
At least 1,000 clock hours6
1,000-hour instructor training course (or equivalent credit), which may be completed entirely by distance learning; alternatively two years of current and consecutive work experience.13
Who may teach it: Instructor course at a board-licensed school.4
Alternative: Two years of current and consecutive work experience instead of the 1,000-hour course13
Experience
Must hold a current New Mexico cosmetologist license (practitioner in the field taught).4
License you must hold first: New Mexico cosmetologist license1
Exam
Instructor licensing examination: theory written and state law written segments2
Given by: Professional Credential Services (PCS)3
Theory written2
State law written2
Online jurisprudence exam inside the NM-PLUS instructor application (multiple attempts allowed)14
Exam waived: The instructor exam is taken only once even if you add instructor licenses in other disciplines.13
Also required
Schools must keep at least one full-time-equivalent instructor per 20 students and be under a licensed instructor's immediate supervision at all times.6

How to apply

  1. Hold a current New Mexico cosmetologist license, then complete a 1,000-hour instructor course at a licensed school (or document two years of current, consecutive work experience).13
  2. On NM-PLUS start the Instructor License application, pass the built-in jurisprudence exam, upload documents, sign and pay.14 nmrldlpi.my.site.com10
Temporary or provisional license
Provisional instructor license: three full years of current, verified full-time work as a practitioner; valid until the next March 31 renewal, renewable only twice with CE; holder must sit the instructor exam before it expires (failing any part voids it); no more than half a school's instructors may be provisional.13

Renewal

When it expires
Board page: renew annually on March 31 with 12 CE hours earned April 1 – March 30.15
Continuing education
At least 12 hours each renewal period15
Required topics
Professional development or improvement of professional proficiency15
Approved courses
Board-approved sources include CEA seminars, adult continuing education programs, university CEUs, any New Mexico licensed school, teacher-certification credits (1 credit = 30 theory or 45 practice clock hours), accreditor workshops, Dale Carnegie, Pivot Point, Aveda, AAEA, Milady, Vidal Sassoon and online faculty development; trade shows count for no more than 6 hours. Other programs can be submitted for board approval after attendance. Submit certificates of completion at renewal.16
Exemptions
First-year instructors: CE starts after the first full year of licensure.15
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $4011
If it expires
Not renewed: void, restorable within one year with fee plus late charge; expired one to five years requires re-examination; over five years requires 150 remedial hours and full exams.2

From another state

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Expedited licensure for instructors: hold a valid, unrestricted instructor license in good standing from an eligible jurisdiction, apply on NM-PLUS with proof of license, pass the jurisprudence exam and pay the $150 fee; license issued within 30 days of a complete application, and the board exams must be passed before the first renewal. Instructors from 30 listed states (including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Texas) and four territories are not eligible.1
Conditions
No temporary license is issued while a reciprocity application is pending.11
Applicants with a disqualifying conviction (or other grounds for denial) go to the board at its next meeting, so the 30-day issue deadline does not apply.5
Applicants without training equivalent to New Mexico's may count licensed, verified work experience: six full months equals 150 training hours (less than six months is not counted).5
Foreign-trained applicants with similar or greater training file a reciprocity application and jurisprudence exam, then schedule exams with PCS; if they fail any part they must complete at least 150 remedial hours at a licensed school before re-examining.3
Fee
$15011

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

Look up a license
nmrldlpi.my.site.com10
File a complaint
nmrldlpi.my.site.com17

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • July 1, 2025: Laws 2025, ch. 39: hair braiding and eyebrow threading no longer need a board license; hairstyling definition excludes braiding.1

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Cosmetologist License in New Mexico?

The rules set at least 1,600 clock hours1 before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: The FAQ says applications are approved within 3–5 business days of being complete.3

Can I transfer my cosmetologist license to New Mexico?

The New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists publishes this route for the Cosmetologist License: license by endorsement1. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Cosmetologist License in New Mexico?

Every 2 years1. The renewal fee is $1003.

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. NMSA 1978 Chapter 61, Article 17A Barbers and Cosmetologists ActNew Mexico Compilation Commission (NMOneSource)Checked November 7, 2026
  2. 16.34.3 NMAC ExaminationsNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (NMAC)Checked November 7, 2026
  3. Barbers and Cosmetologists: FAQsNew Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Board of Barbers and CosmetologistsChecked November 7, 2026
  4. 16.34.5 NMAC Regular LicensesNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (NMAC)Checked November 7, 2026
  5. 16.34.6 NMAC Expedited LicensureNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (NMAC)Checked November 7, 2026
  6. 16.34.8 NMAC SchoolsNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (NMAC)Checked November 7, 2026
  7. Background Report InstructionsNew Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Board of Barbers and CosmetologistsChecked November 7, 2026
  8. 16.34.2 NMAC LicensingNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (NMAC)Checked November 7, 2026
  9. 16.34.14 NMAC FeesNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (NMAC)Checked November 7, 2026
  10. Licensing, Registration, and RenewalNew Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Board of Barbers and CosmetologistsChecked November 7, 2026
  11. Barbers and Cosmetologists: FeesNew Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Board of Barbers and CosmetologistsChecked November 7, 2026
  12. Cosmetology License Application GuideNew Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Board of Barbers and CosmetologistsChecked November 7, 2026
  13. 16.34.4 NMAC Special LicensesNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (NMAC)Checked November 7, 2026
  14. Instructor License Application GuideNew Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Board of Barbers and CosmetologistsChecked November 7, 2026
  15. Instructors, Training Requirements, and Continuing EducationNew Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Board of Barbers and CosmetologistsChecked November 7, 2026
  16. 16.34.9 NMAC Continuing EducationNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (NMAC)Checked November 7, 2026
  17. Barbers and Cosmetologists overviewNew Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Board of Barbers and CosmetologistsChecked November 7, 2026