To receive a cosmetology license in New York 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 as specified by the New York Department of State, Licensing Services (LS) before you can take the exams.
Minimum required training hours
- Cosmetologist*: 1000 hours for license
- Barbering**: 2-year apprenticeship
- Esthetician*: 600 hours for license
- Nail Specialty*: 400 hours for license
- Natural Hair Styling*: 300 hours for license
- Waxing*: 75 hours for license
* Appearance Enhancement
** Barbering
Examinations are already stressful but a lack of information or misinformation only adds unnecessary stress. Therefore, we advise every applicant to read through the governing New York state laws (Appearance Enhancement Law, Barbering License Law) ahead of time and contact the licensing services if you still have questions.
Contact Information New York Department of State, Licensing Services
Mailing Information:
Albany Mailing Address
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
P.O. Box 22001
Albany, NY 12201-2001
To ensure prompt delivery of your mail, it is important that you utilize the above mailing address.
Please note: If you utilize express services or next-day ground services such as UPS, Federal Express, DHL, etc. you should use the physical address of the building.
The physical address of the Albany location is:
Albany Physical Address
Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
Albany:
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
(Customer Service hours 9:00am – 4:30pm)
Phone Information
General Information
Phone: (518) 474-4429
Call Center Representatives are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except on Legal Holidays.
Fax:(518) 473-6648
Other Offices
New York City:
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
123 William St. 2nd Fl.
New York, NY 10038-3804
(212) 417-5747 (customer service hours 8:45am – 4:30pm)
Binghamton:
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building 44 Hawley Street, Room 1506
Binghamton, NY 13901-4455
(607) 721-8757 (customer service hours 8:30am -4:30pm)
Buffalo:
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
65 Court Street, Room 208
Buffalo, NY 14202-3471
(716) 847-7110 (customer service hours 9:00 am -3:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Closed on Wednesday)
Hauppauge:
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
250 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788-5519
(631) 952-6579 (customer service hours 8:30am – 4:30pm)
Syracuse: OPEN ON MONDAYS ONLY
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
Hughes State Office Building
333 E. Washington Street, Room 514
Syracuse, NY 13202-1428
(315) 428-4258 (customer service hours 8:30 am – 4:30 pm on Mondays only)
Utica:
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
207 Genesee Street
Utica, NY 13501-2812
(315) 793-2533 (customer service hours 8:00am – 4:00pm)
Websites:
Cosmetology, FAQs
E-mail: licensing@dos.ny.gov
Cosmetology License Renewal
In New York, cosmetology licenses must file an application and fee for renewal within five years of the expiration date cited on the individual’s license. If the licensee fails to do so he/she is ineligible for this license until he/she passes a written exam. Proof of previous licenses may be required. The costs are $40 for the renewal. So far no continuing education is required to renew your cosmetology license.
Out-of-state license
An out-of-state license does not automatically qualify you for a cosmetology license in New York. But you may qualify for what is called “reciprocity”, if you are currently licensed by a state on the list below and for some of the states have one or more years of licensure to qualify.
Applicants must submit:
- Certification from the cosmetology board where currently licensed
- Completed cosmetology application and $40 application fee.
Where indicated below: Two Experience Statements (DOS-1543) must be submitted from two different people that attest the applicant has been working as a cosmetologist for the specified number of years.
| Reciprocity States | Minimum Qualification |
| Alaska | Current Licensure |
| Arizona | 1 Year (Current) |
| Colorado | 5 Years & Current Licensure |
| Idaho | 3 Years & Current Licensure |
| Louisiana | Current Licensure |
| Maine | Current Licensure |
| Massachusetts | 2 Years & Current Licensure (must submit 2 experience statements) |
| Minnesota | 2 Years & Current Licensure |
| Mississippi | Current Licensure |
| Missouri | 5 Years & Current Licensure |
| Montana | 4 Years & Current Licensure |
| Nevada | Current Licensure |
| North Carolina | Current Licensure |
| North Dakota | 1 Year & Current Licensure |
| Oklahoma | Current Licensure |
| Pennsylvania | 2 Years & Current Licensure (must submit 2 experience statements) |
| South Dakota | Current Licensure |
| Tennessee | 2 Years & Current Licensure |
| Vermont | 2 Years & Current Licensure |
| Virginia | Current Licensure |
| Washington, DC | 5 Years & Current Licensure |
For further information please contact the LS.
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Disclaimer: We don’t guarantee the accuracy of the above information. Ultimately the New York Department of State, Licensing Services determines license requirements and will provide you with all needed information. We are not affiliated with the Department in any way. The information on this page was last updated on 9/23/2017.