This page provides information for Vermont license requirements including how to apply for a new license, renew an existing one, reactivate an expired license and Vermont 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 Vermont Board of Barbers & Cosmetologists.

Vermont Cosmetology License Verification

If you need to verify a license for a salon or person, then you can do so by visiting the Vermont 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.

Application Instructions for Your Initial Vermont License

To streamline the application process, please have relevant documents scanned and available to upload. If you already hold a Vermont license in this profession and are applying to add the Instructor endorsement, use the Add A Specialty link within your online account. Select one of the paths to licensure below.

Examination: First Time Applicants

You must submit the following:

  • Your Vermont online application
  • Non-refundable application fee paid with credit card, debit card or ACH (savings or checking account)
  • Scanned copy of high school diploma or GED. You must be at least 18 years of age.
  • If your training was at a school, evidence of the actual number of professional training hours completed
    • Vermont requires: 1,000 hours for Barber; 1,500 hours for Cosmetologists, 600 hours for Esthetician and 400 hours for Nail Technician
    • Scanned copy of your professional training Course Completion Certificate or Verification of Education form submitted directly by your school
  • If your training was as an apprentice, evidence of the actual number of professional training hours completed
    • Vermont requires: 2,000 hours for Barber, 1,500 hours for Cosmetologists, 800 hours for Esthetician and 600 hours for Nail Technician
    • Scanned completed Apprentice Verification form, signed by you and your supervisor or have the form submitted directly by your supervisor
  • Once your application is complete, you will be given information to register with PCS (Professional Credential
    Service) to take your Jurisprudence, Practical and Written examination
Endorsement: Applicants currently licensed in another state

To qualify, an applicant must be licensed or certified in good standing in another state or jurisdiction in which the standards and qualifications required for regulation in that jurisdiction are substantially equivalent to Vermont's. You must submit the following:

  • Your Vermont online application
  • Non-refundable application fee paid with credit card, debit card, or ACH (savings or checking account)
  • Enter all states where you have been or are currently licensed
  • Verification of your licensure submitted directly from your original state of licensure and from your most recent state of licensure, if different
  • Scanned copy of high school diploma or GED. You must be at least 18 years of age
  • Experience Options:
    • A. You have been in active practice for at least three years immediately preceding your application. Have your out of state supervisor(s) complete an Affidavit of Experience form(s), then upload it with your application
    • B. You have 2,000 documented hours of practice in not less than one year. Have your out of state supervisor(s) complete an Affidavit of Experience form(s), then upload it with your application
  • Education Options: If you do not meet one of the Experience options above, you must meet one of the education options:
    • A. If your training was at a school, evidence of the actual number of professional training hours completed. Vermont requires: 1,000 hours for Barber; 1,500 hours for Cosmetologists; 600 hours for Esthetician; and 400 hours for Nail Technician. Scanned copy of your professional training Course Completion Certificate, OR Verification of Education form submitted directly by your school.
    • B. If your training was as an apprentice, evidence of the actual number of professional training hours completed.Vermont requires: 2,000 hours for Barber; 2,000 hours for Cosmetologists; 800 hours for Esthetician; and 600 hours for Nail Technician
    • Scanned completed Apprentice Verification form, signed by you and your supervisor, or have the form submitted directly by your supervisor

Incomplete applications will not be processed. Applications are complete only when all required questions have been answered fully, all attestations made, all required documentation and materials provided, and all fees paid. The Office may refuse to accept any application found to be redundant with a denied or in-process application.

Application Instructions for Your Initial Apprentice Vermont License

For registration you must submit the following:

  • Your Vermont online application
  • Non-refundable application fee paid with credit card, debit card, or ACH (savings or checking account)
  • Scanned copy of completed Verification of Supervising for Apprentices form submitted directly by your requested supervisor
    • Your supervisor must hold a Vermont license type associated with your apprenticeship
Apprentice Vermont Licensed Supervisor
Barber Barber
Cosmetologist Cosmetologist
Nail Technician Cosmetologist or Nail Technician
Esthetician Cosmetologist or Esthetician

Incomplete applications will not be processed. Applications are complete only when all required questions have been
answered fully, all attestations made, all required documentation and materials provided, and all fees paid. The Office may refuse to accept any application found to be redundant with a denied or in-process application.

Applying for Initial Vermont License or Renewing

The Office of Professional Regulation no longer accepts paper applications. Click here to access the onine system that allows you to do the following:

  • Apply for an individual or business license
  • Check the status of your application
  • Renew a license (renewals open 6 weeks prior to the expiration date)
  • Request an official verification
  • Submit continuing education requests
  • Lookup an individual licensee or generate a roster for a profession
  • Search approved courses
  • File a complaint on a licensee
  • and more...
How do I verify a license?

Licenses can be verified free of charge by visiting our Licensee Lookup database. This database serves as primary source verification of education, training, and examination history. To request an official hard copy verification to be sent to another state or jurisdiction, please log in to the online licensing account associated with your license.

How do I check the status of my application or renewal?

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging in to the online licensing platform using the user id and password associated to your account and selecting View Applications. Then click Pending Applications.

How do I update my name, address and email address free of charge?

You may update your contact information by logging in to your online licensing account with the user ID and password associated with your account. Click update profile. Vermont law requires that OPR licensees and applicants notify the office within 30 days of a change of name or address. 3 V.S.A. ยง 129a(a)(14).

OPR no longer uses postal mail to send notices and renewal reminders. All licensees must provide a current, accurate email address. If you fail to provide an email address, or to monitor the email address you provide, critical information about your license may not reach you.

Vermont Cosmetology School Hours

Type Requirements
Cosmetologist License 1500 Hours
Barber License 1000 Hours
Esthetician License 600 Hours
Master Esthetician License 1200 Hours
Nail Technician License 400 Hours (900 Hours Apprenticeship)
Electrologist License 600 Hours
Cosmetology Instructor License Cosmetology License + 3 Years Active Work Experience + Instructor Exam
Massage Therapist License Varies By Municipality
Forms/Applications

Below is a list of documents/applications. If you cannot find what you are looking for in this list, then visit the Forms and Instructions section on the state boards website.

Barber Cosmetologists Estheticians Nail Technicians Shops