Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology
Information verified:About the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology
The Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (MSBCB) is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, nail technicians, instructors, salons, barber shops, and cosmetology schools throughout Mississippi. The board is located at 239 N. Lamar Street, Suite 301, Jackson, MS 39201. Mailing address: P.O. Box 55689, Jackson, MS 39296-5689. Phone: (601) 359-1820. Email: info@msbcb.ms.gov.
Board Mission
The board's mission is to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of Mississippi consumers by examining, licensing, registering, inspecting, and regulating the practices of cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and nail technology. This includes establishing qualification standards for licensure, administering licensing examinations, setting sanitation requirements for schools and establishments, and enforcing the state's cosmetology statutes under Title 73, Chapter 7 of the Mississippi Code.
Board Composition
The board consists of seven members: six appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation, and the State Health Officer or designee as an ex officio member. Three appointed members come from the cosmetology professions (cosmetology, nail technology, and/or esthetics), and three from the barbering profession. Members serve six-year terms and must have at least ten years of active practice in a board-regulated profession.
Continuing Education — Practitioner Requirement Eliminated
Effective April 1, 2026, Mississippi eliminated the mandatory continuing education requirement for cosmetologist, barber, esthetician, and nail technician licensees when S.B. 2566 repealed Miss. Code Ann. § 73-7-14. Practitioners renewing after April 1, 2026 are not required to report CE hours. Instructors must still complete 12 clock hours of board-approved CE biennially under § 73-7-15.
Examinations
Mississippi uses the NIC (National-Interstate Council) testing system for all practitioner licensing examinations. This includes the NIC theory (written) examination, a Law and Sanitation examination, and the NIC practical examination. Examinations are scheduled through the board's online portal at ms.gov/msbc/exam-registration. NIC theory exam study aids for cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail technology, and instructor candidates are available on the board's website at msbcb.ms.gov/examination.
License Renewal
All Mississippi cosmetology and barbering practitioner and instructor licenses renew biennially (every two years). The practitioner renewal fee is $50; instructor renewal is $80. Licensees aged 70 or older at renewal pay no renewal fee. Renewals are completed through the online portal at ms.gov/msbc/online_licensure.
Schools and Apprenticeships
Cosmetology training in Mississippi may be completed in a board-licensed school or through a board-certified apprenticeship program. School programs require 1,500 hours for cosmetology; apprenticeships require 3,000 hours. Other license types have their own requirements. A list of licensed schools is available on the board's website. Apprenticeships must be mentored by a licensed instructor or a practitioner with at least 15 years of experience, and no mentor may supervise more than two apprentices simultaneously.
Licenses Regulated
The Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering licenses and regulates the following categories of practitioners and establishments:
- Cosmetologist — Hair, skin, and nail services for compensation; 1,500 school hours or 3,000 apprenticeship hours required.
- Barber — Shaving, hair cutting, hair coloring, and related barbering services; 1,500 school hours or 3,000 apprenticeship hours required.
- Esthetician — Skin care, facial treatments, waxing, and related esthetics services; 600 school hours or 1,000 apprenticeship hours required.
- Nail Technician — Manicuring, pedicuring, and artificial nail services; 350 school hours or 700 apprenticeship hours required.
- Instructor — Teaching in a board-licensed cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, or nail technology school; requires an active practitioner license, high school diploma, 600 instructor training hours, and age 21+. Instructors must complete 12 hours of board-approved CE biennially.
- Salon/Barber Shop — Any establishment where cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, or nail technology services are performed for compensation must hold an establishment license.
- School — Cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and nail technology training programs must be licensed by the board before enrolling students.
Renew Your Mississippi Cosmetology License
Mississippi cosmetology and barbering licenses renew biennially (every two years). The practitioner renewal fee is $50; instructor renewal is $80. Salon/barber shop renewal is $60. Licensees age 70 or older pay no renewal fee.
How to Renew
Renew online through the board's portal at ms.gov/msbc/online_licensure. You can also download a paper renewal form from the board's website at msbcb.ms.gov/licensure-renewals and mail it to P.O. Box 55689, Jackson, MS 39296-5689.
Continuing Education
Effective April 1, 2026, Mississippi eliminated the CE requirement for cosmetologist, barber, esthetician, and nail technician practitioners under S.B. 2566. No CE hours are required for practitioner license renewal. Instructors still must complete 12 clock hours of board-approved CE biennially before renewing their instructor license.
Late Renewal
Renewing after your expiration date triggers a $50 delinquent renewal penalty in addition to the regular renewal fee. A license cannot be renewed until any outstanding monetary fines assessed by the board are paid in full. If a license has been expired for an extended period, contact the board at (601) 359-1820 or info@msbcb.ms.gov for reinstatement guidance.
Inactive License Status
Licensees who are not currently practicing may request inactive status. An inactive licensee may not practice. To reactivate, submit the "Removal of Inactive Licensure Status Request Form" available at msbcb.ms.gov/licensure-renewals.
File a Complaint
The Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering investigates complaints against licensed practitioners, salons, barber shops, and schools. To file a complaint, download and complete the Complaint Form from the board's website and submit it to the board by mail or in person at 239 N. Lamar Street, Suite 301, Jackson, MS 39201 (mailing: P.O. Box 55689, Jackson, MS 39296-5689). For questions, call (601) 359-1820 or email info@msbcb.ms.gov.
What the Board Investigates
The board has jurisdiction over complaints involving unlicensed practice, unsanitary conditions in salons or schools, unprofessional conduct, and violations of Title 73, Chapter 7 of the Mississippi Code or board rules. Complaints must concern a licensed establishment or practitioner regulated by the MSBCB.
Complaint Process
After receiving a completed complaint form, the board's enforcement staff reviews the allegation to determine whether it falls within the board's jurisdiction. If it does, an investigation is opened, the licensee is notified, and both parties may be asked to provide documentation or statements. The board may conduct an inspection of the establishment. Depending on findings, the matter may be resolved informally or proceed to a formal hearing under the board's disciplinary procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering located?
- The board's office is at 239 N. Lamar Street, Suite 301, Jackson, MS 39201. Mailing address: P.O. Box 55689, Jackson, MS 39296-5689. Phone: (601) 359-1820. Email: info@msbcb.ms.gov. Website: msbcb.ms.gov.
- Does Mississippi require continuing education for cosmetology license renewal?
- No, not for practitioners. Mississippi eliminated its mandatory CE requirement for cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, and nail technicians effective April 1, 2026 when S.B. 2566 repealed Miss. Code Ann. § 73-7-14. Instructors still must complete 12 hours of board-approved CE biennially under § 73-7-15.
- How often does a Mississippi cosmetology license need to be renewed?
- Mississippi cosmetology licenses renew biennially (every two years). The practitioner renewal fee is $50. Licensees age 70 or older pay no renewal fee. Renew online at ms.gov/msbc/online_licensure.
- How many training hours are required for a Mississippi cosmetology license?
- Mississippi requires 1,500 school hours (or 3,000 apprenticeship hours) for a cosmetologist license. Other requirements: Barber — 1,500 school hours; Esthetician — 600 school hours; Nail Technician — 350 school hours. Apprenticeship alternatives exist for each license type.
- What exams are required for a Mississippi cosmetology license?
- Mississippi requires three examinations: the NIC written theory exam, a Law and Sanitation exam, and the NIC practical exam. All are scheduled through the board's portal at ms.gov/msbc/exam-registration. NIC study aids for each license type are available at msbcb.ms.gov/examination.
- How do I file a complaint against a Mississippi cosmetologist or salon?
- Download the Complaint Form from the board's website and mail it to P.O. Box 55689, Jackson, MS 39296-5689, or deliver it to Suite 301, 239 N. Lamar Street, Jackson. For questions call (601) 359-1820 or email info@msbcb.ms.gov.