State Licensing Requirements in MONTANA

Cosmetologists

Cosmetologists

Licensing Requirements

Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology shall obtain a license in compliance with the Montana Code Annotated and shall meet the following qualifications:

    • Applicant must be at least 18 years of age;
    • Applicant must be of good moral character;
    • 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 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 2,000 hours of education; or
      • After October 1st, 2017 applicant has completed 1,500 hours of education;
      • Applicant must pass both a written and practical exam through NIC;
      • Applicant shall obtain a score of at least 75% or higher on both exams;
      • Upon passing, Applicant shall pay the required fees.

      Continuing Education Requirements

      There are no continuing education requirements for cosmetologists. However, instructors must complete 30 hours of continuing education during a renewal period in Montana. Licenses expire every two years between Jan 2nd – March 1st.

      Apprenticeship Programs

      Apprenticeships are not permitted in Montana. An Applicant’s education must be received in a Board approved school.

      License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

      To obtain a license in Montana, based on holding a current valid license in another state jurisdiction, or country, an Applicant must submit an Application. The previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means.

      Requirements for Eligibility:

        • Must be 18;
        • Must provide proof of passage of both the written and practical NIC exams with a 75% or higher;
        • Must possess a license type in good standing;
        • Must have completed a course of training of at least 1,500 hours in a school; or
        • Must attest to 1,500 hours of work experience as a licensed cosmetologist;
        Otherwise, you will be required to take both the written and practical NIC examinations.

        Instructors

        Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology instruction shall meet the following qualifications:

          • Applicant must be a graduate of high school or equivalent;
          • Applicant must have a license to practice cosmetology;
          • Applicant must have been practicing for 12 continuous months;
          • Applicant must complete 650 hours of teacher training; or
          • Applicant must have 3 years of experience within their field;
          • Applicant must pass the teaching examination.
          Hairdresser

          Hair Stylists

          Hairstylists are licensed under Cosmetology and Barbering.
          Barber School

          Barbers

          Licensing Requirements

          Any individual wishing to engage in barbering shall obtain a license in compliance with the Montana Code Annotated and shall meet the following qualifications:

            • Applicant must be at least 18 years of age;
            • Applicant must be of good moral character;
            • 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 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 1,500 hours of education; or
              • After October 1st, 2017 applicant has completed 1,100 hours of education;
              • Applicant must pass both a written and practical exam through NIC;
              • Applicant shall obtain a score of at least 75% or higher on both exams;
              • Upon passing, Applicant shall pay the required fees.

              Continuing Education Requirements

              There are no continuing education requirements for barbers. However, instructors must complete 30 hours of continuing education before renewal of license in Montana. Licenses expire every two years between Jan 2nd – March 1st.

              Apprenticeship Programs

              Apprenticeships are not permitted in Montana. An Applicant’s education must be received in a Board approved school.

              License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

              To obtain a license in Montana, based on holding a current valid license in another state jurisdiction, or country, an Applicant must submit an Application to the Board. The previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means.

              Requirements for Eligibility:

                • Must be 18;
                • Must provide proof of passage of both the written and practical NIC exams with a 75% or higher;
                • Must possess a license type in good standing;
                • Must have completed a course of training of at least 1,100 hours in a school; or
                • Must attest to 1,250 hours of work experience as a licensed barber;
                Otherwise, you will be required to take both the written and practical NIC examinations.

                Instructors

                Any individual wishing to engage in barbering instruction shall meet the following qualifications:

                  • Applicant must be a graduate of high school or equivalent;
                  • Applicant must have a license to practice barbering;
                  • Applicant must have been practicing for 12 continuous months;
                  • Applicant must complete 650 hours of teacher training; or
                  • Applicant must have 3 years of experience within their field;
                  • Applicant must pass the teaching examination.
                  Esthetician

                  Estheticians

                  Licensing Requirements

                  Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics shall obtain a license in compliance with the Montana Code Annotated and shall meet the following qualifications:

                    • Applicant must be at least 18 years of age;
                    • Applicant must be of good moral character;
                    • 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 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 650 hours of education;
                      • Applicant must pass both a written and practical exam through NIC;
                      • Applicant shall obtain a score of at least 75% or higher on both exams;
                      • Upon passing, Applicant shall pay the required fees.

                      Continuing Education Requirements

                      There are no continuing education requirements for estheticians. However, instructors must complete 30 hours of continuing education before they renew their license. Licenses expire every two years between Jan 2nd – March 1st.

                      Apprenticeship Programs

                      Apprenticeships are not permitted in Montana. An Applicant’s education must be received in a Board approved school.

                      License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

                      To obtain a license in Montana, based on holding a current valid license in another state jurisdiction, or country, an Applicant must submit an Application to the Board. The previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means.

                      Requirements for Eligibility:

                        • Must be 18;
                        • Must provide proof of passage of both the written and practical NIC exams with a 75% or higher;
                        • Must possess a license type in good standing;
                        • Must have completed a course of training of at least 400 hours in a school; or
                        • Must attest to 750 hours of work experience as a licensed esthetician;
                        Otherwise, you will be required to take both the written and practical NIC examinations.

                        Instructors

                        Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics instruction shall meet the following qualifications:

                          • Applicant must be a graduate of high school or equivalent;
                          • Applicant must have a license to practice esthetics;
                          • Applicant must have been practicing for 12 continuous months;
                          • Applicant must complete 650 hours of teacher training; or
                          • Applicant must have 3 years of experience within their field;
                          • Applicant must pass the teaching examination.
                          Nailtech

                          Nail Technicians/Manicurist

                          Licensing Requirements

                          Any individual wishing to engage in manicuring shall obtain a license in compliance with the Montana Code Annotated and shall meet the following qualifications:

                            • Applicant must be at least 18 years of age;
                            • Applicant must be of good moral character;
                            • 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 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 400 hours of education;
                              • Applicant must pass both a written and practical exam through NIC;
                              • Applicant shall obtain a score of at least 75% or higher on both exams;
                              • Upon passing, Applicant shall pay the required fees.

                              Continuing Education Requirements

                              There are no continuing education requirements for manicurists. However, instructors must complete 30 hours of continuing education during a renewal period in Montana. Licenses expire every two years between Jan 2nd – March 1st.

                              Apprenticeship Programs

                              Apprenticeships are not permitted in Montana. An Applicant’s education must be received in a Board approved school.

                              License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

                              To obtain a license in Montana, based on holding a current valid license in another state jurisdiction, or country, an Applicant must submit an Application. The previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means.

                              Requirements for Eligibility:

                                • Must be 18;
                                • Must provide proof of passage of both the written and practical NIC exams with a 75% or higher;
                                • Must possess a license type in good standing;
                                • Must have completed a course of training of at least 200 hours in a school; or
                                • Must attest to 750 hours of work experience as a licensed manicurist;
                                Otherwise, you will be required to take both the written and practical NIC examinations.

                                Instructors

                                Any individual wishing to engage in manicuring instruction shall meet the following qualifications:

                                  • Applicant must be a graduate of high school or equivalent;
                                  • Applicant must have a license to practice manicuring;
                                  • Applicant must have been practicing for 12 continuous months;
                                  • Applicant must complete 650 hours of teacher training; or
                                  • Applicant must have 3 years of experience within their field;
                                  • Applicant must pass the teaching examination.
                                  Makeup Artist

                                  Make-up Artists

                                  Make-up Artists are licensed under Esthetics and Cosmetology in Montana.
                                  Cosmetology Services

                                  Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services

                                  Mobile Cosmetology Salons are not licensed in Montana.
                                  Cosmetology Programs

                                  High School Cosmetology Programs

                                  There are no specific rules governing high school cosmetology programs in Montana. Students who have not graduated high school may attend Montana Cosmetology programs. These students are required to complete the same number of required hours as any student and may not take the licensing examination until they have graduated high school.

                                  Additional Professions Licensed

                                  • Barbering Nonchemical
                                  • Electrology
                                  • Massage Therapy
                                  Tattooing and Body piercing are not regulated in Montana. However, licenses are required for establishments wishing to perform these practices.