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How to get a Cosmetologist license in North Dakota

North Dakota licenses cosmetologists statewide through the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology.1 For the Cosmetologist license you need at least 1,500 clock hours1 of education, a passing score on the NIC Practical Examination (cosmetology), administered by the board2 and a criminal background check3. The board lists $50 for the initial license1, $25 for the exam3 and up to $15 for the registration1, each a separate charge. You renew every year4 and complete at least 4 hours of continuing education5.

Last checked · 19 official sources

Who issues it

North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology

Training and experience

Training: at least 1,500 clock hours1

Exam

NIC Practical Examination (cosmetology), administered by the board2

Fees the board lists

Initial license fee: $501
Exam fee: $253
Registration fee (Student registration filed by the school): up to $151
Registration fee (Apprenticeship route): up to $151

Renewal

Every year4, at least 4 hours of continuing education5

From another state

License by endorsement, Universal license recognition and Military service members and spouses561 Details

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

North Dakota cosmetologist licenses

North Dakota issues 3 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
CosmetologistCosmetology covers hair care (cutting, coloring, waving, straightening, styling), esthetics, eyelash and eyebrow services including extensions, chemically bonded hair extensions, and manicuring. Natural hair braiding and threading are not cosmetology. Practice is limited to noninvasive care.1Training 1,500 clock hours1Yes1$501
InstructorTeaches theory and practical instruction and supervises students in a board-licensed school, within the scope of the instructor's own license; instructors may not practice on patrons at a school except as part of teaching.1Training 240 clock hours4Yes1$501
Master Cosmetologist–Experience 1,000 hours7–$507

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the North Dakota 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
The board may deny a license for a conviction with a direct bearing on the ability to serve the public, or where it finds the person not sufficiently rehabilitated under N.D.C.C. 12.1-33-02.1. Applications ask about charges or convictions in the past 5 years.1

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$5017North Dakota State Board of CosmetologyNot refundable

How to apply

Renewal

How often
Every year4
When it expires
Every license expires December 31 and must be renewed on or before that date each year; a $50 penalty applies per license if paid or postmarked after December 31.5
Renewal fee
$501
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $509 (expired less than one year (plus the $50 renewal fee))
Reinstatement fee: $20010 (expired one to five years ($150 late fee + $50 renewal); also requires passing the ND Laws, Rules and Regulations exam)

2. Every license level except Master Cosmetologist

Requirements

Also required
North Dakota does not issue temporary permits; you may work only after the license is issued.4

3. Every license level except Instructor

How to apply

Temporary or provisional license
North Dakota does not issue temporary permits; you may work only after the license is issued.4

Renewal

Continuing education
At least 4 hours each renewal period5
If it expires
Expired under one year: renew with the late fee. Expired one to five years: pay the late fee and renewal fee and pass the North Dakota law, rules and regulations exam. Expired more than five years: the board cannot reinstate; reapply as a new applicant (retake all exams).1
Practising with an expired license is prohibited.4
Legacy status (license active 45+ years, no longer in active practice): $25 a year, no CE; not available for instructor, establishment or independent licensee licenses.1

Who needs a Cosmetologist license

Cosmetology covers hair care (cutting, coloring, waving, straightening, styling), esthetics, eyelash and eyebrow services including extensions, chemically bonded hair extensions, and manicuring. Natural hair braiding and threading are not cosmetology. Practice is limited to noninvasive care.1

Work that does not need this license:

  • Exempt: services to immediate family; nurses, undertakers and morticians in their ordinary duties; retail cosmetic demonstrations with disposable applicators; volunteer or staff services in hospitals, basic care facilities and nursing homes.1

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Advanced esthetics needs the separate Advanced Esthetician license; cosmetologists may not perform it.4
  • Licensees work in a licensed establishment or as a licensed independent licensee (booth renter); a separate establishment or independent licensee license is needed to run a business.4

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.

Minimum age
16 years old1
High school diploma or GED
At least a tenth-grade education or equivalent (to register as a student); out-of-state school graduates submit a high school transcript, diploma or GED.1
Education or training
At least 1,500 clock hours1
At least 1,500 hours in a board-licensed cosmetology school (board curriculum: e.g. 425 hours chemical services, 200 hair cutting, 200 esthetics, 100 manicuring, 75 cleaning/disinfection); no clinic services until 20% of hours are done.5
Who may teach it: A school licensed by the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology; out-of-state transfer hours are credited for 2 years, in-state hours for 5 years, and completed programs for 10 years.2
Exam
NIC Practical Examination (cosmetology), administered by the board2
Given by: Administered by the State Board of Cosmetology at the board office (NIC national practical exam)2
Passing score: 75 percent5
When you can take it: After graduating from a licensed school (or receiving the apprenticeship certificate of completion); graduation must be within the last ten years.5
Performed on mannequins only; candidates bring their own stand or clamp and follow the NIC Candidate Bulletin.2
Retakes: Failing candidates retake the full practical exam with a $25 re-exam fee; the exam fee is not refunded.1
Exam waived: Waived for endorsement applicants who qualify under N.D.C.C. 43-11-25 and for military/veteran provisional licenses.1
Exam
NIC Written (Theory) Examination2
Given by: Prov (computer-based, at test centers or remotely)2
Passing score: 75 percent5
Exam
North Dakota Law & Rules Examination2
Given by: Prov12
Passing score: 75 percent5
Residency or citizenship
Applicants prove identity and U.S. residency with two valid, unexpired IDs, at least one primary (e.g. U.S. passport, driver's license, birth certificate with photo ID, permanent resident card).13
Social Security number
Social Security number is mandatory on board applications (N.D.C.C. 43-50-02).3

How much a Cosmetologist license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Exam fee$253North Dakota State Board of CosmetologyNIC practical exam given by the board. Not refundable
Exam retake fee$2514North Dakota State Board of CosmetologyPractical retake (Practical Re-Examination Application SFN 61731). Not refundable
Registration feeup to $151North Dakota State Board of CosmetologyStudent registration filed by the school. Not refundable
Registration feeup to $151North Dakota State Board of CosmetologyApprenticeship route. Not refundable
Duplicate or replacement license$2015North Dakota State Board of CosmetologyNot refundable
License verification to another state$2016North Dakota State Board of CosmetologyNot refundable
Individual or business name change$201North Dakota State Board of CosmetologyName change. Not refundable

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. Enrol in a North Dakota board-licensed cosmetology school; the school registers you with the board (identity documents and proof of at least tenth-grade education) within ten business days of enrollment.5
  2. Complete the 1,500-hour cosmetology program (or a registered apprenticeship of 2,500 on-the-job hours plus 300 hours of related instruction) and graduate.17
  3. Apply to the board (licensing portal, or paper Practical Examination Application SFN 61730 at least two weeks before the exam date) with the $25 practical fee and the $50 original license fee.3 Form (PDF, ndcosmetology.com)11
  4. Take the NIC practical exam at the board office in Bismarck (on mannequins) on your admission-letter date, and schedule the NIC written theory exam and the North Dakota Law & Rules exam with Prov (test center or remote).2
  5. After passing all exams, the board issues the license; print it from the portal and display it. You may not work before the license is issued.4

Renewal and continuing education

Required topics
The board may set mandatory topics within the four hours, posted by February 15 each year; at most one hour a year for trade show attendance.5
Approved courses
Board-approved courses only (in person, online or virtual); approval must be obtained before attending; the board tracks CE in CE Broker. 1 CE hour = 50 minutes.18
Exemptions
CE starts the calendar year after the year the license was first issued; legacy-status licenses need no CE.1

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your North Dakota Cosmetologist license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to North Dakota with a license from another state

These are the routes the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology publishes for the Cosmetologist license.

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
License by endorsement (N.D.C.C. 43-11-25) for cosmetologists, estheticians, advanced estheticians and manicurists licensed elsewhere: without examination if the other jurisdiction has similar scope and substantially equivalent exam standards, verifies your education, and you have been in good standing for at least one year; or with credit for work experience (1,000 work hours = 100 training hours, max 500 hours from the last 3 years). Exams are required if you have been licensed under one year, or under three years where your original state did not require the NIC practical and theory exams (or equivalent).5
Conditions
Certified license verifications must come directly from every state where you hold or held a license; the board holds the file until all are received. You may also need to pass the North Dakota Laws, Rules & Regulations test (Prov).12
Foreign-trained applicants must have credentials evaluated by a board-approved credentialing agency at their own expense.1
You may not work in North Dakota until the North Dakota license is issued.12
Fee
$10519
Route
Universal license recognition
What the board says
North Dakota's universal licensure law (N.D.C.C. 43-51.1-02) requires boards to license out-of-state licensees who actively used the license for two of the last three years, show competency as the board determines, have no discipline in the last ten years and no active investigation, and pay the fees, unless the board has a compact, license-transfer, interstate mobility or reciprocity agreement. The cosmetology board's own route is endorsement under 43-11-25.6
Conditions
Boards must issue a license within ten business days of a complete, unencumbered, routine application.6
Route
Military service members and spouses
What the board says
Active-duty service members and spouses with an active license in good standing in another U.S. state or territory for the two years before applying can get a provisional license without examination: valid three years, renewable while orders remain in North Dakota, no fee. Veterans and spouses within six months of honourable discharge: three-year, non-renewable provisional license, no fee. Military applications are prioritized and expedited.1
Conditions
Spouses provide a marriage certificate and proof of the service member's North Dakota duty station (or deployment with relocation to North Dakota).13

Instructor

Teaches theory and practical instruction and supervises students in a board-licensed school, within the scope of the instructor's own license; instructors may not practice on patrons at a school except as part of teaching.1

Requirements

Schooling
High school education (four years of high school or equivalent) at enrollment as a student instructor.1
Education or training
At least 240 clock hours4
Instructor training in a board-licensed school: 240 hours if licensed two or more years, 480 hours if licensed less than two years. Student instructors register with the board before enrolling.1
Alternative: 480 hours for applicants licensed less than two years.1
Exam
Instructor theory and practical examinations (practical includes a demonstration lecture; NIC instructor bulletin)1
Practical: instructor provides all materials for the demonstration lecture.2
Retakes: Two failed attempts require re-enrolling for 200 hours of instructor training before retesting.5
Time limit: All exams must be passed within 60 days of finishing the instructor program; student teaching under supervision is allowed meanwhile.5

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Exam fee$553North Dakota State Board of CosmetologyNot refundable
Exam retake fee$5514North Dakota State Board of CosmetologyNot refundable

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. Apply in writing to the board for student instructor registration before enrolling in a licensed school; the school registers you.5
  2. Complete 240 (or 480) hours of instructor training.1
  3. Apply for the instructor exams with the $55 practical fee and $50 original license fee, and pass the theory and practical exams within 60 days of finishing.5
Temporary or provisional license
No temporary license; graduates may do supervised student teaching for up to 60 days pending exam results.5

Renewal

Continuing education
At least 12 hours each renewal period5
Required topics
The board may require mandatory topics within the twelve hours.5
Approved courses
Board-approved courses only; CE certificates must accompany the renewal.5
Exemptions
CE starts the calendar year after initial licensure; legacy status does not apply to instructor licenses.5
If it expires
Expired under one year: renew with the late fee. Expired one to five years: pay the late fee and renewal fee and pass the North Dakota law, rules and regulations exam. Expired more than five years: the board cannot reinstate; reapply as a new applicant (retake all exams).1
Practising with an expired license is prohibited.4

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

Master Cosmetologist

Requirements

Schooling
Tenth-grade education or equivalent (student requirement).1
Experience
At least 1,000 hours of on-the-job training7
At least 1,000 hours practicing as a licensed cosmetologist in a licensed establishment (may be under a master cosmetologist, or under a licensed advanced esthetician, physician, physician assistant or nurse), certified by the establishment owner or manager on a notarised affidavit.1
Supervision: Hours may be gained under the direction and control of a master cosmetologist.1
License you must hold first: A North Dakota cosmetologist license.7
Social Security number
Social Security number is mandatory on the form.7
Also required
No separate examination is required for the master license; it is issued on proof of hours and the fee.1

How to apply

  1. Work at least 1,000 hours as a licensed cosmetologist in a licensed establishment.7
  2. Have the establishment owner or manager certify your hours before a notary on the Master License Work Experience Affidavit (SFN 50927) and send it with the $50 fee.7 Form (PDF, ndcosmetology.com)11

Renewal

Approved courses
Board-approved courses only.5

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

Look up a license
ndbocprod.glsuite.us4
File a complaint
ndcosmetology.com18

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • September 1, 2026: New online licensing system (GL Suite portal) scheduled to launch September 1, 2026.11
  • January 1, 2026: Board rules rewritten effective January 1, 2026: apprenticeship chapter 32-06-01 (2,500 + 300 hours), endorsement exam rule 32-05-01-01.2, and annual 4-hour CE for all licensees from the 2028 renewal cycle.5

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Cosmetologist license in North Dakota?

The rules set at least 1,500 clock hours1 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 North Dakota?

The North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology publishes these routes for the Cosmetologist license: license by endorsement5 and universal license recognition6. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Cosmetologist license in North Dakota?

Every year4. Continuing education: at least 4 hours5. The renewal fee is $501.

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. N.D.C.C. ch. 43-11 CosmetologistsNorth Dakota Legislative BranchChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Students & SchoolsNorth Dakota State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Practical Exam ApplicationNorth Dakota State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  4. Personal LicensureNorth Dakota State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  5. ND Cosmetology Administrative Rules 2026North Dakota State Board of CosmetologyDated January 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  6. CHAPTER 43-51.1North Dakota Legislative Branch (North Dakota Century Code)Checked November 7, 2026
  7. Master License ApplicationNorth Dakota State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  8. Licensing PortalNorth Dakota State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  9. Renewal Application SFN 61745North Dakota State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  10. Reinstatement ApplicationNorth Dakota State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  11. FormsNorth Dakota State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  12. Endorsement Application SFN 11800North Dakota State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  13. Transferring a LicenseNorth Dakota State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  14. Practical Retake Exam ApplicationNorth Dakota State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  15. Duplicate License RequestNorth Dakota State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  16. Request for License VerificationNorth Dakota State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  17. Apprentice RegistrationNorth Dakota State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  18. Resources (FAQ)North Dakota State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  19. Endorsement Payment FormNorth Dakota State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026