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Missouri Cosmetology License: Requirements, Cost & How to Apply (2026)

Quick answer

Minimum age: 17 years old; Required hours: 1,500 licensed-school training hours or equivalent credit hours; public vocational technical schools require at least 1,220 hours; Apprenticeships require at least 3,000 hours; Education: Education equivalent to successful completion of tenth grade; Exam: Pass an examination to the satisfaction of the board. All licenses expire September 30, of each odd year.

17 years old

Minimum age

be at least seventeen years of age
Official source

Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 2 official sources

How to get a cosmetology license in Missouri

Application steps: Not verified yet. See the official instructions.

What are the Missouri cosmetology license requirements?

Minimum age

17 years old

be at least seventeen years of age
Official source

Education

Education equivalent to successful completion of tenth grade.

have an education equivalent to the successful completion of the tenth grade
Official source

Required hours

1,500 licensed-school training hours or equivalent credit hours; public vocational technical schools require at least 1,220 hours. Apprenticeships require at least 3,000 hours.

no less than three thousand hours for cosmetologists no less than one thousand five hundred hours training or the credit hours determined by the formula in Subpart A of Part 668 of Section 668.8 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as amended, for the classification of cosmetologist, with the exception of public vocational technical schools in which a student shall complete no less than one thousand two hundred twenty hours training.
Official source

Exam

Pass an examination to the satisfaction of the board.

They shall have passed an examination to the satisfaction of the board.
Official source

Licensing agency and application

Board

Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners

Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
Official source

Official agency page

Open the official agency page

Website: https://pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp
Official source

Apply with the agency

Open the official agency page

For faster processing register your MOPRO account and apply online.
Official source

Reciprocity

Holds a current license that is issued by another state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia whose requirements for licensure are similar to the licensing requirements in Missouri at the time the application is filed or who has practiced cosmetology for at least two consecutive years in another state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

holds a current license that is issued by another state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia whose requirements for licensure are similar to the licensing requirements in Missouri at the time the application is filed or who has practiced cosmetology for at least two consecutive years in another state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
Official source

Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 4 official sources

What else should I know?

Agency guidance

An expired license does not authorize practice or representing oneself as licensed.

any individual whose professional license has expired is not authorized to practice or present themselves as licensed in this state.
Official source

Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 1 official source

How do I renew my cosmetology license in Missouri?

Renewal

All licenses expire September 30, of each odd year.

All licenses expire September 30, of each odd year.
Official source

License term in years

All licenses are renewed biennially.

All licenses are renewed biennially.
Official source

Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 1 official source

View renewal deadlines, fees and CE

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 Missouri?

License lookup link: Not verified yet. Check the licensing agency or browse license lookup by state.

What are the common questions?

How often do I renew a cosmetologist license in Missouri?

All licenses expire September 30, of each odd year.

All licenses expire September 30, of each odd year.
Official source

Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 1 official source

Which official sources support this guide?

Verified Oct 25, 2026 · 5 official sources

Official sources and verification (11)

Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.

Board

Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners

Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners

Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Official agency page

Open the official agency page

https://pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp

Website: https://pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Apply with the agency

Open the official agency page

https://pr.mo.gov/cosbar-forms.asp

For faster processing register your MOPRO account and apply online.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Qualifications / Minimum age

17 years old

17

be at least seventeen years of age
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Qualifications / Education

Education equivalent to successful completion of tenth grade.

Education equivalent to successful completion of tenth grade.

have an education equivalent to the successful completion of the tenth grade
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Qualifications / Required hours

1,500 licensed-school training hours or equivalent credit hours; public vocational technical schools require at least 1,220 hours. Apprenticeships require at least 3,000 hours.

1,500 licensed-school training hours or equivalent credit hours; public vocational technical schools require at least 1,220 hours. Apprenticeships require at least 3,000 hours.

no less than three thousand hours for cosmetologists no less than one thousand five hundred hours training or the credit hours determined by the formula in Subpart A of Part 668 of Section 668.8 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as amended, for the classification of cosmetologist, with the exception of public vocational technical schools in which a student shall complete no less than one thousand two hundred twenty hours training.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Qualifications / Exam

Pass an examination to the satisfaction of the board.

Pass an examination to the satisfaction of the board.

They shall have passed an examination to the satisfaction of the board.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

License term in years

All licenses are renewed biennially.

2

All licenses are renewed biennially.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal

All licenses expire September 30, of each odd year.

All licenses expire September 30, of each odd year. Applies to: Cosmetologist license

All licenses expire September 30, of each odd year.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Reciprocity

Holds a current license that is issued by another state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia whose requirements for licensure are similar to the licensing requirements in Missouri at the time the application is filed or who has practiced cosmetology for at least two consecutive years in another state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

Without examination for a current license from a US state, territory or DC with similar requirements, or at least two consecutive years of cosmetology practice in one of those jurisdictions; application and license fees apply.

holds a current license that is issued by another state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia whose requirements for licensure are similar to the licensing requirements in Missouri at the time the application is filed or who has practiced cosmetology for at least two consecutive years in another state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

An expired license does not authorize practice or representing oneself as licensed.

An expired license does not authorize practice or representing oneself as licensed.

any individual whose professional license has expired is not authorized to practice or present themselves as licensed in this state.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Not yet verified: license fee, 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 Missouri

What’s my next step?

Last verified Oct 25, 2026.

Official sources (5)

Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.