New Hampshire License Requirements
Last Updated: April 25, 2017
Since New Hampshire has such an active beauty industry, this may be the right place for you to get started in your beauty career and serve clients. However, you must first meet the training requirements of the New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics, which are listed below.
Upon completing your approved education program and meeting or exceeding the hourly requirements, you are then required to pass a practical licensing exam and a theory licensing exam. New Hampshire only allows you to take the board exam in the English language at this time.
The state of New Hampshire does allow apprenticeship to get your training hours required for barbering, nail tech and cosmetology licensing.
Take a look at our list of New Hampshire beauty schools below. You can use this list to find beauty schools near you and check out different program options.
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
2017 New Hampshire Board of Cosmetology License 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 Department of Health and Human Services
- COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR LICENSE: Cosmetology License + 8 Years Work Experience OR 500 Hours with 1 Year Work Experience OR 800 Hours with No Work Experience
- MASSAGE THERAPIST LICENSE: 750 Hours
New Hampshire Cosmetology License Renewal
Cosmetology license renewal in New Hampshire happens every two years in the licensee's birth month. You must have submitted your renewal application by the last day of your birth month. The cost to renew a beauty practitioner's license is $40. Currently, 28 hours of cosmetology continuing education is required for cosmetology instructors during each licensure period.
Though continuing education is not required for most other beauty practitioners’ licenses, cosmetology CEUs are always recommended to stay current in the industry.
Cosmetology License Reciprocity (Transfer) in New Hampshire
To transfer your cosmetology license to New Hampshire, the training hour requirements in your home state must be equivalent to or greater than the requirements of New Hampshire. You must have passed a written and practical national exam in English.
If you do not have equivalent or greater training hours, you must have either twice as many hours of work experience as the hour requirements or you must take additional training hours to make up the difference. You must pay a $100 fee when you apply for reciprocity.
NH State Board of Cosmetology Contact Information
New Hampshire State Board of Barbering, Cosmetology & Esthetics
121 South Fruit Street
Concord, NH 03301
Phone Number: 603-271-3608
Fax Number: 603-271-8889
Even though continuing education may not be a required part of maintaining your license, you may still wish to take advantage of local training events for the sake of your career, which you can find through the Board’s website.
You can also contact the New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics directly for more information or to answer your specific questions.