Louisiana Cosmetology License Requirements

Louisiana requires 1,500 hours of cosmetology training and passage of three examinations (NIC national written, Louisiana state written, and LSBC practical) before you can receive your cosmetologist license. The Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology administers its own examinations directly.

1. Meet the age requirement. You must be at least 16 years old. A high school diploma or GED is not required by the Board, though many schools set their own admissions standards.
2. Enroll in an LSBC-approved cosmetology school. Confirm your school is licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology. A list of approved schools is available on the LSBC website.
3. Complete 1,500 hours of training. Your school submits all required documentation to the Board office upon completion, including registration reports and financial clearance.
4. Your school schedules your examinations. Schools submit paperwork to LSBC requesting exam dates. You will receive a clearance letter through your school within 7–10 business days.
5. Pass the NIC National Theory Exam. Register at iqttesting.com and pay the $83 fee. This is a 110-item, 90-minute multiple-choice exam. Score of 70% required.
6. Pass the Louisiana State Law Exam. Administered by LSBC. Fee: $25. Covers Louisiana cosmetology statutes and regulations from the Goldbook.
7. Pass the LSBC Practical Exam. Administered at the Board office in Baton Rouge. Fee: $25. Four phases testing chemical placement, haircutting, set/comb out, and wet works on mannequin heads.
8. Receive your initial license. Your license ($35) is mailed to your school after passing all exams. Louisiana cosmetology licenses renew annually.

Louisiana cosmetology schools must be licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology. The 1,500-hour cosmetologist curriculum covers these required subject areas:

• Hair care and chemical services: Cutting, coloring, permanent waving, relaxing, lightening, foil highlights, and styling techniques
• Skin care: Facials, makeup application, skin analysis, and hair removal
• Nail services: Manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements
• Sanitation and infection control: Disinfection, sterilization, OSHA standards, and blood exposure procedures
• Louisiana state laws: Board rules and regulations from the Goldbook (LAC 46:XXXI), licensing requirements, scope of practice, and salon regulations
• Professional practices: Client consultation, salon management, and safety procedures

Some schools may require more than the 1,500 minimum hours. Hours are valid for 6 years from enrollment — if you do not complete the mandatory hours within 6 years, they become invalid. Students may transfer between schools, though the receiving school determines how many previously earned hours to accept.

Louisiana also offers separate curricula for specialty licenses: Esthetician (750 hours), Manicurist (500 hours), and Instructor training. Contact the Board or visit the schools page for detailed course offerings at each approved institution.

Louisiana requires three separate examinations for cosmetology licensure: the NIC National Theory Exam, the Louisiana State Law Exam, and the LSBC Practical Exam. The Board administers the state and practical exams directly — they are not outsourced to a third-party testing vendor.

NIC National Theory Exam — $83

The National Cosmetology Theory Examination is developed by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) and administered via IQT Testing. The exam consists of 110 items (100 scored) with a 90-minute time limit. Content breakdown: Scientific Concepts (35%), Hair Care and Services (45%), Skin Care and Services (10%), and Nail Care and Services (10%). Available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Score of 70% required to pass.

Louisiana State Law Exam — $25

Administered by LSBC, this written exam covers Louisiana cosmetology statutes and the Board's rules and regulations as published in the Goldbook (LAC 46:XXXI). Score of 70% required.

LSBC Practical Exam — $25

The practical exam is administered by LSBC at 11622 Sunbelt Court, Baton Rouge. You must arrive by 8:30 AM (9:00 AM cutoff, no exceptions). The exam has four phases performed on mannequin heads (no live models):

• Phase 1: Set & Comb Out (20 minutes) — Roller set and styled comb out demonstrating form and balance
• Phase 2: Wet Works (30 minutes) — Roller placement (on-base, half off-base, off-base, in a shaping), brush waves with alternating pincurls, and diagonal skip waves
• Phase 3: Chemical Placement (50 minutes) — Permanent wave (front left), foil highlights (front right), color retouch, relaxer retouch (back left), and virgin bleach (back right)
• Phase 4: 90° Haircut (40 minutes) — Uniform-layer haircut cutting at least 1 inch, final length between 3–7 inches

Retakes

If you fail any portion, you retake only the failed phase. Retake fee is $25 per exam ($50 if retaking both national and state written exams). Your school must submit a retake application on your behalf. Exam results are processed within 10 business days and sent to the school — LSBC does not release results directly to students.

Louisiana is one of a small number of states with annual cosmetology license renewal. Your license expires every year. No continuing education hours are required for cosmetologists, estheticians, or manicurists — only instructors must complete 16 hours of Board-approved CE annually.

How to Renew

1. Online payment: Pay through PayStar, the Board's authorized online payment processor.
2. By mail: Download the License Renewal Form, complete it, and mail with payment (money order, cashier's check, or personal check) to: LSBC, 11622 Sunbelt Court, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.

Renewal Fees (Effective August 1, 2025)

• Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Manicurist, Instructor, Manager: $35
• Booth Rental, Shampoo Assistant, Alternative Hair Design, Threading, Microdermabrasion, Temporary Permit: $50
• Salon/Shop: $55
• School Renewal: $190

Late Renewal and Restoration

Renewal notices are mailed before your expiration date. If your license lapses, you must pay the renewal fee plus a late penalty. If expired more than 3 years (36 months), a restoration exam is required before reinstatement — contact (225) 756-3404 ext. 215 for scheduling and fees. Practicing on an expired license violates Louisiana law and can result in fines and license revocation.

Address Changes

If you have moved, submit an Address Change Form to ensure you receive renewal notices at your current address.

The Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology issues individual licenses, specialty permits, and establishment licenses. Training hour requirements and annual renewal fees are listed below.

All individual license types require passage of a national written exam via IQT Testing, a Louisiana state law written exam, and a practical exam administered by LSBC (specific practical exam content varies by license type). Instructors must also complete 16 hours of Board-approved continuing education annually — this is the only license type with a CE requirement.

Louisiana also requires separate establishment licenses: Salon/Shop ($55/year), Threading Facility ($50/year), Alternative Hair Design Facility ($50/year), and School ($190/year renewal, $340 initial opening fee). All fees effective August 1, 2025.