This page provides information for Wisconsin license requirements including how to apply for a new license, renew an existing one, reactivate an expired license and Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Barbering and Cosmetology Examining Board.
Wisconsin Cosmetology License Verification
If you need to verify a license for a salon or person, then you can do so by visiting the Wisconsin 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.
Wisconsin Barber License
Fee ReductionPursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 319, beginning August 1, 2018, an applicant for an initial credential may apply for a reduction of the initial credential fee that is equal to 10% of the initial fee. Qualification is based on the federal adjusted gross income being at or below 180% of the federal poverty guideline prescribed for the applicant's family household size by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. To determine eligibility please visit the United States Department of Health and Human Services website at aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines, prior to submitting Form 3217.
Per Wisconsin State Statutes 440.08 (2), the required renewal date for the Barber credential is 03/31/odd years. Should you receive your initial credential in the months leading up to this date, you are still required to renew your license by the statutorily defined date.
Pre-Credential Education InformationThe applicant has graduated from high school or has attained high school graduation equivalency as determined by the Department of Public Instruction; is participating in a program approved by the Examining Board; or is at least 18 years old and meets the ability to benefit rule under 20 USC 1091 (d).
An applicant completes the following:A course of instruction in barbering of at least 1,000 training hours in a barbering school under Wis. Stat. § 440.62 (3)(ag) or accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the Department, in a school of cosmetology licensed under Wis. Stat. § 440.62 (3)(ar), or accrediting agency approved by the Cosmetology Examining Board, or a school that is exempted under Wis. Stat. § 440.61 or the applicant successfully completes an apprenticeship under Wis. Stat. § 454.26.
Application for LicensureIf you are not licensed in another state, you must schedule an appointment for examination with the Department's contracted vendor, DL Roope Administration Inc.
Application for Licensure by EndorsementPursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 81, all one-hour courses for endorsement applicants on Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code relating to the practice of Cosmetology should be submitted for review to DSPSExaminationsOffice@wisconsin.gov.
List of Currently Approved Courses
- Certification of Training
- Apprentice Theory Certification of Training
- Apprentice Practical Certification of Training
- Application for Barber Licensure by Endorsement
- Verification of Licensure
- Application for Predetermination
A person whose license has been expired for more than 5 years is required to pass the current licensing examination (written and practical) to demonstrate minimum competency in services and subjects substantially related to practice and public health and safety.
To request an approval letter to take the examination, please call or send an email to the Department with the following information: your name (prior names if your name has changed), your license number and your current address. You will be required to submit the reinstatement fee to the Department of Safety & Professional Services after passing the examination.
Renewal Information Requirements- Fee
- If your legal status as a qualified alien or nonimmigrant lawfully present in the United States has changed since the issuance of your credential or your last renewal, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services at 608-266-2112 or dsps@wisconsin.gov
- SIG (sigature attesting to having reviewed the Digest detailing changes brought forth by Act 81)
- Online Log In: License Renewal Online
- Request a Paper Renewal Form: 888-506‑4239 or 608-261‑4460 for the Madison area
Wisconsin Cosmetology License
Fee ReductionPursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 319, beginning August 1, 2018, an applicant for an initial credential may apply for a reduction of the initial credential fee that is equal to 10% of the initial fee. Qualification is based on the federal adjusted gross income being at or below 180% of the federal poverty guideline prescribed for the applicant's family household size by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. To determine eligibility please visit the United States Department of Health and Human Services website at aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines, prior to submitting Form 3217.
Per Wis. Stat. § 440.08 (2), the required renewal date for the Cosmetologist credential is 03/31/odd years. Should you receive your initial credential in the months leading up to this date, you are still required to renew your license by the statutorily defined date.
Pre-Credential Education Information
The applicant has graduated from high school or has attained high school graduation equivalency as determined by the Department of Public Instruction; is participating in a program approved by the Examining Board; or is at least 18 years old and meets the ability to benefit rule under 20 USC 1091 (d). An applicant completes the following:
A course of instruction in cosmetology of at least 1550 training hours in not less than 10 months in a school of cosmetology licensed under Wis. Stat. § 440.62 (3)(ar) or (b), exempted under Wis. Stat. § 440.61, or accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the Board or has successfully completed an apprenticeship under Wis. Stat. § 454.10.
Application for LicensureIf you are not licensed in another state, you must schedule an appointment for examination with the Department's contracted vendor, DL Roope Administration Inc.
Application for Licensure by EndorsementPursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 81, all one-hour courses for endorsement applicants on Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code relating to the practice of Cosmetology should be submitted for review to DSPSExaminationsOffice@wisconsin.gov. Endorsement applications must undergo statute review, please contact the department for additional information regarding the review and timeline at dspscredbac@wisconsin.gov.
List of Currently Approved Courses
Application by Reinstatement (License Expired Five Years or More)A person whose license has been expired for more than 5 years is required to pass the current licensing examination (written and practical) to demonstrate minimum competency in services and subjects substantially related to practice and public health and safety.
To request an approval letter to take the examination, please call or send an email to the Department with the following information: your name (prior names if your name has changed), your license number and your current address. You will be required to submit the reinstatement fee to the Department of Safety & Professional Services after passing the examination.
Renewal Information Requirements- Fee (See Renewal Dates and Fees)
- If your legal status as a qualified alien or nonimmigrant lawfully present in the United States has changed since the issuance of your credential or your last renewal, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services at (608) 266-2112 or dsps@wisconsin.gov
- SIG (signature attesting to having reviewed the Digest detailing changes brought forth by Act 81)
- Online Log In: License Renewal Online
- Request a Paper Renewal Form: 888-506‑4239 or 608-261‑4460 for the Madison area
Wisconsin Manicurist License
Fee ReductionPursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 319, beginning August 1, 2018, an applicant for an initial credential may apply for a reduction of the initial credential fee that is equal to 10% of the initial fee. Qualification is based on the federal adjusted gross income being at or below 180% of the federal poverty guideline prescribed for the applicant's family household size by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. To determine eligibility please visit the United States Department of Health and Human Services website at aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines, prior to submitting Form 3217.
Per Wis. Stat. § 440.08 (2), the required renewal date for the Manicurist credential is 03/31/odd years. Should you receive your initial credential in the months leading up to this date, you are still required to renew your license by the statutorily defined date.
Pre-Credential Education InformationThe applicant has graduated from high school or has attained high school graduation equivalency as determined by the Department of Public Instruction; is participating in a program approved by the Examining Board; or is at least 18 years old and meets the ability to benefit rule under 20 USC 1091 (d).
An applicant completes at least one of the following:
- A course of instruction in manicuring of at least 300 training hours in not less than 7 weeks and not more than 20 weeks, in a school of cosmetology or a school of manicuring licensed under Wis. Stat. § 440.62 (3)(a) or (d), exempted under Wis. Stat. § 440.61, or accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the Board
- At least 300 training hours in not less than 7 weeks and not more than 20 weeks under the supervision of a cosmetology instructor or manicuring instructor certified under Wis. Stat. § 440.63 (3)(am) or (b) or a licensed cosmetology manager, in a licensed establishment that is also licensed as a specialty school of manicuring under Wis. Stat. § 440.62 (4)(c). All training hours must be obtained in a licensed establishment licensed under Wis. Stat. § 440.62(3)(ar)
If you are not licensed in another state, you must schedule an appointment for examination with the Department's contracted vendor, DL Roope Administration Inc.
Application for Licensure by EndorsementPursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 81, all one-hour courses for endorsement applicants on Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code relating to the practice of Cosmetology should be submitted for review to DSPSExaminationsOffice@wisconsin.gov.
List of Currently Approved Courses
- Certification of Training
- Application for Licensure by Endorsement
- Verification of Licensure
- Application for Predetermination
A person whose license has been expired for more than five years is required to pass the current licensing examination (written and practical) to demonstrate minimum competency in services and subjects substantially related to practice and public health and safety.
To request an approval letter to take the examination, please call or send an email to the Department with the following information: your name (prior names if your name has changed), your license number and your current address. You will be required to submit the reinstatement fee to the Department of Safety and Professional Services after passing the examination.
Renewal Information Requirements- Fee (See Renewal Dates and Fees)
- If your legal status as a qualified alien or nonimmigrant lawfully present in the United States has changed since the issuance of your credential or your last renewal, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services at (608) 266-2112 or dsps@wisconsin.gov
- SIG (signature attesting to having reviewed the Digest detailing changes brought forth by Act 81)
- Online Log In: License Renewal Online
- Request a Paper Renewal Form: 888-506‑4239 or 608-261‑4460 for the Madison area
Wisconsin Aesthetician License Information
Fee ReductionPursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 319, beginning August 1, 2018, an applicant for an initial credential may apply for a reduction of the initial credential fee that is equal to 10% of the initial fee. Qualification is based on the federal adjusted gross income being at or below 180% of the federal poverty guideline prescribed for the applicant's family household size by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. To determine eligibility please visit the United States Department of Health and Human Services website prior to submitting Form 3217.
Per Wis. Stat. § 440.08(2), the required renewal date for the Aesthetician credential is 03/31/odd years. Should you receive your initial credential in the months leading up to this date, you are still required to renew your license by the statutorily defined date.
Pre-Credential Education InformationThe applicant has graduated from high school or has attained high school graduation equivalency as determined by the Department of Public Instruction; is participating in a program approved by the Examining Board; or is at least 18 years old and meets the ability to benefit rule under 20 USC 1091 (d). An applicant completes at least one of the following:
A course of instruction in aesthetics of at least 450 training hours in not less than 11 weeks and not more than 30 weeks, in a school of cosmetology or a school of aesthetics licensed under Wis. Stat. § 440.62 (3)(ar) or (b), exempted under Wis. Stat. § 440.61, or accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the Board.
At least 450 training hours in not less than 11 weeks and not more than 30 weeks under the supervision of a cosmetology instructor or aesthetics instructor certified under Wis. Stat. § 440.63 (3)(am) or (b) or a licensed cosmetology manager, in a licensed establishment that is also licensed as a specialty school of aesthetics under Wis. Stat. § 440.62 (4)(a). All training hours must be obtained in a licensed establishment licensed under Wis. Stat. § 440.62(3)(ar).
Application for LicensureIf you are not licensed in another state, you must schedule an appointment for examination with the Department's contracted vendor, DL Roope Administration Inc.
Application for Licensure by EndorsementPursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 81, all one-hour courses for endorsement applicants on Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code relating to the practice of Cosmetology should be submitted for review to DSPSExaminationsOffice@wisconsin.gov.
List of Currently Approved Courses
- Certification of Training
- Application for Licensure by Endorsement
- Verification of Licensure
- Application for Predetermination
A person whose license has been expired for more than five years is required to pass the current licensing examination (written and practical) to demonstrate minimum competency in services and subjects substantially related to practice and public health and safety.
To request an approval letter to take the examination, please call or send an email to the Department with the following information: your name (prior names if your name has changed), your license number, and your current address. You will be required to submit the reinstatement fee to the Department of Safety & Professional Services after passing the examination.
Renewal Information Requirements- Fee (See Renewal Dates and Fees)
- If your legal status as a qualified alien or nonimmigrant lawfully present in the United States has changed since the issuance of your credential or your last renewal, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services at 608-266-2112 or dsps@wisconsin.gov
- SIG (signature attesting to having reviewed the Digest detailing changes brought forth by Act 81)
- Online Log In: License Renewal Online
- Request a Paper Renewal Form: 888-506‑4239 or 608-261‑4460 for the Madison area
Wisconsin Electrologist License Information
Fee ReductionPursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 319, beginning August 1, 2018, an applicant for an initial credential may apply for a reduction of the initial credential fee that is equal to 10% of the initial fee. Qualification is based on the federal adjusted gross income being at or below 180% of the federal poverty guideline prescribed for the applicant's family household size by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. To determine eligibility please visit the United States Department of Health and Human Services website at aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines, prior to submitting Form 3217.
Per Wis. Stat. § 440.08 (2), the required renewal date for the Electrologist credential is 03/31/odd years. Should you receive your initial credential in the months leading up to this date, you are still required to renew your license by the statutorily defined date.
Pre-Credential Education Information
The applicant has graduated from high school or has attained high school graduation equivalency as determined by the Department of Public Instruction; is participating in a program approved by the Examining Board; or is at least 18 years old and meets the ability to benefit rule under 20 USC 1091 (d). An applicant completes at least one of the following:
- A course of instruction in electrology of at least 450 training hours in not less than 11 weeks and not more than 30 weeks, in a school of cosmetology or a school of electrology licensed under Wis. Stat. § 440.62(3)(ar) or (c), exempted under Wis. Stat. § 440.61, or accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the Board
- At least 450 training hours in not less than 11 weeks and not more than 30 weeks under the supervision of a electrology instructor certified under Wis. Stat. § 440.63 (3)(am) or (c), or a licensed electorologist who is licensed as a cosmetology manager, in a licensed establishment that is also licensed as a specialty school of electrology under Wis. Stat. §440.62 (4)(b). All training hours must be obtained in a licensed establishment licensed under Wis. Stat. § 440.62 (3)(ar)
If you are not licensed in another state, you must schedule an appointment for examination with the Department's contracted vendor, DL Roope Administration Inc.
Application for Licensure by EndorsementPursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 81, all one-hour courses for endorsement applicants on Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code relating to the practice of Cosmetology should be submitted for review to DSPSExaminationsOffice@wisconsin.gov.
List of Currently Approved Courses
- Certification of Training
- Application for Licensure by Endorsement
- Verification of Licensure
- Verification of Self-Employment
- Application for Predetermination
A person whose license has been expired for more than 5 years is required to pass the current licensing examination (written and practical) to demonstrate minimum competency in services and subjects substantially related to practice and public health and safety.
To request an approval letter to take the examination, please call or send an email to the Department with the following information: your name (prior names if your name has changed), your license number and your current address. You will be required to submit the reinstatement fee to the Department of Safety & Professional Services after passing the examination.
Renewal Information Requirements- Fee (See Renewal Dates and Fees)
- If your legal status as a qualified alien or nonimmigrant lawfully present in the United States has changed since the issuance of your credential or your last renewal, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services at 608-266-2112 or dsps@wisconsin.gov.
- SIG (signature attesting to having reviewed the Digest detailing changes brought forth by Act 81)
- Online Log In: License Renewal Online
- Request a Paper Renewal Form: 888-506‑4239 or 608-261‑4460 for the Madison area
Renew Wisconsin License
You should be able to renew your license using their online system.
Wisconsin Cosmetology School Hours
| Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist License | 1800 Hours (4000 Hours Apprenticeship) |
| Barber License | Coming Soon |
| Esthetician License | 450 Hours |
| Nail Technician License | 300 Hours (300 Hours Apprenticeship) |
| Permanent Makeup Artist License | Contact Department Of Health Tattooing Dept. |
| Electrologist License | 450 Hours |
| Cosmetology Instructor License | License + 150 Hours + 2000 Hours Work Experience |
| Massage Therapist License | 600 Hours |
