How to get a Cosmetologist license in Oklahoma

Oklahoma cosmetologist licenses

Oklahoma issues 3 cosmetologist credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Rules shared by several license levels

These rules are the same for several of the Oklahoma 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 except Master Cosmetology Instructor

Requirements

High school diploma or GED

Not required²³

2. Every license level except Apprentice (Basic Cosmetology apprenticeship registration)

Requirements

Background check

Board may deny applicants convicted of offenses on its adopted list of disqualifying offenses that substantially relate to cosmetology and barbering (59 O.S. 4000.1; OAC 175:10-1-3). Form 301 asks about felony convictions.⁷
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply⁷

Social Security number

Form 301 asks for a Social Security Number.⁸

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

Apply online

okcosmo.portalus.thentiacloud.net¹

Application form

Form (PDF, oklahoma.gov)⁹

Renewal

When it expires

License expires on the last day of the holder's birth month; renewal application and fee are due on or before that date.³

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $10² (renewal more than two months after expiration (renewable up to five years after expiration))
Lost Renewal form: $5¹⁰⁵

Renew online

okcosmo.portalus.thentiacloud.net¹

3. Every license level except Cosmetologist (Cosmetology license, chemical or non-chemical)

Requirements

Minimum age

16 years old³⁶

Fees

Who needs a Cosmetologist license

Work that does not need this license:

• Exempt from the Act: funeral directors, armed services personnel, healing-arts and nursing practitioners, retail sales staff selling cosmetics in sealed packages, and people doing hair or cosmetics for theatre, radio, TV, film, modeling or photography.³

Requirements for a Cosmetologist license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Education or training

Basic cosmetology course (chemical-use) in a licensed Oklahoma cosmetology school, registered with the Board before attendance; at most 8 hours credited per day.²
Who may teach it: Hours count only in a cosmetology school licensed by the Board, after registering with the Board as a student; out-of-state hours may be transferred by certification.²
Alternative: Apprenticeship: 2,250 hours in an approved establishment under a licensed instructor equals the 1,250-hour school course.²
Alternative: High school vocational students: 1,000 hours of basic cosmetology plus 250 hours of approved related high-school subjects.²
Alternative: Licensed Oklahoma barbers are credited 1,200 hours and may sit the written cosmetology exam after 300 hours in a cosmetology school.³
Alternative: Training in another state or country equivalent to Oklahoma's may qualify.¹

Education or training

At least 1,000 clock hours²
Non-chemical cosmetology course (no chemical services) in a licensed school.³
Who may teach it: Licensed Oklahoma cosmetology school.²

Exam

State Board examination: written theory (NIC, by Prov) and practical³
Given by: Prov (written NIC theory exam); the Board gives the practical exam¹¹
Passing score: 75% on each portion³
When you can take it: After course completion, with the school affidavit of hours; in April-June you may pre-register within 100 hours of completion.³
Written theory examination (NIC)¹¹
Practical examination (mannequin; no live models)¹²
Retakes: Re-register with the fee and retake only the failed portion; after four failures of a portion you need 120 review hours in an approved Oklahoma school.³
Time limit: If you do not register for the exam or apply for the license within one year of finishing training, review hours are required (120 clock hours for cosmetologists, up to five years).³

Residency or citizenship

US citizenship or lawful presence: the lawful-presence affidavit (Form 390) must be attached to the license application; a residence address is required.⁸

Business requirements

You must work in a Board-licensed establishment (or hold a work permit); salons need their own establishment license.¹

Also required

Fees are paid by cashier's check, money order or business check; personal checks are not accepted.³

How much a Cosmetologist license costs

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

Fee waivers and reductions:

• Low-income applicants (receiving government assistance, or at 140% or less of the poverty level, with documentation) can get a one-time one-year fee waiver.³

How to apply

1. Enrol in a Board-licensed cosmetology school (or arrange a Board-approved apprenticeship) and register with the Board as a student before your first class: $10 fee, school contract, proof of 8th-grade education, a 2"x2" photo, and proof of age if under 18.³
2. Complete the 1,250-hour basic course (or the 1,000-hour non-chemical course).³
3. Send the Exam Registration Application / Affidavit of Completion (Form 201), signed by your school and notarised, with the $50 exam fee by money order or cashier's check.⁴ Form (PDF, oklahoma.gov)⁹
4. After registering and finishing the course you may get a work permit to work under supervision in a licensed establishment until you are licensed.³
5. Pass the Prov written theory exam and the Board practical exam (75% on each).¹¹
6. Within 30 days of the pass notice, apply for the license with Form 301 plus the lawful-presence affidavit (Form 390) and the license fee by cashier's check or money order, or apply through the board's new online applicant portal.³ Form (PDF, oklahoma.gov)⁹

Temporary or provisional license

Work permit: after exam registration and course completion you can work under direct supervision in a licensed establishment (not if you pre-registered before finishing). It becomes void 30 days after notice to apply for the license unless you apply.³

Renewal and continuing education

If it expires

A license can be renewed late at any time within five years of expiration by paying the regular renewal fee plus the $10 late fee (due two months after expiration).²
After five years expired, the person must complete review hours in a cosmetology school before taking the examination again (250 review hours for a Basic Cosmetologist).²

Moving to Oklahoma with a license from another state

These are the routes OSBCB publishes for the Cosmetologist license. The other cosmetologist licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Military service members, veterans and spouses: A license does not lapse while the holder serves in the US Armed Forces; no fees are due during service and the holder may resume practice within six months of honourable release by notifying the Board in writing, without re-examination.³

Apprentice registration

Trains in cosmetology only under the immediate supervision of a licensed instructor in a Board-approved establishment, wearing a Board-issued apprentice badge.²

Requirements

Education or training

At least 2,250 clock hours¹
Apprentice course in a Board-approved licensed establishment under a licensed instructor, following the school curriculum, with weekly tests and a final exam; up to eight hours of training a day.³
Who may teach it: Supervising instructor must hold a current instructor license and apply to the Board; only two apprentices per establishment.³
Alternative: An apprentice who transfers to a school gets 50% credit for apprentice hours.³

Exam

Same State Board written and practical exam as school graduates, after the 2,250 hours²
Given by: Prov (written theory); Board (practical)¹¹
Passing score: 75% on each portion³

Background check

You can ask the board to review your record before you apply⁷

Business requirements

Training must be in an approved licensed establishment.¹

Also required

The instructor may not charge the apprentice for training; apprentices may be paid during training.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. Find a currently licensed instructor working in a licensed establishment who will train you, and send the apprenticeship request to the Executive Director.¹
2. The instructor applies in writing with the $20 inspection fee; the Board inspects the equipment and textbooks and interviews you both, and the registration forms are completed at the inspection.³
3. Train 2,250 hours under direct supervision, wearing the apprentice badge and keeping practice and attendance records.³
4. When training is complete the instructor sends the affidavit of hours; you then register for the exam and receive a work permit.³

Temporary or provisional license

Work permit issued at exam registration after completing apprentice training.³

Renewal

If it expires

If an apprentice stops training before completion, the instructor must return the badge and affidavit to the Board within five days.³

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 3 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Master Cosmetology Instructor

Teaches cosmetology theory and practice in a licensed school.⁵

Requirements

High school diploma or GED

Required²

Education or training

At least 600 clock hours²
Master cosmetology instructor course (orientation, teaching methods, lesson planning, cosmetology law and school management, assisting and practice teaching) in an Oklahoma cosmetology school, after the cosmetology course hours.³
Who may teach it: Instructor training hours must be completed in a cosmetology or barber school in Oklahoma; register for the course with the Board ($10).³
Alternative: Apprenticeship is not available for instructor courses.³

Experience

Hold an Oklahoma cosmetologist license (or be registered for the Basic Cosmetologist exam) before or while training.³
License you must hold first: Oklahoma Cosmetology (or Barber) license⁶

Exam

Master Instructor examination: written theory (Prov) and practical (lesson plan, class presentation, written theory, Oklahoma law and rules)³
Given by: Prov (theory exam); Board (practical)¹¹
Passing score: 75%⁶
When you can take it: May register for the exam within 100 clock hours of finishing the instructor course.³
Lesson plan preparation, class presentation and written theory test³
Retakes: Re-register with the fee and retake the failed portion; four failures require 120 review hours.³
Time limit: Review hours (120 clock hours for Master Cosmetologist Instructor) if you do not register or apply within one year of finishing.³

Residency or citizenship

Lawful-presence affidavit (Form 390) required with the application.⁸

Fees

Fee waivers and reductions:

• Low-income one-time one-year fee waiver.³

How to apply

1. Hold (or be registered for the exam for) an Oklahoma cosmetologist license, and have a high-school diploma or GED.³
2. Register for the master cosmetology instructor course with the Board ($10) and complete 600 hours in an Oklahoma school.³
3. Register for the instructor exam with Form 201 and the $50 fee; pass the written and practical exams (75%).⁶ Form (PDF, oklahoma.gov)⁹
4. Apply for the license within 30 days of passing, using Form 301 (or the online applicant portal), with the license fee.³ Form (PDF, oklahoma.gov)⁹

Temporary or provisional license

Instructor exam registrants may get a work permit for a licensed school, under direct supervision, after finishing the course.³

Renewal

If it expires

A license can be renewed late at any time within five years of expiration by paying the regular renewal fee plus the $10 late fee (due two months after expiration).²
After five years expired, the person must complete review hours in a cosmetology school before taking the examination again (100 review hours for a Master Cosmetology Instructor).²

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: License stays in force without fees during Armed Forces service; resume within six months of release by notifying the Board.³

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 2 and group 3 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license

okcosmo.portalus.thentiacloud.net¹

File a complaint

oklahoma.gov⁹

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Okla. Stat. tit. 59, §§ 199.1-199.21 (Oklahoma Cosmetology and Barbering Act)
• Okla. Stat. tit. 59, § 199.14
• OAC 175:10 (Licensure of Cosmetologists, Barbers, Schools and Related Establishments), board rule book effective December 1, 2025
• Okla. Stat. tit. 59, § 199.8 (apprentices)
• OAC 175:10-9-1 to 175:10-9-7 (apprenticeship)

Rule changes since January 2024

• November 1, 2025: 59 O.S. 199.14(D): licenses renewed annually become two-year licenses; cosmetology license fee $80 per two years (was $40 a year).² 59 O.S. 199.14(D): licenses renewed annually become two-year licenses; Master Cosmetology Instructor license fee $130 per two years.²
• July 1, 2025: 59 O.S. 199.7(G) (Laws 2024, c. 282): basic course set at 1,000 clock hours (non-chemical) or 1,250 hours (chemical-use), down from 1,500.² 59 O.S. 199.7(N): instructor exam requires high school/GED plus 600 instructor training hours (previously 1,000 hours, or 300 hours plus two years of practice).²
• November 1, 2024: 59 O.S. 199.8(E)-(F) (Laws 2024, c. 282): 2,250 apprentice hours now equal 1,250 school hours; curriculum set by a Board-approved organization with benchmarks; apprentices may be paid.²

Common questions

Cosmetologist licenses in other states

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