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How to get a Cosmetologist license in Tennessee

Tennessee licenses cosmetologists statewide through the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.1 For the Cosmetologist license you need at least 1,500 clock hours1 of education and a passing score on the Board licensing examination (theory, practical and state law parts) scheduled with the board's designated testing agency2. The board lists $60 for the initial license2. You renew every 2 years1.

Last checked · 3 official sources

Who issues it

Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners

Training and experience

Training: at least 1,500 clock hours1

Exam

Board licensing examination (theory, practical and state law parts) scheduled with the board's designated testing agency2

Fees the board lists

Initial license fee: $602

Renewal

Every 2 years1

From another state

License by endorsement1 Details

On this page
  1. Tennessee 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. Instructor license
  9. Check a license or report a problem
  10. Laws and rules
  11. Rule changes since January 2024
  12. Common questions
  13. Cosmetologist licenses in other states

Tennessee cosmetologist licenses

Tennessee 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
CosmetologistCosmetology as defined in T.C.A. 62-4-102. The 1,500-hour curriculum covers hair, chemical services, facials, lash and brow tinting, manicures, pedicures and sculptured nails.1Training 1,500 clock hours1Yes1$602
Instructor (cosmetology instructor's license)Teach in a licensed school, only in the discipline in which the instructor is licensed.2Training 300 clock hours2
Prior licensure 3 years2		Yes2$802

Applies to every license level

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

Fees

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years1
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $2512 (renewal postmarked after the expiration date)

From another state

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
License without examination, at the board's discretion, for a holder of a valid license from another state or DC who has substantially met Tennessee's qualifications, or who proves at least five years of continuous lawful practice immediately before applying; reciprocity fee $100.1
Conditions
The Tennessee domestic-violence training requirements (T.C.A. 62-4-110 and 62-4-117(g)) do not block reciprocity, but must be completed before the license is granted.1
The reciprocity fee must accompany the initial application, or the application is incomplete.2
Fee
$1002

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Military members and spouses meeting T.C.A. 4-3-1304(d)(1) may get the license on payment of the regular fees if their other-state license is substantially equivalent, or a temporary permit while they complete any missing education, training or experience.2

Who needs a Cosmetologist license

Cosmetology as defined in T.C.A. 62-4-102. The 1,500-hour curriculum covers hair, chemical services, facials, lash and brow tinting, manicures, pedicures and sculptured nails.1

Requirements for a Cosmetologist license

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

Minimum age
16 years old1
Education or training
At least 1,500 clock hours1
The board's words

“Has completed and passed a course of instruction of no less than one thousand five hundred (1,500) hours in practice and theory at a school of cosmetology;”


Who may teach it: A school of cosmetology licensed by the board.2
Alternative: Apprenticeship curriculum: up to 50% of the hours (and of each General/Chemical/Physical category) under a licensed professional with 10+ years' experience in a participating salon, while enrolled in a licensed school; must finish within 150% of normal time.2
Exam
Board licensing examination (theory, practical and state law parts) scheduled with the board's designated testing agency2
Passing score: 70% on all board examinations2
When you can take it: Apprenticeship students must pass the initial theory exam before starting salon apprenticeship hours.2
Initial theory examination2
Practical and law portions2
Retakes: The board identifies the subjects failed; retake limits/waiting periods are not stated in the readable sources.1
Time limit: All exams within 3 years of passing the initial theory exam, or passed scores are vacated and the theory exam must be retaken.2
Also required
Applicants must complete a domestic-violence awareness training given free by a nonprofit recognized by the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (how to recognize signs, respond and refer clients).1
Also required
The original license fee must be paid within six months of being told you passed, or you must reapply and retest.2

How much a Cosmetologist license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$602Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber ExaminersEffective December 24, 2025
Duplicate or replacement license$252Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber ExaminersEffective December 24, 2025
Change of name$102Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber ExaminersEffective December 24, 2025
License verification to another state$502Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber ExaminersEffective December 24, 2025
Retiring a license$502Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber ExaminersEffective December 24, 2025

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 1,500 hours at a licensed Tennessee school of cosmetology (or the master-barber or apprenticeship routes).1
  2. Apply to the board for the examination on its form, with proof of age, hours and the domestic-violence training.1
  3. Schedule and pay for the exams with the board's designated testing agency; pass each with 70% within 3 years of the first theory pass.2
  4. Pay the $60 original license fee within six months of passing. While waiting you may work if you display the board's pass notice at your station.1

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires
Expires on the biennial anniversary of the license date; invalid unless renewed.1
Renewal fee
$602
If it expires
Lapsed 3 years or longer: not reinstated unless you pass the state law and practical exam (with an exception in 62-4-117(h) for some licensees in good standing).1
Retired license ($50 to retire) can be reactivated by written request, passing the practical and law exams (board may waive) and paying the license fee.2

Renewal planner

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

Instructor license

Teach in a licensed school, only in the discipline in which the instructor is licensed.2

Requirements

Education or training
At least 300 clock hours2
Board-approved instructor-training course of at least 300 hours completed within six months as an instructor trainee (including at least 100 hours of lesson planning and motivation), or one year as a junior instructor.2
Who may teach it: Instructor trainees must already hold a cosmetologist, manicurist, aesthetician or natural hair stylist license and train in a board-approved course.1
Alternative: Junior instructor route: serve as a junior instructor (a licensee in a training course in a school) for at least one year.1
Prior licensure
At least 3 years2
Licensed for three years before applying for the instructor's license (schools must tell teaching-program enrollees this).2
License you must hold first: Tennessee cosmetologist, aesthetician, manicurist or natural hair stylist license1
Exam
Instructor examination scheduled with the board's designated testing agency2
Passing score: 70%2

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$802Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber ExaminersEffective December 24, 2025

How to apply

  1. Hold a Tennessee cosmetologist (or aesthetician, manicurist, natural hair stylist) license; the rules require three years of licensure before applying.2
  2. Complete the 300-hour instructor-training course within six months (or one year as a junior instructor).1
  3. Schedule and pass the instructor exam with the designated testing agency (70%), then pay the $80 original license fee within six months.2
  4. After licensing, attend a board-approved instructor-training (CE) program.1

Renewal

Renewal fee
$702
Continuing education
At least 16 hours each renewal period1
Required topics
Board-approved instructor-training program emphasizing teaching methodology, at least 16 hours of actual instruction, in the instructor's own discipline.2
Approved courses
Programmes must be board-approved; out-of-state courses need board approval requested at least 60 days before the course; online programs must not allow skipping content.2
Exemptions
Extensions for medical hardship, a death in the immediate family or other emergency, requested before expiry; the Executive Director may allow up to 180 extra days if asked within 60 days after expiry.2
If it expires
Without the CE and no extension: renewal denied; to reinstate, retake the instructor exam, complete the CE and pay fees.2
Inactive status: notify the board before expiry; returning to active needs a board-approved instructor-training program.1

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

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • December 24, 2025: Ch. 0440-01 amendments effective December 24, 2025 (rules.02,.03,.06,.10,.14,.16 amended;.04,.08 and.12 repealed).2

Common questions

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

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 Tennessee?

The Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners publishes this route for the Cosmetologist license: license by endorsement1. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Cosmetologist license in Tennessee?

Every 2 years1. The renewal fee is $602.

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. Tennessee Code Unannotated - Free Public Access: search results for T.C.A. 56-6-103 to 56-6-121 (section…Tennessee Code Unannotated, free public accessChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 0440-01 Licensing (Board of Cosmetology), compilation December 24, 2025Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Publications (Rules of the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology)Dated December 24, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  3. Department of Commerce and InsuranceTennessee Department of Commerce and InsuranceChecked November 7, 2026