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Delaware Cosmetology — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Cosmetologist

License to practice the cosmetology services defined in 24 Del. C. §5101(7).

Licensing authority: Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering / Division of Professional Regulation · Application information

Licensure by examination — apprenticeship transferred to school

All of the following:

Delaware Practical Services
The Board selects NIC practical core domains 1–10 plus service 14 (Basic Facial) and service 18 (Manicure and Polish application); these are services within the NIC practical examination, not separate examinations.
Exam Application
Apply through Prometric; required education documentation must be approved before Authorization to Test is issued.
Fee
Pay the applicable application and licensing fees (§5107(a)(3)).
General Education
Completion of education equivalent to tenth grade, documented by certified transcript or other Board-accepted evidence (§5107(a)(1)).
Professional Education
Transfer no more than 1,800 apprentice hours at two apprentice hours per classroom hour into a 1,500-hour cosmetology program; complete at least 600 classroom hours at school. The Board documents hours; school acceptance is discretionary under rule 3.4.
Professional Standing
Meet §5107(a)(4)–(8): disclose disciplinary history and unresolved complaints, avoid practice-limiting drug or alcohol impairment, and provide required criminal-record information; the Board may grant the statutory criminal-history waiver.
Revenue License
Before issuance, obtain a Division of Revenue occupational license if Chapter 23 of Title 30 requires it (§5111(a)).
Licensure by examination — apprenticeship

All of the following:

Delaware Practical Services
The Board selects NIC practical core domains 1–10 plus service 14 (Basic Facial) and service 18 (Manicure and Polish application); these are services within the NIC practical examination, not separate examinations.
Exam Application
Apply through Prometric; required education documentation must be approved before Authorization to Test is issued.
Fee
Pay the applicable application and licensing fees (§5107(a)(3)).
General Education
Completion of education equivalent to tenth grade, documented by certified transcript or other Board-accepted evidence (§5107(a)(1)).
Professional Education
Complete 3,000 hours under a licensed cosmetologist, no more than 40 hours per week; complete within 18–36 months, subject to the Board’s maximum one-year good-cause extension. Hours begin only after issuance of the apprentice license. Up to 250 nail-technology apprentice hours and up to 500 aesthetics apprentice hours may transfer under rules 6.0 and 7.0.
Professional Standing
Meet §5107(a)(4)–(8): disclose disciplinary history and unresolved complaints, avoid practice-limiting drug or alcohol impairment, and provide required criminal-record information; the Board may grant the statutory criminal-history waiver.
Revenue License
Before issuance, obtain a Division of Revenue occupational license if Chapter 23 of Title 30 requires it (§5111(a)).
Licensure by examination — equivalent foreign training

All of the following:

Delaware Practical Services
The Board selects NIC practical core domains 1–10 plus service 14 (Basic Facial) and service 18 (Manicure and Polish application); these are services within the NIC practical examination, not separate examinations.
Exam Application
Apply through Prometric; required education documentation must be approved before Authorization to Test is issued.
Fee
Pay the applicable application and licensing fees (§5107(a)(3)).
General Education
Completion of education equivalent to tenth grade, documented by certified transcript or other Board-accepted evidence (§5107(a)(1)).
Professional Education
Provide Board-satisfactory evidence of training equivalent to §5107(a)(3) and meet all other §5107 requirements. Rule 1.3 requires an approved educational credential evaluation and, when appropriate, an acceptable translation.
Professional Standing
Meet §5107(a)(4)–(8): disclose disciplinary history and unresolved complaints, avoid practice-limiting drug or alcohol impairment, and provide required criminal-record information; the Board may grant the statutory criminal-history waiver.
Revenue License
Before issuance, obtain a Division of Revenue occupational license if Chapter 23 of Title 30 requires it (§5111(a)).
Reinstatement after a lapse longer than five years
National Cosmetology Practical Examination (assessment without a question bank)
Exam
Pass the NIC cosmetology practical exam again, including Delaware-selected services.
Lapse
Former Delaware cosmetologist license expired for more than five years; apply and pay the fee through DELPROS. The Board sends practical exam registration material after review.
Reapplication by reciprocity after a lapse longer than five years — Method 1
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Prior Examination Statement
The Board’s reciprocity page states: "Both methods require you to have passed a written and practical examination which was professionally developed and used on a national basis." It names no exact examination. This evidence condition does not identify an additional registered examination and does not override the §5109 grant on reciprocal qualifications.
Current License
Hold a current cosmetologist license in good standing in another U.S. jurisdiction; submit every current license and direct verification from every jurisdiction where licensed.
Eligibility
Former Delaware license lapsed over five years; hold a current license elsewhere and have at least one continuous licensed year of practice in the last five years. Apply using reciprocity Method 1 and supply its substantially-similar standards or experience documentation.
Fee
Submit the reciprocity application and fee through DELPROS.
Language
If the applicable written examination was taken in a language other than English, demonstrate ability to communicate in English under §5109(b).
Standing
Submit sworn evidence of the good-standing criteria in §5107(a)(4)–(8).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reapplication by reciprocity after a lapse longer than five years — Method 2
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Prior Examination Statement
The Board’s reciprocity page states: "Both methods require you to have passed a written and practical examination which was professionally developed and used on a national basis." It names no exact examination. This evidence condition does not identify an additional registered examination and does not override the §5109 grant on reciprocal qualifications.
Current License
Hold a current cosmetologist license in good standing in another U.S. jurisdiction; submit every current license and direct verification from every jurisdiction where licensed.
Eligibility
Former Delaware license lapsed over five years; hold a current license elsewhere and have at least one continuous licensed year of practice in the last five years. Apply using reciprocity Method 2 and supply its substantially-similar standards or experience documentation.
Fee
Submit the reciprocity application and fee through DELPROS.
Language
If the applicable written examination was taken in a language other than English, demonstrate ability to communicate in English under §5109(b).
Standing
Submit sworn evidence of the good-standing criteria in §5107(a)(4)–(8).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal within five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Renewal
Pay renewal and late fees and satisfy any applicable continuing education. §5111(b) addresses a lapse of less than five years; the Board’s current instructions accept late renewal up to five years. Do not practice until the license is renewed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Continuation and renewal during military deployment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Qualifying military personnel whose Delaware license was valid at deployment; provide deployment documentation and request continuation. Statutory expiration protection lasts 180 days after return without continuing education or 270 days with continuing education; submit renewal documents within 90 or 180 days respectively. All professional requirements remain applicable.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military member or spouse reinstatement within two years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Military Eligibility
Qualifying person under §8735(p)(7), or spouse, assigned to a Delaware duty station; provide official verification. Apply within two years of lapse, meet the Title 24 reinstatement documentation and fees, and exclude suspended or revoked licenses unless already reinstated before lapse.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by examination — military education, training or experience credit

All of the following:

Delaware Practical Services
The Board selects NIC practical core domains 1–10 plus service 14 (Basic Facial) and service 18 (Manicure and Polish application); these are services within the NIC practical examination, not separate examinations.
Exam Application
Apply through Prometric; required education documentation must be approved before Authorization to Test is issued.
Fee
Pay the applicable application and licensing fees (§5107(a)(3)).
General Education
Completion of education equivalent to tenth grade, documented by certified transcript or other Board-accepted evidence (§5107(a)(1)).
Military Training
Active duty, National Guard, reserve, retired military or veteran applicants may request substantially equivalent military education, training or experience credit while their full license application is pending. All other requirements, including both exams, remain applicable.
Professional Standing
Meet §5107(a)(4)–(8): disclose disciplinary history and unresolved complaints, avoid practice-limiting drug or alcohol impairment, and provide required criminal-record information; the Board may grant the statutory criminal-history waiver.
Revenue License
Before issuance, obtain a Division of Revenue occupational license if Chapter 23 of Title 30 requires it (§5111(a)).
Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Renewal
Renew biennially with the fee and any Board-required continuing education; cosmetologist licenses expire October 31 of each even year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Return to unrestricted practice after voluntary treatment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Treatment
Complete the Voluntary Treatment Option and comply with the treatment agreement and all professional practice restrictions before applying for unrestricted licensure.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by reciprocity — Method 1
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Prior Examination Statement
The Board’s reciprocity page states: "Both methods require you to have passed a written and practical examination which was professionally developed and used on a national basis." It names no exact examination. This evidence condition does not identify an additional registered examination and does not override the §5109 grant on reciprocal qualifications.
Current License
Hold a current cosmetologist license in good standing in another U.S. jurisdiction; submit every current license and direct verification from every jurisdiction where licensed.
Eligibility
At least one current licensing jurisdiction has requirements substantially similar to Delaware (1,500 classroom or 3,000 apprentice hours).
Fee
Submit the reciprocity application and fee through DELPROS.
Language
If the applicable written examination was taken in a language other than English, demonstrate ability to communicate in English under §5109(b).
Standing
Submit sworn evidence of the good-standing criteria in §5107(a)(4)–(8).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by reciprocity — Method 2
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Prior Examination Statement
The Board’s reciprocity page states: "Both methods require you to have passed a written and practical examination which was professionally developed and used on a national basis." It names no exact examination. This evidence condition does not identify an additional registered examination and does not override the §5109 grant on reciprocal qualifications.
Current License
Hold a current cosmetologist license in good standing in another U.S. jurisdiction; submit every current license and direct verification from every jurisdiction where licensed.
Eligibility
All current licensing jurisdictions have less stringent standards; demonstrate one continuous licensed year in the same field during the five years immediately preceding application. Submit notarized employer evidence or Board-accepted alternative evidence under rule 5.0.
Fee
Submit the reciprocity application and fee through DELPROS.
Language
If the applicable written examination was taken in a language other than English, demonstrate ability to communicate in English under §5109(b).
Standing
Submit sworn evidence of the good-standing criteria in §5107(a)(4)–(8).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New licensure after revocation

All of the following:

Delaware Practical Services
The Board selects NIC practical core domains 1–10 plus service 14 (Basic Facial) and service 18 (Manicure and Polish application); these are services within the NIC practical examination, not separate examinations.
Exam Application
Apply through Prometric; required education documentation must be approved before Authorization to Test is issued.
Fee
Pay the applicable application and licensing fees (§5107(a)(3)).
General Education
Completion of education equivalent to tenth grade, documented by certified transcript or other Board-accepted evidence (§5107(a)(1)).
Professional Standing
Meet §5107(a)(4)–(8): disclose disciplinary history and unresolved complaints, avoid practice-limiting drug or alcohol impairment, and provide required criminal-record information; the Board may grant the statutory criminal-history waiver.
Revenue License
Before issuance, obtain a Division of Revenue occupational license if Chapter 23 of Title 30 requires it (§5111(a)).
Revocation
Former license revoked; apply for a new license, successfully complete all examinations and pay all appropriate fees under §5111(d).
Licensure by examination — school education

All of the following:

Delaware Practical Services
The Board selects NIC practical core domains 1–10 plus service 14 (Basic Facial) and service 18 (Manicure and Polish application); these are services within the NIC practical examination, not separate examinations.
Exam Application
Apply through Prometric; required education documentation must be approved before Authorization to Test is issued.
Fee
Pay the applicable application and licensing fees (§5107(a)(3)).
General Education
Completion of education equivalent to tenth grade, documented by certified transcript or other Board-accepted evidence (§5107(a)(1)).
Professional Education
Complete 1,500 classroom hours in cosmetology; no more than 40 hours per week excluding make-up hours. Rules 6.0 and 7.0 permit up to 125 nail-technology classroom hours and up to 250 aesthetics classroom hours to transfer toward this curriculum.
Professional Standing
Meet §5107(a)(4)–(8): disclose disciplinary history and unresolved complaints, avoid practice-limiting drug or alcohol impairment, and provide required criminal-record information; the Board may grant the statutory criminal-history waiver.
Revenue License
Before issuance, obtain a Division of Revenue occupational license if Chapter 23 of Title 30 requires it (§5111(a)).

Temporary Work Permit for Cosmetology

Supervised temporary practice for an examination applicant, or a reciprocal applicant while Board review is pending.

Licensing authority: Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering / Division of Professional Regulation · Application information

Temporary practice pending passing the cosmetology examinations

All of the following:

Eligibility
Otherwise qualified for admission to the cosmetology examinations; pay the applicable fees and register through Prometric.
Selected Practical Services
The Board selects NIC practical core domains 1–10 plus service 14 (Basic Facial) and service 18 (Manicure and Polish application); these are services within the NIC practical examination, not separate examinations.
Supervision
Practice under a licensed cosmetologist or cosmetology instructor.
Term
Permit remains valid through 30 days after the next available exam; a further permit requires proof of failure and registration for the next date. Temporary permits are available for two years after application.
Waiting Period Conflict
Rule 2.3 states: "If the applicant does not pass the examination within 2 years after making application, the applicant shall be required to wait 6 months from the date of the last examination and then may make a new application for a temporary permit." The Board examination page instead states: "You must wait one year from the date of the last exam, then reapply and meet all requirements for licensure." The rule controls; retain the Board demand as an implementing condition.
Subsequent temporary examination permit after failure

All of the following:

Eligibility
Otherwise qualified for admission to the cosmetology examinations; pay the applicable fees and register through Prometric.
Selected Practical Services
The Board selects NIC practical core domains 1–10 plus service 14 (Basic Facial) and service 18 (Manicure and Polish application); these are services within the NIC practical examination, not separate examinations.
Supervision
Practice under a licensed cosmetologist or cosmetology instructor.
Term
Permit remains valid through 30 days after the next available exam; a further permit requires proof of failure and registration for the next date. Temporary permits are available for two years after application.
Waiting Period Conflict
Rule 2.3 states: "If the applicant does not pass the examination within 2 years after making application, the applicant shall be required to wait 6 months from the date of the last examination and then may make a new application for a temporary permit." The Board examination page instead states: "You must wait one year from the date of the last exam, then reapply and meet all requirements for licensure." The rule controls; retain the Board demand as an implementing condition.
Temporary work permit pending reciprocity — Method 1
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Meet §5109(a) reciprocity Method 1 standards and submit experience documentation when standards are less stringent.
Prior Exam Evidence
The Board’s reciprocity page states: "Both methods require you to have passed a written and practical examination which was professionally developed and used on a national basis." It names no exact examination. This evidence condition does not identify an additional registered examination and does not override the §5109 grant on reciprocal qualifications.
Term
Permit expires 14 calendar days after the Board meeting considering the application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary work permit pending reciprocity — Method 2
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Meet §5109(a) reciprocity Method 2 standards and submit experience documentation when standards are less stringent.
Prior Exam Evidence
The Board’s reciprocity page states: "Both methods require you to have passed a written and practical examination which was professionally developed and used on a national basis." It names no exact examination. This evidence condition does not identify an additional registered examination and does not override the §5109 grant on reciprocal qualifications.
Term
Permit expires 14 calendar days after the Board meeting considering the application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

National Cosmetology Practical Examination

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Provider
Developed by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC); practical examinations administered by test administration companies and states upon approval and authorization of NIC
Format
Hands-on practical examination in timed sections performed on a model or mannequin according to state guidelines, with more than one client represented; candidates bring their own supply kit and are evaluated by examiners on specified tasks; NIC also offers additional practical sections that states may require
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