State Licensing Requirements in COLORADO

Cosmetologists

Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology shall obtain a license in compliance with the
Colorado Revised Statutes and shall meet the following qualifications:

• Applicant shall be at least 16 years or older;
• Applicant shall complete the required hours specified by the Office;
• Applicant shall successfully pass the examinations;
• Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
• Applicant shall pay all required fees.

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

• Applicant must complete 1,800 hours of training for cosmetology;
• Applicant shall take the practical and written examinations through PSI;
• Applicant shall pay any required fees.

There are no continuing education requirements. Cosmetologist licenses expire every two years on April 30. The year is dependent upon the issuance date.

Colorado does not offer Apprentice Programs for Cosmetology.

There is no reciprocity offered in Colorado. To obtain a license in Colorado, based on holding a current valid license in another state or foreign country, an applicant must submit and Endorsement Application.

Requirements for Eligibility:

• Applicant must possess an active cosmetology license in good standing;
• Applicant must submit verification of licensure directly to the Office of Barbering and Cosmetology Licensure;
• Applicant’s previous license must have been obtained through substantially equivalent requirements;
• Applicant must pay any required fees.

The rules governing Instructors and Schools have been repealed from the Acts governing the Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure. Under the Private Occupational School Board, Educational instructors are required to meet the following qualifications:

• Complete at least two years or 4,000 hours of acceptable full or part-time experience;
• A Background check must be completed.

Hair Stylists

Any individual wishing to engage in hair styling shall obtain a license in compliance with the Colorado Revised Statutes and shall meet the following qualifications:

• Applicant shall be at least 16 years or older;
• Applicant shall complete the required hours specified by the Office;
• Applicant shall successfully pass the examination;
• Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
• Applicant shall pay all required fees.

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

• Applicant must complete 1,200 hours of training for hair styling;
• Applicant shall take the practical and written examinations through PSI;
• Applicant shall pay any required fees;

There are no continuing education requirements. Hairstylist licenses expire on March 31 of even-numbered years.

Colorado does not offer Apprentice Programs.

There is no reciprocity offered in Colorado. To obtain a license in Colorado, based on holding a current valid license in another state or foreign country, an applicant must submit and Endorsement Application.

Requirements for Eligibility:

• Applicant must possess an active hairstyling license in good standing;
• Applicant must submit verification of licensure directly to the Office of Barbering and Cosmetology Licensure;
• Applicant’s previous license must have been obtained through substantially equivalent requirements;
• Applicant must pay any required fees.

The rules governing Instructors and Schools have been repealed from the Acts governing the Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure. Under the Private Occupational School Board, Educational instructors are required to meet the following qualifications:

• Complete at least two years or 4,000 hours of acceptable full or part-time experience;
• A Background check must be completed.

Barbers

Any individual wishing to engage in barbering shall obtain a license in compliance with the Colorado Revised Statutes and shall meet the following qualifications:

• Applicant shall be at least 16 years or older;
• Applicant shall complete the required hours specified by the Office;
• Applicant shall successfully pass the examination;
• Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
• Applicant shall pay all required fees.

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

• Applicant must complete 1,500 hours of training for barbering;
• Applicant shall take the practical and written examinations through PSI;
• Applicant shall pay any required fees.

There are no continuing education requirements. Barber licenses expire on March 31 of even-numbered years.

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

There is no reciprocity offered in Colorado. To obtain a license in Colorado, based on holding a current valid license in another state or foreign country, an applicant must submit and Endorsement Application.

Requirements for Eligibility:

• Applicant must possess an active barbering license in good standing;
• Applicant must submit verification of licensure directly to the Office of Barbering and Cosmetology Licensure;
• Applicant’s previous license must have been obtained through substantially equivalent requirements;
• Applicant must pay any required fees.

The rules governing Instructors and Schools have been repealed from the Acts governing the Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure. Under the Private Occupational School Board, Educational instructors are required to meet the following qualifications:

• Complete at least two years or 4,000 hours of acceptable full or part-time experience;
• A Background check must be completed.

Estheticians

Any individual wishing to practice as an esthetician shall obtain a license in compliance with the Colorado Revised Statutes and shall meet the following qualifications:

• Applicant shall be at least 16 years or older;
• Applicant shall complete the required hours specified by the Office;
• Applicant shall successfully pass the examination;
• Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
• Applicant shall pay all required fees.

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

• Applicant must complete 600 hours of training for cosmetology;
• Applicant shall take the practical and written examinations through PSI;
• Applicant shall pay any required fees.

There are no continuing education requirements. Esthetician licenses expire on March 31 of even-numbered years.

Colorado does not offer Apprentice Programs.

There is no reciprocity offered in Colorado. To obtain a license in Colorado, based on holding a current valid license in another state or foreign country, an applicant must submit and Endorsement Application.

Requirements for Eligibility:

• Applicant must possess an active estheticians license in good standing;
• Applicant must submit verification of licensure directly to the Office of Barbering and Cosmetology Licensure;
• Applicant’s previous license must have been obtained through substantially equivalent requirements;
• Applicant must pay any required fees.

The rules governing Instructors and Schools have been repealed from the Acts governing the Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure. Under the Private Occupational School Board, Educational instructors are required to meet the following qualifications:

• Complete at least two years or 4,000 hours of acceptable full or part-time experience;
• A Background check must be completed.

Nail Technicians/Manicurist

Any individual wishing to engage manicuring shall obtain a license in compliance with the Colorado Revised Statutes and shall meet the following qualifications:

• Applicant shall be at least 16 years or older;
• Applicant shall complete the required hours specified by the Office;
• Applicant shall successfully pass the examination;
• Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
• Applicant shall pay all required fees.

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

• Applicant must complete 600 hours of training in manicuring;
• Applicant shall take the practical and written examinations through PSI;
• Applicant shall pay any required fees.

There are no continuing education requirements. Nail technician licenses expire on March 31 of even-numbered years.

Colorado does not offer Apprentice Programs.

There is no reciprocity offered in Colorado. To obtain a license in Colorado, based on holding a current valid license in another state or foreign country, an applicant must submit and Endorsement Application.

Requirements for Eligibility:

• Applicant must possess an active nail technicians license in good standing;
• Applicant must submit verification of licensure directly to the Office of Barbering and Cosmetology Licensure;
• Applicant’s previous license must have been obtained through substantially equivalent requirements;
• Applicant must pay any required fees.

• Complete at least two years or 4,000 hours of acceptable full or part-time experience;
• A Background check must be completed.

Make-up Artists

Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services

High School Cosmetology Programs

• Body Piercing
• Massage Therapy
• Natural Hair Braiding
• Tattooing