arkansas licensing requirements
Licenses Available: Cosmetology/Cosmetician, Electrologist, Esthetician, Manicurist
Required Hours:
Cosmetologist/Cosmetician: 1500 hours
Electrologist: 600 hours (or 350 hours + 1500-hr cosmetology license)
Esthetician: 600 hours
Manicurist: 600 hours
Minimum Requirements: All applicants must be at least 16 years old and have completed 2 years of high school. Electrologists must be 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Reciprocity: Yes, Arkansas offers reciprocity if candidate is licensed in another state or has hours in another state and passes Arkansas State Board tests. Candidates licensed in another state wishing to become licensed in Arkansas must:
- Fill out the Reciprocity Form and return it to the Office of the Arkansas State Board of Cosmetology along with required documents and $150 reciprocity fee. (This fee does not cover any examination costs.)
- Contact your state board office where you are currently licensed and request that a certification of your licensure record (affidavit) be mailed directly to the Office of the Arkansas Board of Cosmetology.
a) If you were examined in a state other than the state in which you are currently licensed, then you must request a certification of your examination record from that state board. (This is in addition to the certification listed in item #2.) The certification of your examination record must be mailed directly
to the Office of the Arkansas State Board of Cosmetology.
b) Proof of training must be certified by applicable state. Certification must
provide name of school attended, city and state school is located and number of
hours accrued. - You will be notified when items #1 and #2 are received in the Board’s office.
Read all instructions, enclosed, for additional steps/requirements in obtaining an
Arkansas license.
Further Info:
Arkansas State Board of Cosmetology
101 East Capital Avenue
Suite 108
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 682-2168
Fax: (501) 682-5640
Print Applications for Licensure
Written Provider: PSI
Practical Provider: NIC
Total Exam Cost: $85
Required Passing Score on Written Exam: 70%
Required Passing Score on Practical Exam: 75%
Practical Exam Required: Yes
Mannequin Required: Yes
Live Model Required: Yes (required for nails and esthetics)
Renewal: To be renewed every 2 years based on birth month.
