Idaho Cosmetology License Requirements

Earning an Idaho cosmetology license requires 1,600 hours of approved training and passage of both the NIC written and practical examinations, administered by ProV, Inc. Here is the step-by-step process:

1. Enroll in a board-approved cosmetology college. All training must be completed at a college licensed by the Idaho Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board under Title 54, Chapter 58, Idaho Code. No minimum age is stated in current board rules, but most colleges require applicants to be at least 16 years old to enroll.
2. Complete 1,600 hours of training. Idaho's cosmetology curriculum covers theory, sanitation and infection control, chemical services, hairstyling, haircutting, hair coloring, skin care, and nail services, as well as Idaho laws and rules. Your college tracks and certifies all completed hours before submitting your transcript to DOPL.
3. Submit your application to DOPL. Apply online through the DOPL online services portal at edopl.idaho.gov/OnlineServices. Pay the $25.00 application fee plus the $25.00 original license fee ($50.00 total). DOPL will review your transcript and, upon approval, issue a Verification of Eligibility (VOE) letter.
4. Schedule your NIC examinations with ProV, Inc. Once you receive your VOE letter, contact ProV at 866-720-7768, email Cosmosupport@provexam.com, or visit provexam.com to schedule both the written theory and practical examinations. The VOE letter is required before ProV will schedule your test.
5. Pass both NIC examinations. Idaho requires passage of the NIC cosmetology written theory exam and the NIC cosmetology practical exam. Both are required. Failing one portion requires retaking only the failed section; passing scores remain valid for a set period per ProV and board rules.
6. Receive your Idaho cosmetology license. After ProV transmits your passing scores to DOPL, your license is issued through the online portal. Keep your license current by renewing annually at edopl.idaho.gov/OnlineServices.

Idaho offers licensure by endorsement for applicants holding a current license in good standing from another state with standards equal to or greater than Idaho's (1,600 hours and NIC exam), or a current license plus at least one year of active work experience in the last three years. The endorsement fee is $35.00 plus the $25.00 application fee. No temporary licenses are issued while applications are under review.

Idaho training hour requirements are established under the Barber and Cosmetology Services Act (Title 54, Chapter 58, Idaho Code) and the Rules of the Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board (IDAPA 24.28.01). All training must be completed at a college licensed by the board.

Required training hours by license type:

• Cosmetologist — 1,600 hours. Full-scope hair, skin, and nail services curriculum including theory, sanitation, chemical services, styling, coloring, cutting, facials, and nail care.
• Esthetician — 600 hours. Skin-care curriculum covering theory, sanitation, facials, chemical hair removal, makeup, lash services, and noninvasive skin-care device operation.
• Nail Technician — 400 hours. Nail curriculum covering manicuring, pedicuring, nail enhancement application, and sanitation protocols.
• Electrologist — 600 hours. Permanent hair removal by electrolysis, theory, and safety protocols.
• Haircutter — 900 hours. Limited-scope curriculum focused on haircutting, trimming, and styling; does not include chemical or nail services.
• Barber — 900 hours. Barbering curriculum including haircutting, shaving, scalp treatments, and barber theory.
• Barber Stylist — 1,500 hours. Combined barbering and cosmetology curriculum authorizing the full scope of both disciplines.
• Instructor — Must hold a current practitioner license in the applicable discipline and meet the experience and examination requirements set by board rule. Instructor candidates complete a board-approved instructor training program at a licensed college.

Idaho does not offer an apprenticeship pathway as an alternative to school-based training for initial cosmetology licensure. All applicants must complete the required hours at a board-licensed college before DOPL will issue a Verification of Eligibility letter for examination.

Idaho requires both a NIC written theory examination and a NIC practical examination for cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, haircutter, and barber stylist licensure. Both exams are administered by ProV, Inc., the examination vendor contracted by the Idaho Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board.

To schedule your examinations: After DOPL approves your application, you will receive a Verification of Eligibility (VOE) letter. The VOE letter is your authorization to schedule with ProV. Contact ProV at 866-720-7768, email Cosmosupport@provexam.com, or schedule online at provexam.com. ProV will not schedule you without the VOE.

Examination details:

• Written theory exam — Tests knowledge of cosmetology science, anatomy, chemistry, infection control, sanitation, and Idaho laws and administrative rules. Administered at approved ProV testing centers.
• Practical exam — Tests hands-on skills across the applicable discipline (hair, skin, nails, or cutting). Performed on a live model per ProV exam specifications.
• Both exams required — Cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, haircutters, and barber stylists must pass both portions. Barbers (900-hour track) and electrologists may have different exam requirements; confirm with DOPL at (208) 334-3233.

Instructor candidates must pass the NIC instructor theory examination. No separate practical exam is required for instructor licensure. Instructor exams are also administered by ProV. After passing, ProV transmits scores to DOPL electronically and the license is issued through the DOPL online portal.

Idaho cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, electrology, haircutter, and barber licenses renew annually through the DOPL online services portal at edopl.idaho.gov/OnlineServices. There is no continuing education requirement for renewal of any practitioner license type in Idaho.

Annual renewal fees:

• Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Nail Technician, Electrologist, Haircutter, Barber, Barber Stylist: $25.00
• Instructor: $30.00
• Establishment (primary salon): $20.00
• College (school): Contact DOPL for current college renewal fees

A $35.00 reinstatement penalty applies when renewing a license after it has expired. Log in to the DOPL online portal to reinstate an expired license and pay the combined renewal and reinstatement fees. Idaho law (Idaho Code § 67-2602A) allows active military members and honorably discharged veterans to apply for a waiver of renewal fees — contact DOPL for details.

Idaho is transitioning some license types to biennial renewal cycles as part of a phased DOPL update. Check the board's page at dopl.idaho.gov/bcb for the current renewal cycle that applies to your specific license type.

The Idaho Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board issues the following license types under Title 54, Chapter 58, Idaho Code:

• Cosmetologist — Full scope of hair, skin, and nail services. Requires 1,600 training hours, NIC written and practical exams. Annual renewal: $25.00. No CE required.
• Esthetician — Noninvasive skin care including facials, chemical hair removal, makeup, lash services, and FDA Class I/supervised Class II device operation. Requires 600 training hours and NIC exams. Annual renewal: $25.00.
• Nail Technician — Manicuring, pedicuring, and nail enhancements. Requires 400 training hours and NIC exams. Annual renewal: $25.00.
• Electrologist — Permanent hair removal by electrolysis. Requires 600 training hours. Annual renewal: $25.00.
• Haircutter — Limited license for cutting, trimming, and styling only. Requires 900 training hours and NIC exams. Annual renewal: $25.00.
• Barber — Haircutting, shaving, and scalp treatments. Requires 900 training hours. Annual renewal: $25.00.
• Barber Stylist — Combined barber and cosmetology scope. Requires 1,500 training hours and applicable NIC exams. Annual renewal: $25.00.
• Instructor — Authorizes teaching in a board-licensed college for each of the above disciplines. Requires NIC instructor theory exam and board-defined experience. Annual renewal: $30.00.

Business licenses issued by the board include: primary establishment license, contiguous (booth rental) establishment license, and college (school) license. All license types renew through the DOPL online services portal. Application fees are $25.00 for practitioner licenses (plus a $25.00 original license fee = $50.00 total initial cost) and $35.00 for endorsement (out-of-state transfer) applications.