Michigan Cosmetology License Requirements

This page provides information for Michigan license requirements including how to apply for a new license, renew an existing one, reactivate an expired license and Michigan 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 Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

Michigan Cosmetology License Verification

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

Michigan Cosmetology Licensing

For all licensing applicants:

• Applicants must pass the required theory and practical examination administered by PSI Services, LLC (PSI). You may contact PSI to schedule your exam by visiting www.psiexams.com or by calling PSI at 800-733-9267
• Applicants requesting a cosmetology, manicurist, esthetician, natural hair culturist, or electrologist license must submit an application at www.michigan.gov/mylicense along with the appropriate fee
• Applicants requesting an instructor license must submit an Instructor License Application along with the appropriate fee. The application can be found at www.michigan.gov/cosmetology

Eligibility for Licensing

Cosmetology license requirements:

• Be least 17 years of age
• Be of good moral character
• Have an education equivalent to the completion of the 9th grade
• Complete not less than 1,500 hours of cosmetology training in a licensed school of cosmetology or performs a 2-year apprenticeship program within a licensed cosmetology establishment

Manicurist, esthetician, natural hair culturists, or electrologist license requirements:

• Be least 17 years of age (18 years of age for an electrologist)
• Be of good moral character
• Have an education equivalent to the completion of the 9th grade
• Complete not less than 400 hours of training in a licensed school of cosmetology or performs a 6-month apprenticeship program within a licensed cosmetology establishment. 400 hours of training for a natural hair culturist must be over a period of at least 3 months

Cosmetology instructor license requirements:

• Be of good moral character
• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Have a current Michigan cosmetology license
• Have at least 3 years of practical experience in natural hair cultivation, hair care service, skin care services and manicuring services, at least 1 year of which shall be in a cosmetology establishment
• Completed not less than 500 hours of instructor training and passed the theory and practical examination administered by PSI

Electrology instructor license requirements:

• Be of good moral character
• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Have a current Michigan electrologist license
• Have at least 3 years of practical experience in electrology, at least 1 year of which shall be in a cosmetology establishment holding a limited license for the practice of electrology
• Completed not less than 300 hours of instructor training and have passed the theory and practical examination administered by PSI

Limited instructor's license requirements:

• Be of good moral character
• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Have a current Michigan cosmetologist or electrologist license and
• If licensed as cosmetologist must have completed not less than 500 hours or instructor training or
• If licensed as an electrologist must have completed not less than 300 hours of instructor training. And have passed the theory and practical examination administered by PSI

Limited specialist instructor's license requirements:

• Be of good moral character
• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Have completed not less than 300 hours of instructor training and have passed the theory and practical examination administered by PSI. The specialist instructor's license shall limit the instruction given by that individual to only the service in which he or she is licensed

Renewing a Michigan License

Cosmetologist, Cosmetology Instructor, Limited Cosmetology Instructor, Electrologist, Electrology Instructor, Limited Electrology Instructor, Esthetician, Esthetician Limited Specialist Instructor, Natural Hair Culturist, Natural Hair Culturist Limited Specialist Instructor, Manicurist, Manicurist Limited Specialist Instructor

Cosmetologist, Cosmetology Instructor, Limited Cosmetology Instructor, Electrologist, Electrology Instructor, Limited Electrology Instructor, Esthetician, Esthetician Limited Specialist Instructor, Natural Hair Culturist, Natural Hair Culturist Limited Specialist Instructor, Manicurist, Manicurist Limited Specialist Instructor licenses expire biennially on August 31. The renewal notification will be mailed to the address that is on file with the Department approximately 60 days prior to the date of renewal. The license must be renewed online using a debit or credit card containing a MasterCard, Visa, or Discover logo or by electronic check (e-check). The renewal fee is $48. Payments received by mail or in person will not be accepted and the renewal will not be processed. If a licensee fails to renew online and/or fails to meet all renewal requirements by the expiration date of the license, the licensee cannot legally practice and may be subject to disciplinary action if the individual continues to practice.

Cosmetology Establishment and Limited Cosmetology Establishment

Cosmetology Establishment and Limited Cosmetology Establishment licenses expire annually on August 31. The renewal notification will be mailed to the address that is on file with the Department approximately 60 days prior to the date of renewal. The license must be renewed online using a debit or credit card containing a MasterCard, Visa, or Discover logo or by electronic check (e-check). The renewal fee is $25. Payments received by mail or in person will not be accepted and the renewal will not be processed. If a licensee fails to renew online and/or fails to meet all renewal requirements by the expiration date of the license, the licensee cannot legally practice and may be subject to disciplinary action if the individual continues to practice.

Cosmetology School and Cosmetology School Branch

Cosmetology School and Cosmetology School Branch licenses expire annually on August 31. The renewal notification will be mailed to the address that is on file with the Department approximately 60 days prior to the date of renewal. The license must be renewed online using a debit or credit card containing a MasterCard, Visa, or Discover logo or by electronic check (e-check). The renewal fee is $100. Payments received by mail or in person will not be accepted and the renewal will not be processed. If a licensee fails to renew online and/or fails to meet all renewal requirements by the expiration date of the license, the licensee cannot legally practice and may be subject to disciplinary action if the individual continues to practice.

Change of Address

Licensees must ensure the Department has the most current address on file so that the renewal notification will be received.

Michigan Cosmetology School Hours

Reciprocity Michigan License

An individual licensed in another state or country may qualify for licensure in Michigan providing that the person has experience and training substantially equal to that required in Michigan. Licensed work experience can substitute for training hours in a ratio of 100 hours for each 6 months of experience. Individuals licensed in another state or US territory may be granted a license upon the successful demonstration that his/her license requirements, including training hours and examination, are equivalent to those in Michigan.

Individuals licensed in another country must submit an application and provide certification of education, experience or both. The Department will determine whether or not the applicant is qualified to be licensed without examination. You can find the outstate license application under Licensing Forms and Applications or contact the Department at 517-373-8068 to request an application be mailed to you.

Cosmetology Examination Application Information

Upon successful completion of an apprenticeship or school course of study, an individual may apply for approval to take the state board examinations. Article 12 of the Occupational Code, 1980 PA 299, requires that all applicants, except persons wishing to become licensed as an instructor, must successfully pass a state board qualifying examination which consists of both theory (written) and practical (hands on) portions that illustrate an applicant's understanding of concepts and proper procedure. Applicants for an instructor's license need only take a theory (written) examination. You may wish to review the Candidate Information Brochure provided by our testing contractor PSI Services, LLC (PSI).

To obtain approval to take the cosmetologist examination, an application for licensure must be submitted through our online service, MyLicense. Additionally, a Michigan Cosmetology Examination Registration form with the affidavit section completed, and the appropriate examination fees, must be submitted to PSI. For exam related questions or to schedule your exam, contact PSI at www.psiexams.com or by calling 800-733-9267.

Michigan Relicensure

A person who fails to renew their license on or before the expiration date or fails to renew within 60 days after the expiration date with a late fee may be relicensed without examination and without meeting additional education or training requirements in force at the time of application for relicensure if all of the following conditions are met:

• The person applies within 3 years after the expiration date of the last license
• The person pays an application processing fee, the late renewal fee, and the per year license fee
• Any penalties and conditions imposed by disciplinary action in Michigan or any other jurisdiction have been satisfied

A person may be relicensed 3 or more years AFTER the expiration date of the last license if they meet the requirements for licensure as established by the Department. This may require a person to pass all or part of a required exam or to meet current education or training requirements. You may find an application for relicensure under Licensing Forms and Applications or you may contact our office at 517-373-8068 to have one mailed to you.

Cosmetology - Microdermabrasion

The practice of microdermabrasion is limited to the direct supervision and control of a licensed physician. If a licensed cosmetologist is performing microdermabrasion services, they are practicing outside the scope of their licensed profession. Information and forms to register a complaint can be located on the Bureau of Professional Licensing's website or you can contact the bureau at 517-373-8068.

Natural Hair Culturist Exam Required

Effective August 1, 2005, passing a practical examination will be required to become a licensed natural hair culturist, as a practical examination will be available. Consequently, work experience of an applicant will no longer be considered as a requirement for licensure as a natural hair culturist. See Section 339.1210a(2)(a) of the Occupational Code, 1980 PA 299, as amended.

My license was lost/stolen/destroyed, how do I get a new one?

Submit the Request for Duplicate License form.

How do I get Certification of my license sent to another state?

You may submit the Detailed License Verification Request form. The detailed license verification request contains the state seal along with information regarding your license status, how the license was obtained, and whether any disciplinary action has been taken against your license. A status only license verification only contains information of your current license status.

I am licensed in another state, how do I become licensed in Michigan?

Please submit a Reciprocal Cosmetologist, Manicurist, Esthetician, Natural Hair Culturist, or Electrologist License Application to apply for licensure.