State Licensing Requirements in New Hampshire
Cosmetologists
Licensing Requirements
In order to be issued a cosmetology license by the board, a person shall:
- ^Be of good professional character.
- ^Have completed high school or its equivalent.
- ^Has completed the required hours.
- ^Pass an examination conducted by the board.
- ^Pay a fee established by the board.
Exam Requirements
The board shall hold examinations at least once every 6 months. The scope and content of the examinations shall be established by the board. The board shall notify all applicants at least 10 days in advance as to the place, date, and time of examinations. Applicants must complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of cosmetology instruction at a licensed school. Minimum of 3,000 hours distributed over at least 18 months.
Applicants shall make written application to the secretary of the board on a form prescribed and supplied by the board which shall contain satisfactory evidence of the qualifications required of the applicant; and the applicant shall also pay the examination fee.
Applicants shall make written application to the secretary of the board on a form prescribed and supplied by the board which shall contain satisfactory evidence of the qualifications required of the applicant; and the applicant shall also pay the examination fee.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements for cosmetologists. Cosmetology instructors must complete 28 hours of continuing education every renewal period.
Apprenticeship Programs
If an individual wishes to become a cosmetology apprentice, then they must meet the following requirements:
- ^Submitting proof sufficient to the board to show that such person is at least 16 years of age.
- ^Paying a fee established by the board.
- ^Being deemed by the board to be of good professional character.
- [Submitting proof sufficient to the board to show that such person is at least 16 years of age.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
The board shall license any applicant who is similarly licensed in any other state, provided the other state’s licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to or higher than those of this state.
Instructors
Any person who wants to apply for an instructors shall:
- ^Be currently licensed as a cosmetologist.
- ^Have completed the following:
- [At least 800 hours of instructor training in a school for master barbering or cosmetology.
- [At least 12 months of actual employment in a shop and have completed 500 hours of instructor training in a school for master barbering or cosmetology.
- [At least 8 years of actual employment in a shop. An applicant will also submit the following:
- ^A copy of the applicant’s current cosmetology license
- ^Proof of 8 years’ work experience or 12 months’ work experience in a shop licensed.
- ^A copy of the hours as a student instructor.
In addition, applicants must also pass a written and practical examination to obtain a school instructor’s license.
Hair Stylists
Hair Stylists are licensed under master barbers. In order to obtain a master barber license a person shall:
- ^Be of good professional character.
- ^Have completed high school or its equivalent.
- ^Have received training of:
- [A minimum of 1,500 hours of training in a school of mater barbering approved by the board.
- [A minimum of 3,000 hours distributed over a period of at least 18 months under a licensed barber who has engaged in the practice of barbering within the state for at least 2 years.
- [At least 8 years of actual employment in a shop. An applicant will also submit the following:
- [Pass an examination conducted by the board.
- [Pay a fee established by the board.
Barbers
Licensing Requirements
In order to be issued a barber license by the board, an applicant shall meet the following requirements:
- ^Be of good professional character.
- ^Have completed high school or its equivalent.
- ^Has completed the required hours.
- ^Pass an examination conducted by the board.
- ^Pay a fee established by the board.
Exam Requirements
The board shall hold examinations in barbering at least once every 6 months. The scope and content of the examinations shall be established by the board. The board shall notify all applicants at least 10 days in advance as to the place, date, and time of examinations.
Must have completed 800 hours of training in a licensed school. Minimum of 1,600 hours over 12 months under a licensed barber.
Applicants shall make written application to the secretary of the board on a form prescribed and supplied by the board which shall contain satisfactory evidence of the qualifications required of the applicant; and the applicant shall also pay the examination fee.
Must have completed 800 hours of training in a licensed school. Minimum of 1,600 hours over 12 months under a licensed barber.
Applicants shall make written application to the secretary of the board on a form prescribed and supplied by the board which shall contain satisfactory evidence of the qualifications required of the applicant; and the applicant shall also pay the examination fee.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements for barbers. Barbering instructors must complete 28 hours of continuing education every renewal period.
Apprenticeship Programs
If an individual wishes to become a barbering apprentice, then they must meet the following requirements:
- ^Submitting proof sufficient to the board to show that such person is at least 16 years of age.
- ^Paying a fee established by the board.
- ^Being deemed by the board to be of good professional character.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
The board shall license any applicant who is similarly licensed in any other state, provided the other state’s licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to or higher than those of this state.
Instructors
Any person who wants to apply for an instructors shall:
- ^Be currently licensed as a barber.
- ^Have completed the following:
- [At least 700 hours of instructor training in a school for barbering.
- [At least 12 months of actual employment in a shop and have completed 400 hours of instructor training in a school for barbering.
- [At least 8 years of actual employment in a shop. An applicant will also submit the following:
- ^A copy of the applicant’s current barber license.
- ^Proof of 8 years’ work experience or 12 months’ work experience in a shop licensed.
- ^A copy of the hours as a student instructor.
In addition, applicants must also pass a written and practical examination to obtain a school instructor’s license.
Estheticians
Licensing Requirements
To be issued an esthetics license by the board an applicant must complete the following requirements:
- ^Be of good professional character.
- ^Have completed high school or its equivalent.
- ^Pay a fee established by the board.
- ^Completed required hours of training in a school approved by the board and have passed an examination conducted by the board.
Exam Requirements
The board shall hold examinations in esthetics at least once every 6 months. The scope and content of the examinations shall be established by the board. The board shall notify all applicants at least 10 days in advance as to the place, date, and time of examinations. Completed at least 600 hours of training at a licensed school.
Applicants shall make written application to the secretary of the board on a form prescribed and supplied by the board which shall contain satisfactory evidence of the qualifications required of the applicant; and the applicant shall also pay the examination fee.
Applicants shall make written application to the secretary of the board on a form prescribed and supplied by the board which shall contain satisfactory evidence of the qualifications required of the applicant; and the applicant shall also pay the examination fee.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements for estheticians. Esthetics instructors must complete 28 hours of continuing education every renewal period.
Apprenticeship Programs
If an individual wishes to become an esthetics apprentice, then they must meet the following requirements:
- ^Submitting proof sufficient to the board to show that such person is at least 16 years of age.
- ^Paying a fee established by the board.
- ^Being deemed by the board to be of good professional character.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
The board shall license any applicant who is similarly licensed in any other state, provided the other state’s licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to or higher than those of this state.
Instructors
Any person who wants to apply for an instructors shall:
- ^Be currently licensed as an esthetician.
- ^Have completed the following:
- [At least 700 hours of instructor training in a school for barbering or esthetics.
- [At least 12 months of actual employment in a shop and have completed 400 hours of instructor training in a school for barbering or esthetics.
- [At least 8 years of actual employment in a shop. An applicant will also submit the following:
- ^A copy of the applicant’s current esthetics license.
- ^Proof of 8 years’ work experience or 12 months’ work experience in a shop licensed.
- ^A copy of the hours as a student instructor.
In addition, applicants must also pass a written and practical examination to obtain a school instructor’s license.
Nail Technicians/Manicurist
Licensing Requirements
A person who wishes to obtain a manicurist’s license must meet the following requirements:
- ^Be of good professional character.
- ^Have completed high school or its equivalent
- ^Pay a fee established by the board.
- ^Has completed the required hours of professional training in manicuring, in a school approved by the board and passed an examination conducted by the board.
Exam Requirements
The board shall hold examinations on manicuring at least once every 6 months. The scope and content of the examinations shall be established by the board. The board shall notify all applicants at least 10 days in advance as to the place, date, and time of examinations. Applicants must have completed 300 hours of professional training at a licensed school.
Applicants shall make written application to the secretary of the board on a form prescribed and supplied by the board which shall contain satisfactory evidence of the qualifications required of the applicant; and the applicant shall also pay the examination fee.
Applicants shall make written application to the secretary of the board on a form prescribed and supplied by the board which shall contain satisfactory evidence of the qualifications required of the applicant; and the applicant shall also pay the examination fee.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements for manicurists.
Manicurist instructors must complete 28 hours of continuing education every renewal period.
Manicurist instructors must complete 28 hours of continuing education every renewal period.
Apprenticeship Programs
If an individual wishes to become a manicurist apprentice, then they must meet the following requirements:
- ^Submitting proof sufficient to the board to show that such person is at least 16 years of age.
- ^Paying a fee established by the board.
- ^Being deemed by the board to be of good professional character.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
The board shall license any applicant who is similarly licensed in any other state, provided the other state’s licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to or higher than those of this state.
Instructors
Any person who wants to apply for an instructors shall:
- ^Be currently licensed as a manicurist.
- ^Have completed the following:
- [At least 550 hours of instructor training in a school of manicuring.
- [At least 12 months of actual employment in a shop and have completed 250 hours of instructor training in a school of manicuring.
- [At least 8 years of actual employment in a shop. An applicant will also submit the following:
- ^A copy of the applicant’s current manicure license.
- ^Proof of 8 years’ work experience or 12 months’ work experience in a shop licensed.
- ^A copy of the hours as a student instructor.
In addition, applicants must also pass a written and practical examination to obtain a school instructor’s license.
Make-up Artists
See cosmetology section.
Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services
Mobile Cosmetology and barbering services are allowed in New Hampshire.
High School Cosmetology Programs
New Hampshire offers high school cosmetology programs through career and technical schools. Program classes are offered from 9th to 12th grade.
Additional Professions Licensed
- ^Body Piercing
- ^Tattoo
- ^Electrologists
- ^Massage Therapists