Licensure Requirements

Upon completion of your cosmetology, esthetics, or nail teach program at Northern Michigan University; you must receive state licensure in order to practice in your chosen field.

Article 12 of Public Act 299 of 1980, as amended was created, to license and regulate the practice of cosmetology in Michigan. Article 12 defines cosmetology as one of the following services or a combination of the following services: Hair care services, skin care services, manicuring services and electrology.

State Licensure of School

The Cosmetology program hosts an annual inspection from representatives of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

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.

Upon completion of the cosmetology, esthetics, or nail teach program,  graduates must successfully complete the licensure requirements of the state of Michigan.

The information for each type of license is located at here.

Because the mission of programs in the College of Technology and Occupational Sciences is to serve the educational needs of the local region, all TOS programs are aligned to relevant Michigan professional licensure or certification requirements. NMU has not made a determination whether TOS programs' curricula meet the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in any other state.

NMU has determined that our programs meet the educational requirements for license to practice Cosmetology, Cosmetology Instructor, Esthetics, and Manicure in Michigan. We have not determined whether these programs meet educational requirements for licensure in any other state.