State Licensing Requirements in ALABAMA

Cosmetologists

Any person wishing to become a licensed cosmetologist must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a citizen of the U.S. or, if not a citizen, a person who is legally present in the U.S. with appropriate documentation from the Federal Government;
• Applicant is at least 16 years old;
• Applicant has successfully completed at least 10 grades in secondary school, or the equivalent;
• Applicant must have successfully completed the required clock hours in a licensed or registered school of cosmetology or on courses reported in credit hours;
• Any applicant who pays the applicable examination fee, successfully completes the applicable examination, and pays the license fee shall be issued a cosmetologist license.

Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:

• Applicants must compete 1,650 hours of course of study;
• Applicants must complete a written and practical examination;
• Applicants must complete examinations with a score of 75 points of more.

There are no continuing education requirements in Alabama.

Any individual who wishes to become an apprentice must satisfy the following qualifications:

• Is at least 16 years of age;
• Has successfully completed at least 10th grade or equivalent;
• Has paid the applicable registration fee;
• Before an apprentice begins work under this chapter, the sponsor, on behalf of a potential apprentice, shall request and obtain an apprenticeship work permit from the board;
• An apprentice may train in a licensed shop under a current licensee who has been licensed for at least five years in the appropriate field;
• If an apprentice does not receive his or her license within two years after certification of completion of training, the board may require the apprentice to complete additional hours of training before applying or reapplying for licensure;
• Cosmetology apprentices must complete 3,000 clock hours within 3 years.

In order to receive reciprocity in Alabama an individual must:

• Request that certification from their current state be sent to the Boards office. This must be sent directly from their current state to the Boards office in the state they wish to apply to;
• Once certification is received, the appropriate paperwork will be sent and notification will be given of any exams that need to be taken;
• There is a minimum $100 fee for this service.

Any person who wishes to be admitted to an examination or obtain an instructors license must meet the following requirements:

• Has completed at least 12 grades in secondary school, or equivalent;
• Holds a valid license in the applicable area of practice;
• Satisfies either of the following requirements:
  • Has successfully completed at least 1,500 hours in a teacher’s training course at a
    licensed school;
  • Has completed at least one year of active experience in a shop plus 650 hours at a
    licensed school.

Hair Stylists

Any person wishing to become a licensed hair stylist must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a citizen of the U.S. or, if not a citizen, a person who is legally present in the U.S. with appropriate documentation from the Federal Government;
• Applicant must be at least 16 years of age;
• Applicant must have successfully completed at least 10 grades in secondary school, or the equivalent;
• Applicant must have successfully completed the required clock hours of natural hair style instruction in a licensed school.

In order to be eligible to take the examination, an applicant must:

• Complete all legal requirements;
• Competes 210 required hours;
• Submit appropriate examination fees.

There are no continuing education requirements in Alabama.

Any individual who wishes to become an apprentice must satisfy the following qualifications:

• Must be at least 16 years of age;
• Has successfully completed at least 10th grade or equivalent;
• Has paid the applicable registration fee;
• Before an apprentice begins work under this chapter, the sponsor, on behalf of a potential apprentice, shall request and obtain an apprenticeship work permit from the board;
• An apprentice may train in a licensed shop under a current licensee who has been licensed for at least 5 years in the appropriate field;
• If an apprentice does not receive his or her license within two years after certification of completion of training, the board may require the apprentice to complete additional hours of training before applying or reapplying for licensure;
• Natural Hair Stylists must complete 420 clock hours of apprentice work.

In order to receive reciprocity in Alabama an individual must:

• Request that certification from their current state be sent to the Boards office. This must be sent directly from their current state to the Boards office in the state they wish to apply to;
• Once certification is received, the appropriate paperwork will be sent and notification will be given of any exams that need to be taken;
• There is a minimum $100 fee for this service.

Any person who wishes to be admitted to an examination or obtain an instructors license must meet the following requirements:

• Has completed at least 12 grades in secondary school, or equivalent;
• Holds a valid license in the applicable area of practice;
• Satisfies either of the following requirements:
• Has successfully completed at least 1,500 hours in a teacher’s training course at a licensed school;
• Has completed at least one year of active experience in a shop plus 650 hours at a licensed school.

Barbers

Any person wishing to become a licensed Class 2 Barber must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a citizen of the U.S. or, if not a citizen, a person who is legally present in the U.S. with appropriate documentation from the Federal Government;
• Applicant must be at least 16 years old;
• Applicant must have successfully completed at least 10 grades in secondary school, or the equivalent;
• Applicant must have successfully completed the required clock hours in a licensed or registered school of barbering or the required clock hours under the immediate supervision of a Class 2 licensed barber, who has held a license for at least five years.

In order to take the examination, an applicant must:

• Complete all legal requirements;
• Compete 1,000 required hours in a licensed school or 2,000 under immediate supervision of a class 2 licensed barber;
• Submit appropriate examination fees.

There are no continuing education requirements in Alabama.

Any individual who wishes to become an apprentice must satisfy the following qualifications:

• Must be at least 16 years of age;
• Has successfully completed at least 10th grade or equivalent;
• Has paid the applicable registration fee;
• Before an apprentice begins work under this chapter, the sponsor, on behalf of a potential apprentice, shall request and obtain an apprenticeship work permit from the board;
• An apprentice may train in a licensed shop under a current licensee who has been licensed for at least 5 years in the appropriate field;
• If an apprentice does not receive his or her license within two years after certification of completion of training, the board may require the apprentice to complete additional hours of training before applying or reapplying for licensure;
• Apprentice barbers must complete 2,000 clock hours within 2 years.

In order to receive reciprocity in Alabama an individual must:

• Request that certification from their current state be sent to the Boards office. This must be sent directly from their current state to the Boards office in the state they wish to apply to;
• Once certification is received, the appropriate paperwork will be sent and notification will be given of any exams that need to be taken;
• There is a minimum $100 fee for this service.

Any person who wishes to be admitted to an examination or obtain an instructors license must
meet the following requirements:

• Has completed at least 12 grades in secondary school, or equivalent;
• Holds a valid license in the applicable area of practice;
• Satisfies either of the following requirements:
• Has successfully completed at least 1,500 hours in a teacher’s training course at a licensed school;
• Has completed at least one year of active experience in a shop plus 650 hours at a licensed school.

Estheticians

Any person wishing to become a licensed esthetician must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a citizen of the U.S. or, if not a citizen, a person who is legally present in the U.S. with appropriate documentation from the Federal Government;
• Applicant is at least 16 years old;
• Applicant has successfully completed at least 10 grades in secondary school, or the equivalent;
• Has successfully completed the required clock hours of skin care instruction in a licensed school of esthetics or school of cosmetology or on courses reported in credit hours or complete the required hours under the immediate supervision of an esthetician continuously licensed.

In order to take the examination, an applicant must:

• Complete all legal requirements;
• Compete 1,000 required hours at a licensed esthetics school or 2,000 hours under immediate supervision of a licensed esthetician;
• Submit appropriate examination fees.

There are no continuing education requirements in Alabama.

Any individual who wishes to become an apprentice must satisfy the following qualifications:

• Must be at least 16 years of age;
• Has successfully completed at least 10th grade or equivalent;
• Has paid the applicable registration fee;
• Before an apprentice begins work under this chapter, the sponsor, on behalf of a potential apprentice, shall request and obtain an apprenticeship work permit from the board;
• An apprentice may train in a licensed shop under a current licensee who has been licensed for at least five years in the appropriate field;
• If an apprentice does not receive his or her license within two years after certification of completion of training, the board may require the apprentice to complete additional hours of training before applying or reapplying for licensure;
• Esthetician apprentices must complete 2,000 clock hours within 3 years.

In order to receive reciprocity in Alabama an individual must:

• Applicant must request that certification from their current state be sent to the Boards
  office. This must be sent directly from their current state directly to the Boards office;
• Once certification is received, the appropriate paperwork will be sent and notification will
  be given of any exams that need to be taken;
• There is a minimum $100 fee for this service.

Any person who wishes to be admitted to an examination or obtain an instructors license must meet the following requirements:

• Has completed at least 12 grades in secondary school, or equivalent;
• Holds a valid license in the applicable area of practice;
• Satisfies either of the following requirements:
• Has successfully completed at least 1,500 hours in a teacher’s training course at a
  licensed school;
• Has completed at least one year of active experience in a shop plus 650 hours at a
  licensed school.

Nail Technicians/Manicurist

Any person wishing to become a licensed nail technician must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a citizen of the U.S. or, if not a citizen, a person who is legally present in the U.S. with appropriate documentation from the Federal Government;
• Must be at least 16 years of age;
• Applicant must have successfully completed at least 10 grades in secondary school, or the equivalent;
• Applicant must have successfully completed the required clock hours of manicure
  instruction in a licensed school.

In order to take the examination, an applicant must:

• Complete all legal requirements;
• Compete 750 required hours at a licensed school;
• Submit appropriate examination fees.

There are no continuing education requirements in Alabama.

Any individual who wishes to become an apprentice must satisfy the following qualifications:

• Must be at least 16 years of age;
• Has successfully completed at least 10th grade or equivalent;
• Has paid the applicable registration fee;
• Before an apprentice begins work under this chapter, the sponsor, on behalf of a potential apprentice, shall request and obtain an apprenticeship work permit from the board;
• An apprentice may train in a licensed shop under a current licensee who has been licensed for at least 5 years in the appropriate field;
• If an apprentice does not receive his or her license within two years after certification of completion of training, the board may require the apprentice to complete additional hours of training before applying or reapplying for licensure;
• Apprentice nail technicians must complete 1,200 clock hours within 2 years.

In order to receive reciprocity in Alabama an individual must:

• Request that certification from their current state be sent to the Boards office. This must be sent directly from their current state to the Boards office in the state they wish to apply to;
• Once certification is received, the appropriate paperwork will be sent and notification will be given of any exams that need to be taken;
• There is a minimum $100 fee for this service.

• Has completed at least 12 grades in secondary school, or equivalent;
• Holds a valid license in the applicable area of practice;
• Satisfies either of the following requirements:
• Has successfully completed at least 1,500 hours in a teacher’s training course at a licensed school;
• Has completed at least one year of active experience in a shop plus 650 hours at a licensed school.

Make-up Artists

Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services

High School Cosmetology Programs

• Eyebrow threaders
• Waxers
• Massage Therapy
• Permanent Make-up
• Tattooist