Nevada State Board of Cosmetology
Information verified:About the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology
The Nevada State Board of Cosmetology is an independent state agency operating under the administrative structure of Nevada state government. The Board was established and is governed by Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 644A and Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 644A. Its mission is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of those who obtain cosmetology-related services through quality testing, licensing, inspection, and education services focused on consumer protection.
The Board maintains two offices to serve Nevada's geographically diverse population. The primary office is located at 8945 West Russell Road, Suite 200, Las Vegas, NV 89148, with a northern Nevada office at 740 Del Monte Lane, Suite 12, Reno, NV 89511. The Board can be reached by phone at (702) 508-0015 or by email at info@nvcosmo.com.
Seven board members are appointed by the Governor of Nevada, each serving four-year terms with a maximum of two full terms. Board members must represent active practitioners across the licensed professions, along with at least one public representative. The Board convenes a minimum of four meetings per year, during which members review complaints, evaluate violation appeals, consider law and regulation revisions, and engage with the public. All meeting agendas and upcoming dates are published on the Board's website.
Internal operations are divided into three departments. The Licensing Specialist Department handles applications, verifications, and license issuance (info@nvcosmo.com). The Education and Testing Department administers examinations and coordinates testing logistics (testing@nvcosmo.com). The Inspection and Compliance Department conducts salon inspections and investigates consumer complaints (inspection@nvcosmo.com).
Nevada's regulatory framework is notably broad, covering thirteen separate credential categories — from the standard cosmetology license to specialized registrations for makeup artists and threaders. The Board also operates an apprenticeship pathway for applicants who live more than 60 miles from a licensed cosmetology school, offering an alternative route to licensure through supervised on-the-job training at a licensed salon.
Licenses Regulated
The Nevada State Board of Cosmetology issues individual licenses and registrations across a wide range of cosmetology professions, as well as establishment licenses for salons and schools. All licensing authority derives from NRS Chapter 644A.
Individual Practitioner Licenses
- Cosmetology — Full-scope license covering hair, skin, and nail services. Requires 1,600 school hours or 3,200 apprenticeship hours plus passage of three exams. License fee: $70 (2-year) or $140 (4-year).
- Hair Design — Covers hair services including cutting, styling, and chemical treatments. Requires 1,000 school hours or 2,000 apprenticeship hours. License fee: $70 (2-year) or $140 (4-year).
- Esthetics — Skin care services including facials, waxing, and basic skin treatments. Requires 600 school hours or 1,200 apprenticeship hours. License fee: $70 (2-year) or $140 (4-year).
- Advanced Esthetics — A Nevada-specific credential for estheticians performing certain advanced procedures in collaboration with a licensed medical professional. Requires 900 school hours (following the standard esthetics curriculum). A collaboration agreement with a supervising medical professional is required.
- Nail Technology — Covers manicuring, pedicuring, and nail enhancement services. Requires 600 school hours or 1,200 apprenticeship hours. License fee: $70 (2-year) or $140 (4-year).
- Electrology — Permanent hair removal using electrical current. Requires 500 school hours or 1,000 hours of apprenticeship practice. Minimum education requirement is 12th grade or equivalent. License fee: $70 (2-year) or $140 (4-year).
- Hair Braiding — Natural hair manipulation by braiding, cornrowing, twisting, locking, and related techniques. Requires completion of a Barbicide certification course, passage of three exams, and no school training hours. License fee: $70 (2-year) or $140 (4-year).
- Shampoo Technology — Limited license for shampooing and conditioning services. Available in 2-year ($50) or 4-year ($100) terms from date of issuance.
- Makeup Artistry — Annual individual registration for professional makeup application. Registration fee: $25 per year.
- Threading — Annual individual registration for hair removal using thread. Registration fee: $25 per year.
Instructor Licenses
- Student Instructor License (SIL) — Allows training as an instructor under supervision while completing 700 required hours at a licensed school. Enrollment fee: $65. Expires upon completion or 1 year from issuance, whichever occurs first.
- Provisional Instructor License (PIL) — Allows independent instructor training after completing 500 hours plus at least one year of verifiable work experience. Enrollment fee: $85. Expires upon completion or 1 year from issuance.
- Instructor License — Full instructor authorization. Requires completing the SIL or PIL program plus passing theory and Nevada State Law exams. License fee: $70 (2-year) or $140 (4-year).
Specialty and Establishment Credentials
- Limited License — Permits licensed cosmetologists, hair designers, estheticians, or nail technologists to perform limited services outside a licensed salon. Fee: $100 (1-year).
- Salon/Establishment License — Required for all businesses providing cosmetology services. New establishment fee: $215 (2-year) or $415 (4-year). Renewal: $200 (2-year) or $400 (4-year).
- Threading Establishment — Annual registration for threading-only businesses. Fee: $25.
Renew Your Nevada Cosmetology License
Nevada cosmetology licenses renew on a flexible cycle: licensees choose either a 2-year term ($70) or a 4-year term ($140) at the time of renewal. Most individual licenses expire on the licensee's date of birth in the renewal year, which ties the expiration date to a personally memorable date rather than a fixed calendar cycle.
How to Renew
Individual license renewals are completed online at online.renewal.nvcosmoboard.com. A paper renewal form is also available for download from the Board's applications page. The renewal fee must be paid before the license expiration date to avoid a lapse in licensure.
Updating Your Information
Licensees are responsible for keeping their contact information and work location current with the Board. Work location updates and contact information changes can be submitted online through the Board's website. Failure to update your address may result in missed renewal notices.
Continuing Education for Instructors
Standard cosmetology licensees — including cosmetologists, hair designers, estheticians, nail technologists, hair braiders, and electrologists — are not required to complete continuing education hours for license renewal.
Instructor licensees are the exception. Instructors must complete continuing education hours reported to the Board before submitting a renewal form:
- 2-year instructor renewal: 30 CE hours from Board-approved providers
- 4-year instructor renewal: 60 CE hours from Board-approved providers
CE hours must be documented with certificates of completion showing the licensee's name, course title, completion date, instructor signature, and number of hours earned. Only Board-approved CEU providers are accepted. A current list of approved providers is available at nvcosmo.com/ceu-list. CE hours are reported by email to info@nvcosmo.com before the renewal form is submitted.
Renewal Fees by License Type
- Cosmetology, Hair Design, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Electrology, Hair Braiding, Instructor: $70 (2-year) or $140 (4-year)
- Shampoo Technology: $50 (2-year) or $100 (4-year)
- Salon Establishment: $200 (2-year) or $400 (4-year)
- Limited License: $100 (1-year)
- Makeup Artistry, Threading: $25 (1-year)
File a Complaint
The Nevada State Board of Cosmetology's Inspection and Compliance Department investigates complaints alleging unsafe, unsanitary, or unlawful beauty services under NRS Chapter 644A. Consumers who receive or witness a substandard service at a Nevada salon should file a complaint with the Board.
How to File a Complaint
Complaints are submitted online through the Board's Consumer Complaint Form. The form captures details about the salon, the practitioner involved, and the nature of the alleged violation. All supporting documentation — photographs, receipts, or correspondence — should be attached when submitting.
What Happens After Filing
- The Inspection and Compliance Department reviews the complaint to determine whether the alleged conduct falls within the Board's jurisdiction.
- Complaints within the Board's jurisdiction are investigated. This may include an unannounced inspection of the salon or an interview with the parties involved.
- If a violation is substantiated, the Board may issue a citation, require corrective action, impose fines, or pursue formal disciplinary proceedings including license suspension or revocation.
- After the complaint process is complete, consumers can verify the current license status of a salon or practitioner at the Board's Verify a License page.
Confidentiality
Pursuant to NRS 644A.870, a complaint filed with the Board and all documents and information filed with it are confidential until formal disciplinary action is initiated. Once formal disciplinary proceedings begin under NRS 622A, all related documents become public records.
Limitations
The Board does not have the authority to compel a salon or individual to issue a refund. Monetary disputes are civil matters between the consumer and the business. For unlicensed practice complaints, contact the Inspection and Compliance Department directly at inspection@nvcosmo.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology located?
- The primary office is at 8945 West Russell Road, Suite 200, Las Vegas, NV 89148. A northern Nevada office is located at 740 Del Monte Lane, Suite 12, Reno, NV 89511. Board meetings are held at both locations.
- What is the phone number for the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology?
- (702) 508-0015. You can also email info@nvcosmo.com for licensing questions, testing@nvcosmo.com for exam questions, or inspection@nvcosmo.com for inspection and compliance matters.
- How do I renew my Nevada cosmetology license?
- Renew online at online.renewal.nvcosmoboard.com. Choose a 2-year renewal ($70) or a 4-year renewal ($140). Your license expires on your date of birth in the renewal year.
- Does Nevada require continuing education for cosmetology license renewal?
- No. Standard licensees — cosmetologists, hair designers, estheticians, nail technologists, hair braiders, and electrologists — are not required to complete continuing education hours for renewal. Only instructor licensees must complete CE (30 hours for a 2-year renewal, 60 hours for a 4-year renewal).
- What types of licenses does the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology issue?
- The Board issues licenses for cosmetology, hair design, esthetics, advanced esthetics, nail technology, electrology, hair braiding, shampoo technology, instructor, and limited licenses. It also issues registrations for makeup artistry and threading, and establishment licenses for salons, schools, and threading businesses.
- How do I verify a Nevada cosmetology license?
- Use the Board's online license lookup tool at nvcosmo.com/licensee-lookup. You can search by the individual's name or license number, or by salon name or address. Advanced Esthetics licenses cannot be verified online — call (702) 508-0015 for those.
- How do I file a complaint against a Nevada salon or cosmetologist?
- Submit a Consumer Complaint Form online at nvcosmo.typeform.com. The Inspection and Compliance Department reviews complaints to determine if they fall within Board jurisdiction and investigates substantiated allegations.
- Can I transfer my cosmetology license from another state to Nevada?
- Yes, through Nevada's reciprocity process. You must hold an active license in your current state, pass the 25-question Nevada State Law Test with a minimum score of 75%, and pay the $325 reciprocity fee (which includes the test fee). Submit a reciprocity application online at nvcosmo.typeform.com.