Arkansas Cosmetology License: Requirements, Cost & How to Apply (2026)
Quick answer
Required hours: The approved school cosmetology curriculum requires 1,500 hours; Education: Complete an approved school of cosmetology or postsecondary school of cosmetology; Exam: Pass department-approved written and practical examinations.
Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 2 official sources
How to get a cosmetology license in Arkansas
Application steps: Not verified yet. See the official instructions.
What are the Arkansas cosmetology license requirements?
Required hours
The approved school cosmetology curriculum requires 1,500 hours.
A total of one thousand five hundred (1,500) hours shall: (A) Be required in the cosmetology program;Official source
Education
Complete an approved school of cosmetology or postsecondary school of cosmetology.
The applicant must complete an approved school of cosmetology or postsecondary school of cosmetology as set forth by the department.Official source
Exam
Pass department-approved written and practical examinations.
successfully complete and pass a written examination approved by the department and complete and pass a practical examination developed and approved by the departmentOfficial source
Licensing agency and application
Board
Arkansas Department of Health, Cosmetology Section
Arkansas Department of Health - Cosmetology Section's License Renewal SystemOfficial source
Official agency page
Arkansas Department of Health - Cosmetology Section's License Renewal SystemOfficial source
Reciprocity
Applicants licensed in another state must be at least 18, hold a current valid license, have passed a comparable examination, and pass an Arkansas law examination; application and fees are required.
Upon application to the Department of Health in the form provided for the particular class of license applied for, accompanied by the required fee The applicant for license as a cosmetologist, manicurist, or aesthetician is not fewer than eighteen (18) years of age The applicant holds a current valid license upon application for reciprocity The applicant has passed an examination comparable to the examination given in this state; and The applicant passes an Arkansas law examination under this chapter.Official source
Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 4 official sources
What else should I know?
Agency guidance
A current department license is required to practice cosmetology for compensation.
No person shall practice any phase of cosmetology and its related occupations with the intent of receiving compensation when the person does not hold a current and valid license issued by the departmentOfficial source
Agency guidance
Biennial practitioner renewal: $50. The practical examination charge payable to the school may not exceed $65.
Renewal of a cosmetology, manicure, aesthetics, electrology, or instructor license $50.00 biennially Practical (payable to school) not to exceed $65.00Official source
Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 2 official sources
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Arkansas?
License term in years
Renewal of a cosmetology, manicure, aesthetics, electrology, or instructor license $50.00 biennially
Renewal of a cosmetology, manicure, aesthetics, electrology, or instructor license $50.00 bienniallyOfficial source
Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 1 official source
Have a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.
How do I look up a cosmetology license in Arkansas?
License lookup link: Not verified yet. Check the licensing agency or browse license lookup by state.
Which official sources support this guide?
Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 5 official sources
Official sources and verification (10)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Arkansas Department of Health, Cosmetology Section
Arkansas Department of Health, Cosmetology Section
Arkansas Department of Health - Cosmetology Section's License Renewal SystemOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
https://adhcosmo.arkansas.gov/LicenseRenewal
Arkansas Department of Health - Cosmetology Section's License Renewal SystemOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
https://adhcosmo.arkansas.gov/LicenseRenewal
License Renewal Step 1Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
The approved school cosmetology curriculum requires 1,500 hours.
The approved school cosmetology curriculum requires 1,500 hours.
A total of one thousand five hundred (1,500) hours shall: (A) Be required in the cosmetology program;Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Complete an approved school of cosmetology or postsecondary school of cosmetology.
Complete an approved school of cosmetology or postsecondary school of cosmetology.
The applicant must complete an approved school of cosmetology or postsecondary school of cosmetology as set forth by the department.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Pass department-approved written and practical examinations.
Pass department-approved written and practical examinations.
successfully complete and pass a written examination approved by the department and complete and pass a practical examination developed and approved by the departmentOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Renewal of a cosmetology, manicure, aesthetics, electrology, or instructor license $50.00 biennially
2
Renewal of a cosmetology, manicure, aesthetics, electrology, or instructor license $50.00 bienniallyOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Applicants licensed in another state must be at least 18, hold a current valid license, have passed a comparable examination, and pass an Arkansas law examination; application and fees are required.
Applicants licensed in another state must be at least 18, hold a current valid license, have passed a comparable examination, and pass an Arkansas law examination; application and fees are required.
Upon application to the Department of Health in the form provided for the particular class of license applied for, accompanied by the required fee The applicant for license as a cosmetologist, manicurist, or aesthetician is not fewer than eighteen (18) years of age The applicant holds a current valid license upon application for reciprocity The applicant has passed an examination comparable to the examination given in this state; and The applicant passes an Arkansas law examination under this chapter.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
A current department license is required to practice cosmetology for compensation.
A current department license is required to practice cosmetology for compensation.
No person shall practice any phase of cosmetology and its related occupations with the intent of receiving compensation when the person does not hold a current and valid license issued by the departmentOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Biennial practitioner renewal: $50. The practical examination charge payable to the school may not exceed $65.
Biennial practitioner renewal: $50. The practical examination charge payable to the school may not exceed $65.
Renewal of a cosmetology, manicure, aesthetics, electrology, or instructor license $50.00 biennially Practical (payable to school) not to exceed $65.00Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Not yet verified: license fee, renewal, continuing education — see the official agency.
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What should I explore next?
Cosmetologist in neighboring states
Neighboring states use Census adjacency data, including water and point boundaries.
Related licenses in Arkansas
Last verified Oct 25, 2026.
Official sources (5)
- https://adhcosmo.arkansas.gov/LicenseRenewal
- https://codeofarrules.arkansas.gov/Rules/Rule?chapterID=93&levelType=section&partID=1234§ionID=48750&subChapterID=118&subPartID=7481&titleID=17
- https://codeofarrules.arkansas.gov/Rules/Rule?chapterID=93&levelType=section&partID=1234§ionID=48745&subChapterID=118&subPartID=7481&titleID=17
- https://codeofarrules.arkansas.gov/Rules/Rule?chapterID=93&levelType=section&partID=1234§ionID=48768&subChapterID=118&subPartID=7483&titleID=17
- https://codeofarrules.arkansas.gov/Rules/Rule?chapterID=93&levelType=section&partID=1234§ionID=48747&subChapterID=118&subPartID=7481&titleID=17
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