How to Become a Cosmetologist in North Dakota

Checked against North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology · Verified 2026-10-17

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 1 years
State fee: Original cosmetologist license: up to $50 (statutory maximum, N.D.C.C. 43-11-28). Student registration: up to $15.
Licensed by: North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology

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Who can apply

To register as a student you must be at least 16 and have at least a tenth-grade education or equivalent (N.D.C.C. 43-11-19).
You must complete 1,500 hours at a Board-licensed school, or 2,500 hours in a registered apprenticeship approved by the Board.
You must pass the NIC practical exam, the NIC written (theory) exam and the North Dakota law and rules exam.
You must provide two forms of valid, unexpired ID, at least one of them a primary ID (N.D. Admin. Code 32-01-03-09).

Step by step

Enroll in a Board-licensed cosmetology school. The school registers you with the Board through the licensing portal.
Complete 1,500 training hours (or 2,500 hours through a Board-approved apprenticeship).
After graduation, apply for licensure in the Board's licensing portal and upload your ID and documents.
Once the Board approves you for testing, take the NIC practical exam at the Board office and the NIC theory and North Dakota law exams through Prov (testing center or remote).
Wait for the Board to issue your license before you work. North Dakota does not issue temporary permits.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: North Dakota requires 1,500 hours at a Board-licensed school (N.D.C.C. 43-11-16). The apprenticeship route requires 2,500 hours in a program registered with the U.S. Department of Labor and approved by the Board; apprentices must be paid hourly employees of a licensed establishment, supervised by a registered trainer (N.D.C.C. 43-11-16.1, N.D. Admin. Code ch. 32-06-01). The Board credits transfer hours from out-of-state schools for 2 years and from in-state schools for 5 years.

Exam: You must pass three exams: the NIC practical, the NIC written (theory) and the North Dakota law and rules exam. The Board gives the practical at its office, on mannequins only (no live models). Results are usually emailed the next business day; if you fail, you retake the full practical ($25 re-exam fee). The theory and law exams are computer-based through Prov, at a testing center or remotely. The passing score is 75% (N.D. Admin. Code 32-04-01-25).

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

What it costs in North Dakota

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

Cosmetology school tuition (1,500 hours)$
Student registration (statutory maximum)$15
Exam fees$
Original cosmetologist license (statutory maximum)$50

Estimated total in North Dakota$65Plus 2 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

Exam fees are set and collected by the examination administrator (the Board for the NIC practical, Prov for the theory and law exams); practical re-exam fee is $25.
Annual renewal: up to $50 per year. Late renewal: up to $50 within one year, up to $150 after one year but before five years.
Apprentice registration fee: up to $15.
School tuition varies by school.

Pay in North Dakota

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How long it takes

School route: the Board estimates 1,500 hours at about 37 weeks (9 months); the 2,500-hour apprenticeship at about 62 weeks (14-15 months).

Keeping your license

Renewal: Every license must be renewed on or before December 31 each year (N.D. Admin. Code 32-05-01-01). Starting with the 2028 renewal cycle, licensees must complete at least 4 hours of Board-approved continuing education each year (in person, online or virtual; at most 1 hour from trade show attendance). If your license lapses up to five years, you pay a penalty fee and must retake the North Dakota laws and rules exam.

Good to know in North Dakota

Foreign-trained applicants: International credentials must be evaluated by a Board-approved credentialing agency (N.D.C.C. 43-11-25.1).

No temporary permits: Submitting an application or passing an exam does not let you practice. You may work only after the license is issued.

Where you can work: Licensees must work in a licensed establishment or as a licensed independent licensee. Services outside an establishment are allowed only under the Board's rules, including carrying a required kit.

Licensed in another state: You may qualify by endorsement (N.D.C.C. 43-11-25) if your scope and standards are substantially similar and your license is in good standing. You must retake exams if you have been licensed under one year, or under three years if your state did not require the NIC practical and theory exams or equivalent. Work experience can count toward missing training: 1,000 work hours = 100 training hours, up to 500 hours, counting only work in the three years before you apply. Verifications must come directly from every state where you have held a license. The reciprocity license fee is up to $105 (statutory maximum, N.D.C.C. 43-11-28).

Military and veterans: Active-duty members and spouses can get a free 3-year provisional license without exams if they have held an active license in good standing in another state for the two years before applying (N.D.C.C. 43-11-25.2). Veterans and spouses can get a free, nonrenewable 3-year provisional license if they apply within six months of honorable discharge.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology before you apply.