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

Minnesota Cosmetology License Verification

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

Time frame in getting your License

Initial license applications are processed within 15 business days. All applications are reviewed in the order they are received. Incomplete applications are returned by standard mail for corrections, which will delay licensure. When you resubmit your application, it is subject to the same processing time when it is received back in the Board office. The fees you paid will carry forward until the license is issued.

To find out if you have become licensed, search your first and last name using the License Lookup. If you have a public Licensee Profile Page showing active license status, you are licensed and eligible to work even before you have received your certificate in the mail. Potential employers can use the same link to verify your licensure.

If you went to school outside of the United States

Before you can submit an application to the Board, any documents that originated in another country, such as high school diplomas or cosmetology training transcripts, must be formally evaluated by a Board-approved credentialing agency per MN Rule 2105.0183, Subpart 5. Visit the Foreign Documents page to get started. If you completed cosmetology training in another country, see the question below: "I'm licensed in another state/country. What do I do?"

If License is from another State or Country

If you are or have ever been licensed in another US state, you may apply for a Minnesota license using the Domestic License Transfer Application. If you are or have ever been licensed in another country and were never licensed in the US, you may apply for a Minnesota license using the Foreign License Transfer Application. Be aware it is illegal to offer services in Minnesota without a Minnesota license, even temporarily. There is no other license issued in or outside of the US that can be used in Minnesota. Minimum required training hours in Minnesota:

Type Hours

Cosmetologist

 1550 (Training in cosmetic hair, skin, and nail care)

Esthetician 600 hours

 600 (Training in cosmetic skin care only)

Nail Technician

 350 (Training in cosmetic nail care only)

Eyelash Technician

 38 (Training in eyelash extensions only)

If you are or have ever been licensed in another US state, refer to the flowchart on page three of the Domestic License Transfer Application for help in determining if you may need to complete additional training or a Skills Course in order to become licensed in Minnesota. Bear in mind that whether or not you will need to take any additional training and/or exams other than the Minnesota State Laws & Rules Examination depends entirely on what your other state(s) of licensure verify to the Board in their license certification letters.

If you were a practitioner in another country who never became licensed in the US, you need to apply to a licensed Minnesota cosmetology school as a transfer student before you can apply for a license here. You also will need to have all appropriate non-US documents credentialed and verified before you begin the licensing process. Refer to the instructions on the Foreign License Transfer Application and the Foreign Documents page.

Minnesota License Exams

All written exams and instructor exams are taken in person at a PSI testing center. Contact PSI at 1-800-733-9267 or www.psiexams.com to schedule. Exam fees are set by PSI and are not included in license fees. Exam resources are available under Licensing>Testing, including links to exam outlines and current laws (MN Statutes Chapter 155A) and rules (MN Rules Chapters 2105 and 2110). The Board does not offer practice exams.

Transferring Manager/Master License to Minnesota

Manager/master licenses are not eligible for transfer. You must first apply for and obtain a Minnesota operator license, then complete the requirements to apply for and obtain a salon manager license. Refer to the Salon Manager License Application for requirements. Work experience from a licensed salon outside of Minnesota may be used to meet the work experience requirement.

Transferring Instructor License to Minnesota

Under certain conditions you can transfer your instructor license to Minnesota. Refer to the Instructor License Application for requirements. Be aware you must apply for and obtain a Minnesota operator license before you can obtain an instructor license.

Request a Duplicate License

You can order a duplicate license certificate online through your Account Management page, or you can submit a Duplicate License Request Form by mail or in person to the Board office, address listed below. There is a $20 fee for each duplicate request.

Minnesota Board of Cosmetology
1000 University Avenue W Suite 100
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Phone: 651-201-2742
Fax: 651-649-5702
Email: cosmetology@state.mn.us

Request Name Change on License

Complete the Name Change Form and attach a photocopy of the legal document that explains your name change, such as a marriage certificate, certificate of dissolution, or court petition of name change. The document must be printed with your former and current name. If it is not, you also must attach a photocopy or scan of a government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or passport, to verify the name change was legalized. A copy of the ID alone is not sufficient, the document explaining the name change is always required.
Submit the completed form and attached documentation by mail or in person to the Board office, the address is listed above, with $20 fee payment. Upon processing, you will receive an updated license certificate. If you have more than one license, you will receive updated certificates for all of your individual licenses without paying an additional fee.*
If you are due to renew your license, you must submit your renewal by mail or in person using the paper application and attach your name change documentation (described above) to your renewal. When your name change is processed with your renewal, the $20 name change fee is not owed. Do not renew your license under your former name. If you are found to have renewed your license under your former name (such as if you renew online first and report your name change later), you may be subject to fines and penalties. Name changes for individual licensees must be reported within 30 days of the change. Be aware that per MN Rule 2105.0190 Subpart 2, an individual's license in a former name is invalid as of the 31st day after the change.
*If you are also sole proprietor or general partner of a salon, you must submit a separate Salon Name Change Form and $20 fee to update the legal name for that salon's file.

Minnesota Cosmetology School Hours

Type Requirements
Cosmetologist License 1550 Hours
Barber License Contact The Minnesota Barbering Board
Esthetician License 600 Hours
Nail Technician License 350 Hours
Permanent Makeup License 400 Hours
Cosmetology Instructor License Cosmetology License + 1400 Hours Work Experience + 38 Training Hours + 3 Exams
Hair Braider License 30 Hours (sanitation Course)
Massage Therapist License Varies By Municipality

Applying for Initial Minnesota License or Renewing

If you are an individual looking to apply for an initial license, you can do so by downloading the Initial Operator License application. Please follow the instructions outlined in the application. If you already have a license and need to renew it, you can do so either through their online system, or manually by downloading a copy of the Active License Renewal form.

State/Agency Requesting License Verification

Complete the Certification of Licensure Form and submit it to the Board office by mail or in person with $30 fee payment. Upon processing, a certification of your cosmetology license history in Minnesota will be sent to the state or agency of your choice. The Board sends certifications via email. Be sure to verify the correct email address before submitting the form to the Board. Requests will be processed within 15 business days of receipt. If you only send another state or agency's version of this form to the Board, it will be returned to you and your certification will be delayed. The Certification of Licensure Form and fee payment are always required.

List of Application Documents

Below is a list of application documents that you can download, fill out and mail it in:

If you could not find the document above, then click here to view all available applications and forms on the Minnesota State Board of Cosmetology website.

Special Event Permit Information

A Special Event Permit (SEP) allows a licensed salon manager to offer and perform select services outside of a licensed salon. A SEP allows a licensed salon manager to perform select services outside of a salon setting. Only the following services may be provided for the license type listed:

Type Description
Cosmetologist Nonpermanent manipulation of the hair (styling, setting, reinforcing, or extending)
Nail polish applications Makeup applications
Nail Technician Nail polish applications only
Esthetician Makeup applications only
Eyelash Technician No services may be offered (An Eyelash Technician cannot obtain a SEP)
How does a Special Event Permit work?

You, as a salon manager license holder, can apply for and manage your individual SEP online by logging in to your Account Services page. A permit costs $75 and is valid through December 31st of the year in which it is obtained. While the permit is valid until the end of the year, each event must be registered online with the SEP. Once the event is registered, the licensee can print the SEP. The SEP must be posted at the event in order to be valid. Be aware that online registrations may take up to 24 hours to process, so you'll want to plan ahead. A Special Event Permit does not allow you to do the following:

  • Bring an assistant to the event (unless the assistant has his or her own SEP)
  • Offer any services other than what is listed above. For example, even if you are a licensed esthetician, you cannot offer facial or waxing services
  • Offer services outside of the scope of your license type
  • Receive hours of licensed practice toward an instructor license application

How to Renew Operator License that expired over 3 years ago

If you want to renew as active, take the following steps:

  • Take and pass the Written Practical Examination for your license type (Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Nail Technician, Eyelash Technician)
  • Retake and pass the Minnesota State Laws & Rules Examination
  • Complete the Active License Renewal application
  • Attach both original passing exam score sheets to your application and
  • Submit it by mail or in person to the Board office with $195 fee payment

Contact PSI at 800-733-9267 or www.psiexams.com to schedule the exams. These exams must be taken in person at a PSI testing center. You do not need pre-approval to take the exams. Exam fees are set by PSI and are not included in license fees.

If you want to renew as retired, take the following steps:

Once your application is received, it is processed within 15 business days. Upon processing, you will receive a new three-year license cycle in which the third year ends on the last day of the month in which you were born. Incomplete applications are returned by standard mail for corrections, which will delay renewal.

How to Renew Salon Manager License that expired over 3 years ago

If you want to renew as active, take the following steps:

  • Take and pass the Written Practical Examination for your license type (Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Nail Technician, Eyelash Technician)
  • Retake and pass the Salon Manager Examination
  • Complete the Active License Renewal application
  • Attach both original passing exam score sheets to your application and
  • Submit it by mail or in person to the Board office with $195 fee payment

Contact PSI at 800-733-9267 or www.psiexams.com to schedule the exams. These exams must be taken in person at a PSI testing center. You do not need pre-approval to take the exams. Exam fees are set by PSI and are not included in license fees. If you want to renew as retired, take the following steps:

Once your application is received, it is processed within 15 business days. Upon processing, you will receive a new three-year license cycle in which the third year ends on the last day of the month in which you were born. Incomplete applications are returned by standard mail for corrections, which will delay renewal.