State Licensing Requirements in MINNESOTA
Cosmetologists
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall possess a high school diploma or equivalent;
- Applicant shall graduate from a Board approved school and complete the required hours of instruction;
- Applicant shall pass the required examinations;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 1,550 hours of training;
- Applicant shall pass the general theory test, a written practical test, and a test on the Minnesota laws and rules;
- Upon passing, Applicant shall pay the required fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
Cosmetologists in Minnesota must renew their license every year by the last day of their birth month. Practitioners are required to complete 4 hours of continuing education every cycle. However, 4 extra hours of continuing education must be received starting August 2017. These hour must include:
- product chemistry and chemical interaction;
- proper use and maintenance of machines and instruments;
- business management, professional ethics, and human relations; or
- techniques relevant to the type of license held.
These credits will be valid for three years and will NOT overlap with the 4 hours required each renewal period.
Instructors are required to complete 45 hours of continuing education within a 3-year period. 30 hours shall be in teaching methodology and 15 hours will be on clinical practice in the field of licensure.
Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeships are not permitted in Minnesota. An Applicant’s education must be received in a Board approved school.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Reciprocity is not offered in Minnesota. To obtain a license in another state or country, an Applicant must submit an application to the Board.
Requirements for Eligibility:
- Applicant must have completed 1,550 hours of education; or
- Applicant must have been licensed for 3 years;
- Applicant must provide proof of high school education or equivalent;
- Applicant must submit written and practical examination results not more than a year old;
- Applicant must have passed the Minnesota state rules and laws test within the last year;
- Applicant must pay the required fees.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Shall submit a completed application form;
- Shall hold a current Minnesota cosmetologist license;
- Shall have at least 2,700 hours of licensed practice as a cosmetologist;
- Shall complete the board approved instructor course;
- Shall pass the instructor examination;
- Shall pay the required fees.
Hair Stylists
Hairstylists are licensed under Cosmetology and Barbering.
Barbers
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall have completed the 10th grade or equivalent;
- Applicant shall successfully complete the required hours of study from a Board approved school;
- Applicant shall pass an examination;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 1,500 hours of study at a registered Barber school;
- Applicant shall pass and examination consisting of 6 parts (1 written, 1 oral, and 4 practical);
- Applicant must receive a 55 or higher on the test;
- Upon passing, Applicant shall pay the required fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses expire December 31st of every year.
Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeships are not permitted in Minnesota. An Applicant’s education must be received in a Board approved school.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
To obtain a license in Minnesota, based on holding a current valid license in another state or country, an Applicant must submit an Application to the Board. If the Applicants education and examination requirements are equal to that of the state, they will receive a license without examination. Otherwise, Applicants may need to obtain training and will have to take the examination for licensure.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant must have been practicing for 3 years as a barber;
- Applicant must take the instructor examination and score a 75% or higher.
Estheticians
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall possess a high school diploma or equivalent;
- Applicant shall graduate from a Board approved school and complete the required hours of instruction;
- Applicant shall pass the required examinations;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall submit the following:
- Applicant shall complete 600 hours of training;
- Applicant shall pass the general theory test, a written practical test, and a test on the Minnesota laws and rules;
- Upon passing, Applicant shall pay the required fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
Estheticians in Minnesota must renew their license every year by the last day of their birth month. Practitioners are required to complete 4 hours of continuing education every cycle. However, 4 extra hours of continuing education must be received starting August 2017. These hour must include:
- product chemistry and chemical interaction;
- proper use and maintenance of machines and instruments;
- business management, professional ethics, and human relations; or
- techniques relevant to the type of license held.
These credits will be valid for three years and will NOT overlap with the 4 hours required each renewal period.
Instructors are required to complete 45 hours of continuing education within a 3-year period. 30 hours shall be in teaching methodology and 15 hours will be on clinical practice in the field of licensure.
Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeships are not permitted in Minnesota. An Applicant’s education must be received in a Board approved school.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Reciprocity is not offered in Minnesota. To obtain a license in another state or country, an Applicant must submit an Application to the Board.
Requirements for Eligibility:
- Applicant must have completed 600 hours of education; or
- Applicant must have been licensed for 3 years;
- Applicant must provide proof of high school education or equivalent;
- Applicant must submit written and practical examination results not more than a year old;
- Applicant must have passed the Minnesota state rules and laws test within the last year;
- Applicant must pay the required fees.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Shall submit a completed application form;
- Shall hold a current Minnesota esthetics license;
- Shall have at least 2,700 hours of licensed practice as an esthetician;
- Shall complete the board approved instructor course;
- Shall pass the instructor examination;
- Shall pay the required fees.
Nail Technicians/Manicurist
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in nail technology shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall possess a high school diploma or equivalent;
- Applicant shall graduate from a Board approved school and complete the required hours of instruction;
- Applicant shall pass the required examinations;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 350 hours of training;
- Applicant shall pass the general theory test, a written practical test, and a test on the Minnesota laws and rules;
- Upon passing, Applicant shall pay the required fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
Nail Technicians in Minnesota must renew their license every year by the last day of their birth month. Practitioners are required to complete 4 hours of continuing education every cycle. However, 4 extra hours of continuing education must be received starting August 2017. These hour must include:
- product chemistry and chemical interaction;
- proper use and maintenance of machines and instruments;
- business management, professional ethics, and human relations; or
- techniques relevant to the type of license held.
These credits will be valid for three years and will NOT overlap with the 4 hours required each renewal period. Instructors are required to complete 45 hours of continuing education within a 3 year period. 30 hours shall be in teaching methodology and 15 hours will be on clinical practice in the field of licensure.
Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeships are not permitted in Minnesota. An Applicant’s education must be received in a Board approved school.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Reciprocity is not offered in Minnesota. To obtain a license in another state or country, an Applicant must submit an Application to the Board.
Requirements for Eligibility:
- Applicant must have completed 350 hours of education; or
- Applicant must have been licensed for 3 years;
- Applicant must provide proof of high school education or equivalent;
- Applicant must submit written and practical examination results not more than a year old;
- Applicant must have passed the Minnesota state rules and laws test within the last year;
- Applicant must pay the required fees.
These credits will be valid for three years and will NOT overlap with the 4 hours required each renewal period.
Instructors are required to complete 45 hours of continuing education within a 3-year period. 30 hours shall be in teaching methodology and 15 hours will be on clinical practice in the field of licensure.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in nail technology instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Shall submit a completed application form;
- Shall submit a completed application form;
- Shall have at least 2,700 hours of licensed practice as a nail technologist;
- Shall complete the board approved instructor course;
- Shall pass the instructor examination;
- Shall pay the required fees.
Make-up Artists
Make-up Artists are licensed under Cosmetology and Esthetics.
Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services
Mobile Cosmetology Salons are licensed in Minnesota. In addition to complying with the requirements for a salon, the holder of a salon license for a mobile salon must:
- Maintain a permanent business address; and
- Notify the board of locations and schedule of operation of a mobile salon
High School Cosmetology Programs
There are no specific rules governing high school cosmetology programs in Minnesota.
Additional Professions Licensed
- Advanced practice esthetics (Electrology)
- Body Art Technology
- Eye lash Technology
- Hair Braiding