18.3 Test Day, Score Reporting & One-Year Score Window

Test Day Logistics With PSI

Before You Arrive

PSI Services administers both the Michigan theory and practical cosmetology exams under the MICOS program code. Schedule either exam at test-takers.psiexams.com or by phone at 855-579-4635. Confirm your appointment date, exam type (theory, practical, or both), and testing location several days in advance, and review your confirmation email for the exact reporting time so there is no last-minute uncertainty.

What to Bring and What to Expect

How the Theory Score Is Reported

The theory exam is scored pass/fail against the 70-of-100 threshold. The 10 experimental questions mixed into the 110-item exam are never scored and cannot be identified during the test, so treat every question as if it counts. If a candidate does not pass, PSI provides a score report broken down by domain, which is the clearest guide for deciding exactly which of the ten weighted areas to restudy before rescheduling.

How the Practical Score Is Reported

The practical exam is scored against a rubric totaling 127 points, and a candidate needs 95 points to pass. Because it is evaluated live against specific checklist criteria — infection control steps, timing, and technique execution across stations like haircutting, chemical waving, and nail services — a failing performance report usually shows which stations lost the most points, which is the clearest guide for a focused retake.

The One-Year Score Window

Michigan requires both the theory and practical pass scores to be within one year of each other. In practice, this means:

• If theory is passed first, the candidate has 12 months to pass practical before the theory result expires and must be retested.
• If practical is passed first, the same 12-month clock applies in reverse.
• There is no partial credit for an expired pass; it must be earned again at full fee.

Because of this rule, most candidates deliberately schedule the second exam within a few months of the first, rather than waiting until the one-year deadline approaches and risking a scheduling conflict or a health-related postponement that eats into the window.

Rescheduling and Retake Basics

Life happens, and PSI allows appointments to be rescheduled or cancelled ahead of the scheduled date, though fees and notice windows apply, so check the current PSI candidate bulletin before assuming a free change is available close to your appointment. If either exam is failed, PSI's domain-level or station-level score report is the single best tool for planning a retake: it points directly at which of the ten theory domains or which practical stations need more work, rather than requiring a candidate to re-study everything from the beginning. There is no mandatory waiting period published for retaking the Michigan theory exam beyond normal appointment availability, but every retake requires paying the applicable PSI fee again in full, which is one more reason to treat the domain-weight study plan in this chapter as the primary defense against a costly second attempt.

Fees to Budget For

Retesting any failed exam requires paying the applicable PSI fee again in full, so passing on the first attempt is worth the extra study hours described earlier in this chapter.

After You Pass Both Exams

Once PSI reports passing scores for both theory and practical within the one-year window, apply for licensure through LARA at michigan.gov/miplus. The $63 application fee covers the initial two-year license; renewal every two years costs $48. Keep PSI score reports and school completion documentation on file, since LARA may request them during application review.

Final Preparation Checklist

• Confirm PSI appointment details (date, time, location, exam type) at least 48 hours ahead.
• Review the domain-weight study plan in this chapter one final time the night before.
• Pack two valid photo IDs and, if testing practical, the complete kit specified in the PSI candidate bulletin.
• Arrive 30 minutes early and expect personal items to be stored during the theory exam.
• After passing, calendar the one-year deadline for the second exam immediately.
• Take a final timed run through the free practice bank at /practice/mi-cosmetology before the appointment to confirm readiness against the 70-point passing bar.