Rhode Island State Board of Cosmetology
Information verified:About the Rhode Island State Board of Cosmetology
The Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing & Barbering operates within the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and administers licensing for hairdressers/cosmeticians, barbers, manicurists, estheticians, instructors, and licensed shops throughout the state. Rhode Island's cosmetology licensing statute is codified at R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-10, which establishes qualifications, training requirements, and examination standards for all license categories.
RIDOH is located at the Cannon Building, 3 Capitol Hill in Providence. The board can be reached directly at (401) 222-2828 or by email at doh.elicense@health.ri.gov. The licensing unit is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM ET. All applications, renewals, and license verifications are handled through the RIDOH online licensing portal at healthri.mylicense.com.
Written licensing examinations are administered by PSI Exams, a nationally recognized testing service, at PSI testing centers and online. As of November 1, 2015, PSI replaced the previous examination vendor for all cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, manicurist, and electrology licensing examinations in Rhode Island. PSI can be reached at (800) 733-9267 or psiexams.com. Written exams are available in English, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese.
The practical examination is administered directly by RIDOH in a manner prescribed by the department. All applicants must pass both a written and a practical examination before a license is issued. Rhode Island requires applicants to be at least 18 years old and to hold a high school diploma or GED, making it one of a small number of states that enforces both a minimum age above 16 and an education requirement for cosmetology licensure.
Licenses Regulated
The Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing & Barbering issues the following license types under R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-10:
- Hairdresser/Cosmetician — Full hairdressing and cosmetology services including hair, skin, and nail services. Requires 1,000 hours of continuous study and practice in an approved school. Minimum age: 18. High school diploma or GED required.
- Barber — Barbering services including haircutting and shaving. Requires 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 of apprenticeship as a registered apprentice barber.
- Manicurist — Nail services including manicures and pedicures. Requires 300 hours of professional training in manicuring in an approved school.
- Esthetician — Skin care services including facials, waxing, and makeup. Requires 600 hours of continuous study and practice over not less than 4 months in an approved school.
- Instructor — Teaching in a RIDOH-approved school. Must have held a relevant license for at least 3 years and completed 300 hours of approved teacher training. Issued as four subtypes: Hairdresser Instructor, Barber Instructor, Manicurist Instructor, and Esthetician Instructor.
- Hair Design Shop — Required for any establishment where hairdressing or cosmetology services are provided commercially. Independent contractors in a shop must also obtain a separate Hair Design Shop license.
- Manicuring Shop — Required for establishments where manicuring services are commercially performed.
- Esthetics Shop — Required for establishments where esthetics services are commercially performed.
- Barber Shop — Required for establishments where barbering services are commercially performed.
Shop licenses (Hair Design, Manicuring, Esthetics, Barber) carry an initial and biennial renewal fee of $170.00. Individual practitioner licenses renew at $25.00 biennially.
Renew Your Rhode Island Cosmetology License
Rhode Island cosmetology licenses renew every 2 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 for renewal of hairdressing, cosmetology, barbering, manicurist, or esthetician licenses.
How to Renew Online
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.
Late Renewal
A license not renewed by the September 30 expiration date lapses. Late renewal is permitted upon payment of the current $25.00 renewal fee plus a reinstatement fee of $25.00 for each lapsed renewal cycle, up to a maximum of $100.00. Contact RIDOH at (401) 222-2828 or doh.elicense@health.ri.gov for reinstatement procedures.
Inactive Status
Licensees not currently practicing may request inactive status by completing the RIDOH Inactive Status Request form available at health.ri.gov. Inactive license holders may not perform cosmetology services in Rhode Island.
File a Complaint
Complaints against Rhode Island hairdressers, cosmeticians, barbers, manicurists, estheticians, or licensed shops may be submitted online through the RIDOH complaint portal. RIDOH investigates allegations of unlicensed practice, violations of sanitation standards, scope of practice violations, and unprofessional conduct. All investigations are kept strictly confidential.
To file a complaint, visit health.ri.gov/licensing/submit-complaint and search for the licensee by name or business name. Once located, click through to access the complaint form. You may request to remain anonymous. The named licensee will be notified and given the opportunity to respond.
Investigations may take several months depending on the complexity of the complaint. Possible outcomes include no action, a letter of concern, or a recommendation for disciplinary action that may result in an administrative hearing. For questions about the complaint process, contact RIDOH at (401) 222-2828 or doh.elicense@health.ri.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What agency regulates cosmetology licensing in Rhode Island?
- Rhode Island cosmetology licensing is regulated by the Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing & Barbering, which operates within the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). The board's office is at Room 104, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908. There is no standalone "Board of Cosmetology" — the Board of Hairdressing & Barbering oversees all cosmetology, barbering, manicuring, and esthetics licensing.
- What is the phone number for the Rhode Island cosmetology board?
- The board can be reached at (401) 222-2828. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM ET. You may also email doh.elicense@health.ri.gov.
- How often do Rhode Island cosmetology licenses need to be renewed?
- Rhode Island cosmetology licenses renew every two years. All practitioner licenses expire on September 30 of every other year. The biennial renewal fee is $25.00. RIDOH sends renewal notices by email 60 days before the expiration date. Renew online at healthri.mylicense.com.
- Does Rhode Island require continuing education for cosmetology license renewal?
- No. Rhode Island does not require any continuing education (CE) hours for renewal of hairdresser/cosmetician, barber, manicurist, or esthetician licenses. Renewal requires only the $25.00 biennial fee and a completed online renewal application.
- What types of cosmetology licenses does Rhode Island issue?
- Rhode Island issues licenses for Hairdresser/Cosmetician (1,000 school hours), Barber (1,000 school + 840 OJT hours, or 2-year apprenticeship), Manicurist (300 school hours), Esthetician (600 school hours), and Instructor (four subtypes). The board also licenses Hair Design Shops, Manicuring Shops, Esthetics Shops, and Barber Shops.
- How do I verify a Rhode Island cosmetology license?
- License verification is available free of charge at the RIDOH online portal at healthri.mylicense.com/verification. Full license lists are also downloadable at health.ri.gov/lists/licensees/.
- How do I file a complaint against a Rhode Island cosmetologist?
- File complaints online at health.ri.gov/licensing/submit-complaint. Search for the licensee by name, then click the complaint button. Anonymous complaints are accepted. RIDOH investigates unlicensed practice, sanitation violations, and unprofessional conduct.