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Arkansas Cosmetology — Requirements & Free Practice

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Cosmetologist License

Individual Arkansas license for cosmetologist practice or instruction; scope is the occupation specified on the license.

Licensing authority: Arkansas Department of Health, Cosmetology Section; Arkansas State Board of Health and Cosmetology Technical Advisory Committee · Application information

Automatic occupational licensure — existing out of state license
Arkansas State Law examination (practice unavailable)
Continued compliance
After automatic licensure, satisfy all other occupation and renewal requirements.
Pending matters
No pending complaint, allegation, or investigation in the occupation; satisfy the rule's criminal-offense conditions, read subject to applicable statutory exclusions.
Qualifying status
A similar-scope license in good standing for at least one year, issued by another U.S. state, territory, or district.
State law waiver
The Department may waive the state-law test if education, training and experience are a sufficient substitute and public health, safety and welfare are not harmed.
Automatic occupational licensure — experience where occupation is unlicensed
Arkansas State Law examination (practice unavailable)
Continued compliance
After automatic licensure, satisfy all other occupation and renewal requirements.
Pending matters
No pending complaint, allegation, or investigation in the occupation; satisfy the rule's criminal-offense conditions, read subject to applicable statutory exclusions.
Qualifying status
At least three years of work in another U.S. state, territory, or district that does not license the requested occupation.
State law waiver
The Department may waive the state-law test if education, training and experience are a sufficient substitute and public health, safety and welfare are not harmed.
Initial licensure by examination — Arkansas training

All of the following:

Complete training
1,500 hours of the applicable approved program before ordinary initial issuance.
Domestic violence training
Complete the required one-hour domestic violence and sexual assault awareness course as part of the applicable training program.
Early examination training
At least 1,200 training hours for examination eligibility under § 17-26-304.
Education
Two years of high school or equivalent.
Exam results
Pass the applicable written theory examination, the Arkansas state-law examination at 70, and the Department's practical examination at 75.
Financial eligibility
Submit the verified application, required fee, identification and documentation; debts owed to the Department must be paid before examination eligibility.
Minimum age
At least 16 for initial examination eligibility under § 17-26-304.
Training completion
Approved training and a Certificate of Training must be supplied; early written testing while enrolled does not remove graduation and practical-test requirements.
Initial licensure by examination — completed out of state training

All of the following:

Complete training
1,500 hours of the applicable approved program before ordinary initial issuance.
Domestic violence training
Complete the required one-hour domestic violence and sexual assault awareness course as part of the applicable training program.
Early examination training
At least 1,200 training hours for examination eligibility under § 17-26-304.
Education
Two years of high school or equivalent.
Exam results
Pass the applicable written theory examination, the Arkansas state-law examination at 70, and the Department's practical examination at 75.
Financial eligibility
Submit the verified application, required fee, identification and documentation; debts owed to the Department must be paid before examination eligibility.
Minimum age
At least 16 for initial examination eligibility under § 17-26-304.
Out of state age
At least 18 for cosmetologist, manicurist, or aesthetician; at least 21 for instructor or electrologist, as specified by 17 CAR § 54-204.
Training completion
Approved training and a Certificate of Training must be supplied; early written testing while enrolled does not remove graduation and practical-test requirements.
Training origin
Completed out-of-state training must be certified directly to the Department; equivalent qualifications and the required hours are evaluated under § 17-26-304 or § 17-26-306 and 17 CAR § 54-204(b).
Initial licensure by examination — partial out of state training

All of the following:

Complete training
1,500 hours of the applicable approved program before ordinary initial issuance.
Domestic violence training
Complete the required one-hour domestic violence and sexual assault awareness course as part of the applicable training program.
Early examination training
At least 1,200 training hours for examination eligibility under § 17-26-304.
Education
Two years of high school or equivalent.
Exam results
Pass the applicable written theory examination, the Arkansas state-law examination at 70, and the Department's practical examination at 75.
Financial eligibility
Submit the verified application, required fee, identification and documentation; debts owed to the Department must be paid before examination eligibility.
Minimum age
At least 16 for initial examination eligibility under § 17-26-304.
Out of state age
At least 18 for cosmetologist, manicurist, or aesthetician; at least 21 for instructor or electrologist, as specified by 17 CAR § 54-204.
Training completion
Approved training and a Certificate of Training must be supplied; early written testing while enrolled does not remove graduation and practical-test requirements.
Training origin
Partial out-of-state hours require certification or evidence accepted by the Department; complete the remaining hours for the requested license before issuance under 17 CAR § 54-204(c).
Late renewal within five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Expiration
Biennial expiration on the licensee's birthday; file renewal and pay the fee within 30 days after expiration.
Practice
Do not practice with an expired license.
Renewal window
Expired licenses may be renewed up to five years after expiration; applicable renewal and reinstatement fees are payable. A physician-supervised extended or long-term condition may support a reinstatement-fee waiver under § 17-26-319(d).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after incapacity related suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Restoration
Prove restoration to a mental condition allowing compliance with Chapter 26; this specific reinstatement provision requires that proof and states no examination.
Suspension
License was suspended following an adjudication of insanity or legal incompetence under § 17-26-104(c)(3).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Automatic military licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Uniformed service member stationed in Arkansas, resident veteran, or qualifying spouse under 17 CAR § 54-113(a), holding in good standing a similar-scope occupational license from another U.S. state, territory, or district.
Fee
Pay the applicable licensure fee.
Military credit
Relevant uniformed-service education, training, national certification or service-issued credentials receive credit toward initial licensure; this automatic route itself is based on the qualifying existing license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by reciprocity — less than one year
Arkansas State Law examination (practice unavailable)
Age
At least 18 for cosmetologist, manicurist, or aesthetician; at least 21 for instructor or electrologist.
Application
Submit the required application and supporting identification with the nonrefundable transfer fee; the rule specifies that the application expires after one year.
Board application demand
The October 2024 Department application states: Have you been licensed for one (1) year or more in the license you are applying for? Yes No (If no, you will be required to pass a written and Arkansas state law examination before a license is issued. If yes, you will be required to pass an Arkansas state law examination before a license is issued.) This implementing demand is recorded alongside the statutory reciprocity conditions; § 17-26-315 grants licensure on its enumerated conditions and does not name an additional NIC examination for this route.
Comparable examination
Section 17-26-315(3) requires an examination comparable to the Arkansas examination to have been passed. The source does not name an exact examination; the comparable-examination slot remains an applicant condition.
Experience
Less than one year of licensure experience; the current application states that the applicant must pass a written examination as well as state law.
Other license
Current valid out-of-state license, certified license and affidavit or other evidence required by the Department; Arkansas scope cannot exceed the scope previously licensed.
Licensure by reciprocity — one year or more
Arkansas State Law examination (practice unavailable)
Age
At least 18 for cosmetologist, manicurist, or aesthetician; at least 21 for instructor or electrologist.
Application
Submit the required application and supporting identification with the nonrefundable transfer fee; the rule specifies that the application expires after one year.
Board application demand
The October 2024 Department application states: Have you been licensed for one (1) year or more in the license you are applying for? Yes No (If no, you will be required to pass a written and Arkansas state law examination before a license is issued. If yes, you will be required to pass an Arkansas state law examination before a license is issued.) This implementing demand is recorded alongside the statutory reciprocity conditions; § 17-26-315 grants licensure on its enumerated conditions and does not name an additional NIC examination for this route.
Comparable examination
Section 17-26-315(3) requires an examination comparable to the Arkansas examination to have been passed. The source does not name an exact examination; the comparable-examination slot remains an applicant condition.
Experience
At least one year of licensure experience in good standing, as requested by the current application.
Other license
Current valid out-of-state license, certified license and affidavit or other evidence required by the Department; Arkansas scope cannot exceed the scope previously licensed.
Reinstatement after five year lapse
Arkansas State Law examination (practice unavailable)
Documentation
Completed lapsed-license form, government photo identification, Social Security card, previous license if available, and required fees.
Lapse
License has remained unrenewed for five years; the current Department form requires the Arkansas State Law examination for relicensure.
Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Expiration
Biennial expiration on the licensee's birthday; file renewal and pay the fee within 30 days after expiration.
Practice
Do not practice with an expired license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reissuance or reinstatement after revocation

All of the following:

Complete training
1,500 hours of the applicable approved program before ordinary initial issuance.
Domestic violence training
Complete the required one-hour domestic violence and sexual assault awareness course as part of the applicable training program.
Early examination training
At least 1,200 training hours for examination eligibility under § 17-26-304.
Education
Two years of high school or equivalent.
Exam results
Pass the applicable written theory examination, the Arkansas state-law examination at 70, and the Department's practical examination at 75.
Examination discretion
Under 17 CAR § 54-202(f), the Board may exempt the applicant from examinations and issue a new license on payment of the proper fee.
Financial eligibility
Submit the verified application, required fee, identification and documentation; debts owed to the Department must be paid before examination eligibility.
Minimum age
At least 16 for initial examination eligibility under § 17-26-304.
Revocation
After one year from revocation or final disposition of the appeal, apply as in the original application; show good cause under § 17-26-321.
Training completion
Approved training and a Certificate of Training must be supplied; early written testing while enrolled does not remove graduation and practical-test requirements.
Renewal of lapsed license — veteran of war
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply and pay the necessary fees; no examination or additional schooling is required by this statutory route.
Qualifying status
Veteran of war who previously held the occupation's Arkansas license and permitted it to lapse, under § 17-26-319(f).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Cosmetologist Temporary License

Temporary form of the occupation's license under 17 CAR § 54-114.

Licensing authority: Arkansas Department of Health, Cosmetology Section; Arkansas State Board of Health and Cosmetology Technical Advisory Committee · Application information

Temporary licensure pending full documentation

All of the following:

Complete training
1,500 hours of the applicable approved program before ordinary initial issuance.
Documentation discretion
The applicant may provide full documentation for ordinary licensure or only information necessary for temporary issuance. The referenced examination requirements remain leaves; any accepted documentary substitution is an applicant condition.
Domestic violence training
Complete the required one-hour domestic violence and sexual assault awareness course as part of the applicable training program.
Early examination training
At least 1,200 training hours for examination eligibility under § 17-26-304.
Education
Two years of high school or equivalent.
Exam results
Pass the applicable written theory examination, the Arkansas state-law examination at 70, and the Department's practical examination at 75.
Financial eligibility
Submit the verified application, required fee, identification and documentation; debts owed to the Department must be paid before examination eligibility.
Minimum age
At least 16 for initial examination eligibility under § 17-26-304.
Temporary duration
Issued immediately upon receipt of application, fee, and documentation required under 17 CAR § 54-202; effective for 160 days unless immediately revoked for failure to meet 17 CAR § 54-204.
Training completion
Approved training and a Certificate of Training must be supplied; early written testing while enrolled does not remove graduation and practical-test requirements.

Arkansas practical licensing examination (Cosmetologist)

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Provider
Licensed Arkansas school of cosmetology or postsecondary school of cosmetology
Format
Practical demonstration, Department-developed examination and scoring document, proctored under NIC guidelines
Passing score
75
Examination sources

Arkansas State Law examination

Provider
Arkansas Department of Health, Cosmetology Section
Format
Written state-law examination; independent retakes are delivered through a Department link
Passing score
70
Practice scope

Inferred from the examination name; the authority has not published an examination outline.

  • Arkansas Code Title 17, Chapter 26 — Cosmetology and Related Occupations
  • 17 CAR Part 54 — Rules for Cosmetology and Body Art in Arkansas
Examination sources

National Cosmetology Theory Examination

Provider
Developed by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC); computer-based testing administered by test administration companies and states upon approval and authorization of NIC
Format
Multiple-choice theory examination; each question has four answer options, only one of which is correct
Exam questions
110 items, of which 100 items are weighted and contribute to the final score
Time limit
90 minutes
Examination outline
  • Scientific Concepts (35% of items) (35%)
    • Infection control and safety practices — Identify cause/transmission of diseases and infections
    • Infection control and safety practices — Identify the purpose and differentiate among the categories of infection control: Sanitation; Disinfection; Sterilization
    • Infection control and safety practices — Recognize how cross-contamination occurs and how it can be prevented (e.g., single use and multi-use items)
    • Infection control and safety practices — Apply blood exposure procedures
    • Infection control and safety practices — Identify requirements of government agencies: OSHA; EPA
    • Human anatomy and physiology — Identify function and structure of the: Hair and scalp; Skin; Nails
    • Human anatomy and physiology — Recognize signs and symptoms of conditions, disorders, and diseases related to: Hair and scalp; Skin; Nails
    • Human anatomy and physiology — Identify muscles and joints and their functions related to: Head and face; Arms and hands; Legs and feet
    • Human anatomy and physiology — Identify functions of: Nervous system; Circulatory system
    • Basic chemistry used in Cosmetology — Recognize purpose and effects of ingredients
    • Basic chemistry used in Cosmetology — Recognize interactions between chemicals
    • Basic chemistry used in Cosmetology — Recognize chemical reactions (e.g., overexposure, chemical burn)
    • Basic chemistry used in Cosmetology — Recognize the values of the pH scale
  • Hair Care and Services (45% of items) (45%)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Evaluate condition of client’s hair and scalp
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Recognize conditions that would prohibit service (i.e., contraindications)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Utilize preliminary tests (e.g., predisposition and strand tests)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Recommend services or products based on client needs
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)
    • Hair care and services- Tools used in hair care services — Identify purpose, function, and infection control procedures of items: Equipment (e.g., chair, workstation); Implements (e.g., razors, shears, combs/brushes); Supplies and materials (e.g., towels, drapes, neck strips); Electrical tools (e.g., irons, blow dryers, clippers)
    • Hair care and services- Tools used in hair care services — Demonstrate safe practices: Tools/Implements; Ergonomics
    • Hair care principles and procedures — Demonstrate shampooing and conditioning
    • Hair care principles and procedures — Demonstrate scalp treatments and scalp massage
    • Hair care principles and procedures — Demonstrate draping (e.g., chemical, shampoo, cutting, styling)
    • Hair care principles and procedures — Recognize differences in hair care principles and procedures based on various hair types and textures
    • Hair design principles and procedures — Demonstrate hair cutting and shaping
    • Hair design principles and procedures — Demonstrate hair styling: Wet styling; Thermal styling; Natural hair styling (e.g., braiding)
    • Hair design principles and procedures — Apply, maintain, and remove hair enhancements: Wigs and hairpieces; Hair additions (e.g., taping, bonding, fusion, linking)
    • Hair design principles and procedures — Apply principles of balance and hair design (e.g., facial shape, physical structure)
    • Hair design principles and procedures — Recognize differences in hair design principles and procedures based on various hair types and textures
    • Chemical services principles and procedures — Perform hair color services (e.g., virgin, retouch, lightening, foiling, balayage, color formulation, color correction)
    • Chemical services principles and procedures — Perform chemical hair relaxer/restructurizer and curl reduction (e.g., hydroxide, thio, keratin) service
    • Chemical services principles and procedures — Perform chemical waving/texturizing (e.g., alkaline, acid, non-thio) services
    • Chemical services principles and procedures — Understand the chemical products used for the various hair texture types
  • Skin Care and Services (10% of items) (10%)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Evaluate client’s skin: Type; Condition
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Recognize conditions that would prohibit service (i.e., contraindications)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Recommend services or products based on client needs
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)
    • Tools used for skin care services — Identify purpose, function, and infection control procedures of items: Equipment (e.g., chair, steamer); Implements (e.g., tweezers, brushes, extractors); Supplies, products, and materials (e.g., creams, masks, towels, wax, head coverings)
    • Tools used for skin care services — Demonstrates safe practices: Tools/Implements; Ergonomics
    • Skin care principles and procedures — Apply knowledge of a basic facial
    • Skin care principles and procedures — Apply knowledge of hair removal
    • Skin care principles and procedures — Apply knowledge of makeup application
    • Skin care principles and procedures — Apply knowledge of electrical equipment
  • Nail Care and Services (10% of items) (10%)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Evaluate condition of client’s nails
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Recognize conditions that would prohibit service (i.e., contraindications)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Recommend services or products based on client needs
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)
    • Tools used for nail care services — Identify purpose, function, and infection control procedures of items: Equipment (e.g., workstation, pedicure basin); Implements (e.g., nippers, file); Supplies, products, and materials (e.g., towels, creams, polish)
    • Tools used for nail care services — Demonstrates safe practices: Tools/Implements; Ergonomics
    • Nail care service principles and procedures — Apply knowledge of a basic manicure and pedicure
    • Nail care service principles and procedures — Apply, maintain, and remove nail enhancements
Examination sources