Licensure Requirements
Upon completion of the cosmetology, esthetics, or nail tech program, graduates must successfully complete the licensure requirements of the state of Michigan.
Article 12 of Public Act 299 of 1980 defines cosmetology as one or a combination of the following services: hair care services, skin care services, manicuring services, and electrology. The information for each type of Michigan license is located here.
Because the mission of programs in the College of Technology and Occupational Sciences (CTOS) is to serve the educational needs of the local region, all CTOS programs are aligned to relevant Michigan professional licensure or certification requirements.
To determine whether the Cosmetology program meets the educational requirements for licensure in other states, see below:
NMU Cosmetology Reciprocity by State
| State | Licensing/Exam Requirements | Does NMU meet this state's reciprocity requirements? |
| Alabama | Applicants must have successfully completed required clock hours in a licensed or registered school of cosmetology or on courses reported in credit hours. | Yes, applicants must request certification from their current state be sent to the board's office. |
| Alaska | Applicants must have 1,650 hours of training in a school approved by the board or another licensing jurisdiction. | Yes |
| Arizona | Yes | |
| Arkansas | Applicants must hold a current valid license upon application for reciprocity, evidenced by a certified copy of the license and an affidavit from the other state or by such other evidence as the department may require. | Yes |
| California | Reciprocity is offered in California. | Yes |
| Colorado | Applicants must be 16 years of age or older, have completed 1,800 hours of training, successfully pass practical and written exams, submit application with required documentation, and pay fees. | Yes, pending approval on an endorsement application. |
| Connecticut | Applicants must have complied with the laws and regulations of the department, show satisfaction of the department, make a written application to the department showing ALL completed requirements, have completed the ninth grade or equivalent, and have completed required hours of training in an approved cosmetology school. | Yes |
| Delaware | Applicants must be 16 years of age older, complete 1,500 hours of training, pass the PCS theory and practical exams with a minimum score of 75, pay fees, provide proof of professional education, and submit applications for licensure on forms approved by the division of professional regulation. | Yes, pending approval of notarized statement proving experience. |
| Florida | Applicants must pass all parts of the examination for licensure and may practice in the time between passing the exam and receiving a physical copy. | Yes |
| Georgia | Applicants must have 1,500 hours of training. | Yes |
| Hawaii | Applicants must have 1,800 hours of training. | No, training hours are less than state's requirement; applicants required to make up the difference with school training, apprentice hours, or provide evidence of one year of licensed experience with an out-of-state license. |
| Idaho | Applicants must have 2,000 hours of training. | Yes, Michigan license has substantially equivalent requirements. |
| Illinois | Applicants must have graduated from a board approved school and completed 1,500 hours of training. | Yes, however reciprocity is not offered in Illinois; applicants must complete an endorsement application and previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means. |
| Indiana | Applicants must have 1,500 hours of training. | Yes |
| Iowa | Applicants must have 2,100 hours of training. | Yes, however reciprocity is not offered in Iowa; applicants must complete an endorsement application and previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means. |
| Kansas | Applicants must have 1,500 hours of training. | Yes, however reciprocity is not offered in Kansas; applicants must complete an out-of-state application. |
| Kentucky | Applicants must have 1,500 hours of training. | Yes |
| Louisiana | Applicants must complete required hours in an approved cosmetology school and pass state board exams. | Yes |
| Maine | Applicants must have 1,500 hours of training at an approved cosmetology school. | Yes |
| Maryland | Applicants must have 1,500 hours of training at a cosmetology school. | Yes, pending approval of an Endorsement Application |
| Massachusetts | Applicants must have 1,000 hours of training. | Yes |
| Michigan | Applicants must complete required hours of training at a licensed school of cosmetology. | Yes |
| Minnesota | Applicants must have 1,550 hours of training. | No, requirement of 1,500 hours of education or holding license for 3 years |
| Mississippi | Applicants must have 1,500 hours of training. | Yes |
| Missouri | Applicants must have 1,500 hours of training. | Yes |
| Montana | Applicants must have 1,500 hours of training. | Yes |
| Nebraska | Applicants must have 2,100 hours of training. | No, in order to obtain a license in Nebraska based on licensure in another jurisdiction, applicants must have obtained their license through substantially equivalent means; applicant must have completed the same number of hours required by the Nebraska statutes and passed similar exams, otherwise hours will need to be completed and exams taken for licensure. However, each month of full-time practice within the 5 years immediately preceeding application shall be valued as 100 hour equivalents toward a license. |
| Nevada | Applicants must have 1,600 hours of training. | Yes, applicants must send license certificate to the Nevada Board of Cosmetology |
| New Hampshire | Applicants must have 1,500 hours of training. | Yes |
| New Jersey | Applicants must have 1,200 hours of training. | Yes |
| New Mexico | Applicants must have 1,600 hours of training. | Yes, if New Mexico deems the Michigan license as substantially equivalent |
| New York | Applicants must have 1,000 hours of training. | Yes |
| North Carolina | Applicants must have 1,000 hours of training. | Yes |
| North Dakota | Applicants must enroll in a school of cosmetology, comply with hours of education required, and pass the examinations required by the board. | Yes |
| Ohio | Applicants must be 16 years of age or older, receive equivalent of 10th grade education, submit written application to the board, earn 1,500 hours of training in a licensed cosmetology school, and submit a set of biometric fingerprints. | Yes, if state has similar reciprocity requirements |
| Oklahoma | Applicants must be 16 years of age or older, have completed 8th grade, graduate from a board approved cosmetology school with 1,500 hours of training, and complete 3,000 hours of apprenticeship. | Yes, pending passing Oklahoma's state rules, regulation, and law test as well as licensure from NMU |
| Oregon | Applicants must meet the OAR 331 division 30 requirements and pass both written and practical exams. | Yes, pending affidavit of licensure equivalent to OAR 331-030-0040 |
| Pennsylvania | Applicants must be 16 years of age or older, submit to a background check, have completed 10th grade, pass a theory exam through Pearson VUE, and have 1,250 hours of training and 2,000 hours as an apprentice. | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, have completed high school or equivalent, pass written and practical exams, and have 1,500 hours of training. | Yes |
| South Carolina | Applicants must be 16 years of age or older, have completed 10th grade, pass written and practical exams, and have 1,500 hours of training. | Yes |
| South Dakota | Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, have completed high school or equivalent, and have 2,100 hours of training and 3,000 hours of apprenticeship. | No |
| Tennessee | Applicants must be 16 years of age or older, pass practical and theory exams, and have 1,500 hours of training OR 750 hours of training and completion of an apprenticeship. | Yes, pending application approval |
| Texas | Applicants must be 17 years of age or older, have completed high school or equivalent, pass written and practical exams, and have 1,500 hours of training OR 1,000 hours of instruction and 500 hours of related courses, and hold Class A barber certificate. | Yes, with provided certified transcript of hours as proof of non-apprenticeship training |
| Utah | Applicants must have 1,600 hours of training OR 2,500 hours of apprenticeship and application | No |
| Vermont | Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, have completed high school or equivalent, passed the PCS exam, and have 1,500 hours of training OR 2,000 hours of apprenticeship. | Yes, pending endorsement application |
| Virginia | Applicants must have 1,500 hours of training OR 1,200-1,499 hours of training and 6 months of full time work experience. | Yes |
| Washington | Applicants must be 17 years of age or older, complete state approved apprenticeship program, and have 1,600 hours of training OR 2,000 hours of apprenticeship. | Yes, pending application, fee, and proof of licensure |
| West Virginia | Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, have completed high school or equivalent, hold a certificate of health, and have 1,800 hours of training and 300 clock hours before working with the general public. | No |
| Wisconsin | Applicants must be 18 years of age or older OR have completed high school or the equivalent OR participated in a board approved program, and have 1,550 hours of training in less than 10 months OR 3,712 hours of an apprenticeship. | Yes, if applicants hold current license and at least 4,000 hours of experience in licensed practice |
| Wyoming | Applicants must be 16 years of age or older, have completed 10th grade or equivalent, and have 1,600 hours of training. | No |
State Licensure of School
OCCUPATIONAL CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 299 of 1980
339.1218 Cosmetology establishment and school of cosmetology; inspections.
Sec. 1218.
(1) The department shall regularly inspect each cosmetology establishment and school of cosmetology to determine whether the licensee is conforming to this article and the rules promulgated under this article.
(2) A representative of the department may enter and inspect, during regular business hours, a cosmetology establishment or school of cosmetology for purposes of subsection (1).
(3) A representative of the department, when inspecting a cosmetology establishment or school of cosmetology, may require an individual who is working in the establishment or school to present identification in order to substantiate his or her identity as the holder of a posted license.
The Cosmetology program hosts representatives from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs for an annual inspection.