Indiana Cosmetology License Requirements (2026 Guide)
If you want to practice cosmetology in Indiana, a cosmetology license is required by law. Here is what the Indiana PLA, State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners requires, step by step.
Indiana licenses cosmetology practitioners through the Indiana PLA, State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. Required training: 1,500 hours. Training must be completed at an Indiana-approved beauty culture school, with monthly verified hour reports submitted to the board.
Compare schools below, read the step-by-step guide, and see how our Cosmetology course for Indiana fits your licensing path.
Indiana Cosmetology licensing requirements at a glance
| Required hours | 1,500 hours |
| License type | Cosmetology License |
| Licensing board | Indiana PLA, State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners |
| Exams | Exam administered by or through the Indiana PLA, State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners |
| Estimated fees | Varies - confirm with board |
| Typical timeline | 3-6 months |
| Renewal | Typically every 1-2 years; CE hours may apply - confirm with the board |
| Minimum age | n/a years |
| State notes | Training must be completed at an Indiana-approved beauty culture school, with monthly verified hour reports submitted to the board. |
Requirements verified against official board sources. Rules change - confirm with the Indiana PLA, State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners before you enroll.
Step by Step: How to Get Licensed in Indiana
Prepare with our online Cosmetology course
Because Indiana requires in-person training hours, our online course builds theory before or during your school program - it does not replace board-required clinical hours.
Four enrollment plans from $1,380. 12-module program taught by Aida Khazieva with lifetime access on Advanced plans and above.
Also see Cosmetology training overview in Indiana for local schools and city guides.
Want us to guide you through Indiana licensing?
Figuring out hours, approved schools, paperwork, and exam timing on your own takes real time. Aida's team offers hands-on licensing support - guidance and coordination, never a shortcut. Only your state board issues the license.
- 60-90 minute 1:1 strategy session
- Written roadmap for Indiana cosmetology licensing
- Shortlist of approved schools near you
- Exam and timeline overview
- Everything in the Licensing Roadmap
- School application and board paperwork prep
- Document review before you submit
- 90 days of email and WhatsApp support
- Everything in Guided Application Support
- Regular check-ins until your license is issued
- Mock practical exam prep with Aida
- Priority same-day support
Not sure which package fits Indiana?
Contact Us →Licensed schools & studios in Indiana
Compare accredited beauty schools on record for Indiana, or browse practicing electrologists where applicable.
Schools in Indiana
Frequently asked questions - Indiana Cosmetology
Indiana requires 1,500 hours through a path approved by the Indiana PLA, State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.
Indiana requires passing a licensing exam administered by or through the Indiana PLA, State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. Exact format, scheduling, and passing score are set by the board.
Our online course can prepare you for the material, but Indiana requires in-person hours through the Indiana PLA, State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. Online study does not replace those hours.
Reciprocity rules vary by state and are not automatic. Contact the Indiana PLA, State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners directly to ask about transferring an existing license.
You will need to complete 1,500 hours through an approved path, plus time to prepare for and pass the required exam. Total timelines vary based on your school's schedule.
Indiana does not publish a single combined fee on the data we have. Application, exam, and license fees are set by the Indiana PLA, State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners and can change, so confirm the current amounts directly with them.
Most states require periodic renewal, typically every one to two years, sometimes with continuing education hours. Indiana's exact renewal cycle is not detailed in our data, so confirm it directly with the Indiana PLA, State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.
In most states, including Indiana based on our data, you complete your required hours and pass your exam before working independently. Some schools allow supervised clinic work on real or model clients as part of training itself. Confirm what counts as work under Indiana rules with the Indiana PLA, State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.
Financial Aid and Government Support
Several real federal and state programs can help cover the cost of beauty education. Federal Pell Grants and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) are available to eligible students at accredited schools through the FAFSA. Veterans and their families may be able to use GI Bill benefits at VA-approved programs. Some states also offer workforce funding through WIOA, administered by local American Job Centers, though eligibility for cosmetology and esthetics programs varies by region.
Important: these programs apply to your accredited in-person school, where you complete your required hours, not to our online preparation course directly. Contact your chosen school's financial aid office or your local American Job Center to find out what you qualify for.
Sourced from the Indiana PLA, State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. Verified July 2026. Licensing rules can change - always confirm current requirements with the board before enrolling or applying.