Rhode Island Cosmetology License Requirements

Earning a Rhode Island hairdresser/cosmetician license requires 1,000 hours of approved training followed by written and practical examinations. Rhode Island is one of the few states that requires applicants to be at least 18 years old and to hold a high school diploma or GED. Here is the step-by-step process:

1. Meet the minimum requirements. You must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. An exception applies for those with 25 or more years of prior experience in the practice. Foreign high school diplomas must be evaluated by a recognized educational documentation evaluation center.
2. Enroll in a RIDOH-approved cosmetology school. Rhode Island-approved schools offer the 1,000-hour hairdressing and cosmetology curriculum. There is no apprenticeship pathway for hairdressers/cosmeticians — the school pathway is required.
3. Complete 1,000 hours of training. Your school tracks and certifies hours. No applicant should schedule the written exam until all required training hours have been completed.
4. Submit your application to RIDOH. Submit the Application for License with the $25.00 fee (check or money order payable to the RI General Treasurer, nonrefundable), a copy of your driver's license or state ID, a certified copy of your birth certificate or proof of lawful entry, a copy of your high school diploma or GED, and an official transcript sent directly from your school to the board at Room 104, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908.
5. Schedule and pass the PSI written exam. Register at psiexams.com or call PSI at (800) 733-9267. The NIC-based written theory exam requires a minimum passing score of 70%. Exams are available in English, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese.
6. Pass the RIDOH practical exam. The practical exam is administered by RIDOH in a format prescribed by the department. The minimum passing score is 70%. Contact the board at (401) 222-2828 for practical exam scheduling and supply requirements.
7. Receive your license. Once RIDOH confirms passage of both exams and approves your application, your hairdresser/cosmetician license is issued and you may legally practice in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island RIDOH-approved schools must provide training that satisfies the hour requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-10. Training hour requirements by license type are:

• Hairdresser/Cosmetician: 1,000 hours of continuous study and practice in an approved school (students who began a program before June 22, 2017 were subject to the prior 1,500-hour requirement)
• Manicurist: 300 hours of professional training in manicuring in an approved school
• Esthetician: 600 hours of continuous study and practice over not less than 4 months in an approved school
• Barber: 1,000 school hours plus a minimum of 840 hours of on-the-job training as a registered barber apprentice (minimum 6 months); or 2 years as a registered apprentice barber; or a combination as determined by RIDOH rules
• Instructor (all types): Must hold the relevant license for at least 3 years, plus 300 hours of approved instructor training in the applicable specialty

Rhode Island requires all applicants to be at least 18 years old and to hold a high school diploma or GED. An exception applies for applicants with 25 or more years of prior experience in the practice sought. Rhode Island does not offer an apprenticeship pathway for hairdressers/cosmeticians, manicurists, or estheticians — the school pathway is required for those license types.

Official transcripts documenting training hours must be sent directly from the school to the board — faxed transcripts are not accepted. Applications are valid for one year from the date received by RIDOH. Out-of-state training may be evaluated by RIDOH on a case-by-case basis. Contact the board at (401) 222-2828 or doh.elicense@health.ri.gov for endorsement inquiries.

Rhode Island requires all initial license applicants to pass both a written theory exam and a practical skills exam. The minimum passing score for both exams is 70%.

Written Theory Exam — Administered by PSI

As of November 1, 2015, Rhode Island's written licensing exams are administered by PSI Exams, a nationally recognized testing service. PSI administers NIC-based written theory examinations for all cosmetology license categories including Cosmetologist/Hairdresser, Barber Stylist, Esthetician, Manicurist (Nail Technician), and Electrologist.

Applicants must schedule their own exam appointment after completing all required training hours. Register at psiexams.com or call PSI at (800) 733-9267. Exams are available in English, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese. PSI offers both in-person testing center and online proctored options.

Practical Skills Exam — Administered by RIDOH

The practical examination is administered directly by the Rhode Island Department of Health in a format prescribed by the department. Unlike the written exam, the RI practical exam has no third-party vendor. Contact the board at (401) 222-2828 for current practical exam scheduling, format, and supply requirements.

Examination Retakes

Applicants who fail an exam may retake it upon payment of the reexamination fee ($25.00 per attempt) to the examination service. Applications are valid for only one year from the date received by RIDOH. If licensure is not completed within that year, a new application and fee must be submitted.

Rhode Island cosmetology licenses renew every two years. All individual practitioner licenses expire on September 30 of every other year. The biennial renewal fee is $25.00. Rhode Island does not require any continuing education hours for renewal.

How to Renew Online

All renewals are processed through the RIDOH online licensing portal at healthri.mylicense.com. RIDOH sends renewal notices by email 60 days before the license expiration date. Log in with your RIDOH account credentials and follow the renewal prompts. Ensure RIDOH has your current email address on file — update it using the Licensee Profile Change Form if needed.

Late Renewal and Reinstatement

A license not renewed by September 30 of the expiration year lapses. Late renewal is allowed upon payment of the current $25.00 renewal fee plus a $25.00 reinstatement fee for each lapsed renewal cycle, up to a maximum of $100.00. Contact RIDOH at (401) 222-2828 or doh.elicense@health.ri.gov if your license has lapsed.

Inactive Status

Licensees not currently practicing may request inactive status using the RIDOH Inactive Status Request form downloadable at health.ri.gov. Inactive license holders may not perform cosmetology services in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island issues the following cosmetology-related license types under R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-10. All practitioner licenses require a minimum age of 18 and a high school diploma or GED (with an exception for 25+ years of prior experience).

• Hairdresser/Cosmetician — 1,000 school hours. Full cosmetology scope: hair, skin, and nail services.
• Manicurist — 300 school hours. Nail services including manicures and pedicures.
• Esthetician — 600 school hours (minimum 4 months). Skin care services including facials, waxing, and makeup.
• Barber — 1,000 school hours plus 840 OJT hours (minimum 6 months as registered apprentice barber); or 2-year apprenticeship; or combination per RIDOH rules. Barbering services including haircutting and shaving.
• Instructor (Hairdresser, Barber, Manicurist, Esthetician) — Must hold the relevant license for at least 3 years and complete 300 hours of approved instructor training. Four separate instructor subtypes.
• Hair Design Shop — Required for any establishment where hairdressing or cosmetology services are commercially performed. Independent contractors must also obtain a separate Hair Design Shop license.
• Manicuring Shop — Required for establishments commercially performing manicuring services.
• Esthetics Shop — Required for establishments commercially performing esthetics services.
• Barber Shop — Required for establishments commercially performing barbering services.