Alabama Cosmetology License Requirements
Updated
Licenses in Alabama are issued and regulated by the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. This page covers what it takes to get licensed, what renewal costs, how the board handles license transfers, and how to reach it.
Training Hours
1,500 hrs
Minimum Age
16 years old
Exam Provider
PSI
Application Fee
$50
Renewal Fee
$100
Renewal Period
2 years (birth month, odd-numbered years)
CE Hours Required
None
Renewal Portal
Renew Online ↗License Lookup
How to Verify a License →The Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
Phone
1-800-815-7453Official Website
Official Site ↗Mailing Address
Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
100 North Union Street, Suite 324
Montgomery, AL 36104
Office Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, closed all state holidays.
Renewal Portal
Renew Online ↗Complaints
File a Complaint ↗The Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (ABOCB) licenses and regulates cosmetologists, Class 2 barbers, estheticians, manicurists, esthetician/manicurists, manicurist/waxers, natural hair stylists, eyebrow threaders, shampoo assistants, and instructors, along with the shops and schools where they work. Its mission is to protect the public through licensing, minimum sanitation standards, and enforcement of Alabama's cosmetology and barbering law, but it does not regulate the quality of a service or general customer-service disputes.
The board is made up of seven members appointed by the governor, one from each of Alabama's congressional districts as drawn in 2013: two licensed cosmetologists, two licensed Class 2 barbers, one licensed esthetician, one licensed manicurist, and one consumer representative, each of whom must have held their license at least five years before appointment. The board meets quarterly — typically in February, April, July, and October — at the RSA Union Building in Montgomery, and meetings are open to the public.
ABOCB's office is located at 100 North Union Street, Suite 324, in the RSA Union Building in Montgomery, with a separate mailing address at P.O. Box 301750, Montgomery, AL 36130-1750. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed on all state holidays. Licensees and the public can reach the board by phone at 1-800-815-7453 (toll free) or (334) 242-1918 (local), or by email at cosmetology@aboc.alabama.gov.
Alabama licenses a wide range of personal disciplines, each with its own school-hour and apprenticeship-hour requirements, plus separate Shop and School establishment licenses. Personal licenses run on a two-year cycle and are renewed during the licensee's birth month, but the year depends on discipline: barbers renew in even-numbered years, while cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, natural hair stylists, and most other personal license holders renew in odd-numbered years. The board does not publish a continuing education requirement for personal license renewal.
How to Get a Cosmetology License in Alabama
Earning an Alabama cosmetology license requires 1,500 hours of approved training followed by PSI written and practical examinations. Here is the step-by-step process:
- Enroll in a board-approved cosmetology school. You must be at least 16 years old. Contact the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering at (334) 242-1918 or visit aboc.alabama.gov for a list of licensed schools in Alabama.
- Complete 1,500 training hours. Your school tracks and certifies your hours. Alabama's curriculum covers hair design, skin care, nail technology, sanitation, and state law.
- Submit your license application. Download and complete the cosmetology practitioner application from the board's website. Mail or submit the application with the $50 application fee to the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, RSA Union Building, 100 North Union Street, Suite 324, Montgomery, AL 36104.
- Schedule and pass both PSI examinations. Once the board approves your application, register at test-takers.psiexams.com/alcos or call PSI at 1-800-733-9267. Pay the $75 written exam fee and $130 practical exam fee at scheduling. Both exams must be passed to receive your license.
- Receive your license. PSI transmits passing scores to the board electronically. The board issues your Alabama cosmetology license, authorizing you to practice in Alabama.
Training Requirements
Alabama requires 1,500 hours of cosmetology training at a board-licensed school. The curriculum covers all areas tested on the PSI examinations and prepares students for the full Alabama cosmetologist scope of practice:
- Hair design services: Haircutting techniques, wet and thermal styling, chemical waving and relaxing, hair coloring, highlighting, and bleaching
- Skin care: Basic facials, client preparation, skin analysis, and product application
- Nail technology: Manicures, pedicures, nail enhancements, and nail product chemistry
- Sanitation and infection control: Proper disinfection procedures, bloodborne pathogen safety, and Alabama health and safety regulations
- Anatomy and physiology: Basic structure of hair, skin, and nails relevant to cosmetology services
- State law and professional ethics: Alabama Cosmetology and Barbering Act, board rules, and professional conduct standards
Alabama does not permit apprenticeship as an alternative pathway to the school-hour requirement. All 1,500 hours must be completed at a board-approved cosmetology school.
Cosmetology Exam Requirements
Alabama requires two PSI-administered examinations before a cosmetology license is issued:
Written Theory Examination
- Administrator: PSI Services
- Fee: $75, paid at scheduling
- Registration: Online at test-takers.psiexams.com/alcos or by phone at 1-800-733-9267
- Format: Computer-based multiple-choice questions covering cosmetology theory, sanitation, Alabama law, and professional practices
- Scoring: Pass/fail; passing scores are transmitted electronically to the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
Practical Examination
- Administrator: PSI Services
- Fee: $130, paid at scheduling
- Registration: Same PSI portal as written exam; schedule simultaneously or separately
- Format: Hands-on demonstration of cosmetology services within Alabama's scope of practice, including hair, skin, and nail services
- Scoring: Pass/fail; results reported to the board upon completion
Both examinations must be passed before the board will issue an Alabama cosmetology license. Candidates who fail may reschedule through PSI after paying the applicable exam fee again.
How to Renew Your Alabama Cosmetology License
$100
Renewal Fee
2 years (birth month)
Renewal Period
Alabama cosmetology licenses renew on a biennial (two-year) cycle. Licenses expire during the licensee's birth month in odd-numbered years. Here is what you need to know:
- Renewal fee: $100 per renewal period
- Renewal portal: Renew online at albocprod.glsuite.us using your board-issued credentials
- Continuing education: Alabama does not require CE hours for cosmetology license renewal
- Late renewals: Licenses not renewed by the expiration date are subject to late fees. Contact the board at (334) 242-1918 for current penalty schedules
- License verification: Verify the status of any Alabama cosmetology license at the board's license lookup portal
The Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering recommends renewing at least 30 days before your expiration date to avoid interruptions in your ability to practice.
Alabama and the Cosmetology Licensure Compact
Compact member stateAlabama has enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, joining it in 2023. The compact is an agreement among 12 states to recognize one another's cosmetology licenses through a single multistate license, so a cosmetologist can work across member states without applying for a separate license in each one.
Enacting the compact is not the same as being able to use it, and this is where most guidance gets it wrong. The Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission is still standing up the rules, data system, and fee structure needed to issue multistate licenses, so no state — Alabama included — is issuing them yet. Until that happens, moving a license into or out of Alabama still runs through the ordinary reciprocity and endorsement process.
When multistate licenses do become available, eligibility will depend on holding an active, unencumbered license in your primary state of residence. A license that is expired, suspended, or subject to discipline will not qualify, which makes keeping your Alabama renewal current worth doing regardless.
Other Compact member states
Licenses the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering Regulates
| License | Training Hours | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cosmetologist |
1,500 hrs | $50 | $100 |
|
Barber (Class 2) |
1,000 hrs | $50 | $100 |
|
Esthetician |
1,000 hrs | $50 | $100 |
|
Manicurist |
750 hrs | $50 | $100 |
|
Esthetician/Manicurist |
— | $50 | $100 |
|
Manicurist/Waxer |
160 hrs | $50 | $100 |
|
Natural Hair Stylist |
210 hrs | $50 | $100 |
|
Eyebrow Threader |
— | $50 | $100 |
|
Instructor |
1,500 hrs | $50 | $100 |
|
Shampoo Assistant |
— | $75 | $75 |
|
Shop License |
— | $200 | $150 |
|
School License |
— | $300 | $200 |
Notes
Cosmetologist: Hair, skin, and nail care; renews in odd-numbered years during your birth month.
Barber (Class 2): Renews in even-numbered years; Class 1 barbers (shave/trim only) are not regulated by the board.
Esthetician: Facials, body waxing, and skin care; renews in odd-numbered years.
Manicurist: Renews in odd-numbered years during your birth month.
Esthetician/Manicurist: Combined skin-care and nail-care scope; hours not separately published by the board.
Natural Hair Stylist: Cleansing, weaving, locking, and braiding without cutting, coloring, or chemical treatments.
Eyebrow Threader: Eyebrow removal using a loop of cotton or similar material.
Instructor: Requires 1,500 hours of teacher training, or one year of shop experience plus 650 school hours, in a discipline you already hold.
Shampoo Assistant: Limited permit authorizing hair washing only.
Shop License: Expires September 30 and must be renewed by October 31 in odd-numbered years.
School License: Expires September 30 and must be renewed by October 31 in odd-numbered years.
Other Cosmetology License Types in Alabama
The Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering issues several license types within its regulatory scope. Cosmetology-related license categories include:
- Cosmetologist: Full-scope license covering hair design, coloring, chemical services, skin care, and nail technology. Requires 1,500 school hours and passage of PSI written and practical exams.
- Esthetician: Limited to skin care services. Requires 1,000 school hours.
- Nail Technician: Limited to nail services including manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements. Requires 600 school hours.
- Cosmetology Instructor: Required to teach at a licensed Alabama cosmetology school. Requires an active cosmetology license and additional instructor training hours.
- Cosmetology School License: Required for any establishment providing cosmetology training in Alabama.
- Cosmetology Salon License: Required for any business offering cosmetology services to the public in Alabama.
For specific hour requirements, fees, and application instructions for each license type, visit aboc.alabama.gov or call (334) 242-1918.
File a Complaint
The Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering investigates complaints against licensed cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, manicurists, natural hair stylists, instructors, shops, and schools, focused on sanitation violations, unlicensed practice, and other breaches of the board's licensing law. The board does not have regulatory authority over the quality of a service or general customer-service complaints, and it has no jurisdiction over shops or salons on federal Indian reservations or U.S. military bases.
Complaints can be filed through the board's online Complaint Submission Form or by downloading, completing, and mailing a paper Complaint Form to the Montgomery office. The board does not accept anonymous complaints — complainants must provide their name and contact information. If the board opens an investigation, a copy of the complaint and supporting documentation, including the complainant's name, is forwarded to the licensee being complained about, though the complainant's contact information is redacted first.
After a complaint is filed, board staff review it for jurisdiction and may investigate further, which can lead to outcomes ranging from no action to fines, probation, or suspension or revocation of a license, shop, or school.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many training hours are required for an Alabama cosmetology license? +
Alabama requires 1,500 hours of training at a board-approved cosmetology school. There is no apprenticeship alternative — all hours must be completed through a licensed school program.
What exams does Alabama require for a cosmetology license? +
Alabama requires two PSI-administered exams: a written theory exam ($75) and a practical exam ($130). Both are scheduled through PSI at test-takers.psiexams.com/alcos or by calling 1-800-733-9267. Both must be passed before a license is issued.
Does Alabama require continuing education for cosmetology license renewal? +
No. Alabama does not require continuing education hours for cosmetology license renewal. Licensees simply pay the $100 renewal fee before their license expires during their birth month in odd-numbered years.
How much does it cost to get an Alabama cosmetology license? +
The application fee is $50. The PSI written exam is $75 and the PSI practical exam is $130, for a minimum total of approximately $255 before school tuition. Biennial renewal is $100.
How do I renew my Alabama cosmetology license? +
Renew online every two years at albocprod.glsuite.us. Your license expires during your birth month in odd-numbered years. The renewal fee is $100. No CE is required.
Can I transfer my out-of-state cosmetology license to Alabama? +
Alabama accepts reciprocity applications from licensed cosmetologists in other states. Contact the board at (334) 242-1918 or email cosmetology@aboc.alabama.gov for reciprocity requirements and current application forms.
Is Alabama part of the Cosmetology Licensure Compact? +
Yes. Alabama has enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. It joined in 2023, and is one of 12 states to have done so.
Can I get a multistate cosmetology license right now? +
Not yet. 12 states have passed the compact into law, but the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission has not started issuing multistate licenses. Until it does, transferring a license between states still goes through each state board's reciprocity or endorsement process.
How do I transfer a cosmetology license to Alabama today? +
Through the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering's reciprocity or endorsement process, not the compact. You will typically need proof of licensure in good standing from your current state, documentation of your training hours, and the application fee set by Alabama. Requirements differ by state, so check the board's current instructions before applying.
How much does it cost to renew an Alabama cosmetology license? +
Personal license renewal costs $100, regardless of discipline. Renewals postmarked after the last day of your birth month are assessed a $54 late fee, and the board does not publish a continuing education requirement for renewal.
When does my Alabama cosmetology or barber license expire? +
Personal licenses run on a two-year cycle tied to your birth month. Barbers renew in even-numbered years; cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, natural hair stylists, and most other personal licensees renew in odd-numbered years.
How do I contact the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering? +
Call 1-800-815-7453 (toll free) or (334) 242-1918, or email cosmetology@aboc.alabama.gov. The office is at 100 North Union Street, Suite 324, in Montgomery, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on state holidays.
How do I file a complaint against an Alabama salon or licensee? +
File online through the board's Complaint Submission Form or mail in a paper Complaint Form. Alabama does not accept anonymous complaints, and the board does not handle general customer-service disputes or complaints about businesses on federal or military land.
What license types does the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering regulate? +
The board licenses Cosmetologists, Class 2 Barbers, Estheticians, Manicurists, Esthetician/Manicurists, Manicurist/Waxers, Natural Hair Stylists, Eyebrow Threaders, Shampoo Assistants, and Instructors, plus Shop and School establishment licenses.
What happens if my Alabama license has been expired for a long time? +
A license expired four years or less can generally be renewed by paying the license fee plus accumulated late fees. If it has been expired more than four years, you must retake and pass the practical exam and pay all back fees before it can be reinstated.
Helpful Resources
Alabama Esthetician License Requirements
Training hours, exam providers, fees, and renewal periods for an Alabama Esthetician license.
Learn more →Alabama Nail Technician License Requirements
Training hours, exam providers, fees, and renewal periods for a Alabama Nail Technician license.
Learn more →Alabama Barber License Requirements
Training hours, exam providers, fees, and renewal periods for a Alabama Barber license.
Learn more →License Reciprocity
Already licensed elsewhere? See how endorsement and reciprocity work for Alabama.
Learn more →Alabama Cosmetology License Lookup
How to verify a Alabama license: what you can search by, and what each status means.
Learn more →Continuing Education
See how many CE hours the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering requires before you can renew.
Learn more →License Renewal
Renewal fees, deadlines, and CE requirements for Alabama and every other state.
Learn more →Compare Other States
Licensing rules change at the state line. These states either border Alabama or line up with it on training hours or the exam you would sit — useful whether you are planning a move or weighing where to train.