How to Become a Cosmetologist in Nebraska

Checked against Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Licensure Unit, with the Board of Cosmetology, Electrology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, and Body Art · Verified 2026-10-17

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 2 years
State fee: $95 initial cosmetologist license fee; $25 if issued July to December of an even-numbered year (licenses expire December 31 of even years). The initial and temporary license fees are waived for applicants under 26, low-income applicants, and military families.
Licensed by: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Licensure Unit, with the Board of Cosmetology, Electrology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, and Body Art

Take the free cosmetology practice test →

Who can apply

You must be at least 17 years old (Neb. Rev. Stat. 38-1062).
You must have completed education equal to a U.S. high school education.
You must graduate from a 1,800-hour cosmetology program at a school of cosmetology or a licensed apprentice salon.
You must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present, and list all criminal convictions on the application.

Step by step

Complete at least 1,800 hours at a school of cosmetology or an apprentice salon.
Mail the Cosmetologist License by Examination application to the DHHS Licensure Unit with proof of lawful presence, your high school and cosmetology diplomas, Attachment 1 completed by your school, and the license fee (unless a fee waiver applies). Pay by check or money order.
Wait for the approval-to-test letter by email.
Schedule the NIC cosmetology written exam with PSI and pay PSI $53.
Bring the printed approval letter and a photo ID to the test. After you pass, DHHS issues your license.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: A cosmetology program of at least 1,800 hours at a school of cosmetology or a licensed apprentice salon, in or outside Nebraska. Students and apprentices must be at least 17 when they enroll and have a high school education or its equivalent; special-study students still in high school must have finished tenth grade. Apprentice salons must follow the same operating and student rules as schools.

Exam: DHHS contracts with the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) for a computer-based written exam delivered by PSI. PSI lists only a cosmetology theory exam for Nebraska. The fee is $53 for each attempt, is not refundable, and is valid for one year. State law requires an average score of 75% (Neb. Rev. Stat. 38-1065). If you fail, you can retest without limit, paying the fee each time. The exam is in English.

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

What it costs in Nebraska

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

Initial cosmetologist license ($25 if issued July-December of an even year; waivers available)$95
PSI NIC written exam (per attempt)$53
School or apprentice salon tuition (set by the school)$
Preliminary conviction review (optional)$100

Estimated total in Nebraska$148Plus 1 item with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

PSI written exam: $53 per attempt.
School or apprentice salon tuition varies; the state does not set it.
Optional preliminary conviction review before applying: $100.

How long it takes

You get same-day exam results. Within 5 to 10 days after DHHS receives PSI's official score report, it notifies you whether you are licensed or denied.

Keeping your license

Renewal: Cosmetologist licenses expire December 31 of even-numbered years. To renew, you need at least 8 hours of continuing education in the 2-year period; at least 4 hours must teach how to perform the skills or services of your profession. The Board no longer pre-approves CE programs. DHHS offers a free, 50-question, open-book online jurisprudence exam that counts for 2 CE hours.

Good to know in Nebraska

Licensed in another state: You must hold a current cosmetologist license in another state with no discipline, have passed a written exam (or take the NIC exam), and meet the 1,800-hour requirement. If you have fewer hours, each month of full-time licensed practice in the last 5 years counts as 100 hours.

Temporary license: A graduate of a Nebraska cosmetology school who is waiting to take the national exam can get a temporary license and must work under a supervisor.

Application deadline: If your application is missing information, you have 90 days to complete it. After that it is closed and you must apply again.

No license needed: You do not need a Nebraska license to apply makeup, braid natural hair, do threading, airbrush tanning, pierce earlobes, or manicure or pedicure the natural nail.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Licensure Unit, with the Board of Cosmetology, Electrology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, and Body Art before you apply.