State Licensing Requirements in NEW MEXICO
Cosmetologists
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology shall obtain a license in compliance with The New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant is at least seventeen years of age;
- Applicant has an education equivalent to the completion of the second year of high school;
- Applicant has completed a course in cosmetology at a school approved by the board;
- Applicant shall pass an examination approved by the board;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
The name of a licensed cosmetologist may be immediately followed by the initials “R.C.”, as a right and privilege of licensure.
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 1,600 hours of education at a licensed school;
- Applicant must pass the examination which consists of three parts;
- A practical section;
- A theory written section;
- A State law section;
- Applicant must score at least a 75 on each section;
- Upon passing, Applicant must pay the required fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements for cosmetology license holders. However, instructors are expected to complete 12 hours of continuing education. Licenses expire annually on the licensee’s birthday.
Apprenticeship Programs
Cosmetology education must be received in a licensed school.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
To obtain a license in New Mexico based on holding a current valid license in another state, an applicant must have obtained the license through substantially equivalent means. Otherwise, 6 full months of work experience will equal one-hundred-fifty hours of training. To obtain any license by reciprocity, no more than fifty percent of the hours required for licensure by in-state applicants may be obtained by work experience.
Other requirements:
- Applicants who are foreign trained must submit to the applicable examination;
- Applicants who hold incomplete hours may obtain no more than 100 hours of training in any state;
- Prior to licensure the applicant shall take and pass a board approved jurisprudence examination and must score a 75% or higher.
An applicant who cannot obtain a license through reciprocity with the previous training and work experience will be required obtain the additional hours needed and submit to the New Mexico licensing examination applicable to the license they are seeking.
Instructors
An instructor license shall be issued to any person who files a completed application, accompanied by the required fees and documentation, and who:
- Is a licensed cosmetologist for two years;
- Has completed and instructor program of 1,000 hours at a licensed school;
- Has passed an examination approved by the board.
The name of a licensed instructor may be immediately followed by the initials “R.I.”, as a right and privilege of licensure.
Hair Stylists
Stylists are licensed under Cosmetology and Barbering.
Barbers
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering shall obtain a license in compliance with The New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant is at least seventeen years of age;
- Applicant has an education equivalent to the completion of the second year of high school;
- Applicant has completed a course in barbering at a school approved by the board; or
- Applicant has completed a barbering apprenticeship;
- Applicant shall pass an examination approved by the board;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
The name of a licensed Barber may be immediately followed by the initials “R.B.”, as a right and privilege of licensure
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 1,200 hours of education at a licensed school;
- Applicant shall complete an apprenticeship;
- Applicant must pass the examination which consists of three parts;
- A practical section;
- A theory written section;
- A State law section;
- Applicant must score at least a 75 on each section;
- Upon passing, Applicant must pay the required fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements for barbering license holders. However, instructors are expected to complete 12 hours of continuing education. Licenses expire annually on the licensee’s birthday.
Apprenticeship Programs
Barbers may obtain their education through apprenticeships in the state of New Mexico. Applicants must be registered as barber apprentices and then must complete 1,200 hours of study. A barber apprentice may not be licensed for longer than 36 months and must work under a licensed instructor in a licensed shop.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
To obtain a license in New Mexico based on holding a current valid license in another state, an applicant must have obtained the license through substantially equivalent means. Otherwise, 6 full months of work experience will equal one-hundred-fifty hours of training. To obtain any license by reciprocity, no more than fifty percent of the hours required for licensure by in-state applicants may be obtained by work experience.
Other requirements:
- Applicants who are foreign trained must submit to the applicable examination;
- Applicants who hold incomplete hours may obtain no more than 100 hours of training in any state;
- Prior to licensure the applicant shall take and pass a board approved jurisprudence examination and must score a 75% or higher.
An applicant who cannot obtain a license through reciprocity with the previous training and work experience will be required obtain the additional hours needed and submit to the New Mexico licensing examination applicable to the license they are seeking.
Instructors
An instructor license shall be issued to any person who files a completed application, accompanied by the required fees and documentation, and who:
- Is a licensed barber for two years;
- Has completed and instructor program of 1,000 hours at a licensed school;
- Has passed an examination approved by the board.
The name of a licensed instructor may be immediately followed by the initials “R.I.”, as a right and privilege of licensure.
Estheticians
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics shall obtain a license in compliance with The New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant is at least seventeen years of age;
- Applicant has an education equivalent to the completion of the second year of high school;
- Applicant has completed a course in esthetics at a school approved by the board;
- Applicant shall pass an examination approved by the board;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
The name of a licensed Esthetician may be immediately followed by the initials “R.F.”, as a right and privilege of licensure.
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 600 hours of education at a licensed school;
- Applicant must pass the examination which consists of three parts;
- A practical section;
- A theory written section;
- A State law section;
- Applicant must score at least a 75 on each section;
- Upon passing, Applicant must pay the required fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements for esthetics license holders. However, instructors are expected to complete 12 hours of continuing education. Licenses expire annually on the licensee’s birthday.
Apprenticeship Programs
Esthetics education must be received in a licensed school.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
To obtain a license in New Mexico based on holding a current valid license in another state, an applicant must have obtained the license through substantially equivalent means. Otherwise, 6 full months of work experience will equal one-hundred-fifty hours of training. To obtain any license by reciprocity, no more than fifty percent of the hours required for licensure by in-state applicants may be obtained by work experience.
Other requirements:
- Applicants who are foreign trained must submit to the applicable examination;
- Applicants who hold incomplete hours may obtain no more than 100 hours of training in any state;
- Prior to licensure the applicant shall take and pass a board approved jurisprudence examination and must score a 75% or higher.
An applicant who cannot obtain a license through reciprocity with the previous training and work experience will be required obtain the additional hours needed and submit to the New Mexico licensing examination applicable to the license they are seeking.
Instructors
An instructor license shall be issued to any person who files a completed application, accompanied by the required fees and documentation, and who:
- Is a licensed esthetician for two years;
- Has completed and instructor program of 1,000 hours at a licensed school;
- Has passed an examination approved by the board.
The name of a licensed instructor may be immediately followed by the initials “R.I.”, as a right and privilege of licensure.
Nail Technicians/Manicurist
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in manicuring shall obtain a license in compliance with The New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant is at least seventeen years of age;
- Applicant has an education equivalent to the completion of the second year of high school;
- Applicant has completed a course in manicuring at a school approved by the board;
- Applicant shall pass an examination approved by the board;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
The name of a licensed Manicurist may be immediately followed by the initials “R.M.”, as a right and privilege of licensure.
Exam Requirements
Each Individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 400 hours of education at a licensed school;
- Applicant must pass the examination which consists of three parts;
- A practical section;
- A theory written section;
- A State law section;
- Applicant must score at least a 75 on each section;
- Upon passing, Applicant must pay the required fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements for manicuring license holders. However, instructors are expected to complete 12 hours of continuing education. Licenses expire annually on the licensee’s birthday.
Apprenticeship Programs
Manicuring education must be received in a licensed school.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
To obtain a license in New Mexico based on holding a current valid license in another state, an applicant must have obtained the license through substantially equivalent means. Otherwise, 6 full months of work experience will equal one-hundred-fifty hours of training. To obtain any license by reciprocity, no more than fifty percent of the hours required for licensure by in-state applicants may be obtained by work experience.
Other requirements:
- Applicants who are foreign trained must submit to the applicable examination;
- Applicants who hold incomplete hours may obtain no more than 100 hours of training in any state;
- Prior to licensure the applicant shall take and pass a board approved jurisprudence examination and must score a 75% or higher.
An applicant who cannot obtain a license through reciprocity with the previous training and work experience will be required obtain the additional hours needed and submit to the New Mexico licensing examination applicable to the license they are seeking.
Instructors
An instructor license shall be issued to any person who files a completed application, accompanied by the required fees and documentation, and who:
- Is a licensed manicurist for two years;
- Has completed and instructor program of 1,000 hours at a licensed school;
- Has passed an examination approved by the board.
The name of a licensed instructor may be immediately followed by the initials “R.I.”, as a right and privilege of licensure.
Make-up Artists
In New Mexico, Make-up Artists are licensed under Cosmetology and Esthetics.
Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services
Mobile Cosmetology Services are called outreach mobile units. They are required to comply with the following:
- Each outreach enterprise mobile unit have an available cellular phone or other communication capability necessary for immediate access or prompt response;
- Each outreach enterprise mobile unit must have signage on at least two sides for identification information in letters no smaller than five inches;
- Outreach enterprise mobile units are subject to inspection by any member of the board, its employees or agent who may enter and inspect at any time during regular business hours for the purpose of determining compliance with the Barbers and Cosmetologists Act.
High School Cosmetology Programs
New Mexico does offer high school programs. In order to enter one a student must meet the following:
- proof of completion of the second year of high school or its equivalent;
- proof that student is at least sixteen years of age;
- submission of a complete student registration form and required fees through the associate school licensed under this act.
Students participating in high school programs cannot earn more than 15% of the program in the high school facility.
Additional Professions Licensed
- Body Art
- Electrology
- Massage Therapy
- Permanent Makeup