State Licensing Requirements in IDAHO
Cosmetologists
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology shall obtain a license in compliance with the Idaho
Statutes and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be at least 16 and ½ years old;
- Applicant shall have completed the 10th grade or equivalent;
- Applicant shall have completed the required hours of training;
- Applicant shall pass the Board approved exams through the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC);
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 2,000 hours of instruction is a licensed school of cosmetology; or
- Applicant shall complete 4,000 hours of training as an apprentice;
- Applicant shall pass a theory examination and a practical examination;
- Upon passing, Applicant must pay any required fees.
There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses must be renewed each year in Idaho.
All persons desiring to enter a program of apprenticeship training in Idaho shall satisfy all general student requirements that are applicable to the license.
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The rules governing Instructors and Schools have been repealed from the Acts governing the Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure.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. Licenses must be renewed each year in Idaho.
There are no haircutting apprenticeships in Idaho.
Idaho does not offer license reciprocity. To obtain a license in Idaho, based on holding a current valid license in another state, an applicant must submit an Endorsement Application.
Requirements to receive license:
- Applicant must be at least 18 years old;
- Applicant shall be of good moral character;
- Applicant must have completed 2 years of high school or the equivalent;
- Applicant holds a current license that was obtained through standards equal to or greater than that of Idaho; or
- Applicant has work experience under the license issued within the other state for at least 3 of the last 5 years;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
There are no specific haircutting instructors in Idaho. To be a licensed as an instructor in haircutting, a cosmetology license is necessary
Barbers
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering shall obtain a license in compliance with the Idaho Statutes and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be at least 16 and ½ years old;
- Applicant shall be of good moral character;
- Applicant shall have completed the 10th grade or equivalent;
- Applicant shall complete the required hours of instruction;
- Applicant shall pass the Board approved examinations;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 900 hours of instruction in a licensed barbering school;
- Applicant shall pass the written examination and practical demonstration;
- Upon passing, Applicant shall pay any required fees.
There are no continuing education requirements for Barber licenses. However, Barber Instructors are required to obtain 20 hours of continued education within the 12 months before renewal. Licenses must be renewed each year in Idaho.
There are no Barber apprenticeships offered in Idaho.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Idaho does not offer license reciprocity. To obtain a license in Idaho, based on holding a current valid license in another state, an applicant must submit an Application.
Requirements to receive license:
- Applicant must be at least 18 years old;
- Applicant shall be of good moral character;
- Applicant must have completed 2 years of high school or the equivalent;
- Applicant holds a current license that was obtained through standards equal to or greater than that of Idaho; or
- Applicant has work experience under the license issued within the other state for at least 3 of the last 5 years;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant must hold a current barber license in Idaho;
- Applicant must be of good moral character;
- Applicant completes a 6-month course of barber instructing in a licensed barber school;
- Applicant has 1 year of experience in as a licensed barber; or
- Applicant has 1-year experience as an apprentice in a licensed barber school;
- Applicant shall successfully pass then examination approved by the Board;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Estheticians
Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics shall obtain a license in compliance with the Idaho Statutes and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be at least 16 and ½ years old;
- Applicant shall have completed the 10th grade or equivalent;
- Applicant shall have completed the required hours of training;
- Applicant shall pass the Board approved exams through the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC);
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 600 hours of instruction is a licensed school or cosmetology; or
- Applicant shall complete 1,200 hours of training as an apprentice;
- Applicant shall pass a theory examination and a practical examination;
- Upon passing, Applicant must pay any required fees.
There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses must be renewed each year in Idaho.
All persons desiring to enter a program of apprenticeship training in Idaho shall satisfy all general student requirements that are applicable to the license.
Along with this the following requirements must be met:
- Applicant shall complete the minimum requirement for apprentice training of 1,200 hours;
- All Apprentices shall be under the supervision of a licensed instructor;
- Establishments employing apprentices shall keep a daily work record of hours worked and instruction given to the apprentice.
Idaho does not offer license reciprocity. To obtain a license in Idaho, based on holding a current valid license in another state, an applicant must submit an Endorsement Application.
Requirements to receive license:
- Applicant must be at least 18 years old;
- Applicant shall be of good moral character;
- Applicant must have completed 2 years of high school or the equivalent;
- Applicant holds a current license that was obtained through standards equal to or greater than that of Idaho; or
- Applicant has work experience under the license issued within the other state for at least 3 of the last 5 years;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall complete 12 semester college credit hours or equivalent as approved by the Board; or
- Applicant shall successfully complete the required examination;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
- Applicant shall possess a current license as an esthetician and shall complete a 6-month teacher’s course of instruction in a school of cosmetology; or
- Applicant shall have 2 years of experience as a licensed esthetician and shall complete a 3-month teacher’s course of instruction; or
- Applicant shall have 5 years as a licensed esthetician immediately preceding the application for license.
And the Applicant must meet one of the following:
Nail Technicians/Manicurist
Any individual wishing to engage in nail technology shall obtain a license in compliance with the Idaho Statutes and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be at least 16 and ½ years old;
- Applicant shall have completed the 10th grade or equivalent;
- Applicant shall have completed the required hours of training;
- Applicant shall pass the Board approved exams through the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC);
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 400 hours of instruction is a licensed school or cosmetology; or
- Applicant shall complete 800 hours of training as an apprentice;
- Applicant shall pass a theory examination and a practical examination;
- Upon passing, Applicant must pay any required fees.
There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses must be renewed each year in Idaho.
All persons desiring to enter a program of apprenticeship training in Idaho shall satisfy all general student requirements that are applicable to the license.
Along with this the following requirements must be met:
- Applicant shall complete the minimum requirement for apprentice training of 800 hours;
- All Apprentices shall be under the supervision of a licensed instructor;
- Establishments employing apprentices shall keep a daily work record of hours worked and instruction given to the apprentice.
Idaho does not offer license reciprocity. To obtain a license in Idaho, based on holding a current valid license in another state, an applicant must submit an Endorsement Application.
Requirements to receive license:
- Applicant must be at least 18 years old;
- Applicant shall be of good moral character;
- Applicant must have completed 2 years of high school or the equivalent;
- Applicant holds a current license that was obtained through standards equal to or greater than that of Idaho; or
- Applicant has work experience under the license issued within the other state for at least 3 of the last 5 years;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Any individual wishing to engage in nail technology instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall complete 12 semester college credit hours or equivalent as approved by the Board; or
- Applicant shall successfully complete the required examination;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
- Applicant shall possess a current license as a nail technologist and shall complete a 6-month teacher’s course of instruction in a school of cosmetology; or
- Applicant shall have 2 years of experience as a licensed nail technologist and shall complete a 3-month teacher’s course of instruction; or
- Applicant shall have 5 years as a licensed nail technologist immediately preceding the application for license.
Applicants must also meet one of the following:
Make-up Artists
Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services
High School Cosmetology Programs
- Barber-Stylist
- Electrology
- Glamour Photography Business
- Massage Therapy
- Retail Cosmetics Dealers