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New Jersey 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.

Barber license

Licensing authority: New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling · Application information

Board approved licensure by endorsement — another state / equivalent
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board approval
The Board must approve licensure without examination after certification review; otherwise use the examination route.
Board transfer conditions
The Board Application Process Overview requires a current active license, licensed-salon experience within the preceding five years and a jurisdiction requiring a practical examination for endorsement; the Board may require additional training.
Existing license
Hold a current corresponding license in another state and arrange direct certification from the issuing authority.
Qualification equivalence
The issuing jurisdiction has substantially similar eligibility criteria.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Board approved licensure by endorsement — another state / experience
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board approval
The Board must approve licensure without examination after certification review; otherwise use the examination route.
Board transfer conditions
The Board Application Process Overview requires a current active license, licensed-salon experience within the preceding five years and a jurisdiction requiring a practical examination for endorsement; the Board may require additional training.
Existing license
Hold a current corresponding license in another state and arrange direct certification from the issuing authority.
Qualification equivalence
The issuing jurisdiction has less stringent training criteria, but submit satisfactory evidence of three years of practical experience in a licensed shop.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Board approved licensure by endorsement — foreign country / equivalent
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board approval
The Board must approve licensure without examination after certification review; otherwise use the examination route.
Board transfer conditions
The Board Application Process Overview requires a current active license, licensed-salon experience within the preceding five years and a jurisdiction requiring a practical examination for endorsement; the Board may require additional training.
Existing license
Hold a current corresponding license in foreign country and arrange direct certification from the issuing authority.
Qualification equivalence
The issuing jurisdiction has substantially similar eligibility criteria.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Board approved licensure by endorsement — foreign country / experience
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board approval
The Board must approve licensure without examination after certification review; otherwise use the examination route.
Board transfer conditions
The Board Application Process Overview requires a current active license, licensed-salon experience within the preceding five years and a jurisdiction requiring a practical examination for endorsement; the Board may require additional training.
Existing license
Hold a current corresponding license in foreign country and arrange direct certification from the issuing authority.
Qualification equivalence
The issuing jurisdiction has less stringent training criteria, but submit satisfactory evidence of three years of practical experience in a licensed shop.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure with military education, training or experience credit

All of the following:

Age
Be at least 17 years old.
Application
Submit the Board application, required documentation and applicable fees.
Character
Submit satisfactory evidence of good moral character.
Examination sequence
Complete the theory and practical parts; military credit does not waive examination.
Health
Have no communicable, contagious or infectious disease reasonably expected to be transmitted while rendering the licensed services.
Military service
Honorably discharged service members may obtain Board credit for substantially equivalent military education, training and experience; provide VMET DD2586 and/or Joint Services Transcript as applicable and satisfy every remaining license requirement.
Secondary education
Complete high school or pass the GED examination; the GED is educational evidence, not an examination leaf of this profession.
Training
The Board evaluates equivalence to the corresponding 900-hour course.
Initial licensure by examination — nj school

All of the following:

Age
Be at least 17 years old.
Application
Submit the Board application, required documentation and applicable fees.
Character
Submit satisfactory evidence of good moral character.
Examination sequence
Pass the theory examination with at least 75 percent before taking and passing the practical assessment.
Health
Have no communicable, contagious or infectious disease reasonably expected to be transmitted while rendering the licensed services.
Secondary education
Complete high school or pass the GED examination; the GED is educational evidence, not an examination leaf of this profession.
Training
Complete the approved 900-hour course at a licensed New Jersey school.
Waiver currency
The COVID practical-exam waiver expired February 16, 2026 under the official waiver table and EO415.
Initial licensure by examination — outside training

All of the following:

Age
Be at least 17 years old.
Application
Submit the Board application, required documentation and applicable fees.
Board transfer instruction
The Board Application Process Overview states: "You must hold a current and active license in order to transfer a license into New Jersey." The statutory school-training route remains available on its terms; license transfer requires the Board certification review.
Character
Submit satisfactory evidence of good moral character.
Examination sequence
Pass the theory examination with at least 75 percent before taking and passing the practical assessment.
Health
Have no communicable, contagious or infectious disease reasonably expected to be transmitted while rendering the licensed services.
Licensed experience substitute
A license holder who practiced for at least three years in the licensing state or country may substitute a notarized work-experience affidavit and licensing certification for training documentation under N.J.A.C.13:28-1.1(e)3.
Secondary education
Complete high school or pass the GED examination; the GED is educational evidence, not an examination leaf of this profession.
Training
Complete training at a licensed school in another state or foreign country which the Board finds substantially similar; provide licensing-authority certification of equivalence.
Waiver currency
The COVID practical-exam waiver expired February 16, 2026 under the official waiver table and EO415.
Initial licensure by examination — public program

All of the following:

Age
Be at least 17 years old.
Application
Submit the Board application, required documentation and applicable fees.
Character
Submit satisfactory evidence of good moral character.
Examination sequence
Pass the theory examination with at least 75 percent before taking and passing the practical assessment.
Health
Have no communicable, contagious or infectious disease reasonably expected to be transmitted while rendering the licensed services.
Secondary education
Complete high school or pass the GED examination; the GED is educational evidence, not an examination leaf of this profession.
Training
Complete the corresponding approved public-school vocational program and provide an official transcript.
Waiver currency
The COVID practical-exam waiver expired February 16, 2026 under the official waiver table and EO415.
Reinstatement after administrative suspension for more than five years

All of the following:

Application
Submit renewal application, statutory renewal/reinstatement fees, employment certification and renewal prerequisites.
Examination
Retake and pass the license examination under N.J.A.C.13:28-1.1(k); Board remediation requirements may also apply under N.J.S.A.45:1-7.4(e).
Failed attempts
The current candidate manual requires a refresher course after a lapsed-license candidate fails the second examination attempt.
Suspension
License has been administratively suspended for more than five years.
Biennial practicing license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Renewal
Submit the renewal application and fee before expiration; a 30-day grace period requires the late fee; otherwise the license is administratively suspended.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure on a corresponding United States jurisdiction license under N.J.S.A.45:1 7.5
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Provide completed application and fees, licensing verification, applicable background check, designation of a New Jersey service agent where required, initial-license prerequisites and requested truthful disclosures; verify education, training and examination results within six months.
Board discretion
Section 7.5 allows the Board to require an available online jurisprudence course or orientation, condition reciprocity on equal reciprocity, and exercise discretion on specified pending proceedings. It identifies no separate cosmetology examination for this route.
Equivalence
Board-determined substantially equivalent education, training and examination requirements; experience may compensate for disparity. Another jurisdiction examination is prior licensing evidence and not a New Jersey examination leaf.
Existing license
Hold a valid current corresponding license in good standing from a United States state, District of Columbia or United States territory or possession.
Recent practice
Have practiced this profession within the five years preceding application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Barber temporary permit

Licensing authority: New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling · Application information

Temporary practice pending licensing examination

All of the following:

Duration
Only one permit; no more than 120 days and it expires on issuance of the practicing license.
Eligibility
Satisfy eligibility for the corresponding practicing license; submit fees and obtain examination scheduling and Board acceptance.
Examination dependency
The application is scheduled for this license examination; permit issuance precedes passing, but the route involves its currently offered examinations.
Waiver currency
The COVID permit extension and practical waiver are expired as of February 16, 2026.

Barber practical examination

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Examination sources

New Jersey Barber Theory Examination

Provider
Prometric / Iso-Quality Testing
Format
Computer-based theory examination
Exam questions
115 items, of which 105 contribute to the final score
Time limit
120 minutes
Passing score
75 percent
Examination outline
  • 1. SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS (35 items)
    • 1.A. Infection Control and Safety Practices
    • 1.A.1. Identify how disease and infection are caused and transmitted
    • 1.A.2. Apply principles of infection control
    • 1.A.2.a. Sanitation/Cleansing
    • 1.A.2.b. Disinfection
    • 1.A.2.c. Sterilization
    • 1.A.2.d. Contamination and cross-contamination
    • 1.A.3. Apply blood exposure procedures
    • 1.A.4. Identify requirements of government agencies related to public protection (e.g., CDC, OSHA, EPA)
    • 1.B. Human anatomy and physiology
    • 1.B.1. Identify function and structure of the
    • 1.B.1.a. Hair and scalp
    • 1.B.1.b. Skin
    • 1.B.2. Identify bones related to
    • 1.B.2.a. Head and face
    • 1.B.2.b. Neck, shoulders, and upper back
    • 1.B.3. Identify muscles and joints and their functions related to
    • 1.B.3.a. Head and face
    • 1.B.3.b. Neck, shoulders, and upper back
    • 1.B.4. Understand the functions of body systems
    • 1.B.4.a. Nervous system
    • 1.B.4.b. Circulatory system
    • 1.B.4.c. Endocrine system
    • 1.B.4.d. Integumentary system
    • 1.C. Identify signs and symptoms of conditions, disorders, and diseases related to skin
    • 1.C.1. Types
    • 1.C.2. Treatments
    • 1.D. Identify signs and symptoms of conditions, disorders, and diseases related to hair
    • 1.D.1. Types
    • 1.D.2. Treatments
    • 1.E. Basic chemistry of products used in barbering
    • 1.E.1. Understand the chemical pH scale
    • 1.E.2. Understand purpose and effects of products, ingredients, and their interactions
    • 1.E.3. Understand interactions among chemicals
    • 1.E.4. Understand chemical reactions (e.g., overexposure, chemical burn, inhalation)
  • 2. IMPLEMENTS AND EQUIPMENT (10 items)
    • 2.A. Identify function, purpose, and care of tools used in hair services
    • 2.A.1. Equipment (e.g., chair, workstation)
    • 2.A.2. Implements (e.g., razors, shears, combs/brushes)
    • 2.A.3. Supplies and materials (e.g., towels, drape, neck strips)
    • 2.A.4. Electrical tools (e.g., clippers, blow dryers)
    • 2.B. Understand and apply safety and sanitation practices for use of implements and equipment
  • 3. HAIR CARE SERVICES (40 Items)
    • 3.A. Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for hair care services
    • 3.A.1. Analyze condition of client's hair and scalp (i.e., assessment)
    • 3.A.2. Recognize conditions that would prohibit service (i.e., contraindications)
    • 3.A.3. Determine services and/or products
    • 3.A.4. Document and maintain client records (e.g., consultation card, service history, medical history)
    • 3.B. Hair Care
    • 3.B.1. Apply knowledge of draping (e.g., chemical, shampoo, haircutting)
    • 3.B.2. Apply knowledge of principles and procedures for shampooing and conditioning
    • 3.B.3. Apply knowledge of principles and procedures for scalp treatments and scalp massage/manipulation
    • 3.C. Hair Design
    • 3.C.1. Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety of haircutting
    • 3.C.1.a. Shaping
    • 3.C.1.b. Outlining
    • 3.C.1.c. Neck shave
    • 3.C.2. Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety of hair styling
    • 3.C.2.a. Wet styling
    • 3.C.2.b. Blow-dry styling
    • 3.C.2.c. Thermal styling
    • 3.C.2.d. Natural hair styling (e.g., braiding, locks)
    • 3.C.3. Apply knowledge of hair enhancement options
    • 3.D. Apply knowledge of preparation, procedures, and safety for head shaving
    • 3.E. Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for chemical services
    • 3.E.1. Understand preliminary tests (e.g., purposes, uses, applications):
    • 3.E.1.a. Predisposition
    • 3.E.1.b. Strand test
    • 3.E.2. Hair coloring (including facial hair)
    • 3.E.3. Hair lightening
    • 3.E.4. Foiling
    • 3.E.5. Chemical hair relaxing/restructuring and curl reduction
    • 3.E.5.a. Hydroxide
    • 3.E.5.b. Thio
    • 3.E.5.c. Keratin
    • 3.E.6. Chemical waving/texturizing:
    • 3.E.6.a. Alkaline
    • 3.E.6.b. Acid
    • 3.E.6.c. Non-thio
    • Textured hair (coiled, curly, or wavy), required in written and practical examinations by N.J.S.A.45:5B-27.1.
  • 4. FACIAL HAIR AND SKIN CARE SERVICES (15 Items)
    • 4.A. Client consultation, analysis, and documentation for facial hair and skin care services
    • 4.A.1. Evaluate client's skin (e.g., type, condition)
    • 4.A.2. Identify contraindications:
    • 4.A.2.a. Disorders
    • 4.A.2.b. Diseases
    • 4.A.3. Determine services and/or products
    • 4.A.4. Document and maintain client records (e.g., consultation card, service history, medical history)
    • 4.B. Apply knowledge of draping for facial hair and skin care services
    • 4.C. Apply knowledge of principles, procedures, and safety for facial hair and skin care services
    • 4.C.1. Complete shave service with required strokes
    • 4.C.2. Facial hair design
    • 4.C.3. Facial (e.g., cleansing, steam towel, massage)
  • 5. NEW JERSEY STATE LAW (5 Items)
Examination sources