State Licensing Requirements in TENNESSEE

Cosmetologists

Licensing Requirements

• Applicant shall be at least 16 years of age;
• Applicant shall meet the educational and examination requirements;
• Applicant shall the required hours in practice and theory at a school of cosmetology; or
• Applicant shall complete an apprenticeship;
• Applicant shall submit an application with the required documents;
• Applicant must submit application along with required fees.

Exam Requirements

• Applicant must complete 1,500 hours of course study; or
• Applicant must complete 750 hours in a school and then complete an apprenticeship;
• Applicant must pass written theory and practical examinations;
• Applicants must score a 70% or greater to pass the examinations;
• Applicant shall pay the required fees;

Continuing Education Requirements

Apprenticeship Programs

• Applicant is required to be a student enrolled as an apprentice student;
• Applicant must first complete 750 classroom hours in a licensed school;
• Applicant must pass the theory exam;
• Applicant then may engage in an apprenticeship with a pre-approved (with the school) salon/mentor who will log and report hours and student progress to the school;
• Applicant cannot enroll as a traditional student and then transfer to the apprentice program;
• The mentor must have been licensed for a minimum of 10 years and be in good standing;
• The mentor, or supervising professional can only take on one student at a time;
• The shop must post a sign that apprentice students practice in the shop (at least 8X10) but it is not limited to the number of apprentices, only that each one is under one “supervising professional”;
• The student must have their own work space.

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

• Applicant can complete application online by going to: https://core.tn.gov;
• Applicant must have 1500 school hours completed;
• If applicant does not meet the minimum hourly requirements and cannot provide 5 years work experience immediately prior to the application date, they will be presented to the board at the next available board meeting;
• Applicant may be required to complete additional hours in order to meet licensure requirements;
• If the State the applicant was licensed in did not require a State theory and practical exam, they will be required to take one or both.

Instructors

• Applicant must hold a valid license as a cosmetologist;
• Applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent;
• Applicant must complete a board-approved course in instructor training of at least 300 hours within a period of six months as an instructor trainee; or
• Applicant must complete service as a junior instructor for a minimum of one year;
• Applicant must pass a Written and practical examination;

Natural Hair Stylists

Licensing Requirements

• Applicant shall be at least 16 years of age;
• Applicant shall meet the educational and examination requirements;
• Applicant shall the required hours in practice and theory at a school of cosmetology; or
• Applicant shall complete an apprenticeship;
• Applicant shall submit an application with the required documents;
• Applicant must submit application along with required fees.

Exam Requirements

• Applicant must complete 300 hours of course study;
• Applicant must pass written theory and practical examination;
• The theory test can be taken online;
• The practical test cannot be taken online or by paper and pencil;
• Applicant must be pre-approved to take the examination;
• Applicant’s education provider will provide eligibility, electronically, to PSI upon successful completion of the course requirements;
• Applicant can register for examinations online by accessing PSI’s registration Web site at www.psiexams.com.

Continuing Education Requirements

Apprenticeship Programs

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

• Applicant can complete application online by going to: https://core.tn.gov;
• Applicant must have 1500 school hours completed;
• If applicant does not meet the minimum hourly requirements and cannot provide 5 years work experience immediately prior to the application date, they will be presented to the board at the next available board meeting;
• Applicant may be required to complete additional hours in order to meet licensure requirements;
• If the State the applicant was licensed in did not require a State theory and practical exam, they will be required to take one or both.

Instructors

• Applicant must hold a valid license as a cosmetologist;
• Applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent;
• Applicant must complete a board-approved course in instructor training of at least 300 hours within a period of six months as an instructor trainee; or
• Applicant must complete service as a junior instructor for a minimum of one year;
• Applicant must pass a Written and practical examination;

Barbers

Licensing Requirements

• Applicant must be at least 17 years of age;
• Applicant must have a 12th grade education or equivalent;
• Applicant must complete an apprenticeship;
• Applicant shall pass the examinations;
• Applicant shall submit an application with the required documents;
• Applicant must pay any required fees.

Exam Requirements

• Applicant must complete 1,500 hours of course study;
• Applicant must take a written theory exam and a practical exam;
• Applicant must pass the Master Barber Theory Portion of the examination before they can pay the fee and schedule the Master Barber Practical Portion;
• Applicant can register for examinations online by accessing PSI’s registration Web site at www.psiexams.com.

Continuing Education Requirements

Apprenticeship Programs

• Applicant is required to be a student enrolled as an apprentice student;
• Applicant must first complete 750 classroom hours;
• Applicant must pass the theory exam;
• They must then engage in an apprenticeship with a pre-approved (with the school) salon/mentor who will log and report hours and student progress to the school;
• Applicant cannot enroll as a traditional student and then transfer to the apprentice program;
• The mentor must have been licensed for a minimum of 10 years and be in good standing;
• The mentor, or supervising professional can only take on one student at a time;
• The shop must post a sign that apprentice students practice in the shop (at least 8X10) but it is not limited to the number of apprentices, only that each one is under one “supervising professional”;
• The student must have their own work space.

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

• Applicant can complete application online by going to: https://core.tn.gov;
• Applicant must have 1500 school hours completed;
• If applicant does not meet the minimum hourly requirements and cannot provide 5 years work experience immediately prior to the application date, they will be presented to the board at the next available board meeting;
• Applicant may be required to complete additional hours in order to meet licensure requirements;
• If the State the applicant was licensed in did not require a State theory and practical exam, they will be required to take one or both.

Instructors

• Applicant must hold a valid certificate of registration as a master barber;
• Applicant must have completed the 12th grade or equivalent;
• Applicant should be duly registered as a master barber for a period of at least three years;
• Applicant shall have completed a 450 hour instructor training program at a board certified barber school;
• Applicant must pass the examination prescribed by the board.

Aestheticians

Licensing Requirements

• Applicant shall be at least 16 years of age;
• Applicant shall meet the educational and examination requirements;
• Applicant shall the required hours in practice and theory at a school of cosmetology; or
• Applicant shall complete an apprenticeship;
• Applicant shall submit an application with the required documents;
• Applicant must submit application along with required fees.

Exam Requirements

• Applicant must complete 750 hours of course study;
• Applicant must take a written theory exam and a practical exam;
• Applicant must be pre-approved to take the examination. The education provider will provide eligibility, electronically, to PSI upon successful completion of the course requirements;
• The theory test can be taken online;
• The practical test cannot be taken online or by paper and pencil;
• Applicant must pass the Aesthetician Theory Portion of the examination before they can pay the fee and schedule the Aesthetician Practical Portion;
• Applicant must have 3 years to pass both portions to qualify for a license;
• Applicant can register for examinations online by accessing PSI’s registration Web site at www.psiexams.com

Continuing Education Requirements

Apprenticeship Programs

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

• Applicant can complete application online by going to: https://core.tn.gov;
• Applicant must have 1500 school hours completed;
• If applicant does not meet the minimum hourly requirements and cannot provide 5 years work experience immediately prior to the application date, they will be presented to the board at the next available board meeting;
• Applicant may be required to complete additional hours in order to meet licensure requirements;
• If the State the applicant was licensed in did not require a State theory and practical exam, they will be required to take one or both.

Instructors

• Applicant must hold a valid license as a cosmetologist;
• Applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent;
• Applicant must complete a board-approved course in instructor training of at least 300 hours within a period of six months as an instructor trainee; or
• Applicant must complete service as a junior instructor for a minimum of one year;
• Applicant must pass a Written and practical examination;

Manicurists

Licensing Requirements

• Applicant shall be at least 16 years of age;
• Applicant shall meet the educational and examination requirements;
• Applicant shall the required hours in practice and theory at a school of cosmetology; or
• Applicant shall complete an apprenticeship;
• Applicant shall submit an application with the required documents;
• Applicant must submit application along with required fees.

Exam Requirements

• Applicant must complete 750 hours of course study;
• Applicant must take a written theory exam and a practical exam;
• Applicant must be pre-approved to take the examination. The education provider will provide eligibility, electronically, to PSI upon successful completion of the course requirements;
• The theory test can be taken online;
• The practical test cannot be taken online or by paper and pencil;
• Applicant must pass the Aesthetician Theory Portion of the examination before they can pay the fee and schedule the Aesthetician Practical Portion;
• Applicant must have 3 years to pass both portions to qualify for a license;
• Applicant can register for examinations online by accessing PSI’s registration Web site at www.psiexams.com

Continuing Education Requirements

Apprenticeship Programs

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

• Applicant can complete application online by going to: https://core.tn.gov;
• Applicant must have 1500 school hours completed;
• If applicant does not meet the minimum hourly requirements and cannot provide 5 years work experience immediately prior to the application date, they will be presented to the board at the next available board meeting;
• Applicant may be required to complete additional hours in order to meet licensure requirements;
• If the State the applicant was licensed in did not require a State theory and practical exam, they will be required to take one or both.

Instructors

• Applicant must hold a valid license as a cosmetologist;
• Applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent;
• Applicant must complete a board-approved course in instructor training of at least 300 hours within a period of six months as an instructor trainee; or
• Applicant must complete service as a junior instructor for a minimum of one year;
• Applicant must pass a written and practical examination;

Make-up Artists

Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services

• The individual should already have a certificate or license, as applicable, for a fixed-location shop;
• Pay an application fee;
• Pay a $250 initial registration fee;
• Undergo and pass an initial inspection.

High School Cosmetology Programs

Additional Professions Licensed

• Body Piercing
• Electrology
• Shampoo Technician
• Massage Therapy
• Tattooing