Wyoming State Board of Cosmetology
Information verified:About the Wyoming State Board of Cosmetology
The Wyoming State Board of Cosmetology regulates the practice of cosmetology and related personal care professions throughout Wyoming under the authority of Wyoming Statutes Title 33, Chapter 12 (W.S. 33-12-123 and -134). The board establishes licensing standards, approves cosmetology schools, conducts inspections, and enforces professional conduct requirements to protect Wyoming consumers.
Board headquarters are located at 2515 Warren Avenue, Suite 302, in Cheyenne. The board oversees licensure for cosmetologists, hairstylists, nail technicians, estheticians, instructors, and independent contractors operating in Wyoming salons and schools.
The board administers licensing examinations in partnership with the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) through test administrator ProV, and maintains the online licensing portal through GLSuite. License verification, renewal, and complaint filing are available through the board's website at cosmetology.wyo.gov.
Wyoming does not regulate natural hair braiding or facial makeup application—those services can be performed without a cosmetology license. The board also does not offer a standard apprenticeship pathway; all applicants must complete required training hours through a Wyoming-recognized cosmetology school before sitting for licensing examinations.
Contacting the Board
Reach the board by phone at (307) 777-3534 or by email at cosmetology@wyo.gov. The mailing address is 2515 Warren Avenue, Suite 302, Cheyenne, WY 82002. Payment for most transactions is accepted by check, money order, or credit card; cash is not accepted. Exam application fees must be submitted by money order or cashier's check.
License Verification
To confirm that a Wyoming cosmetologist or other practitioner holds a current license, use the board's public license verification search at GLSuite License Verification. The database displays current license status and is available free of charge to consumers and employers.
Licenses Regulated
The Wyoming State Board of Cosmetology licenses the following professional categories under Chapter 1 of its administrative rules:
Personal Licenses
- Cosmetologist — The broadest personal license, covering all hair, skin, and nail services. Encompasses the full scope of hairstyling, esthetics, and nail technology. Requires 1,600 training hours (8 months).
- Hairstylist — Hair cutting, styling, coloring, chemical services, braiding, and extensions. Does not include nail or full esthetic services. Requires 1,000 training hours (5 months).
- Esthetician — Skin care services including facials, facial massage, makeup application, non-laser hair removal, and eyelash extensions. Procedures that pierce the skin are prohibited. Requires 600 training hours (3 months).
- Nail Technician — Nail care services including manicures, pedicures, artificial nails, polishing, and hand and foot massage. Requires 400 training hours (2 months).
- Instructor — Teaching cosmetology or related fields in licensed Wyoming schools. Requires 500 training hours in the science of teaching (2.5 months).
Add-On Licenses (for Existing Licensees)
- Add-On Hair Removal (125 hours) — Removal of superfluous hair by means other than electrolysis and laser. Available exclusively to licensed hairstylists and nail technicians.
- Add-On Lash and Brow (200 hours) — Tinting, chemical waving, and extension application for eyelashes and eyebrows. Available to licensed hairstylists and nail technicians. Does not include hair removal services.
Facility and Business Licenses
- Independent Contractor — Required for licensed practitioners who rent booth space in a salon rather than working as employees. Annual fee: $75.00.
- Salon — Required for any facility providing cosmetology services to the public. Annual fee: $75.00.
- School — Required for Wyoming cosmetology training programs. Annual fee: $200.00.
Natural hair braiding and facial makeup application are not regulated by the Wyoming State Board of Cosmetology and do not require a license. The board also does not regulate microblading or other procedures that pierce the skin — those services should be directed to your local health department.
Renew Your Wyoming Cosmetology License
Wyoming personal cosmetology licenses — including cosmetologist, hairstylist, nail technician, esthetician, and instructor — renew on a biennial (two-year) cycle after the first year. The license fee is $48.00 per year, making the two-year renewal total $96.00. Wyoming does not require continuing education for cosmetology license renewal.
Renewal Cycle and Expiration
The first-year license runs from the month of initial issuance. After that, all renewals are set to a two-year cycle expiring in the month of the licensee's birthday, with prorated amounts applied as needed. Working with an expired or lapsed license is treated as unlicensed practice under the board's rules — any grace period associated with a license only delays the late fee and does not extend the license itself.
How to Renew
- Online: Log in to the GLSuite Individual Online Renewal portal. Accepted payment: checks, money orders, and credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
- By mail: Complete the personal or independent contractor renewal application form (available on the board's Applications & Forms page) and mail it with payment to the board office at 2515 Warren Avenue, Suite 302, Cheyenne, WY 82002.
Reinstatement After a Lapsed License
If your license has lapsed for five or more years and you do not qualify for endorsement, you must complete a 100-hour refresher course at a licensed school — with emphasis on health, safety, and infection control — and pass both theory and practical examinations before reinstatement. The reinstatement fee is $175.00.
File a Complaint
Consumers and professionals may file complaints against licensed Wyoming cosmetologists, salons, or schools with the Wyoming State Board of Cosmetology. To submit a complaint, visit cosmetology.wyo.gov/filing-a-complaint.
The board investigates complaints involving unlicensed practice, unsanitary conditions, and violations of professional conduct standards. Once a complaint is submitted, the board reviews the allegations and may conduct an inspection or hearing. Outcomes may include warnings, fines, suspension, or license revocation. For questions about the complaint process, contact the board office by phone at (307) 777-3534 or by email at cosmetology@wyo.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Wyoming offer an apprenticeship pathway to cosmetology licensure?
- No. Wyoming does not offer a standard apprenticeship pathway. All applicants must complete required training hours at a state-recognized cosmetology school. Apprenticeship training is only recognized if it is a certified program through a state regulatory agency, and applicants must submit official certification of record from that licensing or state regulatory agency.
- What exams are required to get a cosmetology license in Wyoming?
- Wyoming requires both the NIC theory examination and the NIC written-practical examination, administered by ProV at testing centers across the state. After the board approves your application, ProV sends scheduling instructions by email. You must pass both exams before the board will issue your license.
- How do I renew my Wyoming cosmetology license?
- Renew online through the GLSuite online renewal portal or by mailing a renewal application and payment to the board office. The biennial renewal fee is $96.00 ($48.00 per year). Wyoming does not require continuing education for renewal.
- Is natural hair braiding regulated in Wyoming?
- No. Natural hair braiding and facial makeup application are not regulated by the Wyoming State Board of Cosmetology. A cosmetology license is not required to offer those services.
- How do I verify a Wyoming cosmetology license?
- License verification is available online through the board's public lookup at GLSuite License Verification. Search by name or license number at no charge.
- Can I transfer my out-of-state cosmetology license to Wyoming?
- Yes. Wyoming offers licensure by endorsement for applicants from other states or countries who meet Wyoming's requirements under W.S. 33-12-132. The endorsement fee is $225.00. Holding a Wyoming license does not cancel active licenses in other states.