State Licensing Requirements in NEBRASKA

Cosmetologists

Licensing Requirements

• The applicant has attained the age of 17 years of age or older;
• The applicant has completed a high school education or equivalent;
• The applicant has graduated from a school of cosmetology; or
• Applicant has completed an apprenticeship;
• Applicant must take and pass the examinations;
• Applicant must apply with the required documents;
• Applicant shall pay the required fees.

Exam Requirements

• Applicant shall complete a program of study not less than 2,100 hours or 2,000 credits;
• Applicant shall take both a written and practical examination;
• Practical examinations may be offered as written or hands-on;
• In order to successfully complete the examination, an applicant shall obtain an average grade of 75% on all examinations;
• Applicant must pay the required fees.

Continuing Education Requirements

Apprenticeship Programs

In order to be licensed as an apprentice salon by the department, an applicant shall meet and present to the department evidence of meeting the following requirements:

• The proposed apprentice salon shall hold a current active license as a cosmetology salon or esthetics salon;
• The proposed apprentice salon shall employ or plan to employ one active instructor for each two apprentices or fraction thereof it enrolls; and
• The proposed apprentice salon shall provide an area of not less than one hundred square feet to be used solely for educational purposes.

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

Instructors

• Applicant must currently be licensed as a cosmetologist;
• Applicant must have completed a high school education or equivalent;
• Graduated from an Instructor program in a school of cosmetology of 925 hours.

Hair Stylists

Barbers

Licensing Requirements

• The applicant must be at least 17 years of age;
• The applicant must have your high school diploma or GED;
• The applicant must complete the required training in a licensed school;
• Applicant must take and pass an examination;
• Applicant must apply with the required documents;
• Applicant shall pay the required fees.

Exam Requirements

• Applicant shall complete a program of study of 2,100 hours;
• Applicant shall take an examination;
• Applicant must pay the required fees.

Continuing Education Requirements

Apprenticeship Programs

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

An applicant for licensure without examination under this section shall file with the Board:

• An application on a form provided by the Board,
• A copy of the license issued by the state, territory, or country in which the applicant is licensed,
• The applicant’s social security number,
• Documents demonstrating that the requirements for licensure in such state, territory, or country are substantially equivalent to the requirements for licensure under the Barber Act, and,
• The fee required.

Instructors

• He or she has completed at least eighteen hours of college credit at or above the postsecondary level;
• These hours must include at least three credit hours each in methods of teaching, curriculum development, special vocational needs, educational psychology, speech communications, and introduction to business;
• He or she has been a licensed and actively practicing barber for the one year immediately preceding application;
• He or she has served as a registered assistant barber instructor under the supervision of an active, full-time, registered barber instructor;
• He or she has passed an examination prescribed by the board;
• He or she has paid the required fees.

Estheticians

Licensing Requirements

• The applicant has attained the age of 17 years of age or older;
• The applicant has completed a high school education or equivalent;
• The applicant has graduated from a school of esthetics; or
• Applicant has completed an apprenticeship;
• Applicant must take and pass the examinations;
• Applicant must apply with the required documents;
• Applicant shall pay the required fees.

Exam Requirements

• Applicant shall complete a program of study not less than 600 hours or 600 credits;
• Applicant shall take both a written and practical examination;
• Practical examinations may be offered as written or hands-on;
• In order to successfully complete the examination, an applicant shall obtain an average grade of 75% on all examinations;
• Applicant must pay the required fees.

Continuing Education Requirements

Nebraska requires 8 hours of Continuing Education in order to renew one’s license. 4 of the hours must be Board approved, be related to Esthetics, and cannot be home study courses. The other four hours do not need to be Board approved, and can be home study courses. Licenses must be renewed by December 31st of every even numbered year.

Apprenticeship Programs

In order to be licensed as an apprentice salon by the department, an applicant shall meet and present to the department evidence of meeting the following requirements:

• The proposed apprentice salon shall hold a current active license as a cosmetology salon or esthetics salon;
• The proposed apprentice salon shall employ or plan to employ one active instructor for each two apprentices or fraction thereof it enrolls; and
• The proposed apprentice salon shall provide an area of not less than one hundred square feet to be used solely for educational purposes.

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

Instructors

• Applicant must currently be licensed as an esthetician;
• Applicant must have completed a high school education or equivalent;
• Graduated from an Instructor program in a school of esthetics of 925 hours.

Nail Technicians/Manicurist

Licensing Requirements

• The applicant has attained the age of 17 years of age or older;
• The applicant has completed a high school education or equivalent;
• The applicant has graduated from a school of esthetics;
• Applicant must take and pass the examination;
• Applicant must apply with the required documents;
• Applicant shall pay the required fees.

Exam Requirements

• Applicant shall complete a program of study not less than 300 hours;
• Applicant must complete at least 16 hours of instruction on operating the nail drill;
• Applicant shall take a written examination through NIC;
• Applicant must pay the required fees.

Continuing Education Requirements

Nebraska requires 8 hours of continuing
education in order to renew one’s license. 4 of the hours must be Board approved, be related to Nail Technology, and cannot be home study courses. The other four hours do not need to be Board approved, and can be home study courses. Licenses must be renewed by December 21st of every odd numbered year.

Apprenticeship Programs

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

Instructors

• Applicant must currently be licensed as a nail technician;
• Applicant must have completed a high school education or equivalent;
• Graduated from an Instructor program of 300 hours;
• Applicant must pass a written examination through NIC.

Make-up Artists

Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services

High School Cosmetology Programs

Additional Professions Licensed

• Body Art (tattoo, branding, piercing)
• Cosmetician
• Electrology
• Massage Therapy