New York Cosmetology License Requirements

Earning a New York appearance enhancement (cosmetology) license requires 1,000 hours of approved training, a health certification, completion of DV/Sexual Assault Awareness training, and passing state-administered written and practical exams. Here is the step-by-step process.

1. Meet the eligibility requirements. You must be at least 17 years old. There is no high school diploma or GED requirement for New York cosmetology licensing.
2. Enroll in a DOS-licensed cosmetology school. Your school must be licensed by the New York State Department of State. Verify school approval status through the Division of Licensing Services at (518) 474-4429 or on the DOS website.
3. Complete 1,000 hours of approved training. New York's 1,000-hour requirement is lower than most states. Your school will track and certify your hours across all required subject areas including hair, skin, nail services, sanitation, and New York appearance enhancement law.
4. Obtain a health certification. You must submit a health certification from a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner dated within 30 days of your application. The certification confirms you are free from communicable diseases that could be transmitted through appearance enhancement services.
5. Complete the 1-hour DV/Sexual Assault Awareness training. Since June 17, 2020, New York requires all appearance enhancement applicants to complete a one-hour training course on recognizing signs of domestic violence and sexual assault before licensure.
6. Create a NY.gov ID and apply through NY Business Express. Access the NY Business Express (NYBE) portal at businessexpress.ny.gov. Submit your application and pay the $40 application fee online.
7. Pass the written and practical examinations. Both exams are administered by the New York Division of Licensing Services — not PSI or Pearson VUE. The written exam is $15 and the practical exam is $15. Results are reported as pass or fail with no numerical score. Written exams are available in more than 14 languages.
8. Receive your New York appearance enhancement license. Once both exams are passed and all application materials are processed, the Division issues your license. You are then authorized to practice cosmetology in New York.

New York requires 1,000 hours of cosmetology training at a DOS-licensed school — one of the lower requirements in the country. The curriculum must cover all areas of appearance enhancement practice as prescribed by New York's General Business Law Article 27.

• Hair services: Cutting, coloring, chemical treatments, permanent waving, relaxing, and styling techniques
• Skin care: Facials, makeup application, skin analysis, and hair removal methods
• Nail care: Manicures, pedicures, nail enhancements, and sanitary nail procedures
• Sanitation and infection control: Disinfection and sterilization procedures, bloodborne pathogens, and health and safety standards for salon environments
• New York appearance enhancement law: General Business Law Article 27, scope of practice, licensing requirements, and professional conduct standards

Alternative Training Paths

New York does not offer a formal apprenticeship pathway for cosmetology licensing. All training must be completed at a DOS-licensed school. However, hours completed at an accredited school outside New York may be transferable if the program covered comparable subject areas. Contact the Division of Licensing Services for an out-of-state credit evaluation — partial credit is granted on a case-by-case basis.

Health Certification Requirement

In addition to completing training, every applicant must submit a health certification signed by a physician, PA, or NP and dated within 30 days of the application. This confirms the applicant is free from communicable diseases that could be transmitted through appearance enhancement services.

New York administers its own examinations for appearance enhancement licenses through the Division of Licensing Services. Unlike the majority of states, New York does not use PSI, Pearson VUE, or any national testing vendor. Results are reported as pass or fail — no numerical score is provided to the applicant.

Written Examination

The written exam tests knowledge of cosmetology theory, New York appearance enhancement laws and regulations, and sanitation and safety standards. The fee is $15 per attempt. The exam is available in more than 14 languages — a unique accommodation among U.S. states that makes New York licensing accessible to a diverse applicant population. Results are pass or fail only.

Practical Examination

The practical exam evaluates hands-on skills across core service areas for the license type applied for. The fee is $15 per attempt. Examiners assess technique, sanitation practices, and the ability to perform required services safely. Results are pass or fail only. Note: the waxing specialist license requires only the written exam — no practical exam is required for that license type.

Exam Scheduling and Retakes

Exams are scheduled by the Division of Licensing Services after your application is approved. There is no limit on retakes — each attempt requires a new $15 fee and scheduling through the Division. No official waiting period exists between attempts, but scheduling availability at exam sessions may affect timing.

Exam Language Availability

Written exams are offered in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, Russian, French, Haitian Creole, Italian, Polish, Bengali, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, and additional languages. Contact the Division to confirm current language availability for your exam date.

New York appearance enhancement licenses renew every four years — one of the longest renewal cycles in the country. The renewal fee is $40.00. New York does not require continuing education (CE) hours for license renewal.

How to Renew Online

1. Log in to the NY Business Express portal at businessexpress.ny.gov using your NY.gov ID.
2. Navigate to your appearance enhancement license and select the renewal option.
3. Confirm your current information (name and address) and pay the $40 renewal fee by credit card or electronic check.

Renewal by Mail

You may renew by mail by submitting the renewal form with a check or money order for $40 payable to "Department of State" to: Division of Licensing Services, P.O. Box 22001, Albany, NY 12201-2001. Mail-in renewals take longer to process.

Late Renewal and Reinstatement

If your license has expired, you may still renew by paying the $40 fee plus a $10 late penalty. Practicing on an expired license is a violation of the General Business Law. If your license has been expired for more than four years, contact the Division at (518) 474-4429 to determine whether reexamination is required before reinstatement.

DV/Sexual Assault Training for Pre-2020 Licensees

Licensees who obtained their license before June 17, 2020, must complete the one-hour DV/Sexual Assault Awareness training upon their next renewal if they have not already done so. This is a one-time requirement — once completed, it does not need to be repeated at subsequent renewals.

New York offers several appearance enhancement license types under General Business Law Article 27. Each requires distinct training hours and authorizes a specific scope of services.

All individual licenses renew every four years at $40. Each exam attempt costs $15. The waxing specialist is the only license type that does not require a practical exam. Business licenses (salons, shops) and school licenses are separate from individual practitioner licenses and have their own requirements.