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How to get a Cosmetologist license in Vermont

Vermont licenses cosmetologists statewide through the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR).1 For the Cosmetologist license you need at least 1,000 clock hours2 of education and a passing score on the National practical and theory examinations2. The board lists $120 for the application3. You renew every 2 years3.

Last checked · 9 official sources

Who issues it

Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR)

Training and experience

Training: at least 1,000 clock hours2

Exam

National practical and theory examinations2

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $1203

Renewal

Every 2 years3

From another state

License by endorsement and Universal license recognition12 Details

On this page
  1. Vermont 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 Vermont with a license from another state
  9. Cosmetologist - Apprentice license
  10. Instructor specialty license
  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

Vermont cosmetologist licenses

Vermont 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
Cosmetologist - Apprentice (apprentice license)Training toward the cosmetologist license under direct supervision of a Vermont-licensed cosmetologist in a Vermont-licensed shop.4Training 1,500 clock hours5No5$503
CosmetologistPaid work on the hair, esthetics (skin care, lash and brow beautifying, manual/mechanical hair removal; no lasers, injections or permanent cosmetics) and manicuring.1Training 1,000 clock hours2Yes1$1203
Instructor specialty (added to a Vermont license)–Experience 1,500 clock hours2Yes2$1003

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Vermont 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
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply3

How to apply

Apply online
sos.vermont.gov6

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: OPR waives application fees for qualified military members and spouses on request, and offers expedited and temporary licensing based on military training case by case.7

2. Every license level except Instructor specialty (added to a Vermont license)

How to apply

3. Every license level except Cosmetologist - Apprentice (apprentice license)

Fees

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

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years38
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $1003 (license expired not more than 30 days; plus the renewal fee)
If it expires
A license expired for no more than one biennial period can be reinstated by meeting renewal requirements and paying the renewal fee plus the reinstatement penalty; OPR may waive the penalty only for exceptional circumstances, and no penalty accrues for active-duty military periods.3
Late renewals are penalised; renewal opens six weeks before expiry.8
Renew online
sos.vermont.gov6

Who needs a Cosmetologist license

Paid work on the hair, esthetics (skin care, lash and brow beautifying, manual/mechanical hair removal; no lasers, injections or permanent cosmetics) and manicuring.1

Work that does not need this license:

  • Natural hair braiding or styling without cutting, chemicals, dyes, heat or structural change needs no license.1
  • Students at a recognized school, theatrical/performing-arts make-up artists and hairdressers, and other licensed professionals acting within their profession are exempt.1

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Licensees may work outside a licensed shop only for hospital/nursing-home patients, homebound or hospice clients, the deceased, or special events (with shop sanitation standards).1

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.

High school diploma or GED
Required2
Education or training
At least 1,000 clock hours2
Formal training at a school (evidence of actual professional training hours completed)2
Who may teach it: A postsecondary school of barbering or cosmetology approved by the Director (regional vocational centers and correctional facilities may teach without approval, but hours count only if courses meet the Director's standards); the school program must include textured-hair training.1
Alternative: Apprenticeship of 1,500 hours under a Vermont-licensed cosmetologist in a Vermont-licensed shop4
Alternative: Crossover for a currently licensed individual: 250 school hours or 300 apprenticeship hours4
Exam
National practical and theory examinations2
When you can take it: After OPR approves the completed application and emails an approval to sit.2
Theory examination2
Practical examination2
Retakes: The Director may limit by rule how many times an exam may be taken.1
Exam waived: No exam for applicants licensed in good standing in a jurisdiction with substantially equal requirements, or with 1,500 documented practice hours over at least one year if that jurisdiction's requirements are less rigorous.1
Exam
Practical/written exam at a licensed school or technical center approved as a testing site4
Not required4
Also required
Licenses must be displayed in the shop, with names, address and license numbers visible; practice is allowed only in licensed shops except as the statute and rules permit.4

How much a Cosmetologist license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$1203OPRLicense code 010 - Cosmetologist. Not refundable
License verification to another state$303OPR–
A preapplication criminal background determination$253OPROptional

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 at least 1,000 hours at an approved cosmetology school, or 1,500 hours as a Vermont-licensed apprentice.2
  2. Apply by examination in OPR's Online Services System and pay the non-refundable application fee; upload your high school diploma or GED and proof of training hours (school certificate or Verification of Education, or the signed Apprentice Verification form).2 sos.vermont.gov6
  3. When OPR emails your approval to sit, register with the exam vendor (Prov) and pass the practical and theory exams; OPR then issues the license.2

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires
All cosmetologist licenses expire November 30 of odd-numbered years (next: November 30, 2027); renewal opens six weeks before.8
Renewal fee
$1553 (Biennial)

Renewal planner

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

Moving to Vermont with a license from another state

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

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Endorsement without exam: licensed in good standing elsewhere with substantially equal requirements; if the other state's requirements are less rigorous, 1,500 documented practice hours in not less than one year (Affidavit of Experience). Official verification must come from the first and most recent licensing states.1
Conditions
Affidavit of Experience form required when the other state's requirements are not substantially equivalent.2
Fee
$1209
Route
Universal license recognition
What the board says
Fast Track Endorsement: actively licensed or certified in good standing in another jurisdiction for three or more years immediately before applying (3 V.S.A. § 136a).2
Conditions
Verification of 3 years' continuous licensure in good standing must come directly from the licensing authority; the Vermont form is not required.2
Fee
$1209

Cosmetologist - Apprentice license

Training toward the cosmetologist license under direct supervision of a Vermont-licensed cosmetologist in a Vermont-licensed shop.4

Requirements

Education or training
At least 1,500 clock hours5
Apprenticeship hours for a cosmetologist (crossover: 300 hours)5
Who may teach it: Supervisor must hold a Vermont cosmetologist license; statute caps apprenticeships at 150% of formal training.5
Exam
Not required5
Also required
The apprenticeship cannot be done in another state.4

Fees

FeeAmountPaid to
Application fee$503OPR

How to apply

  1. Arrange supervision by a Vermont-licensed cosmetologist working in a Vermont-licensed shop and complete the Verification of Supervision / Apprentice Initiation form together.5
  2. Submit the online apprentice application with the scanned form and pay the $50 fee.3 sos.vermont.gov6
  3. Complete 1,500 hours, then apply for the cosmetologist license with the signed Apprentice Verification form and take the exams.2

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No out-of-state route: apprentices must train in Vermont, and Fast Track Endorsement is not available for barber & cosmetology apprentices.4

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

Instructor specialty license

Requirements

Education or training
Pass the instructor's examination or instructor training recognized by the OPR Director2
Experience
At least 1,500 clock hours2
Practical experience2
License you must hold first: A Vermont license in good standing for the acts to be taught (for cosmetology: Cosmetologist).2
Exam
Instructor's examination (or Director-recognized instructor training instead)2

Fees

FeeAmountPaid to
Application fee$1003OPR

How to apply

  1. Hold a Vermont cosmetologist license in good standing and at least 1,500 hours of practical experience over at least one year.2
  2. Pass the instructor's exam or complete instructor training recognized by the OPR Director.2
  3. Use "Add Specialty" in your OPR Online Services account and pay the specialty fee.2 sos.vermont.gov6
Processing time
Please allow 3-5 business days for processing.2

Renewal

Continuing education
At least 24 hours each renewal period8
Approved courses
Only Vermont-approved courses completed within the two-year cycle count; the approved list is in the online services system.8

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
The instructor specialty is added to an existing Vermont license; an out-of-state instructor first obtains the Vermont cosmetologist license (by endorsement or Fast Track) and then adds the specialty.2

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

Look up a license
sos.vermont.gov6
File a complaint
sos.vermont.gov6

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • July 1, 2025: 26 V.S.A. § 281 (postsecondary schools) was last amended by 2025, No. 58, § 7, eff. July 1, 2025; the current text requires school programs to include training on the care, styling and treatment of textured hair.1

Common questions

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

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 Vermont?

OPR publishes these routes for the Cosmetologist license: license by endorsement1 and universal license recognition2. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Cosmetologist license in Vermont?

Every 2 years3. The renewal fee is $1553.

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. 26 V.S.A. chapter 6: Barbers and CosmetologistsVermont General AssemblyChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Barber, Cosmetologist, Nail Technician, Esthetician Application InstructionsVermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Vermont LawsVermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online)Checked November 7, 2026
  4. Barber & Cosmetology FAQsVermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Barber, Cosmetologist, Nail Technician, Esthetician Apprentice Application InstructionsVermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  6. Barber & Cosmetologist Forms & Instructions | Secretary of StateVermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  7. Veterans, Active-Duty Service Members, and Active-Duty Spouses | Secretary of StateVermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  8. Barber Cosmo Nail Tech Esthetician Renewal Instructions (March 2026)Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  9. OPR Initial Licensing/Renewal Fees & Dates, 90 Day Initial Licensing Policy (Updated 7/1/2025)Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional RegulationDated July 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026