Minnesota Cosmetology License Requirements (2026 Guide)
Minnesota requires a cosmetology license to legally offer cosmetology services. Here is exactly what the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners requires and how to get there.
Minnesota requires a cosmetology license to legally offer cosmetology services. The Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners sets the rules: 1,550 hours of approved training, passing required exams, and a formal application before you can work on paying clients.
We track 9 accredited beauty schools in Minnesota on file. Use the Requirements tab for the full breakdown - hours, fees, exams, renewal, and reciprocity - then prepare with our online cosmetology course before or during school.
Minnesota Cosmetology licensing requirements at a glance
| Required hours | 1,550 hours |
| License type | Cosmetology License |
| Licensing board | Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners |
| Exams | Written and practical exams required |
| Estimated fees | Varies - confirm with board |
| Typical timeline | 6-9 months |
| Renewal | Typically every 1-2 years; CE hours may apply - confirm with the board |
| State notes | Requires passing three PSI written exams: general theory, written practical, and Minnesota laws and rules. Takes about 10 to 14 months full time. |
Requirements verified against official board sources. Rules change - confirm with the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners before you enroll.
Step by Step: How to Get Licensed in Minnesota
Prepare with our online Cosmetology course
Because Minnesota 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 Minnesota for local schools and city guides.
Want us to guide you through Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
Contact Us →Licensed schools & studios in Minnesota
Compare accredited beauty schools on record for Minnesota, or browse practicing electrologists where applicable.
Schools in Minnesota
Minnesota requires 1,550 hours through a path approved by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners.
Yes: Requires passing three PSI written exams: general theory, written practical, and Minnesota laws and rules.
Our online course can prepare you for the material, but Minnesota requires in-person hours through the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners. Online study does not replace those hours.
Reciprocity rules vary by state and are not automatic. Contact the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners directly to ask about transferring an existing license.
You will need to complete 1,550 hours through an approved path, plus time to prepare for and pass the required exam. Total timelines vary based on your school's schedule.
Minnesota does not publish a single combined fee on the data we have. Application, exam, and license fees are set by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist 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. Minnesota's exact renewal cycle is not detailed in our data, so confirm it directly with the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners.
In most states, including Minnesota 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 Minnesota rules with the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners.
Minnesota Cosmetology Licensing Requirements. Planning to get licensed for cosmetology in Minnesota? As of the most recent update, this state requires 1,550 hours, licensing handled by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners. This page tracks the current board, required hours, minimum age, and renewal rules for Minnesota, cross-linked with our online cosmetology course for the theory portion of your training and our school directory for approved in-person programs near Minnesota. Rules change, so always confirm the latest requirement directly with the Minnesota 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 Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners. Verified July 2026. Licensing rules can change - always confirm current requirements with the board before enrolling or applying.