Cosmetology Apprenticeship Programs by State
In some states you can become a licensed cosmetologist by training under a licensed practitioner instead of attending cosmetology school. Here’s where that path is available.
How Cosmetology Apprenticeships Work
An apprenticeship lets you earn your training hours on the job, under the direct supervision of a licensed cosmetologist in a licensed salon, instead of enrolling in cosmetology school. Apprenticeship programs almost always require more total hours than the school path — often close to double — to account for the difference between classroom instruction and on-the-floor training. Some states run their apprenticeships through a state labor department or a registered apprenticeship program; others administer it directly through the cosmetology board.
Not every state offers this path. Where it isn’t listed below, cosmetology school is the only route to licensure for that state’s standard cosmetologist license.
Apprenticeship Availability by State
| State | School Hours | Apprenticeship | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,500 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| Alaska | 1,650 hrs | 2,000 hrs | Available as 2,000 hours in a board-approved apprenticeship program, in lieu of the 1,650-hour school requirement, for the hairdresser (Alaska's cosmetologist-equivalent) license. |
| Arizona | 1,500 hrs | Available | DES-registered apprenticeships are recognized as an alternative to school training, but a specific required hour count is only detailed for the aesthetics discipline, not cosmetology. |
| Arkansas | 1,500 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| California | 1,000 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| Colorado | 1,500 hrs | Available | Apprenticeship through the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (Apprenticeship Colorado) can substitute for school training, though no specific hour total is stated. |
| Connecticut | 1,500 hrs | Available | Applicants may complete a Connecticut Department of Labor registered hairdressing apprenticeship in lieu of school training, though no specific hour total is stated. |
| Delaware | 1,500 hrs | 3,000 hrs | Available as a 3,000-hour apprenticeship under a board-approved apprentice teacher in a licensed shop, completed in 18 to 36 months, in lieu of 1,500 school hours. |
| District of Columbia | 1,500 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| Florida | 1,200 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| Georgia | 1,500 hrs | 3,000 hrs | Available as 3,000 hours over at least 18 months under a licensed Master Cosmetologist, in lieu of school. |
| Hawaii | 1,800 hrs | 3,600 hrs | Available as 3,600 hours through a board-registered apprenticeship program, in lieu of 1,800 school hours. |
| Idaho | 1,600 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| Illinois | 1,500 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| Indiana | 1,500 hrs | Available | A completed U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program may be submitted in lieu of school hours, though no specific hour total is stated. |
| Iowa | 1,550 hrs | Available | Recognized as an alternative to school, with the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship certifying completion to satisfy the education requirement. |
| Kansas | 1,500 hrs | Available | An Apprentice License lets cosmetology students train under direct supervision in a licensed Kansas establishment, though no specific hour total is stated. |
| Kentucky | 1,500 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| Louisiana | 1,500 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| Maine | 1,500 hrs | 2,500 hrs | Available as a 2,500-hour trainee pathway under a qualified supervisor in a licensed establishment (minimum 18 months), in lieu of the 1,500-hour school program. |
| Maryland | 1,500 hrs | Available | Available as a 24-month registered apprenticeship in a licensed beauty salon under a senior cosmetologist sponsor, in lieu of 1,500 hours of school instruction. |
| Massachusetts | 1,000 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| Michigan | 1,500 hrs | 1,920 hrs | Available as a 2-year, 1,920-hour apprenticeship supervised by a licensed Michigan cosmetologist with at least 3 years of experience, in lieu of school. |
| Minnesota | 1,550 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| Mississippi | 1,500 hrs | 3,000 hrs | Available as a 3,000-hour board-certified apprenticeship mentored by a licensed instructor or an experienced practitioner, in lieu of the 1,500-hour school program. |
| Missouri | 1,500 hrs | 3,000 hrs | Available as a 3,000-hour apprenticeship under a board-approved apprentice supervisor, in lieu of the 1,500-hour school program. |
| Montana | 1,500 hrs | 1,500 hrs | Available as a state-registered apprenticeship under a licensed practitioner at a licensed salon (new as of November 2025 under HB 336), with hour requirements mirroring the 1,500-hour school pathway. |
| Nebraska | 1,800 hrs | 1,800 hrs | Available at a DHHS-approved apprentice salon, providing the same full 1,800-hour curriculum as school, in lieu of attending school. |
| Nevada | 1,600 hrs | 3,200 hrs | Available as 3,200 apprenticeship hours (double the 1,600 school hours) at a licensed salon, but only for trainees more than 60 miles from the nearest licensed school. |
| New Hampshire | 1,200 hrs | 3,000 hrs | Available as 3,000 apprenticeship hours over a minimum of 18 months under a licensed supervisor, in lieu of the 1,200-hour school program. |
| New Jersey | 1,200 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| New Mexico | 1,600 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| New York | 1,000 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| North Carolina | 1,500 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| North Dakota | 1,500 hrs | 2,500 hrs | Available as 2,500 hours through a USDOL-registered apprenticeship program, effective January 1, 2026, in lieu of the 1,500-hour school program. |
| Ohio | 1,500 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| Oklahoma | 1,500 hrs | 2,250 hrs | Available as a Board-approved apprenticeship of 2,250 hours under a licensed Master Instructor, in lieu of school, but only granted for documented hardship. |
| Oregon | 1,110 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| Pennsylvania | 1,250 hrs | 2,000 hrs | Available as 2,000 hours of training in a Board-approved apprenticeship at a licensed cosmetology salon under a licensed cosmetology teacher. |
| Rhode Island | 1,000 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| South Carolina | 1,500 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| South Dakota | 1,500 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| Tennessee | 1,500 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| Texas | 1,000 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| Utah | 1,600 hrs | 2,500 hrs | Available as 2,500 hours of on-the-job apprenticeship training under a licensed supervisor at a licensed school, instead of 1,600 school hours; apprenticeship and school hours cannot be combined. |
| Vermont | 1,000 hrs | 1,500 hrs | Available as 1,500 hours of supervised training under a Vermont-licensed cosmetologist in a Vermont-licensed shop, in lieu of school. |
| Virginia | 1,000 hrs | Available | A Virginia Works registered apprenticeship in cosmetology is accepted as a qualifying training pathway in place of school, though no specific hour total is stated. |
| Washington | 1,600 hrs | 3,000 hrs | Available as 3,000 OJT hours plus 244 hours of Related Supplemental Instruction under a DOL-registered apprenticeship program, in lieu of school. |
| West Virginia | 1,800 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
| Wisconsin | 1,550 hrs | 4,000 hrs | Available as a 2-4 year Cosmetology Apprenticeship totaling 4,000 hours (288 theory hours at an approved school plus 3,712 practical hours at an approved establishment), in lieu of school. |
| Wyoming | 1,600 hrs | Not offered | View requirements → |
Alaska
- School Hours
- 1,650 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 2,000 hrs
- Details
- Available as 2,000 hours in a board-approved apprenticeship program, in lieu of the 1,650-hour school requirement, for the hairdresser (Alaska's cosmetologist-equivalent) license.
Arizona
- School Hours
- 1,500 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- Available
- Details
- DES-registered apprenticeships are recognized as an alternative to school training, but a specific required hour count is only detailed for the aesthetics discipline, not cosmetology.
Colorado
- School Hours
- 1,500 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- Available
- Details
- Apprenticeship through the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (Apprenticeship Colorado) can substitute for school training, though no specific hour total is stated.
Connecticut
- School Hours
- 1,500 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- Available
- Details
- Applicants may complete a Connecticut Department of Labor registered hairdressing apprenticeship in lieu of school training, though no specific hour total is stated.
Delaware
- School Hours
- 1,500 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 3,000 hrs
- Details
- Available as a 3,000-hour apprenticeship under a board-approved apprentice teacher in a licensed shop, completed in 18 to 36 months, in lieu of 1,500 school hours.
Georgia
- School Hours
- 1,500 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 3,000 hrs
- Details
- Available as 3,000 hours over at least 18 months under a licensed Master Cosmetologist, in lieu of school.
Hawaii
- School Hours
- 1,800 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 3,600 hrs
- Details
- Available as 3,600 hours through a board-registered apprenticeship program, in lieu of 1,800 school hours.
Indiana
- School Hours
- 1,500 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- Available
- Details
- A completed U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program may be submitted in lieu of school hours, though no specific hour total is stated.
Iowa
- School Hours
- 1,550 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- Available
- Details
- Recognized as an alternative to school, with the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship certifying completion to satisfy the education requirement.
Kansas
- School Hours
- 1,500 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- Available
- Details
- An Apprentice License lets cosmetology students train under direct supervision in a licensed Kansas establishment, though no specific hour total is stated.
Maine
- School Hours
- 1,500 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 2,500 hrs
- Details
- Available as a 2,500-hour trainee pathway under a qualified supervisor in a licensed establishment (minimum 18 months), in lieu of the 1,500-hour school program.
Maryland
- School Hours
- 1,500 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- Available
- Details
- Available as a 24-month registered apprenticeship in a licensed beauty salon under a senior cosmetologist sponsor, in lieu of 1,500 hours of school instruction.
Michigan
- School Hours
- 1,500 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 1,920 hrs
- Details
- Available as a 2-year, 1,920-hour apprenticeship supervised by a licensed Michigan cosmetologist with at least 3 years of experience, in lieu of school.
Mississippi
- School Hours
- 1,500 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 3,000 hrs
- Details
- Available as a 3,000-hour board-certified apprenticeship mentored by a licensed instructor or an experienced practitioner, in lieu of the 1,500-hour school program.
Missouri
- School Hours
- 1,500 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 3,000 hrs
- Details
- Available as a 3,000-hour apprenticeship under a board-approved apprentice supervisor, in lieu of the 1,500-hour school program.
Montana
- School Hours
- 1,500 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 1,500 hrs
- Details
- Available as a state-registered apprenticeship under a licensed practitioner at a licensed salon (new as of November 2025 under HB 336), with hour requirements mirroring the 1,500-hour school pathway.
Nebraska
- School Hours
- 1,800 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 1,800 hrs
- Details
- Available at a DHHS-approved apprentice salon, providing the same full 1,800-hour curriculum as school, in lieu of attending school.
Nevada
- School Hours
- 1,600 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 3,200 hrs
- Details
- Available as 3,200 apprenticeship hours (double the 1,600 school hours) at a licensed salon, but only for trainees more than 60 miles from the nearest licensed school.
New Hampshire
- School Hours
- 1,200 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 3,000 hrs
- Details
- Available as 3,000 apprenticeship hours over a minimum of 18 months under a licensed supervisor, in lieu of the 1,200-hour school program.
North Dakota
- School Hours
- 1,500 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 2,500 hrs
- Details
- Available as 2,500 hours through a USDOL-registered apprenticeship program, effective January 1, 2026, in lieu of the 1,500-hour school program.
Oklahoma
- School Hours
- 1,500 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 2,250 hrs
- Details
- Available as a Board-approved apprenticeship of 2,250 hours under a licensed Master Instructor, in lieu of school, but only granted for documented hardship.
Pennsylvania
- School Hours
- 1,250 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 2,000 hrs
- Details
- Available as 2,000 hours of training in a Board-approved apprenticeship at a licensed cosmetology salon under a licensed cosmetology teacher.
Utah
- School Hours
- 1,600 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 2,500 hrs
- Details
- Available as 2,500 hours of on-the-job apprenticeship training under a licensed supervisor at a licensed school, instead of 1,600 school hours; apprenticeship and school hours cannot be combined.
Vermont
- School Hours
- 1,000 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 1,500 hrs
- Details
- Available as 1,500 hours of supervised training under a Vermont-licensed cosmetologist in a Vermont-licensed shop, in lieu of school.
Virginia
- School Hours
- 1,000 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- Available
- Details
- A Virginia Works registered apprenticeship in cosmetology is accepted as a qualifying training pathway in place of school, though no specific hour total is stated.
Washington
- School Hours
- 1,600 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 3,000 hrs
- Details
- Available as 3,000 OJT hours plus 244 hours of Related Supplemental Instruction under a DOL-registered apprenticeship program, in lieu of school.
Wisconsin
- School Hours
- 1,550 hrs
- Apprenticeship
- 4,000 hrs
- Details
- Available as a 2-4 year Cosmetology Apprenticeship totaling 4,000 hours (288 theory hours at an approved school plus 3,712 practical hours at an approved establishment), in lieu of school.
No states match your search.
Helpful Resources
License Requirements
Compare the standard school-based path if you're still deciding which route makes sense.
Learn more →License Renewal
Once licensed, apprenticeship and school graduates renew on the same schedule.
Learn more →Continuing Education
See whether your state requires CE hours to keep an apprenticeship-earned license active.
Learn more →License Reciprocity
How another state evaluates a license earned through an apprenticeship instead of school.
Learn more →Same license, different path to get there
An apprenticeship gets you to the same license as cosmetology school — just on a different timeline, and often more total hours. Once you’re licensed, everything else works the same way: you’ll renew on your state’s standard schedule, complete continuing education hours if your state requires them, and if you ever move, your new state evaluates an apprenticeship-trained license the same way it evaluates a school-trained one under its endorsement process. Still deciding which route makes sense? Compare the school-based training hours and exam requirements first.