How to Become a Cosmetologist in Indiana

Checked against Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) · Verified 2026-10-17

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 4 years
State fee: $40 application fee (not refundable). Renewal is $40 per 4-year cycle.
Licensed by: Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA)

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Who can apply

Indiana Code 25-8-9-3 sets the minimum age at 17. A board rule (820 IAC 2-2-3) and PLA's older exam instructions say written-exam applicants must be 18, so confirm with PLA if you are 17.
You must have completed the 10th grade or its equivalent. The Board may waive this for extreme hardship.
You must graduate from an Indiana beauty culture school (1,500 hours) or complete a U.S. Department of Labor registered cosmetology apprenticeship.
You must pass the state written exam and the practical exam with at least 75% on each.

Step by step

Complete 1,500 hours at an Indiana beauty culture school, or finish a U.S. Department of Labor registered cosmetology apprenticeship.
Pass your school's final practical demonstration exam (75% or higher). It counts as the state practical exam.
Your education provider sends your eligibility to PSI when you finish. Then pay PSI and pass the written cosmetologist exam within your one-year eligibility.
Apply online through PLA with the $40 application fee and upload your school's Beauty Culture Education Certification (or apprenticeship number and completion certificate) and your PSI pass notice.
Renew every 4 years before your license expires.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Indiana requires 1,500 hours of cosmetology education at an Indiana beauty culture school. Since 2024 (P.L. 82-2024), completing a U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program in cosmetology also qualifies you for the exam. Schools must give a final practical demonstration exam with at least 3 attempts, and you need 75% to pass.

Exam: Indiana law requires a practical and a written exam, with at least 75% on each. The school's final practical demonstration exam fulfills the practical part. PSI gives the written cosmetologist exam for $49, in English, Spanish, Vietnamese or Simplified Chinese. PSI says your eligibility lasts one year with unlimited retests, but Board rule 820 IAC 2-2-5 requires proof of 100 more hours of beauty culture theory at a cosmetology school after a second failed written exam (and before every odd-numbered attempt from the eighth on). Under 820 IAC 2-2-3, your first attempt must be within one year of graduating and you must pass within three years of graduating, unless the Board waives this for good cause. The Board amended its rules effective July 22, 2026 (LSA #25-328), so confirm current exam rules with PLA.

Practice for the cosmetology written exam free — infection control, hair care, chemical services, skin and nails →

What it costs in Indiana

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Application fee (non-refundable)$40
PSI written cosmetologist exam$49
Beauty school tuition$

Estimated total in Indiana$89Plus 1 item with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

PSI written exam: $49 per attempt. The fee is valid for one year from payment and is not refundable.
Beauty school tuition or apprenticeship costs vary.

Pay in Indiana

Indiana adds a local income tax on top of the state rate, so look up the local rate for your area before you budget.

Keeping your license

Renewal: Licenses expire on a date set by PLA and then every 4 years (IC 25-8-4-17). PLA sends renewal notices about 90 days before expiration. The renewal fee is $40. PLA does not list a continuing education requirement for cosmetologists. A license expired more than 3 years costs $80 to reinstate, and one expired 5 or more years requires passing the written exam again.

Good to know in Indiana

Licensed in another state: You can apply by reciprocity if your state's requirements are substantially equal to Indiana's and it requires at least 70% on written and practical exams. If your state required fewer hours, one year of licensed practice counts as 100 hours of education if you completed at least 1,000 hours. The fee is $40.

From a state without a license: If your jurisdiction does not license cosmetologists, the Board may issue a provisional license (up to 2 years) to work under an Indiana-licensed cosmetologist, then upgrade it after supervised experience.

Application expires: If you do not submit everything within one year after filing, your application is abandoned and you must start over.

Other licenses: Indiana also licenses barbers, estheticians (700 hours), manicurists (450 hours) and electrologists.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) before you apply.