State Licensing Requirements in IOWA
Cosmetologists
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall have graduated from high school or its equivalent;
- Applicant completes the required hours and graduates from a Board approved school of cosmetology arts and sciences;
- Applicant passes an examination prescribed by the board;
- Applicant shall submit a completed, board-approved application for licensure;
- Applicant shall pay the required fees.
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 2,100 hours of education or 70 semester hours;
- Applicant shall take the national examination as prescribed by the Board;
- Applicant must obtain a score of 75 percent or greater;
- NIC examinations are administered according to guidelines set forth by the National- Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology. Submit the test registration fee directly to the test service PSI,
Cosmetology licenses in Iowa expire every two years on March 31st. Cosmetologists are required to complete 8 hours of continuing education.
- 4 hours must be in the prescribed practice discipline;
- 2 hours must be in areas of Iowa law and sanitation.
Those persons licensed for the first time shall not be required to complete continuing education as a prerequisite for the first renewal of their licenses. Continuing education hours acquired anytime from the initial licensing until the second license renewal may be used.
Apprenticeships are not permitted in Iowa. An Applicant’s education must be received in a Board approved school.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Iowa does not offer Reciprocity. However, to obtain a license based on holding acurrentvalid license in another state jurisdiction, or country, an Applicant must submit an Endorsement Application. The previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means.
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be licensed in the state of Iowa as a cosmetologist;
- Applicant shall complete 1,000 hours of instructor’s training; or
- Applicant shall complete two years’ active practice in the field of cosmetology within six years prior to application;
- Applicant shall submit proof of completion of an instructor methods training course consisting of at least 16 hours;
- Applicant shall pass the instructor’s national examination;
- Applicant shall submit a completed application for licensure and the appropriate fee to the board;
Hair Stylists
Barbers
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering shall obtain a license in compliance with the Iowa Board of Barbering and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicants shall have completed the 10th grade or equivalent;
- Applicants shall graduate from a licensed school of barbering and shall have complete the required hours of education;
- Applicants shall pass the theory and practical examinations;
- Applicants shall complete a board-approved application form;
- Applicants shall pay the required fees.
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 2,100 hours of education;
- Applicant shall take both the theory and practical examinations through NIC;
- Applicant must obtain a 70 percent or better
Cosmetology licenses in Iowa expire every even numbered year on June 30st. Cosmetologists are required to complete 3 hours of continuing education. 1 hour must be in areas of Iowa law and sanitation. A licensee who is a barber instructor shall obtain four hours in teaching methodology in addition to meeting all continuing education requirements for renewal of the barber license.
Those persons licensed for the first time shall not be required to complete continuing education as a prerequisite for the first renewal of their licenses. Continuing education hours acquired anytime from the initial licensing until the second license renewal may be used.
Apprenticeships are not permitted in Iowa. An Applicant’s education must be received in a Board approved school.
Iowa does not offer Reciprocity. However, to obtain a license based on holding acurrentvalid license in another state jurisdiction, or country, an Applicant must submit an Endorsement Application. The previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means.
- Applicant must have been licensed for at least 12 months in the past 2 years;
- Applicant shall currently be licensed as a barber;
- Applicant must complete one hour of Iowa barbering laws and administrative rules and sanitation;
- Applicant must pass the national written and practical examinations;
- Applicant shall pay the required fees
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant must have graduated from high school or equivalent;
- Applicant must have completed 2,100 hours of education at a licensed barber school; or
- Applicant must have held an active license for 12 of the last 2 years;
- Applicant must obtain a passing score of 70% or higher on the NIC instructor theory and practical exams;
- Instructor applicants must be licensed as a barber in the state of Iowa for at least two years.
Estheticians
Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall have graduated from high school or its equivalent;
- Applicant completes the required hours and graduates from a Board approved school of cosmetology arts and sciences;
- Applicant passes an examination prescribed by the board;
- Applicant shall submit a completed, board-approved application for licensure;
- Applicant shall pay the required fees.
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall take the national examination as prescribed by the Board;
- Applicant must obtain a score of 75 percent or greater;
- NIC examinations are administered according to guidelines set forth by the National- Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology. Submit the test registration fee directly to the test service PSI,
Esthetics licenses in Iowa expire every two years on March 31st. Estheticians are required to complete 8 hours of continuing education.
- 4 hours must be in the prescribed practice discipline;
- 2 hours must be in areas of Iowa law and sanitation.
Those persons licensed for the first time shall not be required to complete continuing education as a prerequisite for the first renewal of their licenses. Continuing education hours acquired anytime from the initial licensing until the second license renewal may be used.
Apprenticeships are not permitted in Iowa. An Applicant’s education must be received in a Board approved school.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Iowa does not offer reciprocity. However, to obtain a license based on holding acurrentvalid license in another state jurisdiction, or country, an Applicant must submit an Endorsement Application. The previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means.
- Applicant must have been licensed for at least 12 months in the past 2 years;
- Applicant shall currently be licensed as an esthetician;
- Applicants who graduated from a cosmetology school prior to January 1, 2000, shall have passed the state written and practical examination required by the state in which the applicants was originally licensed; or
- Applicants who graduated from a cosmetology school after January 1, 2000, shall have passed the national theory examination;
- Applicant shall pay the required fees.
Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be licensed in the state of Iowa as an esthetician;
- Applicant shall complete 1,000 hours of instructor’s training; or
- Applicant shall complete two years’ active practice in the field of cosmetology within six years prior to application;
- Applicant shall submit proof of completion of an instructor methods training course consisting of at least 16 hours;
- Applicant shall pass the instructor’s national examination;
- Applicant shall submit a completed application for licensure and the appropriate fee to the board;
Nail Technicians/Manicurist
Licensing Requirements
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Any individual wishing to engage in nail technology shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall have graduated from high school or its equivalent;
- Applicant completes the required hours and graduates from a Board approved school of cosmetology arts and sciences;
- Applicant passes an examination prescribed by the board;
- Applicant shall submit a completed, board-approved application for licensure;
- Applicant shall pay the required fees.
- Applicant shall take the national examination as prescribed by the Board;
- Applicant must obtain a score of 75 percent or greater;
- NIC examinations are administered according to guidelines set forth by the National- Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology. Submit the test registration fee directly to the test service PSI,
Nail Technology licenses in Iowa expire every two years on March 31st. Nail technicians are required to complete 8 hours of continuing education.
- 4 hours must be in the prescribed practice discipline;
- 2 hours must be in areas of Iowa law and sanitation.
Those persons licensed for the first time shall not be required to complete continuing education as a prerequisite for the first renewal of their licenses. Continuing education hours
Apprenticeships are not permitted in Iowa. An Applicant’s education must be received in a Board approved school.
Iowa does not offer reciprocity. However, to obtain a license based on holding acurrentvalid license in another state jurisdiction, or country, an Applicant must submit an Endorsement Application. The previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means.
- Applicant must have been licensed for at least 12 months in the past 2 years;
- Applicant shall currently be licensed as a barber;
- Applicant must complete one hour of Iowa barbering laws and administrative rules and sanitation;
- Applicant must pass the national written and practical examinations;
- Applicant shall pay the required fees
Any individual wishing to engage in nail technology instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be licensed in the state of Iowa as a nail technician;
- Applicant shall complete 1,000 hours of instructor’s training; or
- Applicant shall complete two years’ active practice in the field of cosmetology within six years prior to application;
- Applicant shall submit proof of completion of an instructor methods training course consisting of at least 16 hours;
- Applicant shall pass the instructor’s national examination;
- Applicant shall submit a completed application for licensure and the appropriate fee to the board;
Make-up Artists
Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services
High School Cosmetology Programs
- Body Piercing
- Electrology
- Hair Braiding
- Massage Therapy
- Tattooing