Cosmetology Schools in Iowa

What to Expect from a Cosmetology Program in Iowa

Cosmetology programs in Iowa last for 1,550 hours and include skills you need as a cosmetologist and a barber – usually two totally separate licenses and programs! When attending an approved cosmetology and barbering school, you can expect both theory and hands-on work, with expert teachers guiding you through coursework and observing you while you practice on mannequins, classmates, and salon clients.

Your hours are divided into three sections:

• Core Life Sciences: 150 hours
• Theory, Including Business and Management: 440 hours
• Applied Practical Instruction: 960 hours

Note that although this is a combined cosmetology and barbering license, it alone doesn't allow you to perform shaving services. To do this, you need a Shaving Certification. This requires that you either pass a National-Interstate Council or State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) or other national barber practical exam or complete a 40-hour shaving certificate program.

If you want to really hone your skills in a particular area, you can look for programs that spend more of those required hours on that topic. Or you could look for a school that requires more than 1,550 hours and lets you study more in that area. When you speak to programs while you try to find the right cosmetology school for you, be sure to ask how many hours they spend on individual skills.

A unique aspect of Iowa cosmetology law allows schools to create mentorship programs. This allows you to work in a licensed cosmetology or barbering establishment under the guidance of a licensed practitioner. You can begin a mentorship program after you've completed at least 50% of your total hours and met any other requirements your school has established. Mentorship can't make up more than 5% of your training or credit hours.

Another thing that makes Iowa cosmetology school unusual is that programs may offer accelerated learning. Programs can account for prior knowledge or life experience and create test-out procedures. If your program allows this, you can complete up to 20% of your required 1,550 hours through accelerated learning, letting you sit for written tests that reflect what you would have learned in classes and that you would have needed to take. To qualify, your school must require you to meet academic and attendance minimums, and it can also limit how many times you can take a test-out exam.

Your school needs to have a published attendance policy that ensures you complete all required hours for each section. As required by the Department of Education and accrediting standards agencies, this policy can't allow you to miss more than 10% of coursework due to excused absences, even with doctors' notes. This doesn't necessarily mean you're excused from 10% of your class time, though. Talk to your school about its policies.

While the first attempts at projects and tests must count toward those 1,550 hours, schools can require exam and project retakes in addition to, not as part of, your required 1,550 hours. Ask questions and study hard so you don't risk adding this time to your training!

All cosmetology schools in Iowa must have at least 3,000 square feet, including at least 100 square feet for the first 30 students. An additional 30 square feet is required for each additional student, so 31 students require at least 3,030 square feet. The building must include a clinic (salon) area where students practice on clients, a separate theory area, a library, and several other spaces. If the school also offers esthetics or electrology, it must have a separate room for those subjects. If you visit a school that's missing a required aspect or doesn't feel quite big enough, keep that in mind before registering.

Does Iowa Allow Cosmetology Apprenticeships?

Iowa began allowing cosmetology apprenticeships, also called "establishment training programs," in 2025. These 2,000-hour training programs allow you to complete cosmetology and barbering licensure training entirely in an approved beauty establishment. Once you've completed this program, you need to ask the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship to submit a certificate of completion, and you can take your required test.

How to Get Your Cosmetology License in Iowa

To get your cosmetology license in Iowa, have a high school diploma (or the equivalent), complete a cosmetology and barbering program or apprenticeship, pass a test, and have an acceptable, fully disclosed criminal record. You also need to submit an application and pay a fee.

Having a criminal record doesn't automatically mean you can't get a cosmetology license in Iowa. You may find yourself in hot water if you don't disclose all convictions and provide additional required documentation, regardless of whether they seem relevant to cosmetology. Showing that you have been rehabilitated is essential. A few offenses are disqualifying, including anything directly related to working in cosmetology.

You can submit your application and pay the $60 application fee online, and email documentation to [email protected]. The Board also recommends using that email address for any licensure questions.

Iowa Cosmetology Exam

Before you can get your license, you need to earn 75% on the NIC cosmetology theory exam or a national equivalent. This 90-minute, computer-based test includes 110 questions (100 are scored) and costs $83 to take. It's available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, so if English is your second language, you may be in luck! The test is divided into 4 subject areas:

• Scientific Concepts: 35%
• Hair Care and Services: 45%
• Skin Care and Services: 10%
• Nail Care and Services: 10%

A practical exam isn't required unless you're also going for your shaving certification, which means you have to pass a hands-on barbering test.

Tests are administered through Prov, and you schedule your exam through them. On the day of the test, held in either Emmetsburg or Waterloo as of 2026, arrive on time. Doors open 15 minutes before the test is scheduled to begin, and latecomers forfeit their exam fee and must reschedule. Be sure to bring a valid government-issued photo ID.

Leave any electronics, including cell phones and watches, and other personal items at home or in your car. You may not bring any visitors, including children, so plan accordingly! The only exception is if you need ADA accommodation, which you must arrange with Prov ahead of time.

Exams are scored automatically upon completion, and Prov sends the results to the licensing board. If you don't pass on the first try, you can retake the test as many times as needed. However, you must wait 30 days between attempts.

Cosmetology Specialties in Iowa

Cosmetology and barbering aren't the only beauty specialties in Iowa. Perhaps you want to focus exclusively on a small area. Maybe you'd prefer to spend less time in beauty school. Whatever the reason, maybe a narrower specialty is a better career for you.

Some of the beauty job options in Iowa are:

• Blow Dry Stylist: 2 hours
• Electrologist: 425 hours
• Esthetician: 600 hours
• Hair Braider: 0 hours, but registration required
• Massage Therapy: 600 hours
• Nail Technician: 325 hours

When considering other beauty jobs, think about what matters to you. What do you really want to do for a living? How much could you earn in this field? Once you've decided what cosmetology career is right for you, it's time to start your path to your future career!

Iowa Cosmetology Licensure Reciprocity

Iowa doesn't allow the transfer of licenses via reciprocity, but you may not have to take any additional coursework to get your license in the state. If you're currently licensed to practice cosmetology or barbering in another state or Washington, DC, you may be eligible for licensure by endorsement in Iowa. To do this, you need to prove you were licensed in that location by either:

• Having that jurisdiction's cosmetology board send verification directly to Iowa's board, or
• Verifying your current license online by providing your name, initial licensure date, current licensure status, and any disciplinary action ever taken against your license

You also need to submit proof of your cosmetology or barbering education and a $60 fee.

Cosmetology License Renewal in Iowa

2 Years

License renewal period

6 Hours

Continuing education required

Cosmetology and barbering licenses in Iowa must be renewed every two years, and you need to complete continuing education before you can renew. Renewals are due by March 31 of the required years. If you receive your license within six months of the required renewal, you won't need to renew until the next renewal, two years later.

To renew your cosmetology license, you must apply online, pay a $60 fee, and complete six hours of continuing education. Four of these hours must relate to cosmetology and barbering, and two must relate to laws, rules, and infection control. You don't need to complete continuing education before your first renewal.

Apply for licensure renewal online and include the required fee and continuing education completion certificates with your application.

If you're practicing in another state, including as an active service member or spouse of one, you can meet your current jurisdiction's continuing education expectations instead of Iowa's specific requirements. This includes cases with no continuing education requirements, though you still must pay renewal fees.

If you don't renew your license on time, you must pay a $60 late fee (in addition to the $60 renewal fee) within the 30-day grace period. Should you go past the grace period, your license becomes inactive. You can't practice in the state until it's reactivated, which involves submitting a reactivation application and fee, showing verification of competence in barbering and cosmetology, and doing one of the following:

1. Inactive for 5 Years or Less: Submit verification from the jurisdiction you've most recently practiced in, or turn in proof of completing at least six continuing education hours within the previous two years, or provide evidence that you've actively practiced cosmetology and barbering for at least 2,080 hours over the last two years
2. Inactive for 5 years or more: Provide verification of the license you've most recently held AND of the completion of at least 12 continuing education hours over the past two years

Cosmetologist Salary and Job Growth in Iowa

$35,700

Average Cosmetology Salary

$58,900

Average Barber Salary

If you're still on the fence about getting a cosmetology and barbering license in Iowa, the estimated average salary and projected job growth in the state may help you decide.

Iowa's cost of living is 11% lower than the national average. In 2025, cosmetologists in the state earned an average of $35,700 per year, just $90 less than the national average! And believe it or not, barbers in the state earned an average of $58,900, which is about $20,000 more than the national average.

Job growth is also skyrocketing, too. Cosmetology roles are expected to grow 12% over the next decade, compared with a 6% national projection. Barbering could grow by 13%, while the national projection is only 4%.

The amount you could actually make as a cosmetologist is impacted by factors like years of experience, services offered, and location. Looking at cosmetology only, the top five places for cosmetology pay in Iowa as of 2025 are:

Area	2025 Median Salary
Northwest Iowa Balance of State	$37,890
Omaha, NE-IA Metro Area	$36,390
Ames, IA Metro Area	$36,170
Southwest Iowa Balance of State	$36,050
Iowa City, IA Metro Area	$35,950

Source: CareerOneStop (2026)

Cosmetology pay ranged from $26,650 or less for the lowest-paid 10% of the state and $56,250 or more for the highest-paid 10% in 2025.

Contact the Iowa State Board of Cosmetology

Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences

• Website: Iowa Cosmetology Licensure
• Email: [email protected]
• Call: 515-380-7408