New Mexico Cosmetology — Requirements & Free Practice
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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements
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Cosmetologist license
Licensing authority: New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
Duplicate cosmetologist license issuance
- Existing License
- Existing valid Board license; online request and fee; one official duplicate for every additional establishment at which licensee works.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-01-13.
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — amend4
16.34.4.15 NMAC
Reinstatement after child support compliance
- Compliance
- Discipline solely for support noncompliance: present subsequent statement of compliance; Board may add other conditions necessary for ordinary reapplication or lapsed-license reinstatement.
- Other Conditions
- If separate lapse requirements apply, follow the corresponding expiration route; this support-specific order adds no identified examination.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-01-13.
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — part16
16.34.16.13 NMAC
First renewal of expedited license — conversion to regular cosmetologist license
All of the following:
- National Cosmetology Theory Examination
- National Cosmetology Practical Examination (assessment without a question bank)
- State law written examination (practice unavailable)
- Exam Discretion
- § 61-1-31.1(C) permits exams not required at original outside licensure; 16.34.6.12(B) expressly requires practical and written Board exams at conversion.
- Expedited License
- Hold the expedited cosmetologist license and apply through renewal before its term ends.
- Training Equivalency
- If training is not equivalent, licensed current verified employment may count: six full months equals 150 hours; less than six months is not credited.
Restoration after expiration — more than five years
All of the following:
- National Cosmetology Theory Examination
- National Cosmetology Practical Examination (assessment without a question bank)
- State law written examination (practice unavailable)
- Contractor Instruction
- PCS March 2022 handbook page 7 directs one-to-five-year applicants to practical only and longer-expired applicants to theory and practical; the higher-ranked Board rules retain applicable examinations and the written state-law examination.
- Expiration
- more than five years
- Prior License
- Previously licensed by this Board; satisfy original age and secondary education requirements stated in 16.34.3.12.
- Remediation
- For more than five years expired, re-enter a licensed school, scholastic evaluation and at least 150 remedial hours before the full theory, applicable practical and state-law examination.
Restoration after expiration — one year but less than five years
All of the following:
- National Cosmetology Theory Examination
- National Cosmetology Practical Examination (assessment without a question bank)
- State law written examination (practice unavailable)
- Contractor Instruction
- PCS March 2022 handbook page 7 directs one-to-five-year applicants to practical only and longer-expired applicants to theory and practical; the higher-ranked Board rules retain applicable examinations and the written state-law examination.
- Expiration
- one year but less than five years
- Prior License
- Previously licensed by this Board; satisfy original age and secondary education requirements stated in 16.34.3.12.
- Remediation
- For more than five years expired, re-enter a licensed school, scholastic evaluation and at least 150 remedial hours before the full theory, applicable practical and state-law examination.
Licensure by examination — equivalent United States training without an outside license
All of the following:
- National Cosmetology Theory Examination
- National Cosmetology Practical Examination (assessment without a question bank)
- State law written examination (practice unavailable)
- Application
- Complete online application, required fee, current color headshot and transcript; applications valid one year.
- Minimum Age
- At least 17 years.
- Older Handbook Window
- March 2022 handbook states a 12-month training window; January 13, 2026 rule uses 24 months.
- Passing Scores
- 70 scaled score in each examination; only failed examinations are retaken.
- Prior License
- No license obtained in another licensing jurisdiction; equivalent US course completed within preceding 24 months.
- School Education
- PCS March 2022 handbook states completion of tenth grade or equivalent; current statute § 61-17A-9 no longer lists secondary education.
- Training
- 1600 cosmetology hours at a Board-approved school.
- Training Currency
- Complete training within the preceding 24 months; passing scores valid for two years from graduation.
Licensure by examination — foreign trained applicant
All of the following:
- National Cosmetology Theory Examination
- National Cosmetology Practical Examination (assessment without a question bank)
- State law written examination (practice unavailable)
- Application
- Complete online application, required fee, current color headshot and transcript; applications valid one year.
- Board FAQ
- {"source":{"carrierClass":"implementation","checkedAt":"2026-10-01","locator":"Foreign-trained applicants","name":"New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — faq","quote":"Can I obtain a license if I am foreign trained? If the requirements are similar or exceed New Mexico requirements, please complete a reciprocity application, jurisprudence. Please submit application, jurisprudence exam, and fee to the board office. Upon completion, please contact the testing center, Professional Credentialing Services (PCS), to schedule your exams.","sourceFile":{"sha256":"fbc4ed823b02f400e5b44b22bc4af8f2b281f3d955b236a4b7dc21ed8dd0dcca"},"url":"https://www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/barbers-and-cosmetologists/faqs/","version":"Board current official page, verified October 1, 2026"},"value":"Board FAQ additionally directs foreign-trained applicants to submit reciprocity application, jurisprudence examination and fee, then contact PCS for examinations."}
- Failed Foreign Examination
- After failing any part, scholastic evaluation and at least 150 remedial hours at a licensed school before reexamination.
- Foreign Documentation
- Valid foreign license or certificate and certified transcript; notarized English translations when not in English; additional Board-required documents and work evidence if applicable.
- Minimum Age
- At least 17 years.
- Older Handbook Window
- March 2022 handbook states a 12-month training window; January 13, 2026 rule uses 24 months.
- Passing Scores
- 70 scaled score in each examination; only failed examinations are retaken.
- School Education
- PCS March 2022 handbook states completion of tenth grade or equivalent; current statute § 61-17A-9 no longer lists secondary education.
- Training
- 1600 cosmetology hours at a Board-approved school.
- Training Currency
- Complete training within the preceding 24 months; passing scores valid for two years from graduation.
Licensure by examination — training window remediation
All of the following:
- National Cosmetology Theory Examination
- National Cosmetology Practical Examination (assessment without a question bank)
- State law written examination (practice unavailable)
- Application
- Complete online application, required fee, current color headshot and transcript; applications valid one year.
- Minimum Age
- At least 17 years.
- Older Handbook Window
- March 2022 handbook states a 12-month training window; January 13, 2026 rule uses 24 months.
- Passing Scores
- 70 scaled score in each examination; only failed examinations are retaken.
- Remediation
- If both exams and licensure are not completed within 24 months, register at a licensed school, undergo scholastic evaluation and complete at least 150 remedial hours; may then submit to applicable examinations.
- School Education
- PCS March 2022 handbook states completion of tenth grade or equivalent; current statute § 61-17A-9 no longer lists secondary education.
- Training
- 1600 cosmetology hours at a Board-approved school.
- Training Currency
- Complete training within the preceding 24 months; passing scores valid for two years from graduation.
Licensure by examination — New Mexico school
All of the following:
- National Cosmetology Theory Examination
- National Cosmetology Practical Examination (assessment without a question bank)
- State law written examination (practice unavailable)
- Application
- Complete online application, required fee, current color headshot and transcript; applications valid one year.
- Minimum Age
- At least 17 years.
- Older Handbook Window
- March 2022 handbook states a 12-month training window; January 13, 2026 rule uses 24 months.
- Passing Scores
- 70 scaled score in each examination; only failed examinations are retaken.
- School Education
- PCS March 2022 handbook states completion of tenth grade or equivalent; current statute § 61-17A-9 no longer lists secondary education.
- Training
- 1600 cosmetology hours at a Board-approved school.
- Training Currency
- Complete training within the preceding 24 months; passing scores valid for two years from graduation.
Restoration within one year after expiration
- Expiration
- License expired no more than one year; pay appropriate renewal and late fees.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-01-13.
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — chapter61
NMSA 1978 § 61-17A-20 — page passage 1
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — chapter61
NMSA 1978 § 61-17A-20 — page passage 2
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — amend2
16.34.2.8 NMAC
Renewal or reinstatement using a current instructor license
- Instructor License
- Valid cosmetologist instructor license for preceding 24 months may be used to renew or reinstate original cosmetologist license.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-01-13.
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — amend2
16.34.2.8 NMAC
Regular cosmetologist license renewal
- Timing
- Renew by birth-month expiration, term at most 24 months; upload current color headshot and pay renewal fee.
Official no-examination sources
Effective from 2026-01-13.
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — chapter61
NMSA 1978 § 61-17A-20 — page passage 1
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — chapter61
NMSA 1978 § 61-17A-20 — page passage 2
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — amend2
16.34.2.8 NMAC
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
- NIC National Cosmetology Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
CIB title page, effective date
- NIC Candidate Information Bulletin Selection (NIC CIB repository linked from nictesting.org)
CIB Selection app, Overview paragraph
- NIC National Cosmetology Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
Cosmetology Practical Examination Content Outline, Core Domain Sections
- NIC National Cosmetology Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
Content Outline, Core Domain Sections list
- NIC National Cosmetology Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
Important Instructions, General, first paragraph
- NIC National Cosmetology Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
Section 1 Work Area and Client Preparation, evaluated tasks
- NIC National Cosmetology Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
Important Instructions, Standardized Administration
- NIC National Cosmetology Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
Special Attention, new client
- NIC website — NIC Exam Types
NIC Exam Types page, administration sentence
- NIC website — NIC Exam Types
NIC Exam Types page, state-specific CIB sentence
- NIC National Cosmetology Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
CIB title page, provider notice
- NIC National Cosmetology Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
CIB introduction, Additional Services paragraph
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
- NIC National Cosmetology Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
CIB title page, effective date
- NIC Candidate Information Bulletin Selection (NIC CIB repository linked from nictesting.org)
CIB Selection app, Overview paragraph
- NIC National Cosmetology Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
Cosmetology Theory Examination Content Outline, Domain Details paragraph
- NIC National Cosmetology Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
Content Outline, domain 1 heading
- NIC National Cosmetology Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
Content Outline, domain 2 heading
- NIC National Cosmetology Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
Content Outline, domain 3 heading
- NIC National Cosmetology Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
Content Outline, domain 4 heading
- NIC National Cosmetology Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
Cosmetology Theory Examination Content Outline, Domain Details paragraph
- NIC National Cosmetology Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
CIB title page, time allowed
- NIC National Cosmetology Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
Sample Questions, introductory paragraph
- NIC website — NIC Exam Types
NIC Exam Types page, administration sentence
- NIC website — NIC Exam Types
NIC Exam Types page, state-specific CIB sentence
- NIC National Cosmetology Theory Examination Candidate Information Bulletin
CIB title page, provider notice
State law written examination
- Format
- Written state-law examination
- Passing score
- 70 scaled score, effective January 13, 2026
Practice scope
Inferred from the examination name; the authority has not published an examination outline.
- Barbers and Cosmetologists Act
- 16.34.1 NMAC — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- 16.34.2 NMAC — LICENSING
- 16.34.3 NMAC — EXAMINATIONS
- 16.34.4 NMAC — SPECIAL LICENSES
- 16.34.5 NMAC — REGULAR LICENSES
- 16.34.6 NMAC — EXPEDITED LICENSURE
- 16.34.7 NMAC — ESTABLISHMENTS AND ENTERPRISES
- 16.34.8 NMAC — SCHOOLS
- 16.34.9 NMAC — CONTINUING EDUCATION
- 16.34.10 NMAC — INVESTIGATIONS AND CONFIDENTIALITY
- 16.34.11 NMAC — VIOLATIONS
- 16.34.12 NMAC — RECORD KEEPING BY THE BOARD OFFICE
- 16.34.13 NMAC — ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
- 16.34.15 NMAC — ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES AND FINES
- 16.34.16 NMAC — PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT COMPLIANCE
Examination sources
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — part1
16.34.1.7(HH) NMAC
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — jurisprudence
Instructions — authorized state statutes and rules
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — part1
16.34.1.3 NMAC
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — part7
16.34.7.8(A)(5) NMAC — rules 1 through 16
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — amend14
16.34.14.8 NMAC
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — correction
March 10, 2026 correction notice
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — register2026-cumulative
Cumulative index — Board adopted rules
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — amend3
16.34.3.9 NMAC
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — amend5
16.34.5.8 NMAC