State Licensing Requirements in MISSISSIPPI
Cosmetologists
Licensing Requirements
Any individual who wishes to obtain a cosmetology license must pass an examination. In order to
be eligible for the examination, individuals must meet the following requirements:
be eligible for the examination, individuals must meet the following requirements:
- Make application to the board in proper form, and has paid the required fee;
- Is at least 17 years old;
- Can read, write, and speak English;
- Has successfully completed no less than 1500 hours over a period of no less than 9 months in an accredited school of cosmetology;
- Has a high school education or its equivalent or has been successfully enrolled in a community college;
- After successful completion of the examination an applicant shall be issued a cosmetology license.
Exam Requirements
The Board of Cosmetology offers examinations through a testing service. Application for an examination and license shall be accompanied by two passport photographs of the applicant. Applicants must complete 1,500 hours at an accredited school of cosmetology. Applicants who satisfactorily pass the prescribed examination, will be issued a cosmetology license. To pass, an applicant must achieve a grade of no less than 70% on each portion of the exam.
Continuing Education Requirements
Any person who holds a current valid cosmetology license may be licensed as a master cosmetologist if he or she has been a licensed cosmetologist, in this state for a period of not less than 12 months, and has completed a minimum course of 16 hours’ study in continuing education approved by the board within the licensing period preceding initial application for the license, and has paid the original license fee.
Apprenticeship Programs
There are no apprenticeship programs in the state of Mississippi for cosmetologists.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
An individual who holds a current license from another state with whom Mississippi has a reciprocal agreement may be eligible for a practitioner license. Applicants must complete application for reciprocity in addition, they must also cause an affidavit or certification to be issued by the board in which the training was acquired or the license is held. Applicant must also appear for an application eligibility interview and present documents.
Instructors
Any person who wishes to obtain a cosmetology instructor’s license must make application to the board, paid the required fee, and who:
- Must be at least 21 years of age;
- Can read, write and speak English;
- Is a graduate of a licensed cosmetology school;
- Has a high school education or its equivalent;
- Has successfully completed 1000 hours of instructor training in an accredited school of cosmetology;
- Has successfully completed 6 semester hours in college courses approved by the board;
- Holds a current, valid Mississippi cosmetology license;
- Has at least 1-year active practical experience as a cosmetologist or, as an alternative to such experience, has successfully completed 1,000 hours of instructor training in an accredited school of cosmetology.
Hair Stylists
See cosmetology section.
Barbers
Licensing Requirements
Any person who wishes to be eligible for enrolment at a barbering school must have:
- A high school education;
- Have satisfactorily passed the ability-to-benefit examinations;
- Provide a criminal background check performed within 30 days before the Board of Barber examiners and have received the boards approved for enrollment.
Any person is qualified to receive a certificate of registration to practice barbering if they meet these requirements:
- Is of good moral character and temperate habits;
- Has completed not less than 1,500 hours at a barbering school approved by the State Board of Barber Examiners;
- Has passed a satisfactory examination conducted by the board of examiners to determine the applicant’s fitness to practice barbering.
Exam Requirements
The fee for taking an examination as a registered barber shall be no more than $55.00. Test consists of practical and written portions. The examination of applicants for certificates of registration as registered barbers shall include both a practical demonstration and a written and oral test, and shall embrace the subjects usually practiced in a duly licensed shop of Mississippi under the direct and personal supervision of a registered barber. The examination of applicants for certificates of registration as barber instructors shall include such subjects as the board deems necessary to determine the applicant’s fitness to practice as a barber instructor.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements.
Apprenticeship Programs
There are no approved apprenticeship programs in MS.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Any person who wishes to obtain a license through reciprocity must pay the fee of $150.00 and meet the following requirements:
- Is at least 18 years old;
- Is of good moral character and temperate habits;
- Either has a license or certificate of registration as a practicing barber in another state or country that has substantially the same requirements for licensing or registration of barbers as are contained in this chapter, or can prove by sworn affidavits that he has lawfully practiced as a barber in another state or country for at least five (5) years immediately before making application in this state, or can show to the satisfaction of the board that he had held a rating in a branch of the military service for two (2) or more years that required him to perform the duties of a barber. The issuance of a certificate of registration by reciprocity to a military-trained applicant or military spouse shall be subject to the provisions of Section 73-50-1.
Instructors
In order to receive certification as a barber instructor an individual must meet the following requirements:
- Is 18 years of age or older;
- Is of good moral and temperate habits;
- Is able to read, write and speak English;
- Possesses a high school education or its equivalent;
- Has successfully completed 1,500 hours at a barbering school approved by the Board and holds a valid certificate of registration to practice barbering;
- Has 2 years of active experience as a registered barber and has successfully completed 600 hours of barber instructor training at a school approved by the board;
- Has passed a satisfactory examination conducted by the board to determine his fitness to practice as a barber instructor.
Estheticians
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to be a licensed as an esthetician must meet the following requirements:
- Is at least 17 years of age;
- Can read, write and speak English;
- Has a high school education or its equivalent;
- Has successfully completed a course of training in esthetics of not less than 600 hours in an accredited school in which the practice of esthetics is taught, including not less than 100 hours of theory and 500 hours of skill practice.
Exam Requirements
To be eligible for examination, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 17 years of age;
- Be able to read, write and speak English;
- Have 12th grade education or equivalent;
- Must have successfully completed a course of training for which application for licensure is being made.
An application for examination must be submitted on a form prescribed by the Board and accompanied by the following:
- Two recent passport photographs of the applicant, taken within 90 days prior to application.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements for estheticians. However, a master esthetician must complete 8 hours biennially of continuing education. In order to become a master esthetician must meet these requirements:
- He/she has been licensed as a cosmetologist, manicurist or esthetician in this state for at least 12 months;
- Proof of having acquired 8 hours of continuing education approved by the Board prior to the date of application, is on record with the Board.
Apprenticeship Programs
There are no apprenticeship programs in MS.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
In order to be eligible to receive a license through reciprocity, an individual must hold a current license from another state with whom Mississippi has a reciprocal agreement. An individual must them complete the application process which consists of the following:
- Complete an Application for Reciprocity, which must be completed in its entirety and submitted to the Board;
- Appear for an Application Eligibility Interview;
- If the applicant is deemed to meet all reciprocity eligibility requirements, he or she is required to:
- Complete an Application for Reciprocity. The Board approved form, “Application for Licensure by Reciprocity,” must be completed in its entirety;
- Pay the required fee.
Instructors
Any person who wishes to obtain an esthetics instructor license should submit an application, pay the required fee, and meet the following requirements:
- Is not less than 21 years of age;
- Can read, write and speak English;
- Has a high school education or its equivalent;
- Has successfully completed 600 hours of instructor training in an accredited school in which the practice of esthetics is taught;
- Has successfully completed 12 semester hours in college courses approved by the board;
- Holds a current, valid Mississippi esthetician’s license;
- Has had two years of active practical experience as an esthetician or, as an alternative to such experience, has successfully completed 1,000 hours of instructor training in an accredited school in which the practice of esthetics is taught.
Nail Technicians/Manicurist
Licensing Requirements
Any individual who wishes to obtain a manicurist license should make application to the board, pay the required fee, and meet the following requirements:
- Is at least 17 years of age;
- Can read, write and speak English;
- Has successfully completed no less than 350 hours of practice and related theory in manicuring and pedicuring over a period of no less than 9 weeks in an accredited school of cosmetology in this or any other state;
- Has a high school education or its equivalent.
Exam Requirements
To be eligible to take the examination for manicurists, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 17 years of age;
- Be able to read, write and speak English;
- Have at least a 12th grade education or its equivalent;
- Must have successfully completed course of training for which application for licensure is being made.
An application for examination must be submitted on a form prescribed by the Board and accompanied by the following:
- Two recent passport photographs of the applicant, taken within 90 days prior to application.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements for manicurists. However, a master manicurist must complete 8 hours biennially of continuing education. In order to become a master manicurist must meet these requirements:
- He/she has been licensed as a cosmetologist, manicurist or esthetician in this state for at least 12 months;
- Proof of having acquired 8 hours of continuing education approved by the Board prior to the date of application, is on record with the Board.
Apprenticeship Programs
There are no apprenticeship programs in MS.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
In order to be eligible to receive a license through reciprocity, an individual must hold a current license from another state with whom Mississippi has a reciprocal agreement. An individual must them complete the application process which consists of the following:
- Complete an Application for Reciprocity, which must be completed in its entirety and submitted to the Board;
- Appear for an Application Eligibility Interview;
- If the applicant is deemed to meet all reciprocity eligibility requirements, he or she is required to:
- Complete an Application for Reciprocity. The Board approved form, “Application for Licensure by Reciprocity,” must be completed in its entirety;
- Pay the required fee.
Instructors
If a person wishes to obtain a manicurist instructors license then they must apply to the board, pay the fee, and meet these requirements:
- Is not less than 21 years of age;
- Can read, write and speak English;
- Has a high school education or its equivalent;
- Has successfully completed 600 hours of instructor training in an accredited school in which the practice of manicuring is taught;
- Has successfully completed 12 semester hours in college courses approved by the board;
- Holds a current, valid Mississippi manicurist’s license;
- Has had two years of active practical experience as a manicurist or, as an alternative to such experience, has successfully completed 1,000 hours of instructor training in an accredited school in which the practice of manicuring is taught.
Make-up Artists
See esthetics section.
Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services
Mobile cosmetology services are not allowed in MS.
High School Cosmetology Programs
Mississippi offers high school cosmetology programs through career and technical education programs. Students can take classes from 7th to 12th grade. Students will still need to take classes after high school graduation.
Additional Professions Licensed
- Tattoo Artist
- Body Piercing
- Hair Braiding