Louisiana Cosmetology License Requirements
Updated
Licenses in Louisiana are issued and regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology. This page covers what it takes to get licensed, what renewal costs, how the board handles license transfers, and how to reach it.
Training Hours
1,500 hrs
Minimum Age
16 years old
Exam Provider
LSBC / NIC (via IQT Testing)
Application Fee
$35
Renewal Fee
$35
Renewal Period
1 year
CE Hours Required
None
Renewal Portal
Renew Online ↗License Lookup
How to Verify a License →The Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology
Phone
(225) 756-3404Official Website
Official Site ↗Mailing Address
Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology
11622 Sunbelt Court
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Renewal Portal
Renew Online ↗Complaints
File a Complaint ↗The Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology regulates, controls, and monitors the cosmetology industry to protect public health and welfare, ensuring that licensees meet the state's educational requirements and maintain sanitary, professional standards while serving the public. The LSBC licenses cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, teachers (instructors), managers, and a range of specialty permits, along with salons, booth renters, and cosmetology schools. Barbering is regulated by a separate agency, the Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners, so barbers do not hold licenses through the LSBC.
The board's office is at 11622 Sunbelt Court, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Licensees and the public can reach the office at (225) 756-3404, or toll-free at 866-257-7901; the fax line is (225) 756-3410. The board can also be reached by email at lsbc@la.gov. The LSBC does not publish standard walk-in office hours; most licensing, renewal, and complaint activity is handled by mail, fax, phone, or the board's online payment portal.
The board maintains a public license-lookup tool on its website so consumers can verify whether a cosmetologist, esthetician, manicurist, or salon holds an active Louisiana license. In accordance with state law, the LSBC also accepts written complaints against its licensees and, where warranted, opens an investigation that can lead to a fine, probation, suspension, revocation, or a cease-and-desist order.
Louisiana recognizes several personal license disciplines under the LSBC: Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Manicurist, and Teacher (Instructor), plus a Manager certificate for cosmetologists who run a shop in the owner's absence. The board also issues specialty permits — including Booth Rental, Shampoo Assistant, Alternative Hair Design, Threading, Microdermabrasion, and Temporary permits — and certificates for salons, specialty facilities, and schools. Personal licenses renew annually on the licensee's date of birth, while shops, booth renters, managers, and schools renew annually by a fixed calendar date. Louisiana does not require continuing education to renew a cosmetology, esthetics, or manicuring license; only teachers must complete continuing education to keep their teaching certificate current.
How to Get a Cosmetology License in Louisiana
Louisiana requires 1,500 hours of cosmetology training and passage of three examinations (NIC national written, Louisiana state written, and LSBC practical) before you can receive your cosmetologist license. The Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology administers its own examinations directly.
- Meet the age requirement. You must be at least 16 years old. A high school diploma or GED is not required by the Board, though many schools set their own admissions standards.
- Enroll in an LSBC-approved cosmetology school. Confirm your school is licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology. A list of approved schools is available on the LSBC website.
- Complete 1,500 hours of training. Your school submits all required documentation to the Board office upon completion, including registration reports and financial clearance.
- Your school schedules your examinations. Schools submit paperwork to LSBC requesting exam dates. You will receive a clearance letter through your school within 7–10 business days.
- Pass the NIC National Theory Exam. Register at iqttesting.com and pay the $83 fee. This is a 110-item, 90-minute multiple-choice exam. Score of 70% required.
- Pass the Louisiana State Law Exam. Administered by LSBC. Fee: $25. Covers Louisiana cosmetology statutes and regulations from the Goldbook.
- Pass the LSBC Practical Exam. Administered at the Board office in Baton Rouge. Fee: $25. Four phases testing chemical placement, haircutting, set/comb out, and wet works on mannequin heads.
- Receive your initial license. Your license ($35) is mailed to your school after passing all exams. Louisiana cosmetology licenses renew annually.
Training Requirements
Louisiana cosmetology schools must be licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology. The 1,500-hour cosmetologist curriculum covers these required subject areas:
- Hair care and chemical services: Cutting, coloring, permanent waving, relaxing, lightening, foil highlights, and styling techniques
- Skin care: Facials, makeup application, skin analysis, and hair removal
- Nail services: Manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements
- Sanitation and infection control: Disinfection, sterilization, OSHA standards, and blood exposure procedures
- Louisiana state laws: Board rules and regulations from the Goldbook (LAC 46:XXXI), licensing requirements, scope of practice, and salon regulations
- Professional practices: Client consultation, salon management, and safety procedures
Some schools may require more than the 1,500 minimum hours. Hours are valid for 6 years from enrollment — if you do not complete the mandatory hours within 6 years, they become invalid. Students may transfer between schools, though the receiving school determines how many previously earned hours to accept.
Louisiana also offers separate curricula for specialty licenses: Esthetician (750 hours), Manicurist (500 hours), and Instructor training. Contact the Board or visit the schools page for detailed course offerings at each approved institution.
Cosmetology Exam Requirements
Louisiana requires three separate examinations for cosmetology licensure: the NIC National Theory Exam, the Louisiana State Law Exam, and the LSBC Practical Exam. The Board administers the state and practical exams directly — they are not outsourced to a third-party testing vendor.
NIC National Theory Exam — $83
The National Cosmetology Theory Examination is developed by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) and administered via IQT Testing. The exam consists of 110 items (100 scored) with a 90-minute time limit. Content breakdown: Scientific Concepts (35%), Hair Care and Services (45%), Skin Care and Services (10%), and Nail Care and Services (10%). Available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Score of 70% required to pass.
Louisiana State Law Exam — $25
Administered by LSBC, this written exam covers Louisiana cosmetology statutes and the Board's rules and regulations as published in the Goldbook (LAC 46:XXXI). Score of 70% required.
LSBC Practical Exam — $25
The practical exam is administered by LSBC at 11622 Sunbelt Court, Baton Rouge. You must arrive by 8:30 AM (9:00 AM cutoff, no exceptions). The exam has four phases performed on mannequin heads (no live models):
- Phase 1: Set & Comb Out (20 minutes) — Roller set and styled comb out demonstrating form and balance
- Phase 2: Wet Works (30 minutes) — Roller placement (on-base, half off-base, off-base, in a shaping), brush waves with alternating pincurls, and diagonal skip waves
- Phase 3: Chemical Placement (50 minutes) — Permanent wave (front left), foil highlights (front right), color retouch, relaxer retouch (back left), and virgin bleach (back right)
- Phase 4: 90° Haircut (40 minutes) — Uniform-layer haircut cutting at least 1 inch, final length between 3–7 inches
Retakes
If you fail any portion, you retake only the failed phase. Retake fee is $25 per exam ($50 if retaking both national and state written exams). Your school must submit a retake application on your behalf. Exam results are processed within 10 business days and sent to the school — LSBC does not release results directly to students.
How to Renew Your Louisiana Cosmetology License
$35
Renewal Fee
1 year (birthday)
Renewal Period
Louisiana is one of a small number of states with annual cosmetology license renewal. Your license expires every year. No continuing education hours are required for cosmetologists, estheticians, or manicurists — only instructors must complete 16 hours of Board-approved CE annually.
How to Renew
- Online payment: Pay through PayStar, the Board's authorized online payment processor.
- By mail: Download the License Renewal Form, complete it, and mail with payment (money order, cashier's check, or personal check) to: LSBC, 11622 Sunbelt Court, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.
Renewal Fees (Effective August 1, 2025)
- Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Manicurist, Instructor, Manager: $35
- Booth Rental, Shampoo Assistant, Alternative Hair Design, Threading, Microdermabrasion, Temporary Permit: $50
- Salon/Shop: $55
- School Renewal: $190
Late Renewal and Restoration
Renewal notices are mailed before your expiration date. If your license lapses, you must pay the renewal fee plus a late penalty. If expired more than 3 years (36 months), a restoration exam is required before reinstatement — contact (225) 756-3404 ext. 215 for scheduling and fees. Practicing on an expired license violates Louisiana law and can result in fines and license revocation.
Address Changes
If you have moved, submit an Address Change Form to ensure you receive renewal notices at your current address.
Does Louisiana Take Part in the Cosmetology Licensure Compact?
Not a member stateLouisiana has not enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. The compact is an agreement among 12 states to recognize one another's cosmetology licenses through a single multistate license, and a state has to pass it into law before its licensees can take part.
In practical terms, that means a Louisiana license cannot be converted into a multistate license, and a multistate license issued elsewhere will not authorize you to work in Louisiana. If you are moving into or out of Louisiana, you will go through the normal reciprocity or endorsement route: applying directly to the receiving state's board, documenting your training hours, and meeting whatever additional requirements that state sets.
It is worth noting that even in the 12 states that have enacted the compact, multistate licenses are not being issued yet — the Commission is still building the system that will administer them. So at the moment, a Louisiana licensee is not at a practical disadvantage compared with one in a member state.
Other Compact member states
Licenses the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology Regulates
| License | Training Hours | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cosmetologist |
1,500 hrs | $35 | $35 |
|
Esthetician |
750 hrs | $35 | $35 |
|
Manicurist |
500 hrs | $35 | $35 |
|
Teacher (Instructor) |
500 hrs | $35 | $35 |
|
Manager |
— | $35 | $35 |
|
Booth Rental Permit |
— | $50 | $50 |
|
Shampoo Assistant Permit |
— | $50 | $50 |
|
Alternative Hair Design Permit |
— | $50 | $50 |
|
Threading Permit |
— | $50 | $50 |
|
Microdermabrasion Permit |
— | $50 | $50 |
|
Temporary Permit |
— | $50 | $50 |
|
Salon/Shop License |
— | $55 | $55 |
|
School License |
— | $340 | $190 |
Notes
Cosmetologist: Full scope: hair, skin, and nails.
Manicurist: Louisiana's nail technician license.
Teacher (Instructor): Requires 16 hours of board-approved continuing education every two years to stay active.
Manager: Registered cosmetologist, esthetician, or manicurist who runs a shop when the owner is absent.
Alternative Hair Design Permit: Covers hair braiding and related alternative hair design services.
Salon/Shop License: A separate $50 initial inspection fee also applies to new salons.
Other Cosmetology License Types in Louisiana
The Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology issues individual licenses, specialty permits, and establishment licenses. Training hour requirements and annual renewal fees are listed below.
| License Type | Training Hours | Annual Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,500 | $35 |
| Esthetician | 750 | $35 |
| Manicurist | 500 | $35 |
| Instructor (Cosmetology, Esthetics, or Manicure) | Varies + active license | $35 |
| Manager | Active cosmetologist license | $35 |
| Shampoo Assistant | Permit only | $50 |
| Alternative Hair Design | Permit only | $50 |
| Threading | Permit only | $50 |
| Microdermabrasion | Permit only | $50 |
| Booth Rental | Active license required | $50 |
All individual license types require passage of a national written exam via IQT Testing, a Louisiana state law written exam, and a practical exam administered by LSBC (specific practical exam content varies by license type). Instructors must also complete 16 hours of Board-approved continuing education annually — this is the only license type with a CE requirement.
Louisiana also requires separate establishment licenses: Salon/Shop ($55/year), Threading Facility ($50/year), Alternative Hair Design Facility ($50/year), and School ($190/year renewal, $340 initial opening fee). All fees effective August 1, 2025.
File a Complaint
The Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology investigates complaints against its licensees — cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, teachers, managers, salons, and schools — for issues such as sanitation violations, unlicensed practice, and other violations of Louisiana cosmetology law and the board's administrative rules. Complaints about barbers fall under the separate Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners rather than the LSBC.
To file a complaint, a consumer downloads and completes the board's Complaint Form, which asks for the respondent's name and employer, the complainant's contact information, the date and location of the alleged violation, and a written statement of facts, along with any supporting documentation. The complaint must be signed and mailed or otherwise submitted to the board office; it is not filed anonymously, though the board states a complainant's identity will remain confidential unless they are required to testify in a hearing.
Once received, a complaint is reviewed internally and either assigned for inspection, investigated further, or dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. Because of complaint volume, investigations can take time to complete, but the board notifies complainants of the final action taken. Outcomes can include a fine, probation, suspension, revocation, or an order to cease and desist. Complainants who are not satisfied with how the board handled a complaint about its own actions or procedures may also submit that concern to the Louisiana Legislature's House or Senate Governmental Affairs committees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours does Louisiana require for a cosmetology license? +
Louisiana requires 1,500 hours at an LSBC-approved school. Esthetician requires 750 hours, Manicurist requires 500 hours. Hours are valid for 6 years.
What exams are required for a Louisiana cosmetology license? +
Three exams: NIC National Theory ($83 via IQT Testing), Louisiana State Law ($25), and LSBC Practical ($25). All require 70% to pass. Your school schedules the exams.
How much does it cost total to get a Louisiana cosmetology license? +
Total fees are $168: NIC National written ($83) + State written ($25) + Practical ($25) + Initial license ($35). Retakes cost $25 per portion.
Does Louisiana require continuing education for license renewal? +
No. Only instructors need 16 hours of CE annually. Cosmetologists, estheticians, and manicurists simply pay the $35 annual renewal fee.
Can I transfer my cosmetology license from another state to Louisiana? +
Yes. Submit a reciprocity application, license verification from your state, pay fees, and pass Louisiana state and practical exams. Military members may qualify under the Welcome Home Act.
What is the Louisiana cosmetology practical exam like? +
Four phases on mannequin heads at the Baton Rouge office: Set & Comb Out (20 min), Wet Works (30 min), Chemical Placement (50 min), and 90° Haircut (40 min). Arrive by 8:30 AM. No live models, no phones.
Is Louisiana part of the Cosmetology Licensure Compact? +
No. Louisiana has not enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. 12 states have enacted it so far.
Can I get a multistate cosmetology license right now? +
Not yet. 12 states have passed the compact into law, but the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission has not started issuing multistate licenses. Until it does, transferring a license between states still goes through each state board's reciprocity or endorsement process.
How do I transfer a cosmetology license to Louisiana today? +
Through the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology's reciprocity or endorsement process, not the compact. You will typically need proof of licensure in good standing from your current state, documentation of your training hours, and the application fee set by Louisiana. Requirements differ by state, so check the board's current instructions before applying.
How much does it cost to renew a Louisiana cosmetology license? +
Cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, teachers, and managers all renew for a flat $35 a year. Louisiana does not require continuing education to renew, except that teachers must complete 16 hours of approved continuing education every two years to keep their teaching certificate active.
When does my Louisiana cosmetology license expire? +
Personal licenses (cosmetologist, esthetician, manicurist, teacher) must be renewed on or before the licensee's date of birth each year and expire 30 days after the birthday if not renewed. Shops, booth renters, managers, and schools instead renew by January 31 each year and expire March 1 if not renewed.
How do I renew or restore an expired Louisiana cosmetology license? +
Renew online through the board's PayStar payment portal or by mail with the License Renewal Form and payment. If a license has been expired more than three years, the holder must pass a 25-question restoration exam, given at the board office Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and pay a restoration fee.
What license types does the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology regulate? +
The LSBC licenses Cosmetologists, Estheticians, Manicurists, Teachers, and Managers, plus permits for booth rental, shampoo assisting, alternative hair design, threading, microdermabrasion, and temporary work, along with salons and schools. Barbers are licensed separately by the Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners.
How do I contact the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology? +
Call (225) 756-3404, or toll-free at 866-257-7901. The board's office is at 11622 Sunbelt Court, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, and it can also be reached by fax at (225) 756-3410 or by email at lsbc@la.gov.
How do I file a complaint against a Louisiana salon or cosmetologist? +
Download and complete the board's Complaint Form, sign it, and mail it to the LSBC office along with any supporting documentation. Complaints are not anonymous, though the board keeps a complainant's identity confidential unless they are required to testify.
Helpful Resources
Louisiana Esthetician License Requirements
Training hours, exam providers, fees, and renewal periods for an Louisiana Esthetician license.
Learn more →Louisiana Nail Technician License Requirements
Training hours, exam providers, fees, and renewal periods for a Louisiana Nail Technician license.
Learn more →Louisiana Barber License Requirements
Training hours, exam providers, fees, and renewal periods for a Louisiana Barber license.
Learn more →License Reciprocity
Already licensed elsewhere? See how endorsement and reciprocity work for Louisiana.
Learn more →Louisiana Cosmetology License Lookup
How to verify a Louisiana license: what you can search by, and what each status means.
Learn more →Continuing Education
See how many CE hours the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology requires before you can renew.
Learn more →License Renewal
Renewal fees, deadlines, and CE requirements for Louisiana and every other state.
Learn more →Compare Other States
Licensing rules change at the state line. These states either border Louisiana or line up with it on training hours or the exam you would sit — useful whether you are planning a move or weighing where to train.