Michigan Cosmetology License Requirements (2026 Guide)
If you want to practice cosmetology in Michigan, a cosmetology license is required by law. Here is what the Michigan LARA, Board of Cosmetology requires, step by step.
Michigan licenses cosmetology practitioners through the Michigan LARA, Board of Cosmetology. Required training: 1,500 hours, or a 2 year apprenticeship (1,920 hours). Pass the board exam and submit your application to receive your license.
Compare schools below, read the step-by-step guide, and see how our Cosmetology course for Michigan fits your licensing path.
Michigan Cosmetology licensing requirements at a glance
| Required hours | 1,500 hours, or a 2 year apprenticeship (1,920 hours) |
| License type | Cosmetology License |
| Licensing board | Michigan LARA, Board of Cosmetology |
| Exams | Exam administered by or through the Michigan LARA, Board of Cosmetology |
| 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 |
| State notes | Apprenticeship requires supervision by a practitioner with at least 3 years of experience and monthly timesheets submitted to LARA. |
Requirements verified against official board sources. Rules change - confirm with the Michigan LARA, Board of Cosmetology before you enroll.
Step by Step: How to Get Licensed in Michigan
Prepare with our online Cosmetology course
Because Michigan 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 in Michigan for local schools and city guides.
Want us to guide you through Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan?
Contact Us →Licensed schools & studios in Michigan
Compare accredited beauty schools on record for Michigan, or browse practicing electrologists where applicable.
Schools in Michigan
Michigan requires 1,500 hours, or a 2 year apprenticeship (1,920 hours) through a path approved by the Michigan LARA, Board of Cosmetology.
Michigan requires passing a licensing exam administered by or through the Michigan LARA, Board of Cosmetology. Exact format, scheduling, and passing score are set by the board.
Our online course can prepare you for the material, but Michigan requires in-person hours through the Michigan LARA, Board of Cosmetology. Online study does not replace those hours.
Reciprocity rules vary by state and are not automatic. Contact the Michigan LARA, Board of Cosmetology directly to ask about transferring an existing license.
You will need to complete 1,500 hours, or a 2 year apprenticeship (1,920 hours) through an approved path, plus time to prepare for and pass the required exam. Total timelines vary based on your school's schedule.
Michigan does not publish a single combined fee on the data we have. Application, exam, and license fees are set by the Michigan LARA, Board of Cosmetology 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. Michigan's exact renewal cycle is not detailed in our data, so confirm it directly with the Michigan LARA, Board of Cosmetology.
Michigan lists an apprenticeship path, where supervised work can count toward your required hours. Outside of an approved apprenticeship, you generally need to finish your program and pass your exam before working independently. Confirm the exact rules with the Michigan LARA, Board of Cosmetology.
Michigan Cosmetology Licensing Requirements. Planning to get licensed for cosmetology in Michigan? As of the most recent update, this state requires 1,500 hours, or a 2 year apprenticeship (1,920 hours), licensing handled by the Michigan LARA, Board of Cosmetology. This page tracks the current board, required hours, minimum age, and renewal rules for Michigan, cross-linked with our online cosmetology course for the theory portion of your training and our school directory for approved in-person programs near Michigan. Rules change, so always confirm the latest requirement directly with the Michigan licensing board before enrolling.
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.
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Sourced from the Michigan LARA, Board of Cosmetology. Verified July 2026. Licensing rules can change - always confirm current requirements with the board before enrolling or applying.