1.3 PSI Exams, Individual Licensing, License Display, Renewal & Continuing Education

1. The Three PSI Exams

The Board contracts with PSI for testing. Estheticians must pass three written exams: general theory, state, and written practical. You may pay for and schedule all three at once as a combination exam or schedule each separately. If you pass some and fail others, you retake only the failed exams and pay that exam's fee each time.

Source: PSI Minnesota Board of Cosmetology Candidate Information Bulletin, effective June 5, 2026.

Practical details from the bulletin:

• The exams are closed book. General Theory and Written Practical items are written from Milady Standard Esthetics: Fundamentals (12th edition, 2020) and Pivot Point Fundamentals: Esthetics (2022).
• You can test at a PSI center or by remote proctoring. Schedule online or by phone at (855) 834-8746.
• To cancel or reschedule without losing the fee, contact PSI at least 2 days before the exam. Missing the appointment, arriving late, cancelling late or lacking proper ID forfeits the fee.
• Bring two valid, signature-bearing IDs: a primary government photo ID and a secondary ID such as a signed credit or debit card or a Social Security card. Arrive 30 minutes early.
• The tutorial (up to 15 minutes) does not count against exam time. You may go back and change answers while time remains.
• Results appear on screen immediately. Remote-proctored score reports are emailed within 48 hours. Exams are also offered in Spanish and Vietnamese; choose the language when scheduling.

What 75% means. Seventy-five percent of 75 scored items is 56.25, so you need at least about 57 correct on General Theory, 38 of 50 on the Written Practical and 23 of 30 on the State exam. You will not know which items are unscored, so answer every question carefully.

2. Applying for the Individual License

Under Minn. R. 2105.0145, subp. 1, an applicant for an esthetician license who has not been licensed in another state must be at least 17 years old and submit:

1. a completed application form;
2. original passing results no more than one year old for the general theory test, written practical test and Minnesota laws and rules test;
3. proof of training: the original course completion certificate, signed and notarized by the school manager or owner, showing 600 hours. If the training is more than five years old, add a skills course certificate no more than one year old; and
4. payment of the fees in Minn. Stat. 155A.25.

The bulletin states the one-year window plainly: the application must be filed within one year of passing, and if the exams were passed on different dates, the year runs from the earliest date. The school must certify that an esthetics student completed at least 500 hours before it signs the readiness form for the written exams (Minn. R. 2110.0670).

The Board must issue, deny or flag a complete application for further review within 15 working days. The statute lists a $150 fee for an expedited initial individual license, which is decided within five business days (155A.25, subds. 1a, 5 and 7).

Scenario: Priya passes General Theory on October 2, 2026 and the Written Practical on October 2, but scores 21 of 30 on the State exam. She retakes only the State exam ($24) and passes on October 30. Her application deadline is October 2, 2027, one year from her earliest passing result, not from October 30.

3. Fees, License Cycle and Expiration

A licensee adding a second license category pays the full license and application fee for it. Individual licenses run on a three-year cycle (Minn. R. 2105.0520). The first year runs from issuance to the last day of the birth month and may be shorter than 12 months. The second and third years are 12 months each, and the license expires on the last day of the birth month (155A.25, subd. 4). Licenses cannot be transferred to another person (Minn. R. 2105.0230).

4. Maintaining and Displaying the License (Minn. R. 2105.0190)

• Compliance. You must verify that the salon or school where you practice holds an active license, and you must follow all applicable statutes and rules (subp. 1).
• Name change. Within 30 days of a legal name change, send legal documentation and the $20 fee. The license in the former name is invalid on the 31st day (subp. 2).
• Address. Keep a current mailing address on file and update it within 30 days of a change (subp. 2a).
• Display (subp. 4; Minn. Stat. 155A.32). Post an original, unaltered, current license at each salon where you practice. Either the license or your full name as shown on it must appear at each workstation you use. A name tag or prominently displayed business card showing that full name satisfies this. If the license is not at the workstation, post it at the reception area or each customer entrance. Copies do not count. Buy duplicate licenses for multiple salons. After a license is issued, a printout of the Board's online license status may be used for up to 30 days.
• Photo ID. While working, carry a valid picture state identification and show it to Board staff on request (Minn. R. 2105.0370, item E).

5. Renewal and Continuing Education

Renewal (Minn. R. 2105.0200, subp. 1). Renewing is your responsibility even without a notice from the Board. Incomplete applications are returned. A late application owes the $45 late fee. If a renewed license has not been issued by the end of the business day on the expiration date, you may not practice until it is.

CE requirement (subp. 2, item A; Minn. Stat. 155A.271). Before renewing, an esthetician, advanced practice esthetician, cosmetologist, nail technician or salon manager completes 8 hours from board-approved providers within the three years before renewal:

• Core CE comes from a board-licensed school, a postsecondary institution, or a board-recognized professional association. Professional practice CE may also come from a board-licensed salon.
• No product may be marketed or sold during a CE class that earns credit (155A.271, subd. 1a).
• Credits apply to one renewal period and may count toward several licenses you hold. Professional practice hours cannot duplicate core hours.
• Audits. Keep proof of CE for four years after the class (Minn. R. 2105.0200, subp. 5). If audited, provide proof within 30 days. If the Board cannot verify the credits, it rescinds the renewal and you may not practice until a new license is issued.

6. Retired and Expired Licenses

• Retired license (2105.0205): available if you have stopped all practice; it allows no services.
• Expired less than three years (2105.0215, subp. 1): renew under 2105.0200 and pay renewal plus late fees; a new cycle is issued.
• Expired three years or more (subp. 2): submit a renewal application, passing results no more than one year old on the laws and rules test and a written practical exam, and the initial license fees.
• Outstanding penalties must be paid (or a payment plan kept current) before any license is issued or renewed (2105.0225).