State Licensing Requirements in Michigan
Cosmetologists
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology, shall obtain a license in compliance with the Code of Michigan and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant must be at least 17 years of age;
- Applicant must be of good moral character;
- Applicant must have completed a 9th grade education or equivalent;
- Applicant completes the required hours of cosmetology training in a licensed school of cosmetology; or
- Applicant performs an apprenticeship program within a licensed cosmetology
establishment; - Applicant must take the examinations through PSI;
- Applicant must submit an application with the required documents;
- Applicant shall pay the required fees.
Exam Requirements
Each Individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 1,500 hours at a cosmetology school;
- Applicant shall complete a 2-year apprenticeship program;
- Applicant must pass both a theory and practical examinations through PSI;
- To pass a score of 75% or grader must be achieved;
- Upon passing, Applicant must pay the required fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements in Michigan. Licenses expire every 2 years on August 31st
Apprenticeship Programs
Apprentice programs are approved by the department providing the licensee has been a licensed practitioner of the occupation for at least 3 years, and that the shop is an actively licensed cosmetology establishment.
Apprentice programs must follow these guidelines:
Apprentice programs must follow these guidelines:
- Cosmetology Apprentices must complete 24 months of education;
- Apprentices shall train no more than 7 hours a day or not more than 40 hours per week while receiving an average of not less than 80 hours per month in the prescribed curriculum;
- Apprentice advisor must send monthly time sheet to the department before the tenth day of the following month;
- Cosmetology apprentices may perform services for clients of the shop only after completing 350 hours in the cosmetology curriculum
- Apprentices shall receive no pay for services rendered, and those services must be under the direct supervision of his or her practitioner.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
An individual licensed in another state, US territory, or country may qualify for licensure in Michigan providing that the person has experience and training substantially equal to that required in Michigan. Licensed work experience can substitute for training hours in a ratio of 100 hours for each 6 months of experience.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Have graduated high school or equivalent;
- Is of good moral character;
- Is currently licensed as a cosmetologist;
- Complete n 500 hours of training in a licensed school of cosmetology;
- Possess at least 3 years of practical experience with at least 1 year of which shall be in a licensed cosmetology establishment;
- Pass the required examination administered by PSI Services;
- Submit Instructor License Application with the required fees.
Hair Stylists
Hairstylist are licensed under Cosmetology and Barbering.
Barbers
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering shall obtain a license in compliance with the Code of Michigan and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant must be at least 17 years of age;
- Applicant has at least a 10th grade education or equivalent;
- Applicant completes the required hours of barbering training in a licensed barber college;
- Applicant must take the examinations through PSI;
- Applicant must apply with the required documents;
- Applicant shall pay the required fees.
Exam Requirements
Each Individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 1,800 hours at a cosmetology school;
- Applicant must pass both a theory and practical examinations through PSI;
- To pass a score of 75% or grader must be achieved;
- Upon passing, Applicant must pay the required fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements. The Barber license expires biennially September 30th of odd-numbered years.
Apprenticeship Programs
There are no apprenticeships. Required hours need to be completed in a licensed barber college.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Barbers who are currently licensed in another state, country, or jurisdiction may apply for a Michigan license by reciprocity. An individual licensed may qualify for licensure in Michigan providing that the person has experience and training substantially equal to that required in Michigan.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in barber instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant must have attended barber college for a year of instructor training; or
- Applicant has successfully completed 60 semester hours (90 term hours) in a course of instruction approved by the board;
- Applicant shall pass the instructor examination through PSI;
- Applicant shall pay the required fees.
Estheticians
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics, shall obtain a license in compliance with the Code of Michigan and shall meet the following qualifications:
- The applicant must be at least 17 years of age;
- The applicant shall be of good moral character;
- The applicant shall have an education equivalent to the completion of the ninth grade;
- The applicant shall have completed hours of training in a licensed school of cosmetology; or
- The applicant as an apprentice in a licensed cosmetology establishment where skin care services are rendered;
- Applicant must take the examinations through PSI;
- Applicant must submit an application with the required documents;
- Applicant shall pay the required fees.
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 600 hours of training in a cosmetology school; or
- Applicant finished 12 months as a registered apprentice;
- Applicant shall take a theory and practical examination;
- Applicant must pay any required fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses expire every two years.
Apprenticeship Programs
Apprentice programs are approved by the department providing the licensee has been a licensed practitioner of the occupation for at least 3 years, and that the shop is an actively licensed cosmetology establishment.
Apprentice programs must follow these guidelines:
Apprentice programs must follow these guidelines:
- Esthetician Apprentices must complete 6 months of education;
- Apprentices shall train no more than 7 hours a day or not more than 40 hours per week while receiving an average of not less than 80 hours per month in the prescribed curriculum;
- Apprentice advisor must send monthly time sheet to the department before the tenth day of the following month;
- Esthetics apprentices may perform services for clients of the shop only after completing 120 hours in the cosmetology curriculum
- Apprentices shall receive no pay for services rendered, and those services must be under the direct supervision of his or her practitioner.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
An individual licensed in another state, US territory, or country may qualify for licensure in Michigan providing that the person has experience and training substantially equal to that required in Michigan. Licensed work experience can substitute for training hours in a ratio of 100 hours for each 6 months of experience.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Have graduated high school or equivalent;
- Is of good moral character;
- Is currently licensed as an esthetician;
- Complete 300 hours of training in a licensed school of cosmetology;
- Pass the required examination administered by PSI Services;
- Submit Instructor License Application with the required fees.
Nail Technicians/Manicurist
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in nail technology, shall obtain a license in compliance with the Code of Michigan and shall meet the following qualifications:
- The applicant must be at least 17 years of age;
- The applicant shall be of good moral character;
- The applicant shall have an education equivalent to the completion of the ninth grade;
- The applicant shall have completed hours of training in a licensed school of cosmetology; or
- The applicant as an apprentice in a licensed cosmetology establishment where skin care services are rendered;
- Applicant must take the examinations through PSI;
- Applicant must submit an application with the required documents;
- Applicant shall pay the required fees.
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 400 hours at a cosmetology school;
- Applicant shall complete a 6-month apprenticeship program;
- Applicant must pass both a theory and practical examinations through PSI;
- To pass a score of 75% or greater must be achieved;
- Upon passing, Applicant must pay the required fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements in Michigan. Licenses expire every 2 years on August 31st.
Apprenticeship Programs
Apprentice programs are approved by the department providing the licensee has been a licensed practitioner of the occupation for at least 3 years, and that the shop is an actively licensed cosmetology establishment.
Apprentice programs must follow these guidelines:
Apprentice programs must follow these guidelines:
- Nail Technician Apprentices must complete 6 months of education;
- Apprentices shall train no more than 7 hours a day or not more than 40 hours per week while receiving an average of not less than 80 hours per month in the prescribed curriculum;
- Apprentice advisor must send monthly time sheet to the department before the tenth day of the following month;
- Nail Technology apprentices may perform services for clients of the shop only after completing 120 hours in the cosmetology curriculum
- Apprentices shall receive no pay for services rendered, and those services must be under the direct supervision of his or her practitioner.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
An individual licensed in another state, US territory, or country may qualify for licensure in Michigan providing that the person has experience and training substantially equal to that required in Michigan. Licensed work experience can substitute for training hours in a ratio of 100 hours for each 6 months of experience.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in nail technology instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Have graduated high school or equivalent;
- Is of good moral character;
- Is currently licensed as a nail technician;
- Complete 300 hours of training in a licensed school of cosmetology;
- Pass the required examination administered by PSI Services;
- Submit Instructor License Application with the required fees.
Make-up Artists
Make-up artists are licensed under Cosmetology and Esthetics.
Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services
Mobile Cosmetology Services are not licensed in Michigan.
High School Cosmetology Programs
In Michigan, there are high school cosmetology programs offered. However, there are no specific rules governing high school cosmetology. Students are required to complete the same number of required hours as any other student.
Additional Professions Licensed
- Body Piercing
- Branding
- Electrology
- Massage Therapy
- Natural Hair Culturist
- Tattooing