State Licensing Requirements in OKLAHOMA
Cosmetologists
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology shall obtain a license in compliance with the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering and shall meet the following qualifications:
- The applicant is over the age of 16;
- The applicant has completed at least the 8th grade;
- The applicant shall graduate from a Board approved school and complete the required hours of instruction; or
- The applicant has completed an apprenticeship;
- The applicant shall take a written and practical exam;
- The applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- The applicant shall pay any required fees.
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- The applicant has completed of 1,500 hours of study or equivalent number of credit hours;
- The applicant completed 3,000 hours of apprenticeship;
- The applicant shall take and pass a written and practical exam;
- Upon passing, the applicant shall pay the required fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements. License expires yearly on the last day of the licensee’s birthday month.
Apprenticeship Programs
All persons desiring to enter a program of apprenticeship training in cosmetology shall satisfy all general student requirements that are applicable to the license. To be an apprentice the following requirements must be met:
- The applicant has submitted evidence of need and been approved by the Board;
- Apprentice is required by law to obtain training under a licensed Instructor;
- Training to be conducted in an approved licensed establishment;
- The applicant completes 3,000 hours of study for Cosmetology;
- The applicant is over the age of 16;
- The applicant has completed at least the 8th grade.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
In order to be licensed in Oklahoma through Reciprocity, the following requirements must be met:
- Applicant must have been licensed through substantially equivalent means;
- Applicant must hold a current license from another state, country or jurisdiction;
- Applicant must have successfully passed Oklahoma’s state rules, regulations, and law test administered by the Board.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology instruction shall obtain a license in compliance with the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall hold a current Oklahoma Cosmetology or Barber license;
- The applicant completes 1,000 hours of study; or
- The applicant shall complete 300 hours and possess 2 years of recent licensed experience;
- The applicant passes a written and practical exam;
- The applicant holds a High School Diploma or a General Education Development Certificate;
- The applicant is over the age of 16.
Hair Stylists
Hairstylist are licensed under Cosmetology and Barbering
Barbers
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering shall obtain a license in compliance with the Oklahoma state Board of Cosmetology and Barbering and shall meet the following qualifications:
- The applicant is over the age of 16;
- The applicant has completed at least the 8th grade;
- The applicant shall graduate from a Board approved school and complete the required hours of instruction; or
- The applicant has completed an apprenticeship;
- The applicant shall take a written and practical exam;
- The applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- The applicant shall pay any required fees.
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- The applicant has completed of 1,500 hours of study or equivalent number of credit hours;
- The applicant completed 3,000 hours of apprenticeship;
- The applicant shall take and pass a written and practical exam;
- Upon passing, the applicant shall pay the required fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements. License expires yearly on the last day of the licensee’s birthday month.
Apprenticeship Programs
All persons desiring to enter a program of apprenticeship training in barbering shall satisfy all general student requirements that are applicable to the license. To be an apprentice the following requirements must be met:
- The applicant has submitted evidence of need and been approved by the Board;
- Apprentice is required by law to obtain training under a licensed Instructor;
- Training to be conducted in an approved licensed establishment;
- The applicant completes 3,000 hours of study for Barbering;
- The applicant is over the age of 16;
- The applicant has completed at least the 8th grade.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
In order to be licensed in Oklahoma through Reciprocity, the following requirements must be met:
- Applicant must have been licensed through substantially equivalent means;
- Applicant must hold a current license from another state, country or jurisdiction;
- Applicant must have successfully passed Oklahoma’s state rules, regulations, and law test administered by the Board.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering instruction shall obtain a license in compliance with the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall hold a current Oklahoma Cosmetology or Barber license;
- The applicant completes 1,000 hours of study; or
- The applicant shall complete 300 hours and possess 2 years of recent licensed experience;
- The applicant passes a written and practical exam;
- The applicant holds a High School Diploma or a General Education Development Certificate;
- The applicant is over the age of 16.
Estheticians/Facialists
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics shall obtain a license in compliance with the Oklahoma state Board of Cosmetology and Barbering and shall meet the following qualifications:
- The applicant is over the age of 16;
- The applicant has completed at least the 8th grade;
- The applicant shall graduate from a Board approved school and complete the required hours of instruction; or
- The applicant has completed an apprenticeship;
- The applicant shall take a written and practical exam;
- The applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- The applicant shall pay any required fees.
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- The applicant has completed of 600 hours of study or equivalent number of credit hours;
- The applicant completed 1,200 hours of apprenticeship;
- The applicant shall take and pass a written and practical exam;
- Upon passing, the applicant shall pay the required fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements. License expires yearly on the last day of the licensee’s birthday month.
Apprenticeship Programs
All persons desiring to enter a program of apprenticeship training in esthetics shall satisfy all general student requirements that are applicable to the license. To be an apprentice the following requirements must be met:
- The applicant has submitted evidence of need and been approved by the Board;
- Apprentice is required by law to obtain training under a licensed Instructor;
- Training to be conducted in an approved licensed establishment;
- The applicant completes 1,200 hours of study for Esthetics;
- The applicant is over the age of 16;
- The applicant has completed at least the 8th grade.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
In order to be licensed in Oklahoma through Reciprocity, the following requirements must be met:
- Applicant must have been licensed through substantially equivalent means;
- Applicant must hold a current license from another state, country or jurisdiction;
- Applicant must have successfully passed Oklahoma’s state rules, regulations, and law test administered by the Board.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in esthetician instruction shall obtain a license in compliance with the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall hold a current Oklahoma Cosmetology or Barber license;
- The applicant completes 1,000 hours of study; or
- The applicant shall complete 300 hours and possess 2 years of recent licensed experience;
- The applicant passes a written and practical exam;
- The applicant holds a High School Diploma or a General Education Development Certificate;
- The applicant is over the age of 16.
Nail Technicians/Manicurist
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in manicuring shall obtain a license in compliance with the Oklahoma state Board of Cosmetology and Barbering and shall meet the following qualifications:
- The applicant is over the age of 16;
- The applicant has completed at least the 8th grade;
- The applicant shall graduate from a Board approved school and complete the required hours of instruction; or
- The applicant has completed an apprenticeship;
- The applicant shall take a written and practical exam;
- The applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- The applicant shall pay any required fees.
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- The applicant has completed of 600 hours of study or equivalent number of credit hours;
- The applicant completed 1,200 hours of apprenticeship;
- The applicant shall take and pass a written and practical exam;
- Upon passing, the applicant shall pay the required fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements. License expires yearly on the last day of the licensee’s birthday month.
Apprenticeship Programs
All persons desiring to enter a program of apprenticeship training in manicuring shall satisfy all general student requirements that are applicable to the license. To be an apprentice the following requirements must be met:
- The applicant has submitted evidence of need and been approved by the Board;
- Apprentice is required by law to obtain training under a licensed Instructor;
- Training to be conducted in an approved licensed establishment;
- The applicant completes 1,200 hours of study for Manicuring;
- The applicant is over the age of 16;
- The applicant has completed at least the 8th grade.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
In order to be licensed in Oklahoma through Reciprocity, the following requirements must be met:
- Applicant must have been licensed through substantially equivalent means;
- Applicant must hold a current license from another state, country or jurisdiction;
- Applicant must have successfully passed Oklahoma’s state rules, regulations, and law test administered by the Board.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology (manicurist) instruction shall obtain a license in compliance with the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall hold a current Oklahoma Cosmetology or Barber license;
- The applicant completes 1,000 hours of study; or
- The applicant shall complete 500 hours and possess 2 years of recent licensed experience;
- The applicant passes a written and practical exam;
- The applicant holds a High School Diploma or a General Education Development Certificate;
- The applicant is over the age of 16.
Make-up Artists
Make-up artists are licensed under Cosmetology, Barbering, and Esthetics.
Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services
Mobile Cosmetology Salons are licensed in Oklahoma.
High School Cosmetology Programs
Oklahoma does maintain rules concerning high school cosmetology programs. Students who are enrolled in a public school are required to complete a 1,500-clock hour curriculum. 1,000 hours will be pure cosmetology while 500 hours will pertain to related high school subjects.
Additional Professions Licensed
- Cosmetician
- Demonstrator
- Electrology
- Hair Braiding Technician
- Massage Therapy
- Tattoo and body piercing