How to Become a Cosmetologist in Rhode Island

Who can apply

• You must be at least 18 years old (R.I. Gen. Laws 5-10-8).
• You must be a U.S. citizen or have legal entry into the country, and be of good moral character.
• You must be a high school graduate or equivalent (or have 25+ years of prior experience in the practice).
• You must complete at least 1,000 hours of hairdressing/cosmetic therapy at an approved school (216-RICR-40-05-4.4.3).
• You must pass a written and a practical exam with at least 70% on each.

Step by step

1. Complete at least 1,000 hours of hairdressing/cosmetic therapy at an approved school.
2. Mail the Hairdresser/Cosmetologist application to RIDOH with the $25 nonrefundable fee, a copy of your ID, a certified birth certificate (or proof of lawful entry), and your high school diploma or GED.
3. Have your school send an official transcript directly to the Board.
4. After finishing all required hours, schedule the NIC written exam with PSI.
5. Pass the written and practical exams (70% minimum each).
6. Receive your license. Carry it on you while you work.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Rhode Island requires at least 1,000 hours of continuous study and practice in hairdressing/cosmetic therapy at an approved school. Students who started before June 22, 2017 must complete 1,500 hours (216-RICR-40-05-4.4.3). After 1,000 classroom hours, students may enter a work-study arrangement in a shop, but those hours do not count as classroom credit.

Exam: You must pass a written exam and a practical exam, each with a minimum score of 70% (216-RICR-40-05-4.5.2). The written exam is the NIC exam; you schedule it yourself with PSI (psiexams.com) only after you finish your hours. If you fail, you can retest after paying the re-exam fee to the testing agency. RIDOH also charges a $25 reexamination fee.

What it costs in Rhode Island

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

Keeping your license

Renewal: Licenses expire on September 30 every other year, on an odd-even year basis set by your original issue date. Renew on or before September 30 with the $25 renewal fee; renewed licenses run from October 1 for two years. Late renewals pay $25 more for each lapsed cycle, up to $100. RIDOH's rules for this license do not list a continuing education requirement.

Good to know in Rhode Island

Licensed in another state: Apply by endorsement ($25). Every state where you have held a license must send verification directly to the Board showing you passed both a written and practical exam; any missing exam must be taken in Rhode Island. If your state's hours are lower, you can get 100 hours of credit for each 3 months of licensed practice, up to 500 hours.

90-day temporary license: If you are licensed by exam in another state, RIDOH issues one non-renewable 90-day temporary license after it receives your complete application, fee and a copy of your active out-of-state license.

Foreign-trained applicants: If your country's training is equivalent, you may sit for the Rhode Island exams once RIDOH accepts your credentials. If not, RIDOH may grant up to 1,000 hours of credit for at least 30 months of practice abroad. Foreign high school diplomas need an equivalency evaluation.

Applications expire: Applications are valid for one year from the date RIDOH receives them. If you are not licensed within that year, you must submit a new application.

Military: Active-duty members, reservists, their spouses and honorably discharged veterans can request expedited processing with documentation such as an LES, orders or DD-214.

Sources

• RIDOH - Application for License as a Hairdresser/Cosmetologist (revised 12/19/2025)
• 216-RICR-40-05-4 - Licensing of Barbering, Hairdressing, Cosmetic Therapy, Manicuring and Esthetics
• 216-RICR-10-05-2 - RIDOH Fee Structure
• R.I. Gen. Laws 5-10-8 - Qualifications of applicants