This page provides information for New Jersey license requirements including how to apply for a new license, renew an existing one, reactivate an expired license and New Jersey license reciprocity for when you need to transfer a license to this state or out of state. If available, we provide other useful information such as cosmetology school hours requirements, how to apply for additional license for professions like manicurists, nail technicians, instructors etc. If you did not find the answer you were looking for on this page or if you have questions or issues pertaining to cosmetology, then we recommend you contact the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling.

New Jersey Cosmetology License Verification

If you need to verify a license for a salon or person, then you can do so by visiting the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology license verification website. From there you can search for the person or business and see if there are any disciplinary actions on record. This will allow you to make an informed decision about the person and or business providing your service.

New Jersey Licensing Requirements

To become a cosmetologist-hairstylist you must:
  • Be at least 17 years of age
  • Provide proof of successful completion of high school or its equivalent
  • Provide proof of successful completion of 1,200 hours of instruction in cosmetology and hairstyling at an approved school in New Jersey, another state or a foreign country. Training completed in another state or a foreign country must, in the opinion of the Board, be substantially similar to that offered at licensed schools within New Jersey
  • Take and pass an examination administered by the Board
To become a manicurist you must:
  • Be at least 17 years of age
  • Provide proof of successful completion of high school or its equivalent
  • Provide proof of successful completion of 300 hours of instruction in manicuring at an approved school in New Jersey, another state or a foreign country. Training completed in another state or foreign country must, in the opinion of the Board, be substantially similar to that offered at licensed schools within New Jersey
  • Take and pass an examination administered by the Board
To become a skin care specialist you must:
  • Be at least 17 years of age
  • Provide proof of successful completion of high school or its equivalent
  • Provide proof of successful completion of a 600-hour course of instruction at an approved school in New Jersey, another state or a foreign country. Training completed at a school in another state or foreign country must, in the opinion of the Board, be substantially similar to that offered at licensed schools within New Jersey
  • Take and pass an examination administered by the Board
To become a teacher of cosmetology & hairstyling you must:
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Provide proof of the successful completion of high school or its equivalent
  • Hold a cosmetologist-hairstylist license issued by the Board
  • Provide proof of the successful completion of a teacher training course of 500 hours at an approved school in New Jersey, another state or a foreign country. Training completed at a school in another state or foreign country must, in the opinion of the Board, be substantially similar to that offered at licensed schools within New Jersey
  • Provide proof of successful completion of a 30-hour teaching methods course conducted by a college approved by the State Board of Higher Education or a substantially equivalent course conducted by a college in another state which is approved by the higher education authorities in that state
  • Substantiate the completion of six months of employment in a licensed shop within this state
  • Take and pass an examination administered by the Board

Endorsement
Licensure by endorsement is offered to cosmetologist-hairstylist applicants if they satisfy the requirements for licensure as a cosmetologist-hairstylist, and presently hold a current license as a barber and beautician in another state or foreign country.

Please note, PSI has been awarded the contract to administer the written licensing examinations on behalf of the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling beginning March 1, 2015. All candidates must be pre-approved to take an examination. Your education provider will electronically upload your eligibility to PSI upon successful completion of the course requirements. Each candidate will receive an email confirmation immediately after the eligibility has been received by PSI. Upon receipt of the email confirmation, please go to PSIExams.com or call 800-733-9267 to pay and schedule your examination. If PSI does not have your record, please contact your education provider.

To request an address change on your license, use their online Change of Address form.

To verify a license you can use their online system here.

Transferring a License From Another State

Contact the State Board where you are currently licensed to have them submit a certification of your current and active license directly to this Board. Then contact the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling to confirm receipt of the certification from your home state.

A representative will review your certification to determine if you qualify to apply for endorsement or if you must apply for examination. The Board will instruct you as to which application is appropriate based on your certification. If you do not have access to the internet and a printer, be prepared to provide mailing information to the Board office so that we may send you the appropriate application. Complete the application, providing all documentation requested in the application and submit it to the Board for review.

Transferring Licensees

If the license the license you hold in another state does not meet the requirements in this state, you may be asked
to seek additional training. This does not mean that you have to start over. A licensed school in the State of New Jersey may evaluate the training you received. You must hold a current and active license in order to transfer a license into New Jersey. The Board will not accept hours, diploma, or certificates. Hours completed in a licensed school in another state must be transferred to a licensed school in New Jersey.

Work experience must be in a licensed salon in the State in which you hold or held a license within the last five years. If the State in which you are currently licensed does not require a practical examination, you will not qualify for endorsement.

New Jersey Cosmetology School Hours

Type Requirements
Cosmetologist & Hairstyling License 1200 Hours (1000 Hours Vocational School)
Barber License 900 Hours
Esthetician License 600 Hours
Nail Technician License 300 Hours
Electrologist License 600 Hours
Permanent Makeup License 100 Hours (department Of Health)
Cosmetology Instructor License Cosmetology License For 6+ Months + 500 Hours + 30 Hours Junior Instructing
Massage Therapist License 500 Hours (board Of Massage & Bodywork Therapy)

New Jersey Salon Licensing

Fax a letter of request for salon license or call the Board office to request and application. Indicate where you would like the application to be sent. This fax must include the services being provided in the salon. Examples include:

  • Hair salon or barber shop – Full Service
  • Manicuring salon
  • Skin care salon

If providing both manicuring and skin care services, this would be considered full service and must include a hair station. The fax number is 973-504-6477 (Attention: Shop Section). The phone number is 973-504-6400, ask for shop section.

The following documentation must be submitted with your application. For Corporations or Limited Liability Company (LLC):

  • Copy of Lease or Deed
  • Corporation Formation Documentation
  • Federal Employer Identification Number (Tax ID) Document
  • Certificate of Occupancy
  • Zoning Permit
  • Certificate of Fire Inspection
  • Copy of Manager's signed Wall License with Photo Affixed

If a salon was located in the facility prior to your ownership, please provide a notarized letter stating that there were no transactions between tenants for the sale of the equipment and provide a bill of sale for the equipment purchased for the facility.

The following documentation must be submitted with your application. For Partnerships and Sole Proprietorships:

  • Copy of Lease or Deed
  • Federal Employer Identification Number (Tax ID) Document
  • Certificate of Occupancy
  • Zoning Permit
  • Certificate of Fire Inspection
  • Registration of Salon Name with your County Clerk
  • Copy of Manager's Signed Wall License with Photo Affixed

If a salon was located in the facility prior to your ownership, please provide a notarized letter stating that there were no transactions between tenants for the sale of the equipment and provide a bill of sale for the equipment purchased for the facility.

All applications must be submitted with the appropriate fees. The cost is:

  • $350 in the first year of a licensing cycle
  • $250 in the second year of a licensing cycle
  • Salon licenses renew every two years in July of even years

Once you have completed your application, you may mail it to the Board office with all of the documentation listed above or you may bring the completed application to the Board office and have it reviewed by a staff member in your presence. Keep in mind that applications are processed in the order in which it is received. The earlier you arrive in the day, the earlier your application will be processed.

I have a beautician/barber's license from another state; can I work in New Jersey?

No. In order to work in New Jersey you need to have a license issued by the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. You must submit an out-of-state application and required documentation and pass the Board's examination. The application must be requested in writing and will be mailed to you.

New Jersey Salon Inspection

All salons must be inspected prior to the issuance of a license. Make sure the salon is ready for operation on the date of the inspection. If your grand opening is scheduled on a specific date, please allow ample time for your application to be processed and an inspection to be completed. In the event of State office closures or inclement weather, any inspections scheduled may be subject to cancellation. An inspector will contact you to reschedule at the earliest available time. The Board office is not permitted to give out inspector contact information.

To send fees and applications:

Mailing Address:
New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling
PO Box 45003
Newark, NJ 07101

Physical Address:
New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling
124 Haley Street, 6th Floor
Newark, NJ 07102

New Jersey License Renewals

You may renew any listed license type below.

Cosmetology and Hairstyling, New Jersey State Board of

New Jersey License Verification

The general public can verify a license online by clicking here.

Keeping Your New Jersey License Current

Licenses are valid for 2 years. Every individual license expires in September of even-numbered years. You must keep your address current with the Board to receive renewal notices. Renewals are done online and require a renewal fee.