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

High school graduation or equivalent, or at least 25 years of prior experience in the practice for which the license is sought.

High school graduation or equivalent, or at least 25 years of prior experience in the practice for which the license is sought.

Is a high school graduate or holds the equivalent or has twenty-five (25) or more years of prior experience in the practice for which the license is sought;

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1,000 hours of continuous study and practice in an approved hairdressing/cosmetic therapy school; students enrolled before June 22, 2017 require 1,500 hours.

1,000 hours of continuous study and practice in an approved hairdressing/cosmetic therapy school; students enrolled before June 22, 2017 require 1,500 hours.

a. Has completed a course of instruction in hairdressing/cosmetic therapy consisting of not less than one thousand (1,000) hours of continuous study and practice in an approved school. (1) Students participating in a hairdressing/cosmetic therapy course of instruction in an approved school prior to June 22, 2017 must complete one thousand five hundred (1,500) hours of continuous study and practice.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Pass written and practical examinations.

Pass written and practical examinations.

Have satisfactorily passed a written and practical examination as outlined in § 4.5.2 of this Part to determine the fitness of the applicant to receive a license;

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

18 years old

18

Is at least eighteen (18) years of age;

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

$25

25

in the amount of $25.00 and attached to the upper left-hand corner of the first (Top) page of the application. THIS APPLICATION FEE IS NONREFUNDABLE.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

A license is required to practice hairdressing/cosmetic therapy in Rhode Island.

A license is required to practice hairdressing/cosmetic therapy in Rhode Island.

No person shall practice barbering, hairdressing/cosmetic therapy, esthetics, or manicuring in this State, unless the person shall have first obtained a license from the Department or has been registered as an apprentice barber as provided by the Act and this Part.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renew online through the Department of Health licensing page: https://health.ri.gov/licensing/barbering-hairdressing-and-cosmetology.

Renew online through the Department of Health licensing page: https://health.ri.gov/licensing/barbering-hairdressing-and-cosmetology.

Renewal notices are sent out 60 days before your expiration date. RENEW ONLINE

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing & Barbering

Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing & Barbering

Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing & Barbering

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://health.ri.gov/licensing/barbering-hairdressing-and-cosmetology

Barbering, Hairdressing and Cosmetology

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://health.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur1006/files/applications/Cosmetologist.pdf

Instructions and Application For

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

2 years

2

expiring two (2) years later on the thirtieth (30 th ) day of September.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The license unless sooner suspended or revoked, must expire on the thirtieth (30 th ) day of September of every other year following the date of issuance of original license, which will be determined on an odd-even year basis.

The license unless sooner suspended or revoked, shall expire on the thirtieth (30 th ) day of September of every other year following the date of issuance of original license, which will be determined on an odd-even year basis. Applies to: Hairdresser/cosmetician license

The license unless sooner suspended or revoked, shall expire on the thirtieth (30 th ) day of September of every other year following the date of issuance of original license, which will be determined on an odd-even year basis.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Applicants from states with equivalent requirements must have credentials accepted, good-standing verifications, and acceptable written and practical examinations. Training credit may be granted for practice when requirements differ.

Applicants from states with equivalent requirements must have credentials accepted, good-standing verifications, and acceptable written and practical examinations. Training credit may be granted for practice when requirements differ.

Any person licensed to practice barbering, hairdressing/cosmetic therapy, manicuring or esthetics in another State where the requirements are the equivalent of those of this State, the applicant shall be entitled to a license for barbering, hairdresser/cosmetician, manicurist or esthetician, upon the acceptance of his or her credentials by the Department including but not limited to: 1. Verification of licensure in good standing from each State in which the applicant holds or has held a license as a barber, hairdresser/cosmetic therapist, manicurist or esthetician. 2. The applicant must have satisfactorily passed a written and practical examination acceptable to the Department of the theory and practice of barbering, hairdressing/cosmetic therapy, manicuring or esthetics, depending on the licensure classification which the applicant is seeking. 3. If the requirements of another State are not equivalent to the requirements of this State, the Department may grant the following: a. Barber/hairdresser/cosmetician applicant one hundred (100) hours of instructional credit for each three (3) month period that said applicant was licensed and actively practicing, up to a limit of five hundred (500) hours.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026