To receive a cosmetology license in Minnesota or a license in one of the other beauty practitioner disciplines in this state you have to attend a licensed school and complete the minimum required training hours before you can take the state’s board exams. These required training hours are specified by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners (BCE). After you pass the exam you can apply for the license. In total the for the license is $139 which is broken down into $40 Application Fee, $90 License Fee and $9 Technology Surcharge Fee.

Minimum required training hours

  • Cosmetologist license: 1550 hours
  • Esthetician license: 600 hours
  • Manicurist license: 350 hours

Examinations are already stressful, but a lack of information or misinformation only adds unnecessary stress. The exams in Minnesota are administered through PSI. Therefore, we advise every applicant to read through the FAQ documents for information on theory and practical exams at PSI Online and contact either the Board or PSI if you have questions.

 

Contact Information Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners (BCE)

The BCE regulates the examination, practice, and registration of all licensed apprentices, instructors, as well as inspection of all salons and schools.

Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners

2829 University Ave. S.E., Suite 710
Minneapolis, MN 55414

Phone: (651) 201-2742
Fax: (612) 617-2601

Email Contact Info: bce.board@state.mn.us


Website, Application Forms, FAQ

Cosmetology License Renewal

Cosmetology licenses in Minnesota are renewed every three years.

As of August 1, 2014, operators and salon managers must complete a 4-hour CORE continuing education course. This course must consist of 3 hours of health, safety, and infection control standards and 1 hour of laws and rules.

Beginning August 1, 2017, operators and salon managers must also complete a 4-hour PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE continuing education course based on any or all of the following: (1) product chemistry and chemistry interaction; (2) proper use of machines and instruments; (3) business management and human relations; or (4) techniques relevant to the type of license held.

Instructors need to complete 45 CE hours within each renewal period. The renewal fees are $81 for all individual licenses of all above-mentioned beauty practitioner disciplines and a $114 for instructors.

 

Out-of-state license / Out-of-country license

An out-of-state license does not automatically qualify you for a cosmetology license in Minnesota. However, you can apply for a license through reciprocity if you meet Minnesota’s minimum training hours requirement in your home state or country (see Reciprocity Operator here: Application forms).  If you can prove you fulfill the minimum requirements or made up the difference by taking additional training hours either in Minnesota (recommended by MAB) or your home state/country then you can submit the reciprocity application. The fee is the same as for a new license: $139.

 

In certain cases, you may submit an Exam waiver form to get exempt from the theory exam.  Please see according information at PSI

In brief, The Minnesota Cosmetology theory exams contain two parts: National and State parts. Candidates who are tested or licensed in another state in another state may decide to take only the State part of the exam, thus waiving the national part. On rare occasions, candidates may also want to request a waiver of the state part. Candidates who qualify for a waiver of the state part of the exam can utilize this same process to request a waiver of the state part of the exam.

You can request the waiver either by phone or via completing a word document and faxing or emailing it to PSI.

Please note:
At the time a license application is submitted, the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners will make its final determination about whether the applicant has submitted proof of completion of all requirements.

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Disclaimer: We don’t guarantee the accuracy of the above information. Ultimately the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners determines license requirements and will provide you with all needed information. We are not affiliated with the Board in any way. If you have questions or comments please contact us here. The information on this page was last updated on 2/22/2018.