Institute for Justice

LTW Occupation

Cosmetologist

License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing

Highlights

License required in 51 states
17th most burdensome licensing requirements
4th most heavily regulated occupation

(Last updated April 24, 2012)

Definition

Cosmetologists and hairstylists provide beauty services, such as shampooing, cutting, coloring and styling hair and massaging and treating the scalp and may also apply makeup, dress wigs, perform hair removal and provide nail and skin care services.

Summary

Every state and the District of Columbia require a license to work as a cosmetologist. On average, these laws cost aspiring cosmetologists 372 days in education and $142 in fees and require them to take two exams -- the 17th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied, making for the fourth most widely and onerously licensed occupation. Days of education range from 490 in South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska to 233 in New York and Massachusetts. All states require at least one exam, and most require two or three. Fees range from zero in North Dakota to $325 in Nevada.

(Last updated May 3, 2012)

State Licensing Requirements

Burden Rank	State	Fees	Education/Experience (Days)	Exams	Minimum Grade	Minimum Age
1	South Dakota	80	490	3	12	18
2	Nebraska	165	490	1	12	17
3	Iowa	175	490	1	12	0
4	West Virginia	185	467	3	12	18
5	Idaho	245	467	2	10	16.5
6	Montana	75	467	2	12	18
7	Wyoming	102	467	2	10	16
8	Utah	90	467	2	0	0
9	Nevada	325	420	2	10	18
10	Wisconsin	193	420	2	12	18
11	Kentucky	125	420	2	10	16
12	Colorado	165	420	2	0	16
13	North Dakota	0	420	2	12	0
14	Hawaii	70	420	1	0	0
15	New Mexico	180	373	3	10	17
16	Arizona	185	373	2	10	23
17	Alaska	240	385	2	0	0
18	California	125	373	2	10	17
19	Vermont	235	350	3	12	18
20	Minnesota	245	362	2	12	0
21	Washington	70	373	2	0	17
22	Maine	131	350	3	10	17
23	Alabama	275	350	2	10	16
24	Mississippi	190	350	2	12	17
25	Texas	178	350	2	12	17
26	Washington, D.C.	230	350	2	8	17
27	Georgia	125	350	2	12	17
28	Delaware	173	350	2	10	16
29	Kansas	95	350	2	12	17
30	Missouri	125	350	2	10	17
31	South Carolina	80	350	2	12	16
32	Arkansas	115	350	2	10	16
33	Rhode Island	50	350	2	12	18
34	Oklahoma	40	350	2	12	17
35	Maryland	100	350	2	9	17
36	Ohio	76	350	2	10	16
37	Louisiana	75	350	2	10	16
38	Indiana	199	350	1	10	18
39	Illinois	229	350	1	8	16
40	Michigan	40	350	2	9	17
41	New Hampshire	124	350	2	12	0
42	Tennessee	190	350	2	0	16
43	Virginia	170	350	2	0	0
44	North Carolina	158	350	2	0	0
45	Connecticut	90	350	1	8	0
46	Oregon	90	338	2	0	0
47	Pennsylvania	149	292	2	10	16
48	Florida	125	280	2	12	16
49	New Jersey	110	280	2	12	17
50	New York	70	233	2	0	17
51	Massachusetts	172	233	2	0	0

Sign up to receive IJ's biweekly digital magazine, Liberty & Law along with breaking updates about our fight to protect the rights of all Americans.

Footer Signup

Name*
First Last
Email
Yes, I want a hard copy, too!
- Yes, send me the magazine by mail, too!
Address
Street Address City State ZIP Code
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.