State Licensing Requirements in RHODE ISLAND
Cosmetologists
Licensing Requirements
Any person wishing to obtain a cosmetology license must meet the following requirements:
- ^Applicant must be at least 18 years of age;
- ^Applicant must be a citizen of the United States or has legal entry into the country;
- ^Applicant must be of good moral character;
- ^Applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent;
- ^Applicant must have satisfactorily completed a course of instruction in an approved school of cosmetic therapy;
- ^Applicant must have satisfactorily passed a written and practical examination approved by the Department to determine the fitness of the applicant to receive a license;
- ^Applicant must have completed a course of instruction in cosmetic therapy meeting the required hours of continuous study and practice in an approved school.
Exam Requirements
Any person wishing to take the cosmetology exam must meet these requirements:
- ^Applicant must pay $25;
- ^Applicant must have a recent passport type photo;
- ^Applicant must have an original U.S. birth certificate or notarized copy. If born outside the U.S. applicant must have an original notarized copy of citizenship or lawful alien status;
- ^Applicant must have an official transcript sent directly from the school of cosmetology with 1,500 hours of continuous study in an approved school;
- ^Applicant must have a copy of high school diploma or GED;
- ^Applicants by exam must schedule their own appointment with the testing service for the NIC written exam.
Continuing Education Requirements
Rhode Island does not require CE in order to renew a license.
Apprenticeship Programs
Rhode Island does not offer apprenticeships in cosmetology.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Any person wishing to obtain a license through license reciprocity must meet the following:
- ^Any person licensed to practice cosmetic therapy in another state where the requirements are the equivalent of those of this state, the applicant shall be entitled to a license for cosmetician upon the acceptance of his or her credentials by the Department;
- ^The board of cosmetic therapy in each state in which the applicant has held or holds licensure shall submit directly to the Department, a statement attesting to the licensure status of the applicant during the time period the applicant held licensure in said state;
- ^The applicant must have satisfactorily passed a written and practical examination administered by the Department, or another state board, of the theory and practice of cosmetic therapy;
- ^Persons who have been duly licensed by examination under the laws of other states of the United States or the District of Columbia shall not be prevented from practicing the profession for which they have been trained in either cosmetic therapy in this state for a period of three months, provided the applicant files an application to become licensed.
Instructors
Any person wishing to become a cosmetics instructor must do the following:
- ^Applicant meets the general requirements of the board;
- ^Applicant fills out the application for license and fees;
- ^Applicant has held a cosmetician’s license, issued under the laws for RI or another state for at least three years preceding the date of application of an instructor’s license;
- ^Applicant has passed an examination approved by the Department.
Hair Stylists
See Cosmetology and Hairdressing Section.
Barbers
Licensing Requirements
Any person wishing to obtain a barber’s license must meet the following requirements:
- ^Applicant must be at least 18 years of age;
- ^Applicant must be a citizen of the United States or has legal entry into the country;
- ^Applicant must be of good moral character;
- ^Applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent;
- ^Applicant must have satisfactorily completed a course of instruction in an approved school of barbering;
- ^Applicant must have satisfactorily passed a written and practical examination approved by the Department to determine the fitness of the applicant to receive a license;
- ^Applicant has completed a course of instruction in barbering meeting the required hours of continuous study and practice in an approved school;
- ^Applicant has successfully completed 1,000 hours of barber instruction in an approved school and has completed a minimum of 840 hours of barber on the-job training, as a registered barber apprentice, obtained within a minimum of 6 months as a registered apprentice.
Exam Requirements
Anyone wishing to receive a barber’s license must successfully pass the exam as determined by the Department:
- ^The department may administer a nationally recognized written examination such as the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Hairdressing Examination. Minimum passing score is 70%;
- ^Practical examinations shall be given in a manner prescribed by the Department and the minimal passing score shall be 70%.
- ^Applicants must complete 1,500 hours at a required school of barbering.
Continuing Education Requirements
Rhode Island does not require CE in order to renew a license.
Apprenticeship Programs
The Department shall issue an apprentice barber registration to an individual who meets the following requirements:
- ^Applicant completes the application;
- ^Applicant submits acceptable evidence that any training the apprentice receives shall be conducted by and under the direct supervision of a licensed barber in a licensed hair design shop;
- ^Apprentice barbers shall be under the direct supervision of a licensed barber who must be on the premises with the apprentice barber;
- ^The number of apprentice barbers which a licensed barber may supervise in a licensed hair design shop serving the general public shall be no more than one apprenticed barber to one licensed barber.
In order for an apprentice to become licensed they must have:
- ^Applicant has possessed for at least two years prior to the filing of the license application a certificate of registration in full force and effect from the Department specifying that person as a registered apprentice barber and the application of that applicant is accompanied by an affidavit or affidavits of his or her employer or former employers or other reasonably satisfactory evidence showing that the applicant has been actually engaged in barbering as an apprentice barber in the state during those two years.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Any person wishing to obtain a license through license reciprocity must meet the following:
- ^Any person licensed to practice barbering in another state where the requirements are the equivalent of those of this state, the applicant shall be entitled to a license for barbering, upon the acceptance of his or her credentials by the Department;
- ^The board of barbering in each state in which the applicant has held or holds licensure shall submit directly to the Department, a statement attesting to the licensure status of the applicant during the time period the applicant held licensure in said state;
- ^The applicant must have satisfactorily passed a written and practical examination administered by the Department, or another state board, of the theory and practice of barbering;
- ^Persons who have been duly licensed by examination under the laws of other states of the United States or the District of Columbia shall not be prevented from practicing the profession for which they have been trained in either barbering, hairdressing/cosmetic therapy, manicuring or esthetics in this state for a period of three months, provided the applicant files an application to become licensed.
Instructors
Any person wishing to become a barber instructor must do the following:
- ^Applicant meets the general requirements of the board;
- ^Applicant fills out the application for license and fees;
- ^Applicant has held a barber’s license, issued under the laws for RI or another state for at least three years preceding the date of application of an instructor’s license;
- ^Applicant has passed an examination approved by the Department.
Estheticians
Licensing Requirements
Any person wishing to obtain an esthetician’s license must meet the following requirements:
- ^Applicant must be at least 18 years of age;
- ^Applicant must be a citizen of the United States or has legal entry into the country;
- ^Applicant must be of good moral character;
- ^Applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent;
- ^Applicant must have satisfactorily completed a course of instruction in an approved school of esthetics;
- ^Applicant must have satisfactorily passed a written and practical examination approved by the Department to determine the fitness of the applicant to receive a license;
- ^Applicant has completed a course of instruction in esthetics meeting the hour requirements in an approved school of cosmetic therapy or who holds a diploma or certificate from a skin care school that is recognized as a skin care school by the state or nation in which it is located.
Exam Requirements
Any person wishing to take the esthetician’s exam must meet these requirements:
- ^Applicant must pay $25;
- ^Applicant must have a recent passport type photo;
- ^Applicant must have an original U.S. birth certificate or notarized copy. If born outside the U.S. applicant must have an original notarized copy of citizenship or lawful alien status;
- ^Applicant must have an official transcript sent directly from the school of Esthetics showing completion of 600 hours of continuous study over a period of no less than 4 months at an approved school;
- ^Applicant must have a copy of high school diploma or GED;
- ^Applicants by exam must schedule their own appointment with the testing service for the NIC written exam;
- ^The department may administer a nationally recognized written examination such as the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Hairdressing Examination. Minimum passing score is 70%;
- ^Practical examinations shall be given in a manner prescribed by the Department and the minimal passing score shall be 70%
Continuing Education Requirements
Rhode Island does not require CE in order to renew a license.
Apprenticeship Programs
Rhode Island does not offer apprenticeships for estheticians.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Any person wishing to obtain a license through license reciprocity must meet the following:
- ^Any person licensed to practice esthetics in another state where the requirements are the equivalent of those of this state, the applicant shall be entitled to a license for esthetician, upon the acceptance of his or her credentials by the Department;
- ^The board of cosmetic therapy in each state in which the applicant has held or holds licensure shall submit directly to the Department, a statement attesting to the licensure status of the applicant during the time period the applicant held licensure in said state;
- ^The applicant must have satisfactorily passed a written and practical examination administered by the Department, or another state board, of the theory and practice of cosmetic therapy;
- ^Persons who have been duly licensed by examination under the laws of other states of the United States or the District of Columbia shall not be prevented from practicing the profession for which they have been trained in esthetics in this state for a period of three months, provided the applicant files an application to become licensed.
Instructors
Any person wishing to become an esthetics instructor must do the following:
- ^Applicant meets the general requirements of the board;
- ^Applicant fills out the application for license and fees;
- ^Applicant has held an esthetician’s license, issued under the laws for RI or another state for at least three years preceding the date of application of an instructor’s license;
- ^Applicant has passed an examination approved by the Department
Nail Technicians/Manicurist
Licensing Requirements
Any person wishing to obtain a nail technician license must meet the following requirements:
- ^Applicant must be at least 18 years of age;
- ^Applicant must be a citizen of the United States or has legal entry into the country;
- ^Applicant must be of good moral character;
- ^Applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent;
- ^Applicant must have satisfactorily completed a course of instruction in an approved school of manicuring;
- ^Applicant must have satisfactorily passed a written and practical examination approved by the Department to determine the fitness of the applicant to receive a license;
- ^Applicant has completed a course of instruction meeting required hours in manicuring, at an approved school.
Exam Requirements
Any person wishing to take the nail technician exam must meet these requirements:
- ^Applicant must pay $25;
- ^Applicant must have a recent passport type photo;
- ^Applicant must have an original U.S. birth certificate or notarized copy. If born outside the U.S. applicant must have an original notarized copy of citizenship or lawful alien status;
- ^Applicant must have an official transcript sent directly from the school of Manicuring showing completion of 300 hours at a licensed school;
- ^Applicant must have a copy of high school diploma or GED;
- ^Applicants by exam must schedule their own appointment with the testing service for the NIC written exam;
- ^The department may administer a nationally recognized written examination such as the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Hairdressing Examination. Minimum passing score is 70%;
- ^Practical examinations shall be given in a manner prescribed by the Department and the minimal passing score shall be 70%
Continuing Education Requirements
Rhode Island does not require CE in order to renew a license.
Apprenticeship Programs
Rhode Island does not offer apprenticeships for nail technicians.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Any person wishing to obtain a license through license reciprocity must meet the following:
- ^Any person licensed to practice manicuring in another state where the requirements are the equivalent of those of this state, the applicant shall be entitled to a license for manicurist, upon the acceptance of his or her credentials by the Department;
- ^The board of cosmetic therapy in each state in which the applicant has held or holds licensure shall submit directly to the Department, a statement attesting to the licensure status of the applicant during the time period the applicant held licensure in said state;
- ^The applicant must have satisfactorily passed a written and practical examination administered by the Department, or another state board, of the theory and practice of cosmetic therapy;
- ^Persons who have been duly licensed by examination under the laws of other states of the United States or the District of Columbia shall not be prevented from practicing the profession for which they have been trained in manicuring in this state for a period of three months, provided the applicant files an application to become licensed.
Instructors
Any person wishing to become a nail technician instructor must do the following:
- ^Applicant meets the general requirements of the board;
- ^Applicant fills out the application for license and fees;
- ^Applicant has held a nail technician’s license, issued under the laws for RI or another state for at least three years preceding the date of application of an instructor’s license;
- ^Applicant has passed an examination approved by the Department.
Make-up Artists
There is no official license required to be a make-up artist in RI. However, a person wishing to practice make-up art will need to either earn a cosmetology license or esthetician license to work in RI.
Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services
Mobile Cosmetology services are not allowed in the state of Rhode Island.
High School Cosmetology Programs
Rhode Island offers high school cosmetology programs through career and technical education programs. There are several high school sand career tech centers that offer cosmetology. Students can start specific cosmetology classes after 9th grade.
Additional Professions Licensed
- ^Tattooer must register with the state, no license is required.
- ^Electrologists must register with the state, no license is required.
- ^Body Piercers must register with the state, no license is required.