How many training hours are required for a Nebraska cosmetology license?

Nebraska requires 1,800 clock-hours of cosmetology training at a DHHS-approved school or apprentice salon, per 172 NAC 36 (effective June 2020). Esthetics requires 600 hours.

Does Nebraska require a practical examination for cosmetology licensure?

No. Nebraska does not require a state practical examination. Only the NIC written examination, administered by PSI, is required to obtain a Nebraska cosmetology or esthetics license.

What does it cost to get a Nebraska cosmetology license?

The application fee is $95 (nonrefundable), paid to DHHS. PSI charges a separate fee for the NIC written exam. Biennial renewal costs $118 for active status.

How many CE hours does Nebraska require for cosmetology renewal?

Eight hours of continuing education are required per biennial renewal period. At least four hours must involve performing the skills or services of the licensee's profession. Nebraska's free Online Jurisprudence Examination counts as two CE hours.

Does Nebraska offer cosmetology license reciprocity?

Yes. Nebraska accepts reciprocity applications from licensees with a current active license in another state who completed at least 1,800 cosmetology hours (or 600 esthetics hours) and passed a written exam in their home state. Additional requirements may apply if credentials do not meet Nebraska standards.

Is natural hair braiding regulated in Nebraska?

No. Natural hair braiding is explicitly exempt from Nebraska cosmetology licensure requirements. No license is required to braid natural hair in Nebraska.

Nebraska Cosmetology License Requirements

How to Get a Cosmetology License in Nebraska

Earning a Nebraska cosmetology license requires 1,800 hours of approved training and passage of the NIC written examination. Nebraska does not require a state practical exam — the written exam alone satisfies the examination requirement. Here is the step-by-step process:

Meet the eligibility requirements. You must be at least 17 years old and hold a high school diploma or equivalent. All training must be completed at a DHHS-approved cosmetology school or apprentice salon in Nebraska.
Complete 1,800 hours of training. Enroll in a DHHS-approved cosmetology program. The curriculum covers freshman training (basic theory and sanitation) and advanced training (chemical services, skin, nail technology, and business practices). Your school must report your completed hours to DHHS.
Submit the application and fee to DHHS. File the Cosmetologist and Esthetician License by Examination application with a $95 nonrefundable fee. Download the application from the DHHS Cosmetology and Esthetics page. Mail to: DHHS Licensure Unit, Attn: Cosmetology, PO Box 94986, Lincoln, NE 68509-4986.
Schedule and pass the NIC written examination. DHHS will provide authorization to test after reviewing your application. Contact PSI to schedule the NIC written examination at a licensed testing center. Applicants who do not pass may reapply and retake the exam.
Receive your license. Once DHHS confirms your passing score, your Nebraska cosmetology license will be issued. You may then legally practice as a licensed cosmetologist in Nebraska.

Alternatively, Nebraska allows training through a DHHS-approved apprentice salon. Applicants who trained outside Nebraska may apply by reciprocity if their out-of-state license is active and their training meets Nebraska's standards (at least 1,800 hours and a written exam from the prior state).

Training Requirements

Nebraska requires 1,800 clock-hours of cosmetology training at a DHHS-approved school or apprentice salon. Under 172 NAC 37, the program of study must include both freshman training and advanced training covering the following areas:

Sanitation and safety (disinfection, infection control, OSHA standards)
Hair theory and services (cutting, chemical relaxing, permanent waving, coloring)
Scalp and skin care treatments
Nail technology (manicures, pedicures, nail enhancements)
Esthetics fundamentals (facials, hair removal, makeup)
Nebraska cosmetology law and business practices

A minimum age of 17 and a high school diploma or equivalent are required for enrollment. At least 50 hours may be earned outside the school facility on field trips or related activities, but the majority of training must be completed in the licensed school setting.

Nebraska also offers a structured apprenticeship pathway for individuals who prefer hands-on salon training over a school program. The apprentice salon must be DHHS-approved, and the program must still provide the full 1,800-hour curriculum.

If you trained in another state, Nebraska may accept your prior training toward the hour requirement. Reciprocity applicants must have completed at least 1,800 hours, hold a current active license in their home state, and have passed a written examination in that state.

Cosmetology Exam Requirements

Nebraska requires only the NIC (National Interstate Council) written examination for cosmetology licensure. There is no Nebraska state practical examination — the written exam alone satisfies the testing requirement.

The NIC written exam is administered by PSI at testing centers across Nebraska. Once your school has certified your training hours and DHHS has processed your application, you will receive authorization to schedule the exam through PSI's scheduling system at psiexams.com.

The NIC written examination covers:

Scientific concepts (chemistry, anatomy, physiology)
Hair, scalp, and nail services
Skin care and esthetics fundamentals
Infection control and sanitation standards
Salon business and Nebraska regulatory law

Applicants who do not pass may reapply to retake the examination. There is no state-mandated limit on retake attempts. The $95 application fee paid to DHHS is nonrefundable; PSI charges a separate exam scheduling fee.

Nebraska also requires passing the Online Jurisprudence Examination at some point in the licensee's career — though it is primarily used as a CE requirement (worth two CE hours) rather than an initial licensure requirement.

How to Renew Your Nebraska Cosmetology License

$118.00

Renewal Fee

2 years

Renewal Period

8 hrs

CE Hours Required

Nebraska cosmetology licenses renew biennially. Cosmetologists and cosmetology instructors renew by December 31 of even-numbered years. Estheticians and esthetic instructors renew by September 30 of even-numbered years. The renewal fee is $118 for active status.

Renew online at nebraska.mylicense.com or submit a paper renewal application with a check or money order payable to the Nebraska State Treasurer. Mail paper renewals to: DHHS Licensure Unit, Attn: Cosmetology, PO Box 94986, Lincoln, NE 68509-4986.

Continuing education requirement: All active cosmetologists and estheticians must complete eight CE hours before renewing. At least four of those eight hours must be earned performing the actual skills or services of the licensee's profession. Nebraska does not require board approval of CE providers — licensees choose their own qualifying content. Keep documentation of completed CE in case of audit.

Nebraska's free Online Jurisprudence Examination (available through ProProfs) counts as two of the required eight CE hours. The exam is 50 questions, open-book, and based on Nebraska cosmetology law and sanitation rules.

Reinstatement: Expired or inactive individual licenses can be reinstated by completing eight CE hours within the prior 24 months and submitting a reinstatement application. Those CE hours count toward the subsequent renewal period as well. Expired salon and school licenses cannot be reinstated — a new application must be submitted.

Other Cosmetology License Types in Nebraska

Nebraska issues the following cosmetology and esthetics licenses to individual practitioners:

Cosmetologist — Authorizes hair, skin, and nail services including artificial nail application. Requires 1,800 training hours and passage of the NIC written exam. Renewal: December 31 of even-numbered years, $118 fee, 8 CE hours.
Cosmetology Instructor — Authorizes teaching in a DHHS-approved cosmetology school. Requires a valid Nebraska cosmetology license plus 600 hours of instructor training and passage of an instructor examination. Renewal: December 31 of even-numbered years.
Esthetician — Authorizes skin care services on the top layer of skin (facials, hair removal, skin treatments). Requires 600 training hours and passage of the NIC written exam. Renewal: September 30 of even-numbered years, $118 fee, 8 CE hours.
Esthetic Instructor — Authorizes teaching esthetics in a DHHS-approved school. Requires a valid esthetician license plus 600 hours of instructor training and passage of an instructor examination. Renewal: September 30 of even-numbered years.

Nebraska does not issue a nail technology license. Manicures and pedicures on the natural nail are exempt from regulation. Performing artificial nail services requires a full cosmetology license.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many training hours are required for a Nebraska cosmetology license?: Nebraska requires 1,800 clock-hours of cosmetology training at a DHHS-approved school or apprentice salon. This requirement is set by 172 NAC 36 (effective June 2020) and 172 NAC 37. Esthetician training requires 600 hours.
Does Nebraska require a practical examination for cosmetology licensure?: No. Nebraska does not require a state practical examination. Only the NIC written examination, administered by PSI, is required for a Nebraska cosmetology or esthetics license. This distinguishes Nebraska from most other states that require both written and practical exams.
What does it cost to get a Nebraska cosmetology license?: The nonrefundable application fee is $95, paid to DHHS. PSI charges a separate exam scheduling fee for the NIC written examination. Biennial renewal costs $118 for active status. Reinstatement fees are listed on the reinstatement application from DHHS.
How many CE hours does Nebraska require for cosmetology renewal?: Eight hours of continuing education are required per biennial renewal period. At least four of those eight hours must involve performing the skills or services of your profession. Nebraska's free Online Jurisprudence Examination counts as two CE hours.
Does Nebraska offer cosmetology license reciprocity?: Yes. Nebraska accepts out-of-state applications by reciprocity if you hold a current active license in another state and completed at least 1,800 cosmetology hours (or 600 esthetics hours) and passed a written examination in your home state. Additional training or exams may be required if your credentials do not meet Nebraska's standards.
Is there a cosmetology license for natural hair braiding in Nebraska?: No. Natural hair braiding is explicitly exempt from Nebraska cosmetology licensure requirements. No license of any kind is required to braid natural hair in Nebraska.