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Wyoming 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

Full cosmetology practice encompasses hairstyling, nail technology and esthetics under Chapter 1 Section 6(d). Facial makeup-only and natural hair braiding are statutory exempt practices, not additional cosmetologist credentials.

Licensing authority: Wyoming State Board of Cosmetology · Application information

Military expedited licensure with five consecutive years of qualifying licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application And Conduct
(i) Holds a relevant, active occupational or professional license in good standing from another state and provides a military identification card, their spouse's military identification card or a marriage license as proof of being a military service member or military spouse; (ii) Repealed by Laws 2025, ch. 81, § 2. (iii) Has not engaged in any act that would constitute grounds for refusal, suspension or revocation of the occupational or professional license sought in this state; and (iv) Completes all required application procedures and pays any required fee; (v) Provides a copy of military orders for military service in this state, or evidence of an honorable service characterization upon release from military service, and submits to the authority of the licensing authority in this state for purposes of standards of practice, discipline and fulfillment of any continuing education requirements.
Eligibility
(v) "Military service member" means an active member of the uniformed services as defined in W.S. 8-1-102(a)(xxii) or a person released from military service within two (2) years of applying for licensure, certification or registration pursuant to this section and whose service was characterized upon release as honorable; (vi) "Military spouse" means the spouse of a military service member as defined in paragraph (v) of this subsection who has been transferred or is scheduled to be transferred to Wyoming, is domiciled in Wyoming or has moved to Wyoming on a permanent change-of-station basis;
Prior License
Relevant active license in good standing from another jurisdiction for at least five consecutive years; W.S. 33-1-117(b) allows the request without a completed application in this situation.
Timing
Issue within thirty days. This route’s enumerated statutory qualifications do not require a new examination; foreign-jurisdiction licensure is a condition.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Current License
Hold a current license in the corresponding profession in another jurisdiction and provide official certification from the original and current licensing authorities.
Documents
Submit application, required documentation, headshot and fees; Board-approved English translations are required when documents are not in English.
Experience Or Equivalence
At least one year of full-time practice before application, or licensure requirements the Board determines are at least equal to Wyoming requirements.
Implementation Statement
The Board’s Endorsement Information page states: Must have a current license from another state Provide an Official Certification of Record(s) from the State or Country of your original license and State or Country where you currently hold a valid license Graduated from a licensed school, or state approved apprenticeship program Passed state examination given by a State Board or Testing Company Provide Board Office with an English translation of all documentation relating to training and licensing if the documents are not in English. The statute’s school qualification governs; the page additionally states that a state-approved apprenticeship program is acceptable.
School And Examination
W.S. 33-12-132 disallows endorsement from a jurisdiction with no board licensing examination or where the applicant did not attend a qualifying school. The other jurisdiction’s own examination is an applicant condition, not a Wyoming examination leaf.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Foreign licensed applicant — endorsement after Board review
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Current License
Hold a current license in the corresponding profession in another jurisdiction and provide official certification from the original and current licensing authorities.
Documents
Submit application, required documentation, headshot and fees; Board-approved English translations are required when documents are not in English.
Experience Or Equivalence
At least one year of full-time practice before application, or licensure requirements the Board determines are at least equal to Wyoming requirements.
Foreign Review
Chapter 2 Section 2 expressly accepts applicants from another state or country who meet W.S. 33-12-132; W.S. 33-12-133 requires Board consideration of translated foreign credentials.
Implementation Statement
The Board’s Endorsement Information page states: Must have a current license from another state Provide an Official Certification of Record(s) from the State or Country of your original license and State or Country where you currently hold a valid license Graduated from a licensed school, or state approved apprenticeship program Passed state examination given by a State Board or Testing Company Provide Board Office with an English translation of all documentation relating to training and licensing if the documents are not in English. The statute’s school qualification governs; the page additionally states that a state-approved apprenticeship program is acceptable.
School And Examination
W.S. 33-12-132 disallows endorsement from a jurisdiction with no board licensing examination or where the applicant did not attend a qualifying school. The other jurisdiction’s own examination is an applicant condition, not a Wyoming examination leaf.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Foreign trained applicant — licensure by examination after Board review
Application
Submit a completed notarized application, documentation, current headshot, lawful-presence documents, and license fee. Statute 33-12-130(a)(ii) requires credentials at least fifteen days before examination.
Education
Complete a recognized cosmetology school program meeting at least 1,600 hours and eight months of theory and practical instruction; the Board determines comparability of outside training.
Failed Phases
Retake each failed phase with registration and fee; failure to pass all phases within one year after failing requires repeating the entire examination (Chapter 2 Section 1(d)-(e)).
Foreign Review
Under W.S. 33-12-133 the Board reviews translated foreign training and determines the applicant’s necessary Wyoming requirements. The current NIC theory and written-practical examinations are retained; additional training, equivalence and any relief are applicant conditions.
Practice
Receive and display the Wyoming license before working.
Student Eligibility
School students must be at least sixteen and have at least a tenth-grade education or equivalent (Chapter 5 Section 1).
Test Registration
The Board approves eligibility before ProV sends scheduling and payment instructions; computer examination fees are paid to the testing company.
Training Documents
Provide certification of hours from the licensing authority or the original final course record; submit Board-approved English translations for non-English documents.
Licensure by examination
Application
Submit a completed notarized application, documentation, current headshot, lawful-presence documents, and license fee. Statute 33-12-130(a)(ii) requires credentials at least fifteen days before examination.
Education
Complete a recognized cosmetology school program meeting at least 1,600 hours and eight months of theory and practical instruction; the Board determines comparability of outside training.
Failed Phases
Retake each failed phase with registration and fee; failure to pass all phases within one year after failing requires repeating the entire examination (Chapter 2 Section 1(d)-(e)).
Practice
Receive and display the Wyoming license before working.
Student Eligibility
School students must be at least sixteen and have at least a tenth-grade education or equivalent (Chapter 5 Section 1).
Test Registration
The Board approves eligibility before ProV sends scheduling and payment instructions; computer examination fees are paid to the testing company.
Training Documents
Provide certification of hours from the licensing authority or the original final course record; submit Board-approved English translations for non-English documents.
Late renewal within ninety days
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Elapsed Time
Renew within ninety days after expiration by application and fees; an expired license does not authorize practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Relicensure after lapse of five years or more through endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Current License
Hold a current license in the corresponding profession in another jurisdiction and provide official certification from the original and current licensing authorities.
Documents
Submit application, required documentation, headshot and fees; Board-approved English translations are required when documents are not in English.
Experience Or Equivalence
At least one year of full-time practice before application, or licensure requirements the Board determines are at least equal to Wyoming requirements.
Implementation Statement
The Board’s Endorsement Information page states: Must have a current license from another state Provide an Official Certification of Record(s) from the State or Country of your original license and State or Country where you currently hold a valid license Graduated from a licensed school, or state approved apprenticeship program Passed state examination given by a State Board or Testing Company Provide Board Office with an English translation of all documentation relating to training and licensing if the documents are not in English. The statute’s school qualification governs; the page additionally states that a state-approved apprenticeship program is acceptable.
Lapse
License lapsed at least five years; meet current endorsement qualifications. W.S. 33-12-129’s refresher and examination requirement applies only when endorsement is unavailable.
School And Examination
W.S. 33-12-132 disallows endorsement from a jurisdiction with no board licensing examination or where the applicant did not attend a qualifying school. The other jurisdiction’s own examination is an applicant condition, not a Wyoming examination leaf.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Relicensure after lapse of five years or more without endorsement eligibility
Application
Submit a completed notarized application, documentation, current headshot, lawful-presence documents, and license fee. Statute 33-12-130(a)(ii) requires credentials at least fifteen days before examination.
Education
Complete a recognized cosmetology school program meeting at least 1,600 hours and eight months of theory and practical instruction; the Board determines comparability of outside training.
Failed Phases
Retake each failed phase with registration and fee; failure to pass all phases within one year after failing requires repeating the entire examination (Chapter 2 Section 1(d)-(e)).
Lapse
License lapsed five years or longer; applicant does not qualify for endorsement. Complete at least 100 refresher-course hours at a licensed school, emphasizing health, safety and infection control, before examinations.
Practice
Receive and display the Wyoming license before working.
Student Eligibility
School students must be at least sixteen and have at least a tenth-grade education or equivalent (Chapter 5 Section 1).
Test Registration
The Board approves eligibility before ProV sends scheduling and payment instructions; computer examination fees are paid to the testing company.
Training Documents
Provide certification of hours from the licensing authority or the original final course record; submit Board-approved English translations for non-English documents.
Reinstatement after lapse of less than five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Elapsed Time
The license has lapsed but fewer than five years have elapsed; submit required application, reinstatement fee and license fees for the lapsed period.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

License renewal before expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application and fee before expiration; furnish a current headshot if none is on file.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure for qualified license holders under W.S. 33 1 120
Competency
Show competency to the Board, which may consider continuing education, recent work, prior licensing exams, discipline and other appropriate factors.
Conduct And Application
No disqualifying conduct; complete required application procedures and pay the fee.
Exam Version And Waiver
Under W.S. 33-1-120(b)(i)(B), the same or an earlier version satisfies examination equivalency; the Board shall waive the examination equivalency requirement for an individual licensed more than ten years. The currently offered registered examinations are retained; a waiver or proof of an earlier version is an applicant condition.
Out Of Jurisdiction License
Hold a relevant active license in good standing from another state with substantially equivalent or more stringent education, training, examination and experience, as determined by the Board.
Possible Law Exam
W.S. 33-1-120(b)(i)(D) permits the Board to require an examination on Wyoming law but does not identify an examination. This unnamed discretionary slot is a condition, not a leaf or gap.
Work Credit
Relevant paid or volunteer full-time or part-time work may be credited under W.S. 33-1-120(c).

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

National Cosmetology Written Practical 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
Written examination of practical knowledge; sample items include four-option single-answer multiple-choice questions and image-based items (select all images that apply; select a location on an image)
Exam questions
75 items, of which 65 items are weighted and contribute to the final score
Time limit
120 minutes
Examination outline
  • Scientific Concepts (20% of items) (20%)
    • Infection Control and Safety Practices — Recognize purpose and/or effects of infection control principles: Process of infection control: Recognize when cross-contamination occurs; Process of infection control: Prevention of cross-contamination; Process of infection control: Differentiate between the purpose of single- and multi-use tools
    • Infection Control and Safety Practices — Apply blood contact procedures
    • Basic Chemistry of Products Used in Cosmetology — Recognize purpose and effects of products and ingredients
    • Basic Chemistry of Products Used in Cosmetology — Recognize physical interactions with chemicals
    • Basic Chemistry of Products Used in Cosmetology — Recognize chemical reactions (e.g., overexposure, chemical burn)
  • Hair Care and Services (45% of items) (45%)
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for Hair Care Services — Evaluate condition of client’s hair and scalp (i.e., assessment)
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for Hair Care Services — Recognize conditions that would prohibit service (i.e., contraindications)
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for Hair Care Services — Determine services or products
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for Hair Care Services — Recognize purpose and interpret results of preliminary tests (e.g., predisposition and strand tests)
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for Hair Care Services — Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)
    • Tools used in Hair Care Services — Identify function, purpose and infection control procedures of tools used in hair services: Equipment (e.g., chair, workstation); Implements (e.g., razors, shears, combs/brushes); Supplies and materials (e.g., towels, drape, neck strips); Electrical tools (e.g., irons, blow dryers, clippers); Proper disinfection procedures
    • Tools used in Hair Care Services — Recognize safe practices for use of tools (i.e., equipment, implements, supplies, ergonomics)
    • Hair Care — Apply knowledge of principles and procedures for shampooing and conditioning
    • Hair Care — Apply knowledge of principles and procedures for scalp treatments and scalp massage
    • Hair Care — Apply knowledge of draping (e.g., chemical, shampoo, cutting)
    • Hair Design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety of hair cutting and shaping
    • Hair Design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety of hair styling: Wet styling; Thermal styling; Natural hair styling (e.g., braiding)
    • Hair Design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety of hair enhancements
    • Hair Design — Apply principles of balance and design (e.g., facial shape, physical structure)
    • Chemical Services — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety for: Hair coloring (including corrective color); Hair lightening; Foiling; Chemical hair relaxing/restructuring and curl reduction: Hydroxide; Chemical hair relaxing/restructuring and curl reduction: Thio; Chemical hair relaxing/restructuring and curl reduction: Keratin; Chemical waving/texturizing: Alkaline; Chemical waving/texturizing: Acid; Chemical waving/texturizing: Non-thio; Chemical waving/texturizing: Keratin
  • Skin Care and Services (15% of items) (15%)
    • Client Consultation, analysis and Documentation for Skin Care Services — Evaluate condition of client’s skin: Skin type; Skin condition
    • Client Consultation, analysis and Documentation for Skin Care Services — Identify contraindications: Disorders; Diseases
    • Client Consultation, analysis and Documentation for Skin Care Services — Determine services and products
    • Client Consultation, analysis and Documentation for Skin Care Services — Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)
    • Tools used for skin care services — Identify function, purpose and infection control procedures of tools: Equipment (e.g., chair, steamer); Implements (e.g., tweezers, brushes, extractors); Supplies, products, and materials (e.g., creams, masks, towels, body and hair drapes); Proper disinfection procedures
    • Tools used for skin care services — Recognize and understand safe practices for use of tools (i.e., equipment, implements, supplies, ergonomics)
    • Facial skin care services — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety for: Cleansing; Steaming; Exfoliation; Extraction; Massage; Masks; Hair Removal: Tweezing; Hair Removal: Depilatory; Hair Removal: Hard wax; Hair Removal: Soft wax; Makeup application; Electrical equipment
  • Nail Care and Services (20% of items) (20%)
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for nail care services — Evaluate condition of client’s nails
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for nail care services — Identify contraindications: Disorders; Diseases
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for nail care services — Determine services and products
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for nail care services — Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)
    • Tools used in nail care services — Identify function, purpose and infection control procedures of tools: Equipment (e.g., workstation, pedicure basin); Implements (e.g., nippers, file); Supplies, products, and materials (e.g., towels, creams, polish); Proper disinfection procedures
    • Tools used in nail care services — Recognize and understand safe practices for use of tools (i.e., equipment, implements, supplies, ergonomics)
    • Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety for basic manicure and pedicure
    • Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety for application, maintenance, and removal of nail enhancements: Nail tips; Acrylics
Examination sources