Montana State Board of Cosmetology License Requirements

Montana Board of Cosmetology License Information

Last Updated: December 27, 2012

In order to obtain a license in cosmetology, esthetics or nail technology in the state of Montana, students must complete the requirements listed below from the Montana State Board of Cosmetology. When getting a Montana cosmetology license or other beauty practitioner certification, you must attend a licensed school and complete the state of Montana's minimum required training hours and then take the state's cosmetology board exams.

After finishing your training, you are required to pass a licensing exam issued by the Montana State Board of Cosmetology. Once you pass this exam, you will receive your Montana cosmetology license shortly thereafter. You're now able to work in the state of Montana. Keep in mind, even though Montana may not require continuing education to renew some licenses, you may wish to consider taking cosmetology continuing education hours in Montana annually to stay current on the latest trends. For specific questions, please contact the MT Board of Cosmetology directly for more information. The state of MT allows apprenticeship to get your training hours with special board approval required. MT uses PSI to administer the licensing exam, and allows you to take the exam in English only.

Find Montana beauty schools that can help you obtain a license in cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology and other beauty professions in the State of Montana.

Montana Board of Cosmetology License Requirements

• COSMETOLOGIST LICENSE: 2000 Hours
• BARBER LICENSE: 1500 Hours 
• ESTHETICIAN LICENSE: 650 Hours
• NAIL TECHNICIAN LICENSE: 350 Hours
• ELECTROLOGIST LICENSE: 600 Hours
• PERMANENT MAKEUP ARTIST LICENSE: Contact Dept. of Public Health & Human Services
• COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR LICENSE: Cosmetology License + 650 Hours + 1 Year of Active Work Experience
• MASSAGE THERAPIST LICENSE: 500 Hours

Montana Cosmetology License Renewal

Cosmetology license renewal in Montana happens every 2 years in the licensing month. It costs $80 to renew a practitioner's license and $95 to renew an instructor's license. Practitioners must get 15 cosmetology continuing education hours for each 12-month period (for a total of 30 per licensure period), and instructors must get 30 cosmetology CEUs for each 12-month period (for a total of 60 per licensure period). A maximum of 10 hours per year may be acquired at trade shows. Even though continuing education may not be required to renew all licenses, cosmetology CEUs are always recommended to stay current in the industry.

Cosmetology License Reciprocity (Transfer) in Montana

Applicants to transfer cosmetology licenses to Montana must pass both the national NIC written and practical exams and have an active license from their home states. If you have not passed the national exams, you will be required to do so before you can transfer your license to MT. You may be required to get additional training hours in school if the board finds that your home state does not have comparable training hour requirements to get licensed.

MT State Board of Cosmetology Contact Information

Montana State Board of Cosmetology
301 South Park, PO Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620-0513
Phone Number: 406-841-2378
Fax Number: 406-841-2323
E-mail Address: dlibsdcos@mt.gov

The Montana State Board of Cosmetology can help you with replacing a lost cosmetology license, updating change of name or change of address information, and acquiring out-of-state and other useful forms, as well as answer additional questions about obtaining a Montana state cosmetology license.

Cosmetology Licensing Information for Other Nearby States:

• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Idaho
• Wyoming
• Washington