Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists

* Applicants by examination who have never been licensed and who completed their professional education out of state must meet the same requirements as an applicant from Montana.

• proof of age;
• proof of high school diploma or its equivalent;
• proof of current unencumbered cosmetology license in another state;
• license verification from each state or jurisdiction the applicant has been licensed in, whether the license is current or not; and
• proof of passage of both the written and practical NIC (National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology) cosmetology exam at 75% proficiency or higher. If you have taken and passed the NIC exam in your state, you must submit proof of passage with your application. Otherwise, you will be required to take both the written and practical NIC examinations. Individual state board examinations are not acceptable. Please do not schedule your examinations without first obtaining prior approval from the Board.
• the applicant must possess either:
  (a) a license type in good standing that includes scope of training and practice in manicuring and pedicuring, including massage and polishing, nail art, and use of an electric nail file; application and removal of artificial nails, gels, tips, and wraps; skin care, skin exfoliation, facials, makeup application, epilation, electricity and light therapies, and application of artificial lashes; hair coloring, hair lightening, waving, and relaxing; shampoo and scalp treatments; hairstyling, including weaves, braiding, and extensions; wet setting, blow drying, curling and flat ironing, and the arranging of dry hair; and haircutting with proper uses of tools (e.g., shears, razor, clippers, and thinning shears); and
  (b) either have completed a course of training of at least 1,500 hours in a school or attest to 3,000 hours of work experience as a licensed cosmetologist; or
  (a) a combination of licensure in good standing that includes scopes of training and practice equal to:
  I. hair coloring, hair lightening, waving, and relaxing; shampoo and scalp treatments; hairstyling, including weaves, braiding, and extensions; wet setting, blow drying, curling and flat ironing, and the arranging of dry hair and have completed a course of training equal to or exceeding 900 hours in a school;
  II. manicuring; pedicuring; and applying and removing artificial nails, gels, tips, and wraps and use of an electric nail file and have completed a course of training equal to or exceeding 200 hours in a school; and
  III. skin care; skin exfoliation, facials, and makeup application; epilation; electricity and light therapies; and application of artificial lashes and have completed a course of training equal to or exceeding 400 hours in a school.

Biennial Renewal for Individual Licenses
Regular renewal dates: (Individuals): Jan 2nd - March 1st
Late Renew Online for 45 days until April 15th

Must be at least 18 years or older and provide proof, such as a birth certificate or driver's license.