Kansas Cosmetology License Requirements

Earning a Kansas cosmetology license requires completing an accredited training program, passing state-administered written and practical examinations, and submitting a completed application to the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. The following steps outline the process for initial cosmetologist licensure under K.S.A. 65-1904.

1. Verify eligibility. All applicants must hold a high school diploma or GED from an accredited institution. Kansas does not specify a minimum age in statute, but the diploma requirement means most applicants are at least 17 to 18 years old. U.S. citizens and qualified non-citizens are eligible for licensure.
2. Enroll in a KBOC-licensed cosmetology school. Choose a school licensed by the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. Programs cover theory and practical coursework across all core areas of cosmetology practice as defined in K.A.R. 69-3-8. An Apprentice License pathway is also available for electrology and cosmetology training in a licensed establishment.
3. Complete 1,500 clock-hours of training. Kansas law requires a minimum of 1,500 clock-hours for a cosmetologist license. Full-time programs must be completed within 9 to 12 months of enrollment. The curriculum includes hair services, skin care, nail care, infection control, and Kansas law and regulations.
4. School submits hours to Ergometrics. Upon graduation, your school submits verification of your completed training hours to the exam provider Ergometrics through www.cosmetologykansas.com. You must also list your training history on your license application.
5. Submit your application and $60 fee to KBOC. Download the Practitioner License Application (Form #1) from the KBOC forms page. Type your information directly into the PDF before printing. Mail the signed application with a $60 nonrefundable fee, a copy of your social security card, current government-issued photo ID, and your high school transcript to: Kansas Board of Cosmetology, 2420 NW Button Rd., Topeka, KS 66618. Allow 7–10 business days for processing.
6. Pass written and practical examinations. Both examinations are administered by Ergometrics. The written theory exam costs $75 and the practical exam costs $75, both paid directly to Ergometrics. Download and study the Exam Preparation Guide at www.cosmetologykansas.com before scheduling. Out-of-state applicants with 1,500 hours and an active license may qualify for a 20-question open-book exam in lieu of the full board exams.
7. Receive your license by mail. After Ergometrics notifies KBOC of your passing scores and your application is complete, your license will be mailed to the address on your application within 7–10 business days. Notify KBOC immediately of any address changes to avoid delays.

Kansas cosmetology schools must be licensed by the Kansas Board of Cosmetology and maintain required instructor-to-student ratios and curriculum standards as defined in K.S.A. 65-1903 and K.A.R. 69-3-8. Required training hours by license type are:

• Cosmetologist — 1,500 clock-hours. Full-time programs must be completed within 9 to 12 months of enrollment. Programs include core curriculum areas in hair services, skin care, nail services, infection control, and Kansas law and regulations.
• Esthetician — 1,000 clock-hours. Part-time students must complete the program within 18 months of enrollment. Curriculum covers skin care, eyebrow and eyelash services, temporary hair removal, and cosmetic preparations.
• Nail Technician (Manicurist) — 350 clock-hours. Part-time students must complete within 6 months of enrollment. Curriculum covers manicuring, pedicuring, nail sculpturing, and arm and foot care.
• Electrologist — 500 clock-hours through a licensed electrology school, or 1,000 clock-hours through a board-approved apprenticeship in a licensed electrology establishment.
• Cosmetology Instructor — Must hold an active Kansas license in the discipline being taught, then complete: (a) 300 hours of instructor training plus one year of licensed practice, or (b) 450 hours of instructor training without the one-year practice requirement. Instructors renew every two years with 20 clock-hours of board-approved CE in practice and teaching methods.

Accredited schools may convert clock hours to credit hours using a formula provided by a recognized accrediting body approved by the U.S. Department of Education; the board reviews these conversions. Students transferring between Kansas schools use Transfer of Hours forms (Forms #31–#36) available on the KBOC forms page at www.kansas.gov/kboc.

For out-of-state training, verification must be sent directly from the originating state's regulatory board to KBOC — the board cannot accept documentation from applicants or from Kansas schools about out-of-state training. Training completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an organization accredited by NACES or AICE.

The Apprentice License pathway allows cosmetology and electrology students to train under direct supervision in a licensed Kansas establishment. The apprentice license application fee is $15 and must be approved by KBOC before the apprentice begins practice.

Kansas cosmetology examinations are administered by Ergometrics through their dedicated cosmetology licensing portal at www.cosmetologykansas.com. Ergometrics administers both the written theory examination and the practical examination required for initial licensure. All exam scheduling, preparation guides, and candidate information are available through the Ergometrics website.

Written theory examination: The written exam fee is $75.00, paid directly to Ergometrics. The exam covers Kansas cosmetology theory and professional standards. Review the Exam Preparation Guide downloadable from cosmetologykansas.com before scheduling. For questions, use the "Contact Support" link on the Ergometrics website.

Practical examination: The practical exam fee is $75.00, paid directly to Ergometrics. The practical exam tests hands-on cosmetology skills. Re-test fees for either examination are $75.00 per attempt. Passing scores are determined by the board and Ergometrics pursuant to K.A.R. 69-1-4.

Before scheduling exams: Your school must submit verification of your completed training hours to Ergometrics, and your KBOC application must have been received. Allow 7–10 business days for KBOC to process your application before scheduling. Exam scores are transmitted from Ergometrics directly to KBOC upon completion.

Out-of-state applicants with 1,500 completed hours and an active license from another U.S. state or territory qualify for a streamlined 20-question open-book examination administered by email, based on Kansas law and regulations, rather than the full written and practical board exams. Applicants with 1,500 hours but no active license must take the full board exams. Those with fewer than 1,500 hours must complete additional training, regardless of licensure status in other states.

ADA accommodation requests should be directed to Ergometrics via the cosmetologykansas.com website. Kansas does not administer examinations independently — all scheduling and candidate support is handled through Ergometrics.

Kansas cosmetology practitioner licenses must be renewed every two years. The Kansas Board of Cosmetology offers three renewal methods. All renewals require payment of the applicable fee and completion of the Kansas law and regulation renewal exam (minimum 75% passing score). The renewal exam is included in the Practitioner Renewal Form and covers Kansas cosmetology law, sanitation standards, and prohibited practices.

• Online renewal portal — Renew at kboc.kansas.gov/practitioners. First-time online users must click "Forgot Password" to register an account with their email address. Complete the renewal form online, submit the renewal exam, and pay by credit card. Print or save your confirmation page after payment.
• Email or mail renewal — If paying by credit card online, use the KBOC Pay Portal at www.kansas.gov/kboc and record your Order ID number before completing the paper renewal form. If paying by check or money order, make payable to the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. Email the completed Practitioner Renewal Form (Form #2) to KBOC@ks.gov or mail to 2420 NW Button Rd., Topeka, KS 66618.
• In-person — Visit the KBOC office at 2420 NW Button Rd., Topeka, KS 66618, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CT.

Renewal fees by submission timing:

• $50 — on-time (submitted by the expiration date)
• $75 — late (submitted after the expiration date; includes $25 late fee)
• $125 — very late (submitted more than six months after expiration)

Renewals may not be submitted more than six weeks before the expiration date — early submissions are returned. Allow 10 business days to receive your renewed license. If you have not received your license within 90 days of submission, notify KBOC to avoid a $25 duplicate license fee. No continuing education hours are required for practitioners — only cosmetology instructors must complete 20 board-approved CE hours per renewal cycle.

Practicing cosmetology on an expired or invalid license is unlawful under K.S.A. 65-1902(a)(1). Active-duty military members deployed during a renewal cycle are entitled to renew upon discharge by paying only the nonrefundable renewal fee for the current year, per K.S.A. 65-1904(g).

The Kansas Board of Cosmetology issues the following license types for cosmetology professionals and facilities under K.S.A. 65-1901 through 65-1912:

• Cosmetologist — Requires 1,500 clock-hours of training at a KBOC-licensed school, plus passage of Ergometrics written and practical exams. Authorizes the full scope of cosmetology practice: hair services (cutting, coloring, chemical treatments, styling), non-invasive skin care, temporary hair removal, and nail services (manicuring, pedicuring, nail sculpturing).
• Esthetician — Requires 1,000 clock-hours and Ergometrics exams. Scope is limited to skin care, eyebrow and eyelash services, temporary hair removal from the face and body, and use of cosmetic preparations. Estheticians are not authorized for hair cutting, hair coloring, or nail services.
• Nail Technician (Manicurist) — Requires 350 clock-hours and Ergometrics exams. Scope includes manicuring, pedicuring, nail sculpturing, and arm and foot care. Possession of methyl methacrylate monomer (MMA) is prohibited in Kansas establishments.
• Electrologist — Requires 500 clock-hours (school pathway) or 1,000 clock-hours (apprenticeship pathway under a licensed electrologist). Authorizes permanent hair removal using electric needle technology only.
• Cosmetologist Technician — A legacy license type under K.S.A. 65-1902(c). No new Cosmetologist Technician licenses are issued; existing holders may renew at $45 on-time.
• Cosmetology Instructor — Requires an active cosmetology, esthetics, or manicuring license in the discipline being taught. Applicants must complete 300 hours of instructor training plus one year of licensed practice, or 450 hours of instructor training alone. Instructors must pass an instructor exam and renew every two years with 20 board-approved CE hours in practice and teaching methods.
• Cosmetology Establishment (Salon/Clinic) — All establishments where licensed cosmetology services are provided must be licensed before opening. New establishments require a pre-opening inspection. Application fee is $60; annual renewal is $50. Establishments are subject to unannounced inspections under K.S.A. 65-1907.
• Cosmetology School — Schools must be licensed to teach cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, or electrology. Required instructor-to-student ratio: one instructor per 25 students on the service floor, plus one per 25 in the classroom. School licenses renew annually before July 1.

An Apprentice License ($15) is available for those pursuing cosmetology or electrology through the apprenticeship pathway. Apprentices must train under direct supervision of a licensed practitioner or instructor in a licensed Kansas establishment. A Temporary Permit ($15) is available to applicants required to take board exams who need to practice temporarily while awaiting full licensure.