6.25 Minnesota Requirements
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota cosmetology candidates should confirm training hours, age, education, exam, fee, renewal, and continuing education rules before applying.
- Minnesota requirements are a state-specific supplement to the broader NIC theory, sanitation, hair, skin, and nail service content.
- Application approval, exam scheduling, and license issuance are separate steps, so candidates should keep board documentation organized.
- Reciprocity or endorsement rules can differ from first-time licensing and may require proof of education, exams, or license history.
- Fees, forms, and board procedures can change, so candidates should verify current instructions with the Minnesota licensing board before scheduling.
Minnesota Cosmetology License Requirements
Minnesota requires 1,550 training hours and has continuing education requirements.
At a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Training Hours | 1,550 school hours |
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | 12th grade or GED |
| Exam Type | Written and Practical |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Exam Fee | Approximately $100-150 |
| License Fee | $80 |
| Renewal | Every 3 years |
| CE Required | 4 hours every 3 years |
Related License Hours
| License Type | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology | 1,550 hours |
| Barbering | 1,500 hours |
| Esthetician | 600 hours |
| Nail Technician | 350 hours |
No Apprenticeship Option
Minnesota does NOT offer a cosmetology apprenticeship program. All training must be completed at a board-approved school.
Continuing Education
- Cosmetologists: 4 CEUs every 3 years
- Instructors: 45 CEUs every 3 years
3-Year Renewal Cycle
Minnesota has a unique 3-year license renewal cycle.
State Board Contact
Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners
- Website: mn.gov/boards/cosmetology
- Phone: (651) 201-2742
Exam Focus
For Minnesota, study the licensing checklist as a sequence: eligibility, training hours, board application, exam approval, theory testing, practical testing when required, initial license issuance, and renewal. Do not memorize the table as isolated facts. State board questions often ask what a candidate must complete before scheduling, which agency handles approval, whether NIC or a state-specific exam is used, and how reciprocity or endorsement differs from a first-time license. Pair this page with the sanitation, infection control, hair care, skin care, and nail care chapters so you can connect state rules to the national service standards.