New York Cosmetology License Requirements
Information verified:How to Get a Cosmetology License in New York
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Training Requirements
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.
Cosmetology Exam Requirements
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.
How to Renew Your New York Cosmetology License
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
- Log in to the NY Business Express portal at businessexpress.ny.gov using your NY.gov ID.
- Navigate to your appearance enhancement license and select the renewal option.
- 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.
Other Cosmetology License Types in New York
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.
| License Type | Training Hours | Exams Required | Services Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,000 hours | Written + Practical | Hair, skin, and nail services (full scope) |
| Esthetician | 600 hours | Written + Practical | Skin care, facials, makeup, hair removal |
| Nail Specialist | 250 hours | Written + Practical | Manicures, pedicures, nail enhancements |
| Waxing Specialist | 75 hours | Written only | Hair removal by wax only |
| Natural Hair Stylist | 300 hours | Written + Practical | Natural hair care without chemicals or heat |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many training hours does New York require for a cosmetology license?
- New York requires 1,000 hours of approved training at a DOS-licensed school — one of the lower requirements nationally. Estheticians need 600 hours, nail specialists need 250 hours, natural hair stylists need 300 hours, and waxing specialists need 75 hours.
- Does New York require continuing education to renew a cosmetology license?
- No. New York does not require CE hours for appearance enhancement license renewal. You pay the $40 renewal fee every four years through the NY Business Express portal. However, a one-time DV/Sexual Assault Awareness training (1 hour) is required if not previously completed.
- Who administers the New York cosmetology exam?
- The New York Division of Licensing Services administers both exams directly. Unlike most states, New York does not use PSI or Pearson VUE. Written exams are available in more than 14 languages. Results are pass/fail — no numerical score is provided.
- What is the total cost to get a New York cosmetology license?
- The application fee is $40, the written exam is $15, and the practical exam is $15 — totaling $70 in state fees. School tuition is separate and varies by program.
- What is the DV/Sexual Assault Awareness training requirement?
- Since June 17, 2020, all New York appearance enhancement applicants and licensees must complete a one-hour training on recognizing signs of domestic violence and sexual assault. This is a one-time requirement — it does not repeat at each renewal cycle.
- Can I transfer my cosmetology license from another state to New York?
- New York evaluates out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis. You must have completed training comparable to New York's requirements and may need to pass the NY exams. Contact the Division of Licensing Services at (518) 474-4429 or beauty@dos.ny.gov for a credit evaluation.