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How to get a Cosmetology license in New York

New York licenses cosmetologists statewide through the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services.1 For the Cosmetology (appearance enhancement operator license) you need at least 1,000 clock hours2 of education and a passing score on the New York State cosmetology written examination2. The board lists $40 for the initial license3, $15 for the exam (Per written exam sitting)3 and $15 for the exam (Per practical exam sitting)3, each a separate charge. You renew every 4 years4.

Last checked · 7 official sources

Who issues it

New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services

Training and experience

Training: at least 1,000 clock hours2

Exam

New York State cosmetology written examination2

Fees the board lists

Initial license fee: $403
Exam fee (Per written exam sitting): $153
Exam fee (Per practical exam sitting): $153
Application fee: $502

Renewal

Every 4 years4

From another state

Reciprocity agreements, License by endorsement, Exam waiver and Military service members and spouses562 Details

On this page
  1. Who needs a Cosmetology license
  2. Requirements for a Cosmetology license
  3. How much a Cosmetology license costs
  4. How to apply
  5. Renewal and continuing education
  6. Moving to New York with a license from another state
  7. Check a license or report a problem
  8. Laws and rules
  9. Common questions
  10. Cosmetologist licenses in other states

Who needs a Cosmetology license

Work that does not need this license:

  • The cosmetology license does not cover running a business; salons need a separate appearance enhancement business license1

Requirements for a Cosmetology license

Minimum age
17 years old3
Education or training
At least 1,000 clock hours2
1,000-hour approved course of study (school director completes the Affirmation of NYS Approved Schooling)2
Who may teach it: NYS-approved school; the school director signs the Affirmation of New York State Approved Schooling2
Alternative: Equivalent schooling from another state or country (exams still required)2
Alternative: Five years of legal experience in an equivalent occupation outside NY (no exam)2
Education or training
1 clock hour2
1-hour Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness course (NYS-education applicants)2
Who may teach it: Online course linked from the DOS page2
Exam
New York State cosmetology written examination2
Given by: NYS Department of State (scheduled through the applicant's online account)1
Passing score: Reported as pass/fail only (no numeric score published)2
When you can take it: After DOS reviews and approves the application1
Retakes: Each sitting needs a new $15 fee; cancelling, no-shows and late arrival forfeit the fee; rescheduling free if more than 6 days ahead1
Time limit: Passed results are valid for five years2
Exam waived: Not required for the 5-years-experience route or for endorsement/reciprocity applicants2
Exam
New York State cosmetology practical examination2
Given by: NYS Department of State (practical exam sites listed by DOS)2
Passing score: Reported as pass/fail only2
Hands-on tasks per the DOS procedures, supply list and list of tasks evaluated; exams can be taken in either order1
Retakes: New $15 fee per sitting3
Social Security number
SSN (or EIN) needed to apply3
Also required
Health certification by a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner; file within 30 days of signing2
Also required
Child support statement required on the application1

How much a Cosmetology license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$403New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services4-year license. Not refundable
Exam fee$153New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing ServicesPer written exam sitting. Not refundable
Exam fee$153New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing ServicesPer practical exam sitting. Not refundable
Temporary license or permit (six month temporary license)$102New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing ServicesOptional, while completing exams. Not refundable
Application fee$502New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing ServicesLicense + temporary license filed together. Not refundable
Temporary license or permit$102New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing ServicesRenewal of the temporary license (needs one passed exam)
Name Change (unless the name change is a result in a change of marital status)$102New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services–
Change of address$102New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services–
Duplicate or replacement license$102New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services–

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 a 1,000-hour course at a NYS-approved school (or document equivalent out-of-state schooling or 5 years of experience) and the 1-hour domestic violence awareness course.2
  2. Get the health certification signed by a physician, PA or NP, then apply within 30 days.2
  3. Apply online through NY Business Express with a NY.gov account and pay the $40 license fee (optionally $10 for a 6-month temporary license; $50 combined).3 businessexpress.ny.gov2
  4. After approval, schedule the written and practical exams online ($15 each) and pass both; results are emailed as pass/fail.1
Application form
dos.ny.gov2
Temporary or provisional license
Six-month temporary license ($10) for NY-education and out-of-state-education applicants while completing exams; a second temporary license needs at least one passed exam3

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 4 years4
When it expires
Four-year term; renewal opens 90 days before the expiry date on the license; renew online via NY Business Express after claiming the license7
Renewal fee
$402 (4-year renewal)
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $107 (renewed more than one year after expiry)
If it expires
Renewable up to five years after expiry; after five years the license becomes inactive and the person must reapply and pass the written exam3
Renew online
dos.ny.gov3

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your New York Cosmetology (appearance enhancement operator license). The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to New York with a license from another state

These are the routes the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services publishes for the Cosmetology license.

Route
Reciprocity agreements
What the board says
Cosmetologists currently licensed in one of 21 listed jurisdictions (some with 1-5 years of licensure) can get a NY license by reciprocity with a board certification, the application and the $40 fee5
States on New York's list
Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and District of Columbia5
This is the list of states whose licenses New York accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a New York license.
Condition for Arizona
1 Year (Current)5
Condition for Colorado
5 Years & Current Licensure5
Condition for Idaho
3 Years & Current Licensure5
Condition for Massachusetts
2 Years & Current Licensure (must submit 2 experience statements)5
Condition for Minnesota
2 Years & Current Licensure5
Condition for Missouri
5 Years & Current Licensure5
Condition for Montana
4 Years & Current Licensure5
Condition for North Dakota
1 Year & Current Licensure5
Condition for Pennsylvania
2 Years & Current Licensure (must submit 2 experience statements)5
Condition for Tennessee
2 Years & Current Licensure5
Condition for Vermont
2 Years & Current Licensure5
Condition for District of Columbia
5 Years & Current Licensure5
Conditions
Certification from the cosmetology board where currently licensed, plus the completed application5
Where marked, two Experience Statements (DOS-1543) from two different people attesting to the years worked5
Fee
$405
Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Cosmetologists currently licensed in New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, West Virginia or Wyoming qualify by endorsement with a letter of good standing dated within six months6
States on New York's list
New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming6
This is the list of states whose licenses New York accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a New York license.
Conditions
Current licensure in the listed state6
Fee
$403
Route
Exam waiver
What the board says
Five years of legal experience in an equivalent occupation outside New York qualifies for a license without exam or further education2
Conditions
US experience: original certification from the former licensing agency plus two experience statements with exact dates, location and services2
Foreign experience: official certification (or consulate letter that no license is needed), detailed employer/client letters and ID2
Fee
$403
Route
Exam waiver
What the board says
Not a waiver: schooling from another state or country can replace the NY course, but the NY written and practical exams are still required2
Conditions
School certificate, transcript of subjects and hours, and a current original certification from the state board2
Route
Military service members and spouses
What the board says
DOS publishes Military Spouse Waiver applications for cosmetology applicants2

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license
dos.ny.gov4

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Cosmetology license in New York?

The rules set at least 1,000 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 York?

The New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services publishes these routes for the Cosmetology license: reciprocity agreements5, license by endorsement6 and exam waiver2. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Cosmetology license in New York?

Every 4 years4. The renewal fee is $402.

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. Frequently Asked Questions - CosmetologyNYS Department of State Division of Licensing ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Become a CosmetologistNYS Department of State Division of Licensing ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Cosmetology Application (DOS-0034-a)New York Business Express (Empire State Development / NYS Department of State listing)Checked November 7, 2026
  4. CosmetologyNYS Department of State Division of Licensing ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Cosmetology ReciprocityNYS Department of State Division of Licensing ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  6. Endorsement StatesNYS Department of State Division of Licensing ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  7. Renew or Update Cosmetology LicenseNYS Department of State Division of Licensing ServicesChecked November 7, 2026