How to Become a Cosmetologist in Oregon

Checked against Oregon Health Licensing Office (HLO), Board of Cosmetology · Verified 2026-10-17

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 2 years
State fee: $30 application fee per field of practice, $45 per written exam, and $35 for the two-year practitioner certificate (OAR 817-040-0003).
Licensed by: Oregon Health Licensing Office (HLO), Board of Cosmetology

Take the free cosmetology practice test →

Who can apply

Oregon does not offer an umbrella cosmetology license. You get a practitioner certification in each field of practice: hair design, barbering, esthetics, nail technology or natural hair care. Hair design is the field for cutting, coloring, chemical services and styling hair.
Oregon-trained applicants must graduate from a Board-approved Oregon school (1,110 hours and 455 practical operations of hair design, plus 20 hours of Oregon laws and rules and 20 hours of career development) and pass a Board-approved practical exam.
You must pass the hair design written exam and the Oregon Laws and Rules written exam within two years of your application date.
You must bring two forms of original U.S. government-issued ID, one with a photo, with matching names.

Step by step

Complete the hair design program at a Board-approved Oregon school (hourly or competency-based).
Pass the Board-approved practical exam. Your school sends HLO your official transcript and passing practical score (valid for five years).
Go to the Health Licensing Office in Salem (walk-in, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and complete the Cosmetology Practitioner Certification Application.
Take the hair design written exam and the Oregon Laws and Rules exam (90 minutes each; $45 each).
Pay the application and certification fees. HLO issues your certification the same day you pass.
Work only in a licensed facility, or get a freelance authorization or independent contractor registration.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: For hair design, Oregon requires graduation from a Board-approved Oregon school: 1,110 hours with 455 practical operations in hair design, 20 hours of Oregon laws and rules, and 20 hours of career development. Training may also be done at a competency-based school. Each other field (esthetics, nail technology, barbering) is a separate certification with its own training.

Exam: You need a Board-approved practical exam (arranged through your school) plus two written exams taken at HLO in Salem: the hair design exam and the Oregon Laws and Rules exam. Written exams are walk-in, 90 minutes each, and $45 each attempt (OAR 817-040-0003). Field-of-practice questions come from the Milady and Pivot Point textbooks. Exams are offered in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. After a failed attempt you may retest the next business day, up to 10 failures; after that the Board may require more training.

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

What it costs in Oregon

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

Hair design school tuition (1,150 total hours)$
Practical exam (through your school)$
Application fee (per field of practice)$30
Hair design written exam$45
Oregon Laws and Rules written exam$45
Practitioner certificate (2 years, per field)$35

Estimated total in Oregon$155Plus 2 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

Written exam retakes: $45 each attempt.
Freelance authorization (to work outside a licensed facility): $35 application plus $140 per year.
Independent contractor registration: $70 application plus $140 per year.
Practical exam and school tuition are set by the school.
Veterans may be eligible for test fee reimbursement.

How long it takes

HLO issues your certification the same day you pass the written exams and pay all fees.

Keeping your license

Renewal: Practitioner certificates last two years and go inactive on the last day of the month two years from issuance. Renewal is $65 per field per two-year cycle. If your certificate goes inactive, you have three years to renew by paying the renewal fee plus a $50 delinquency fee for each year inactive. After three years inactive, you must pass both the practical and written exams again and reapply. HLO lists no continuing education requirement for hair design.

Good to know in Oregon

Trained elsewhere, never licensed: An Oregon school can review your out-of-state or foreign training records and do a skills assessment and practical evaluation. If the school approves, you can sit for the written exams. Foreign documents must be translated into English.

Where you can work: All services must be provided in a licensed facility unless you hold a freelance authorization. Temporary facility permits last up to 30 consecutive days.

Licensed in another state: Your home board must send HLO proof that your license is current and in good standing (or you can use HLO's Affidavit of Licensure form for some states; the affidavit fee is $50). HLO decides if your license is substantially equivalent. You then pass the Oregon Laws and Rules exam and the written exam for each field. Reciprocity fees: $100 application and $65 certificate per field, plus $45 per exam.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Oregon Health Licensing Office (HLO), Board of Cosmetology before you apply.