This page provides information for Tennessee license requirements including how to apply for a new license, renew an existing one, reactivate an expired license and Tennessee 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 Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.
Tennessee Cosmetology License Verification
If you need to verify a license for a salon or person, then you can do so by visiting the Tennessee 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.
All Licensees
Failure to remit fees by expiration date will result in a penalty fee being assessed. All penalties are strictly enforced and are never waived.
Active LicensesThe renewal form will include the renewal fee. The licensee must renew online to avoid delays. Links to the online system can be found at core.tn.gov.
Inactive Licenses (Instructors Only)The renewal form includes the renewal fee and should be paid online at core.tn.gov. A letter must be submitted to the board requesting to place instructor as inactive .The request must be done timely.
Failure To Complete Renewal RequirementsIf the Licensee fails to complete all requirements for renewal, the license will expire. Persons who continue to act in any capacity in the cosmetology field will be subject to disciplinary action. The ability to reinstate an expired licednse does not allow a person to continue to act as a licensee without a valid license. Please contact the Cosmetology Board office for specific reinstatement policy provisions.
If you need additional information, please contact the Cosmetology Board office. However, no verbal statement made by a member of the board office staff should be interpreted as an exception or waiver of these instructions and policies.
RefundsNo refunds will be processed for fees paid as a result of a failure to follow these directions.
How do I retire my license?You will need to submit:
- The current active license
- A statement requesting to retire the license and giving your current mailing address, and
- A $50 fee. Upon receipt of these three items, the board will send you a retired inactive license certificate. The holder of a retired certificate shall not practice in any of the areas for which the license was issued until the license has been reactivated
If you are 65 years of age or older, you may active your retired license by submitting to the board office:
- Proof of your age and
- A fee which is the same as the renewal fee for the license to be reactivated
If you are under 65 years of age, in order to activate your retired license, you must first take and pass the practical and law portions of the examination for the license and second, pay a fee which is the same as the renewal fee for the license to be reactivated.
Please note: only individuals over age 65 are exempt from re-testing when reactivating a retired license.
Tennessee Aesthetician License
An aesthetician does one or more of the following; massage, clean, stimulate, manipulate, exercise, beautify or perform similar work with hands or mechanical or electrical apparatus or by use of cosmetic preparations, tonics, lotions or creams; places or applies artificial eyelashes, gives facials, applies makeup, gives skin care or removes superfluous hair by tweezing, depilatories or waxing.
Licensing RequirementsBe at least sixteen years of age having completed and passed a course of instruction of not less than 750 hours in the practice and theory of aesthetics at a school of cosmetology.
Examination RequirementsA written and practical examination is required.
Renewal RequirementsRenewals are required every two years.
Application and FeesFor information on application, registration, examination or fees, contact our testing vender PSI online at candidate.psiexams.com or by phone 800-733-9267. License renewals can be done here. The Aesthetician renewal fee is $60, as set forth in Rule 0440-1-.13(3) of the Tennessee Rules of Cosmetology.
The renewal form and fee must be submitted to the board office prior to the expiration date listed on the license. If the renewal is not processed prior, there is an additional late fee of $25 per license. If the late fee is due, your license is not renewed.
Tennessee Cosmetologist License
A cosmetologist performs, for compensation, arranging, dressing, curling, waving, cleansing, cutting, singeing, bleaching, coloring, or similar work on the hair. A cosmetologist may care for or service wigs or hair pieces; manicure; massage, clean, stimulate, manipulate, exercise, beautify or perform similar work upon the hands, arms, face, neck, or feet with hands or by use of cosmetic preparations, tonics, lotions or creams; place or apply artificial eyelashes, give facials, apply make up, give skin care, or remove superfluous hair by tweezing, depilatories, or waxing. Effective July 1, 2015, a cosmetologist may shave using a safety razor.
Licensing RequirementsBe at least 16 years of age and meet educational and examination requirements.
Educational RequirementsCompletion of 1,500 hours in practice and theory at a school of cosmetology.
Examination RequirementsWritten and practical examination.
Renewal RequirementsRenewal notices are mailed approximately one month prior to renewal date. Licensee required to submit renewal notice with required fee, if applicable, due by expiration date on license.
Application and FeesFor information on application, registration, examination or fees, contact our testing vender PSI online at candidate.psiexams.com or by phone, 800-733-9267. License renewals can be done here.
The Cosmetologist renewal fee is $60, as set forth in Rule 0440-1-.13(3) of the Tennessee Rules of Cosmetology. The renewal form and fee must be submitted to the board office prior to the expiration date listed on the license. If the renewal is not processed prior, there is an additional late fee of $25 per license. If the late fee is due, your license is not renewed.
Tennessee Cosmetology Instructors
A person who is licensed as a cosmetologist, aesthetician, manicurist or natural hair stylist and is certified with the board as a cosmetology, aesthetician, manicuring or natural hair stylist instructor. The person may not practice cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring, or natural hair styling as a profession within a school setting, but may practice as a cosmetologist, aesthetician, manicurist, or natural hair stylist elsewhere.
Prospective
A school of cosmetology must have at least one certified instructor, and must have at least one certified instructor for each junior instructor employed by the school. A certified instructor must be on the premises whenever a cosmetology school (including public high school or state vocational technical school offering cosmetology, aesthetics, manicuring, or natural hair styling courses) is in operation. A cosmetology school must have at least one registered cosmetology (manicuring, aesthetics or natural hair) instructor for every 20 students enrolled, and must have one licensed instructor for each junior instructor being supervised.
Certification RequirementsHold a valid license as a cosmetologist, aesthetician, manicurist, natural hair stylist and meet educational and experience requirements. The individual must hold a license in the field they are approved to teach for at least three continuous years in order to obtain an instructor license.
Education and Experience RequirementsBe a high school graduate or possess a graduate equivalency diploma (GED) and either complete a board-approved course in instructor training of at least 300 hours within a period of six months as an instructor trainee OR complete service as a junior instructor for a minimum of one year. (A junior instructor holds a valid cosmetologist's, aesthetician's, manicurist's or natural hair stylist's license and engages in a course of training in practice teaching in a school under the personal supervision of a licensed instructor for a period not to exceed three years). Effective July 1, 2015, for a individual to receive an instructor license, they need to have been licensed for at least three continuous years.
Examination RequirementsWritten and practical (consists of lesson plan) examination.
Continuing Education RequirementsAttendance in a cosmetology instructor training program of at least sixteen hours duration every two years at a session approved by the board . Individuals receive announcements of these seminars or may check the board website to plan ahead. They are held yearly, one in each Grand Division. Sixteen. Click here for Continuing Education Information.
Renewal RequirementsRenewal required every two years along with completion of sixteen hours of continued education.
Application and FeesFor information on application, registration, examination or fees, contact our testing vender PSI online at candidate.psiexams.com or by phone, 800-733-9267. License renewals can be done here.
The Instructor renewal fee is $80, as set forth in Rule 0440-1-.13(3) of the Tennessee Rules of Cosmetology. The renewal form and fee must be submitted to the board office prior to the expiration date listed on the license. If the renewal is not processed prior, there is an additional late fee of $25 per license. If the late fee is due, your license is not renewed.
Tennessee Manicurist License
A person who manicures or pedicures the nails of any person, or performs nail artistry.
Licensing RequirementsBe at least sixteen years of age, complete a course of instruction of not less than 600 hours in the practice and theory of manicuring at a school of cosmetology.
Examination RequirementsWritten and practical examination.
Renewal RequirementsRenewal notices mailed approximately one month prior to renewal date. Licensee required to submit renewal notice with required fee, if applicable, due by expiration date on license.
Application and FeesFor information on application, registration, examination or fees, contact our testing vender PSI online at candidate.psiexams.com or by phone, 800-733-9267. License renewals can be done here.
The Manicurist renewal fee is $60, as set forth in Rule 0440-1-.13(3) of the Tennessee Rules of Cosmetology. The renewal form and fee must be submitted to the board office prior to the expiration date listed on the license. If the renewal is not processed prior, there is an additional late fee of $25 per license. If the late fee is due, your license is not renewed.
Tennessee Natural Hair Stylist License
A person who uses techniques which result in tension on hair strands such as twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking or braiding of the hair by hand or mechanical appliances, which work does not include the application of dyes, reactive chemicals or other preparations to alter the color or straighten, curl or alter the structure of the hair. The techniques include providing or offering to the general public for compensation any of the following services solely for development or improvement of physical qualities of the natural hair structure: intertwining in a systematic motion to create patterns in a three-dimensional form; inversion or outversion flat against the scalp along the part of a straight or curved row; or extension with natural or synthetic fibers.
Licensing RequirementsBe at least sixteen years of age and satisfy education and examination requirements.
Education RequirementsSatisfactory completion of a course of instruction of not less than 300 hours in the practice and theory of natural hair styling at a school of cosmetology.
Examination RequirementsA written and practical examination is required.
Renewal RequirementsRenewal notices are mailed approximately one month prior to renewal date. Licensee required to submit renewal notice with required fee, if applicable, due by expiration date on license.
Application and FeesFor information on application, registration, examination or fees, contact our testing vender PSI online at candidate.psiexams.com or by phone, 800-733-9267. License renewals can be done here.
The Natural Hair Stylist renewal fee is $60, as set forth in Rule 0440-1-.13(3) of the Tennessee Rules of Cosmetology. The renewal form and fee must be submitted to the board office prior to the expiration date listed on the license. If the renewal is not processed prior, there is an additional late fee of $25 per license. If the late fee is due, your license is not renewed.
Tennessee Master Barber License
A barber performs one or any combination of practices listed for payment, directly or indirectly, or without payment for the public generally: shaving or trimming beards, cutting, or styling the hair, giving facial and scalp massages or treatments with oils, creams, lotions or other preparations either by hand or mechanical appliances; singeing, curling, shampooing, coloring, bleaching or straightening the hair, or applying hair tonics; cutting fitting, measuring and forming head caps for wigs or hair pieces; hair weaving (excluding medical or surgical procedures); applying cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, powders, oils, clays or lotions to scalp, face, neck or other parts of the body; or manicuring and nail care. (A technician's license is available that permits a limited number of the above practices.)
Licensing RequirementsBe at least seventeen years of age, and satisfying education and examination requirements.
Educational RequirementsA Twelfth-grade education (Tenth-grade prior to July 1, 2015) or equivalent and satisfactory completion of 1,500 hours in a registered barber school. 750 hours of approved training in a registered school of cosmetology can count towards the 1,500 required hours in the registered barber school if a Tennessee Cosmetology License is valid.
Renewal RequirementsRenewal required every two years.
Application and FeesFor information on application, registration, examination or fees, contact our testing vender PSI online at candidate.psiexams.com or by phone, 800-733-9267. License renewals can be done here.
The Master Barber renewal fee is $60, as set forth in Rule 0200-1-.11(3) of the Tennessee Rules of Barber Examiners. The renewal form and fee must be submitted to the board office prior to the expiration date listed on the license. If the renewal is not processed prior, there is an additional late fee of $60 per license. If the late fee is due, your license is not renewed.
Tennessee Barber Technician License
Applies tints or dyes to the hair, shampoos hair, manicures nails, applies cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, powders, oils, clays or lotions to scalp, face, neck or other parts of the body.
Licensing RequirementsBe at least seventeen years of age, not owe any money to a barbering school, and meet education and examination requirements.
Educational RequirementsA tenth grade education and satisfactory completion of a course in a registered barber school or college of not less than 340 hours of continuous instruction of not more than 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.
Renewal RequirementsRenewal required every two years.
Application and FeesFor information on application, registration, examination or fees, contact our testing vender PSI online at candidate.psiexams.com or by phone, 800-733-9267. License renewals can be done here.
The Technician renewal fee is $80, as set forth in Rule 0200-1-.11(1)(b) of the Tennessee Rules of Barber Examiners. The renewal form and fee must be submitted to the board office prior to the expiration date listed on the license. If the renewal is not processed prior, there is an additional late fee of $25 per license. If the late fee is due, your license is not renewed.
Tennessee Barber Instructor
A registered master barber certified by the board as a barber instructor.
ProspectiveNo barber school or college may operate without the presence of a registered barber instructor. A barber school must have at least one registered barber instructor or barber instructor assistant for every 15 students enrolled, and must have one licensed barber instructor for each barber instructor assistant.
Certification RequirementsHold a valid certificate of registration as a master barber, having been duly registered as a master barber for a period of at least three years or having completed a 300 hour instructor training program at a board certified barber school, and meets the education, continuing education, and examination requirements.
Educational RequirementsCompletion of twelfth grade in an accredited school or equivalent.
Examination RequirementsSuccessful completion of an examination prescribed by the board.
Continuing EducationAttendance in a barber instructor training program of at least sixteen hours duration every two years at a session approved by the board . Individuals receive announcements of these seminars or may check the board website to plan ahead. They are held yearly, one in each Grand Division.
Renewal RequirementsRenewal required every two years.
Application and FeesFor information on application, registration, examination or fees, contact their testing vender PSI online at candidate.psiexams.com or by phone, 800-733-9267. License renewals can be done here.
The Master Barber renewal fee is $70, as set forth in Rule 0200-1-.11(1)(c) of the Tennessee Rules of Barber Examiners. The renewal form and fee must be submitted to the board office prior to the expiration date listed on the license. If the renewal is not processed prior to the due date, there is an additional late fee of $25 per license. If the late fee is due or the continued education has not been met, your license is not renewed.
Tennessee Barber Instructor Assistant
A registered master barber certified by the board as a barber instructor assistant. Employment as a barber instructor assistant is limited to three years.
ProspectiveEvery barber school must have one licensed barber instructor for each barber instructor assistant.
Certification RequirementsHold a valid certificate of registration as a master barber and meets the education and examination requirements.
Educational RequirementsCompletion of twelfth grade in an accredited school or equivalent, and current enrollment in a three hundred-hour instructor training program at a board-certified barber school.
Application and FeesFor information on application, registration, examination or fees, contact their testing vender PSI online at candidate.psiexams.com or by phone, 800-733-9267. License renewals can be done here.
Getting a Tennessee Shop/School License
For information on how to obtain a business license to operate a professional shop or school, please see the list of specific vocations below.
Tennessee Cosmetology School Hours
| Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist License | 1500 Hours |
| Natural Hairstylist License | 300 Hours |
| Master Barber License | 1500 Hours |
| Barber Technician License | 340 Hours |
| Esthetician License | 750 Hours |
| Nail Technician License | 600 Hours |
| Electrologist License | 600 Hours |
| Permanent Makeup Artist License | Must Have Tattoo Artist License |
| Cosmetology Instructor License | Cosmetology License + 300 Hours + 1 Year Junior Instruction |
| Barber Instructor License | Barber License For 3+ Years + 450 Hours |
| Massage Therapist License | 500 Hours |
Renewing Your Tennessee License
- To renew your license online, click here
- To view reciprocal information for both cosmetology and barber, click here
- To view examination information for both cosmetology and barber, click here.
In order to change your name, you may download the affidavit for name change by clicking here and remit to the mailing address below. Include a $10 application fee, your old license, and a copy of the legal document changing your name.
Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
Tennessee Dept. of Commerce and Insurance
Davey Crockett Tower, 4th Fl
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Address changes are now completed online through the CORE system. If you have not previously done so, you will be required to create a new account.
How do I register to take my State Board Exam?To schedule exams you must contact their testing vendor, PSI, at 800-733-9267.
When does my Cosmetology/Barber renewal take effect?When all required renewal fees have been paid in full, the renewal will take effect from the date the license expires.
I let my Cosmetology/Barber license expire. How do I have it reinstated?You may renew if your license has not been expired for three years or less and you will be required to pay a late fee. If your license has been expired for more than three years and pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. ยง 62-4-117(d) you are required to retake the law and practical portions of the exam and reapply. Please click the link here complete the Application to Test. Please be sure to read the Eligibility Verification of Entitlements Attestation and submit this page with the application as well, Eligibility Verification. Instructions for registering for the exam are included with the application.
How do I transfer my Cosmetology/Barber license to another state?Please print and complete the License Certification form. A $50 fee is required for processing. Request are processed in the order they are received. Return the form and fee to:
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
