This page provides information for New Hampshire license requirements including how to apply for a new license, renew an existing one, reactivate an expired license and New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics.
New Hampshire Cosmetology License Verification
If you need to verify a license for a salon or person, then you can do so by visiting the New Hampshire 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.
Apply for New Hampshire Exam
You can download the application by clicking here. If you would like to apply for the New Hampshire exam for barbering, cosmetology, esthetics, or manicuring you will have to provide the Board with the following:
- Current name and mailing address. Name change must include a copy of official documentation such as a marriage license, court document, divorce decree, etc. A driver's license is not acceptable for name changes
- Copy of your drivers license
- Copy of your high school diploma or its equivalent
- Two passport sized photos
- Complete the Questionnaire for Applicants and Licensees
- letter verifying school training. The letter required shall state or include the name of the Board/Agency and the state where the apprenticeship took place, the name of applicant. The name of school and the address where the apprenticeship was completed
- Apprenticeship enrollment and completion dates
- The total number of apprenticeship hours
- A break-down of subjects received within those hours
- The signature and title of person writing the letter and
- The Board/Official Agency seal
- If you do not have the required amount of hours, you must also send a notarized letter of work experience written by someone else on your behalf. Letter of work experience forcosmetologists or master barbers must verify work experience of at least 3000 hours,barbers 1600 hours, estheticians 1200 hours, and manicurists must have 600 hours
- Once the Board receives the above information it will be reviewed for compliance with RSA 313-A and the Board's administrative rules
Division of Health Professions
Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, & Esthetics
121 South Fruit Street, Suite 303
Concord, N.H. 03301-2412
Telephone: 603-271-3608
Fax: 603-271-3950
New Hampshire Renewal of Personal License
To download a copy of this application, please click here. The Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics ("Board") requires the following information to renew a barbering, cosmetology, esthetics, or manicuring license:
- A copy of your driver's license or other government issued photo identification
- Completed and signed Questionnaire for Applicants and Licensees
- Check or money order (please call Board office for price) made payable to Treasurer, State of New Hampshire
- Name change must include a copy of official documentation, such as, a marriage license, court document, divorce decree, etc. A driver's license is not acceptable for name change
Board office staff will no longer attach passport photographs to the licenses. You are required to attach a current facial front-view photograph of yourself to the license when you receive it. You are also required to have government-issued photo identification available for the inspector at all times while working in a licensed facility. Failure to attach a photo or provide identification to an inspector will result in fines and possible disciplinary action by the Board.
Once the Board has received the above information it will be reviewed for compliance with RSA 313-A. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Board office.
Division of Health Professions
Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, & Esthetics
121 South Fruit Street, Suite 303
Concord, N.H. 03301-2412
Telephone: 603-271-3608
Fax: 603-271-3950
New Hampshire Cosmetology School Hours
| Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist License | 1500 Hours (3000 Hours Apprenticeship) |
| Barber License (cutting Only) | 800 Hours (1600 Hours Apprenticeship) |
| Master Barber License (cutting + Chemical) | 1500 Hours (3000 Hours Apprenticeship) |
| Esthetician License | 600 Hours (1200 Hours Apprenticeship) |
| Nail Technician License | 300 Hours (600 Hours Apprenticeship) |
| Electrologist License | Contact The Tattoo Board |
| Permanent Makeup License | Contact The Tattoo Board |
| Cosmetology Instructor License | Cosmetology License + 8 Years Work Experience Or 500 Hours With 1 Year Work Experience Or 800 Hours With No Work Experience |
Certification of State Licensure Request
If you are trying to obtain a license in another State and you need a Certificate of State Licensure form completed on your behalf regarding your New Hampshire license, you will need to provide the following:
- $20 money order made payable to Treasurer, State of New Hampshire. Personal checks are not accepted
- Your name and current address. If you have had a name change you must include a copy of official documentation such as, a marriage license, court document, divorce decree etc. A driver's license is not acceptable for name change
Certifications are sent directly to state you enter in the form, you will not receive anything back from this Board. Once the Board has received all the necessary information a Certificate of State Licensure will be issued within 14 business days of the request. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Board office at 603-271-3608.
Request a New Hampshire Duplicate License
To download a copy of the duplicate license form, click here. Please send the following to obtain a duplicate of a current personal license:
- A Copy of your driver's license
- A check or money order made payable to: Treasurer, State of New Hampshire in the amount of $15
- Completed and signed Questionnaire for Applicants and Licensees
- Name change must include a copy of the official documentation such as a marriage license, court document, or divorce decree. A driver's license is not acceptable for name change
- Please send above information to:
Office of Professional Licensure and Certification
Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics
121 South Fruit Street, Suite 303
New Hampshire Shop Application
To download a copy of the shop application, please click here. Along with a completed shop application form, you must also enclose the following:
- Questionnaire for Applicants and Licensees for owner and manager
- One Application fee of $60.00. Please make check or money order payable to: Treasurer, State of New Hampshire
- Certificate of Occupancy
- If this is a change of owner, you must provide proof of ownership (bill of sale)
- You cannot operate until an inspection has occurred and you have been approved for licensure. Please
be aware it may take up to two weeks to receive an inspection appointment - If you are going to offer tanning you must register as a Tanning Facility. You can download a copy of the application form by clicking here. Please refer to the Administrative Rules Bar 302.02 through Bar 302.07 for information on shop requirements
Reciprocity Instructions for Obtaining a New Hampshire Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics or Manicuring License
Application for licensure is considered on an individual basis. In submitting your applications for licensure, the following must be included or processing of your application will be delayed. You must provide the Board with the following:
- Application fee of $100 payable to Treasurer State of New Hampshire. No refund will be issued if you do not complete the process. The reciprocity process must be completed within 90 days, if not your fee will be forfeited
- Individual Licensed in Another State form
- Completed Questionnaire for Applicants and Licensees
- State Law Acknowledgment Form
- Certification of State Licensure verifying your current license, testing information, and disciplinary action if any. This must be obtained from the State Board in which your license is held. This form is sent directly to them from your state board. Instructor license applications require a certification for the professional license and the instructor license
- Transcripts of Training from the school attended. If the school has closed or no longer has your transcripts, you must submit a notarized letter stating the school name and location, number of hours completed and that the school has closed or no longer has records
- Cosmetologists or master barbers must have 1500 hours of training. If the applicant doesn't have the required 1500 hours of cosmetology or master barber training, a notarized letter from a previous employer or co-worker stating you have 3000 hours work experience must be provided. A barber must have 800 hours of training. If the applicant doesn't have the required 800 hours of training a notarized letter from a previous employer or co-worker stating you have 1600 hours of work experience must be provided. Estheticians must have 600 hours of training. If the applicant doesn't have the required 600 hours of training a notarized letter from a previous employer or co-worker stating you have 1200 hours of work experience must be provided. A manicurist must have 300 hours of training. If the applicant doesn't have the required 300 hours, a notarized letter from a previous employer or co-worker stating you have 600 hours of work experience must be provided. The letter must state hours worked regardless of the number of years
- A copy of high school diploma, GED, or if you are 21 or more years of age a copy of your birth certificate or driver's license
- Photocopy of current license in your trade
Documents required for reciprocity must be in English or translated and notarized if applicable. Applicants shall not work in their profession in the state of New Hampshire until receiving a New Hampshire license.
When does my personal license expire?All personal cosmetology licenses expire in the even years and the last day of the licensee's birth month. All personal barber, esthetic, and manicurists licenses expire in the odd year and the last day of the licensee's birth month.
When does my shop or booth license expire?All shop and booth licenses expire in the odd years and the last day of the licensee's birth month.
My personal license has lapsed for more than 5 years, what do I do?If your personal license has been expired for 5 years or more you will have to take the full NH State Board exam. To download the Apply for the NH Exam form, click here. Follow directions listed.
How do I get a temporary working permit?The Board office will issue a temporary working permit once notification has been received from the testing company that you have applied for the exam. If you have applied for an exam and have not received a permit within a reasonable amount of time, please call the office at 603-271-3608 for further information.
