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How to get a Hairdresser/Cosmetician license in Rhode Island

Rhode Island licenses cosmetologists statewide through the Department of Health (RIDOH).1 For the Hairdresser/Cosmetician (RIDOH license type "Hairdresser/Cosmetologist") you need at least 1,000 clock hours1 of education and a passing score on the Written and practical examinations for the hairdresser/cosmetician class; the Department may use a national exam such as the NIC (National-Interstate Council of State Boards) exam.1. The board lists $25 for the application2. You renew every 2 years1.

Last checked · 3 official sources

Who issues it

Department of Health (RIDOH)

Training and experience

Training: at least 1,000 clock hours1

Exam

Written and practical examinations for the hairdresser/cosmetician class; the Department may use a national exam such as the NIC (National-Interstate Council of State Boards) exam.1

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $252

Renewal

Every 2 years1

From another state

License by endorsement, Temporary license or permit and Exam waiver1 Details

On this page
  1. Rhode Island cosmetologist licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Hairdresser/Cosmetician license
  4. Requirements for a Hairdresser/Cosmetician license
  5. How much a Hairdresser/Cosmetician license costs
  6. How to apply
  7. Renewal and continuing education
  8. Moving to Rhode Island with a license from another state
  9. Hairdresser/Cosmetician Instructor license
  10. Check a license or report a problem
  11. Laws and rules
  12. Common questions
  13. Cosmetologist licenses in other states

Rhode Island cosmetologist licenses

Rhode Island 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
Hairdresser/Cosmetician (RIDOH license type "Hairdresser/Cosmetologist")Massaging or beautifying the scalp, face, neck, shoulders, arms, bust or upper body by hand or appliance; manicuring nails and toenails; and removing superfluous hair. Natural hair braiding is excluded.1Training 1,000 clock hours1Yes1$252
Hairdresser/Cosmetician Instructor (RIDOH license type "Hairdresser Instructor")Teach hairdressing/cosmetic therapy in an approved school.1Training 300 clock hours1
Prior licensure 3 years1		Yes1$252

Applies to every license level

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

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
Required1

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$252RIDOHNot refundable. Effective March 25, 2026
Exam retake fee$252RIDOHNot refundable. Effective March 25, 2026

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.

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years1
When it expires
Licenses expire on September 30 every other year (odd/even year set by the original issue date); renewals run October 1 to September 30 two years later. Carry the license while working.1
Renewal fee
$252
Late renewal
Reinstatement fee: $252 (added to the renewal fee for each renewal cycle lapsed, up to $100)
If it expires
A license not renewed by September 30 can still be renewed by paying the current renewal fee plus the reinstatement fee.1

Who needs a Hairdresser/Cosmetician license

Massaging or beautifying the scalp, face, neck, shoulders, arms, bust or upper body by hand or appliance; manicuring nails and toenails; and removing superfluous hair. Natural hair braiding is excluded.1

Work that does not need this license:

  • Natural hair braiding is not part of hairdressing/cosmetic therapy; other exemptions are in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-10-29.1

Requirements for a Hairdresser/Cosmetician license

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

Education or training
At least 1,000 clock hours1
Hairdressing/cosmetic therapy course of at least 1,000 hours of continuous study and practice at an approved school (students who started before June 22, 2017: 1,500 hours).1
Who may teach it: A school approved under R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 16-40; certified transcript sent directly from the school to RIDOH. After 1,000 classroom hours, students may do supervised work-study in a hair design shop (no hour credit).1
Alternative: Out-of-state licensees from non-equivalent states: 100 hours of credit per 3 months licensed and actively practicing, up to 500 hours. Foreign-trained: up to 1,000 hours for at least 30 months of practice abroad.1
Exam
Written and practical examinations for the hairdresser/cosmetician class; the Department may use a national exam such as the NIC (National-Interstate Council of State Boards) exam.1
Passing score: 70% on the written and 70% on the practical exam1
Written examination1
Practical examination1
Retakes: Re-examination is allowed on paying the re-exam fee to the exam service; RIDOH also lists a $25 reexamination fee.1
Residency or citizenship
Not a residency rule, but U.S.-born applicants submit a certified birth certificate and foreign-born applicants proof of lawful entry.1

How much a Hairdresser/Cosmetician license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Hair Design Shop: Initial License$1702RIDOHShop license (needed to operate a shop; not a personal license). Not refundable. Effective March 25, 2026

How to apply

  1. Complete at least 1,000 hours of hairdressing/cosmetic therapy at an approved Rhode Island school.1
  2. Apply to RIDOH on its forms with a certified birth certificate (or proof of lawful entry), a school transcript sent directly by the school, proof of high-school graduation (or 25 years' experience) and the $25 fee (check or money order to the General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island).1
  3. Pass the written and practical exams (70% each).1
  4. RIDOH issues the license; it expires September 30 every other year.1
Temporary or provisional license
Licensees from other states (by exam) may work up to 3 months while applying; the 3-month privilege cannot be extended. RIDOH lists a "Hairdresser-Temp Permit" license type.1

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Rhode Island Hairdresser/Cosmetician (RIDOH license type "Hairdresser/Cosmetologist"). The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Rhode Island with a license from another state

These are the routes RIDOH publishes for the Hairdresser/Cosmetician license. The other cosmetologist licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
License by verification (endorsement) if you are licensed in a state with equivalent requirements and passed a written and practical exam acceptable to RIDOH; send license verifications from every state where you have held a license. If the other state is not equivalent, RIDOH may give 100 hours of credit per 3 months licensed and practicing (max 500).1
Fee
$252
Route
Temporary license or permit
What the board says
Out-of-state licensees (licensed by exam in another state, territory or D.C.) may practice for 3 months provided they apply and obtain a RIDOH license within 3 months of starting work.1
Conditions
Not extendable beyond 3 months.1
Route
Exam waiver
What the board says
Applicants licensed in another country with essentially equivalent education may apply to sit the RI exam; up to 1,000 hours of credit for 30+ months of practice abroad.1

Hairdresser/Cosmetician Instructor license

Teach hairdressing/cosmetic therapy in an approved school.1

Requirements

Education or training
At least 300 clock hours1
300 hours of hairdressing/cosmetic therapy teacher training approved by RIDOH.1
Prior licensure
At least 3 years1
Held a hairdresser/cosmetician license (Rhode Island or another state) for at least 3 years before applying.1
License you must hold first: Hairdresser/cosmetician license (RI or another state)1
Exam
Instructor examination approved by RIDOH1
Passing score: 70% on the written exam1
Residency or citizenship
Certified birth certificate (U.S.-born) or proof of lawful entry (foreign-born) with the application.1

How to apply

  1. Hold a hairdresser/cosmetician license for at least 3 years and complete 300 hours of approved teacher training.1
  2. Apply to RIDOH on its forms with transcripts, high-school proof, birth certificate/proof of lawful entry and the $25 fee.1
  3. Pass the RIDOH-approved instructor exam.1

From another state

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
RIDOH lists an instructor "Application by Verification (Endorsement)" ($25); the instructor rule accepts hairdresser licenses from another state toward the 3-year requirement. Detailed endorsement criteria for instructors are in R.I. Gen.1
Fee
$252

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

Look up a license
healthri.mylicense.com3

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Hairdresser/Cosmetician license in Rhode Island?

The rules set at least 1,000 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 Rhode Island?

RIDOH publishes these routes for the Hairdresser/Cosmetician license: license by endorsement1, temporary license or permit1 and exam waiver1. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Hairdresser/Cosmetician license in Rhode Island?

Every 2 years1. The renewal fee is $252.

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. Barbers, Hairdressers/Cosmeticians, Manicurists, Estheticians, and Instructors (216-RICR-40-05-4)Rhode Island Department of State (RICR); rule of the Rhode Island Department of HealthDated May 30, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  2. 216-RICR-10-05-2 Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the…Rhode Island Department of State (RI Code of Regulations); rule of the RI Department of HealthDated March 25, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  3. RI.gov Professional LicensingState of Rhode IslandChecked November 8, 2026