Montana Cosmetology License Requirements

Earning a Montana cosmetologist license requires 1,500 hours of approved training, passage of two NIC examinations, and submission of a completed application with an $80 fee. All applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. As of November 2025, a registered apprenticeship pathway is also available as an alternative to school-based training. Here is the complete step-by-step process:

1. Enroll in an approved cosmetology school or course. Montana-approved cosmetology schools teach the board-required curriculum under ARM 24.121.604. Alternatively, eligible individuals may train through a registered apprenticeship program — contact the Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program at apprenticeship.mt.gov for details on sponsoring employers and requirements.
2. Complete 1,500 hours of training. Students become eligible to sit for the NIC examinations after completing at least 90% of the required 1,500 curriculum hours. Your school will verify your hours and issue an eligibility-to-test letter for the exam provider.
3. Obtain board approval before scheduling exams. Do not schedule your NIC examinations until you have received prior approval through the board's application process. Submit your license application online at ebiz.mt.gov/pol/ to begin the review process.
4. Register for and pass both NIC examinations. Both the NIC written (theory) examination and the NIC practical examination are administered in Montana by Prov, Inc. Register at provexam.com or call Prov at (877) 228-3926. A minimum passing score of 75% is required on each exam.
5. Graduate from your program. You must complete 100% of your required training hours before a license can be issued, even if you passed the exams during the 90% eligibility window.
6. Submit required documentation. Upload proof of age, proof of high school diploma or GED, and school transcript with completed hours. Note: exam results and school transcripts must be sent directly from Prov and your school to the board — they cannot be uploaded by the applicant.
7. Pay the $80 application fee. Paying the fee through the online portal triggers the start of the staff review process. Routine applications are processed within approximately 10 business days of a complete application being received.
8. Receive your license and begin practicing. Once your license is issued, you may practice cosmetology at any licensed Montana salon or shop. All cosmetology services must be performed in a licensed facility.

Montana requires all cosmetology license applicants to complete a board-approved school or course before sitting for the NIC examinations. All training must be conducted at a licensed Montana cosmetology school facility, and all student services must be performed in that facility. As of November 2025, a registered apprenticeship pathway is also available under HB 336 passed by the 2025 Legislature.

Required Training Hours by License Type

• Cosmetologist: 1,500 hours
• Esthetician: 650 hours
• Electrologist: 600 hours
• Manicurist: 400 hours
• Barber: 1,100 hours (licensed MT cosmetologists may qualify with a supplemental course)
• Barber Nonchemical: 900 hours

Personal Eligibility Requirements

All applicants for licensure by examination must meet the following baseline requirements:

• Age: Must be at least 18 years old at the time of application. Proof of age (birth certificate or driver's license) is required.
• Education: Must hold a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED). Proof of graduation must be submitted with the application.

Curriculum Standards

The board establishes minimum curriculum standards in ARM 24.121.604. Cosmetology training covers hair care (cutting, coloring, chemical services, styling), skin care, nail care, sanitation and disinfection, anatomy and physiology, Montana state law and rules, and salon business management. Schools must be licensed by the board and are subject to periodic on-site inspections by DLI inspectors.

Apprenticeship Pathway — New as of November 2025

Under HB 336, effective November 22, 2025, aspiring cosmetologists, barbers, electrologists, estheticians, and manicurists may now complete their required training through a state-registered apprenticeship program supervised by a licensed practitioner at a licensed Montana salon or shop. The Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program at apprenticeship.mt.gov oversees all apprenticeships. Hour requirements and curriculum standards under the apprenticeship pathway mirror those for school-based training.

Out-of-State Training

Applicants who completed their cosmetology education outside Montana must meet the same training hour and examination requirements as Montana-trained applicants. Under HB 246 (2025), the board first evaluates the applicant based on their home-state licensing credentials. If currently licensed in another state, the applicant may apply for a Montana license by credentials (endorsement) rather than examination if they meet the board's standards. License verification must be sent directly from the other state's licensing authority to the Montana board.

Montana requires all applicants for cosmetologist, barber, barber nonchemical, electrologist, esthetician, and manicurist licenses to pass both the NIC (National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology) written examination and the NIC practical examination. Both are administered in Montana by Prov, Inc.

Eligibility to Test

Students are eligible to sit for the NIC examinations after completing at least 90% of their required curriculum hours. Your cosmetology school is responsible for verifying your hours and issuing an eligibility-to-test letter. Do not schedule your examination without first obtaining prior approval through the board's application process. A license cannot be issued until 100% of required hours are completed.

NIC Written Examination

The written theory examination tests knowledge of cosmetology sciences, sanitation and infection control, anatomy and physiology, chemical services, and Montana laws and rules. A minimum score of 75% is required to pass. The written exam may be available at Prov testing locations within Montana or, in some cases, via remote online proctoring through Prov.

NIC Practical Examination

The practical examination assesses hands-on technical skills performed on a mannequin head. It covers the core service areas for the applicant's license type — for cosmetology, this includes thermal curling, haircutting, chemical waving, hair coloring, and sanitation procedures. A minimum passing score of 75% is required. The practical exam is conducted in person at Prov testing locations in Montana.

Scheduling and Fees

Register for both NIC examinations through Prov, Inc. at provexam.com or by calling (877) 228-3926. Exam fees are set by Prov and are separate from the board's $80 application fee. Scheduling instructions will be coordinated with the board during the application review process. Do not schedule exams without receiving board approval first.

Retesting

Applicants who do not achieve the 75% minimum score on an exam may retake that exam after completing a waiting period. Retake fees are charged by Prov and there is no maximum on the number of retake attempts. After both exams are passed, results are sent directly from Prov to the Montana board as part of the license application review — the applicant does not upload exam scores.

Montana cosmetology, barber, electrology, esthetics, and manicurist licenses renew on a biennial (every two years) cycle. The renewal fee is $80 for all individual practitioner licenses. No continuing education is required for renewal (teacher licenses require 30 CE hours per cycle). All renewals are completed online through the DLI Professional Licensing portal.

Renewal Timeline for Individual Licenses

• Renewal window opens: January 2
• Regular renewal deadline: March 1
• Late renewal period: March 2 through approximately April 15 (45-day late window)
• Late fee: 100% of the renewal fee ($80) — total due during late period: $160
• License lapses: After late window closes — practicing on a lapsed license may result in disciplinary action

How to Renew Online

Log in to your existing account at ebiz.mt.gov/pol/, select your license, and follow the renewal prompts. The board sends renewal notices by email, so maintaining a current email address in the portal is essential. Update your contact information at any time by logging in.

Continuing Education

Montana does not require continuing education for renewal of cosmetologist, barber, barber nonchemical, electrologist, esthetician, or manicurist licenses. Teacher licenses are the sole exception: active teacher licensees must complete 30 hours of CE per biennial renewal cycle to maintain active status. CE questions: AUDIT@MT.GOV or (406) 444-5696.

Salon and Booth Renewal

Salons, shops, and booth renters renew annually on a different schedule: renewal window May 1 through June 30. Late renewals are accepted for approximately 45 days until August 14. Salon/shop annual renewal fee: $85. Booth renter annual renewal fee: $75.

Reinstatement After Lapse

If your license lapses beyond the late renewal period, contact the board at (406) 444-6880 or dlibsdcos@mt.gov to begin the reinstatement process. Reinstatement may require payment of outstanding fees and additional requirements determined by board staff depending on the length of the lapse.

The Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists issues six individual practitioner license types and four facility/specialty license categories. All practitioner applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and pass both NIC written and practical examinations through Prov, Inc. The $80 application fee applies uniformly to all individual practitioner license types.

Cosmetologist — 1,500 Training Hours

The broadest practitioner license, covering hair care (cutting, coloring, permanent waving, relaxing, styling), skin care, and nail care (manicuring and pedicuring). Scope of practice is defined in MCA 37-31-101. Application fee: $80. Renewal fee: $80 every two years.

Esthetician — 650 Training Hours

Covers non-invasive skin care treatments: facials, cleansing, chemical exfoliation confined to the stratum corneum, hair removal (waxing, threading), and related services. All procedures must be noninvasive as defined in ARM 24.121.301(13). Application fee: $80. Renewal fee: $80 biennially.

Manicurist — 400 Training Hours

Covers nail care services on hands and feet, including shaping, polishing, and nail enhancement application. Application fee: $80. Renewal fee: $80 every two years.

Electrologist — 600 Training Hours

Authorizes permanent hair removal by electrolysis using electrical current to destroy hair follicles. Application fee: $80. Renewal fee: $80 biennially.

Barber — 1,100 Training Hours

Covers haircuts, shaves, beard trims, scalp treatments, and chemical services on hair of the head, face, and neck. A licensed Montana cosmetologist may qualify by completing a board-approved supplemental barbering course instead of full 1,100 hours. Application fee: $80. Renewal fee: $80 biennially.

Barber Nonchemical — 900 Training Hours

Covers haircuts, shaves, beard trims, and scalp treatments only — excludes chemical services. Application fee: $80. Renewal fee: $80 biennially.

Teacher/Instructor

Authorizes instruction at a board-approved cosmetology school or course. Applicants must hold a current Montana practitioner license in good standing and must have practiced their specialty actively for at least one year. CE requirement: 30 hours per biennial renewal period. Application fee: $95 (active) / $85 (inactive). Renewal fee: $95 (active) / $85 (inactive).

Salon/Shop

All cosmetology, barbering, electrology, esthetics, and manicuring services must be performed in a licensed salon or shop. Initial license fee: $85 plus $150 inspection fee. Annual renewal fee: $85. Must pass initial DLI on-site inspection before license is issued.

Booth Renter

Required for independent contractors working in a licensed salon or shop who are not employed by the owner. Applicants must hold a current Montana practitioner license. License is not location-specific. Application and annual renewal fee: $75.

School or Course

Board-approved schools and courses provide cosmetology, barbering, electrology, esthetics, and manicuring training programs. Initial license: $220 plus $200 inspection fee. Annual renewal (January 2 through March 1).