Wyoming Cosmetology License Requirements

Earning a cosmetology license in Wyoming requires completing an approved school program, passing the NIC theory and practical examinations, and submitting a completed application to the Wyoming State Board of Cosmetology. Wyoming does not offer a standard apprenticeship licensing pathway — all applicants must train at a board-recognized school.

1. Enroll in a Wyoming-approved cosmetology school. Complete 1,600 hours of theory and practical instruction following the Chapter 6 curriculum. Training covers hair, skin, and nail sciences across eight months of study.
2. Obtain your final course record. Once you complete your hours, your school issues a final course record certifying completion. Applicants from other states may provide a certification of hours from that state's licensing authority instead.
3. Submit your exam application to the board. Mail the completed application, required documentation (proof of lawful presence, current passport-style photo, and course record), and the $48.00 license fee (money order or cashier's check only) to the board office: 2515 Warren Avenue, Suite 302, Cheyenne, WY 82002.
4. Schedule and take the NIC exams. Once the board approves your application, ProV emails you instructions to schedule and pay for both the theory and written-practical examinations at a testing center near you.
5. Receive your license and begin work. After passing both examinations, the board issues your Wyoming cosmetology license. You must have your license in hand before providing services to the public.

Out-of-state applicants holding a current, active license in good standing may apply for licensure by endorsement under W.S. 33-12-132. The endorsement fee is $225.00. Submit all required documentation, a current photo, and proof of licensure to the board office.

Wyoming's training requirements are governed by Chapter 6 (Course of Study) of the Board of Cosmetology's administrative rules. All training must be completed at a Wyoming-licensed cosmetology school. Hours transferred from other states are recognized on a 30:1 clock-to-credit-hour basis, provided they were completed within the five years preceding application.

Training Hours by License Type

Cosmetology Curriculum Breakdown (1,600 Hours)

• 850 hours — Hair science: hairstyling, chemical services (perms, relaxers), coloring, lightening, and scalp treatments
• 450 hours — Esthetics: skin analysis, basic facials, facial massage, and makeup application
• 300 hours — Nail technology: manicures, pedicures, artificial nails, nail enhancements, and hand/foot treatments

All programs require training in infection control and professional standards in accordance with Chapter 10 of the board's rules. Non-clinical floor hours may be earned by synchronous remote education; clinical hours must be performed on-site under direct supervision of a licensed instructor.

Transferring Between Programs

A student enrolled in a hairstyling, nail technician, or esthetician program may transfer to the full cosmetology program with full credit for applicable completed hours. A cosmetology student transferring to a specialty program (hairstyling, nail technology, or esthetics) may only transfer course-specific hours, subject to board approval.

Wyoming requires all cosmetologist, esthetician, and nail technician applicants to pass two NIC examinations administered by ProV: the theory examination and the written-practical examination. Both must be passed before the board will issue a license.

Examination Process

1. Submit your exam application. Mail the completed application with all required documentation, a current photo, and the $48.00 license fee (money order or cashier's check) to the board office. The board reviews and approves applications before exam access is granted.
2. Schedule the theory exam. Once approved, ProV emails you instructions to schedule the computer-based NIC theory examination at a testing center. Candidate information bulletins are available at cosmetology.wyo.gov/student-information and at provexam.com.
3. Schedule the written-practical exam. Also administered by ProV. The $50.00 practical exam fee is paid directly to ProV at the time of scheduling.
4. Pass both exams. There is no specified minimum passing score in the board's current administrative rules; both exams must be passed. If you fail any phase, you must re-register and pay the applicable fee to that phase before retaking it. Applicants who fail must pass all phases within one year of the initial failure or retake the entire examination.

Exam Fee Summary

• License fee (paid to board with application): $48.00
• Practical examination fee (paid to ProV): $50.00

Wyoming requires NIC exams for cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians. Contact the board at (307) 777-3534 or cosmetology@wyo.gov to confirm current exam requirements for hairstylist or instructor applicants.

Wyoming cosmetology licenses renew biennially (every two years) after the first year. The fee is $48.00 per year, so the two-year renewal totals $96.00. Wyoming does not require continuing education for cosmetology, hairstylist, nail technician, or esthetician renewal.

Renewal Cycle and Expiration

Your first Wyoming license runs from the month of initial issuance. After that, all renewals are set to a two-year cycle expiring in the month of your birthday, with prorated amounts applied as needed. Working with an expired or lapsed license is treated as unlicensed practice — any grace period only delays the late fee and does not extend the license itself.

How to Renew

• Online: Log in to the GLSuite Individual Online Renewal portal. Accepted payment: checks, money orders, and credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
• By mail: Complete the personal or independent contractor renewal application form (available on the board's Applications & Forms page at cosmetology.wyo.gov/applications-forms) and mail it with payment to 2515 Warren Avenue, Suite 302, Cheyenne, WY 82002.

Late and Lapsed Renewals

If your license has lapsed for five or more years and you do not qualify for endorsement, you must complete a 100-hour refresher course at a licensed cosmetology school (with emphasis on health, safety, and infection control) and pass both theory and practical examinations before reinstatement. The license reinstatement fee is $175.00.

Wyoming issues multiple distinct license types, each with its own scope of practice, training hour requirement, and renewal fee. All personal licenses renew biennially at $96.00 ($48.00/year) after the first year.

Personal Practice Licenses

• Cosmetologist (1,600 hours) — The broadest Wyoming license. Encompasses all hairstyling, esthetics, and nail technology services. Applicants train for a minimum of eight months and must pass both NIC theory and written-practical examinations.
• Hairstylist (1,000 hours) — Covers hair cutting, styling, coloring, chemical services, braiding, and hair extensions. Does not include full esthetics or nail services. Five months of training minimum.
• Esthetician (600 hours) — Skin care services: facials, facial massage, makeup, non-laser hair removal, eyelash extensions, and eyebrow/lash tinting. Invasive procedures that pierce the skin are prohibited. Three months of training minimum.
• Nail Technician (400 hours) — Nail care: manicures, pedicures, artificial nails, nail enhancements, and hand and foot massage and treatments. Two months of training minimum.
• Instructor (500 hours) — Teaching cosmetology or related disciplines in a licensed Wyoming school. Requires 2.5 months of instruction in teaching methods, ethics, state laws, and curriculum development.

Add-On Licenses

• Add-On Hair Removal (125 hours) — Expands the scope of a hairstylist or nail technician license to include superfluous hair removal by non-laser, non-electrolysis methods.
• Add-On Lash and Brow (200 hours) — Expands the scope of a hairstylist or nail technician license to include eyelash and eyebrow tinting, chemical waving, and lash extensions. Does not include hair removal.

Facility and Contractor Licenses

• Independent Contractor ($75/year) — Required for licensed practitioners renting booth space. Your independent contractor license remains valid if you change salons — contact the board to update your salon information.
• Salon ($75/year) — Required for any facility offering cosmetology services to the public. New salon application fee: $225.00.
• School ($200/year) — Required for cosmetology training programs. New school application fee: $375.00.