Transferring Cosmetology License to a Different State

Each state has different requirements for obtaining and maintaining a cosmetology license. When you move to a new state, you must ensure that your license meets the state’s requirements. Most states offer programs that make transferring easy. Some even have reciprocity laws with nearby states. You will need to apply for a new license and pay the fee. Here is an explanation of the process of how to transfer a cosmetology license to another state.

How to Transfer a Cosmetology License to Another State

The first step in transferring your license is contacting the State Board of Cosmetology in the state where you will be moving. They will be able to explain the transfer process to you, including the specific state licensing requirements. Many states also list this information on their website.

Contact the state board as early as possible, because some states have much more stringent requirements than others, and the process can take longer. If the new state requires more classroom training hours than your current license, you will have to take additional classes. Knowing this as soon as possible can help you reduce the time you are out of work.

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Finishing Coursework

You’ll have to complete the necessary coursework before you can continue the process in these states. Advanced cosmetology courses that teach new techniques and product formulations may help you meet additional requirements. In other cases, specific board-required safety and sanitation classes are required for all licensed cosmetologists.

The Application Process

In states with a reciprocity agreement, you will still need to request an application to transfer your license. You’ll probably also have to request that your current state license information be forwarded to the new state from your original State Board. Just like most high schools, colleges, and community colleges require students to submit transcripts during enrollment, your new state board of cosmetology may require you to submit your original cosmetology license. You’ll also be required to submit other information in addition to the transfer application and current license. An application transfer may include a processing fee, information about your education, and proof of hands-on experience. Your cosmetology school can help you to compile this information if necessary.

Testing

In order to work as a hairstylist or barber, you must pass the state board exam of your current residence or find out if your exam results will suffice for you to practice cosmetology at your new location. 

Some states impose more comprehensive test requirements that include hands-on and written exams. Study manuals are usually offered to help students prepare for each state board exam of cosmetology.

For more information on obtaining or renewing your Cosmetologist license, visit the Washington State Department of Licensing

 

Author
Frank Trieu
Vice President of Business Development & Industry Relations

Frank Trieu is a cosmetology industry leader, and despite his accomplishments and accolades, he still prioritizes students on the Evergreen campus. Through building relationships within the community and local salons, retail stores, and spas, he helps facilitate job placements for aspiring beauty professionals using his expansive network.

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Julie Boyajian
Julie Boyajian
5 years ago

hello. I’m want to transfer my license to Tennessee

Pamela Newsom
Pamela Newsom
4 years ago
Reply to  Julie Boyajian

Where are you coming from??

Pamela Newsom
Pamela Newsom
4 years ago
Reply to  Pamela Newsom

I lived in Ohio but, now I live in Gillette, Whyoming

Shirley Valdes
Shirley Valdes
3 years ago
Reply to  Pamela Newsom

South America, Chile but now live in New York

Sharon Isenberg
Sharon Isenberg
5 years ago

I have moved from Colorado to Kansas. The Kansas Board requires a verification of licensure and training/education received in the state of Colorado where which I received my training/education from
Hair Dynamics in Fort Collins,Colorado which has since closed!
The Kansas Board will receive Verification of Licensure via e-mail.
How do I proceed?
Sharon.

Pamela Newsom
Pamela Newsom
4 years ago

I would think once Dynamics closed all of your records most likely went to the other school. And so I would get on the internet and look up Whyoming Board of Cosmetology and do what you call “Look up License for verification. And send that to them over email, or fax. If u need that information, I do have it

Donna Marie Schwarz
Donna Marie Schwarz
4 years ago

I received my cosmetology license in Connecticut, transferred it to Ohio then let it expire. I now plan on moving to Florida how can I get my cosmetology license renewed? I let my license expire a 18 years ago.

Pam newsom
Pam newsom
4 years ago

I’m from Ohio and they won’t let them go anywhere until you have all your CEUs done

Kim Rojas
Kim Rojas
4 years ago

I have an active boston massachusetts cosmo license. I now for 1 yr. Lived in myrtle beach, sc. How do I ransfer so I can work here.

Janice Arnold
Janice Arnold
3 years ago

Try to call them is impossible. They just say ” call back at later time and hang up.”

patty
patty
4 years ago

trying to move from Illinois to South Carolina, licensed in IL for over 30 years with all CEU hours met no violations and they are trying to get me to re-take the state exams again!! Anyone have a better solution like an endorsement?

KATHLEEN Musetti
KATHLEEN Musetti
4 years ago

Have original N.Y. Licensing would like to change it to N.C How do I go about this?

guets
guets
4 years ago

I have a New York License I want to transfer to New Jersey any idea where I start?

Ra'keesha
Ra'keesha
4 years ago

Hello, I have my cosmetology license in the state of Michigan but I just moved to South Carolina and want to transfer it. What is the steps for doing that?

Kristin Dan
Kristin Dan
4 years ago

I have a MI cosmetology license and want to apply for an Ohio license. Do I contact MI or Ohio first? If you have a link that would be much appreciated. I can’t seem to find the correct site.

Brianna
Brianna
4 years ago

Hello! I moved from CA to NY with over 7 yrs in the industry. Where do I start by transferring my Lic I am very confused from what I’ve read online.

Haley J Green
Haley J Green
4 years ago

Trying to transfer my license from Colorado to Iowa. Tried to make an account with Iowa State Board of Cosmetology but it is not processing. Is there another avenue I can take?

Jessica
Jessica
2 years ago
Reply to  Haley J Green

Haley, did you have any success? I’m trying to transfer to Iowa as well

Tom
Tom
4 years ago

I live in Cali now but if i move to Texas, Boston, Georgia, Alabama or Florida…. can I transfer my Cosmetology license? Can you explain the rules? Do I need to learn and make the test or no? Thanks.

Pamela Newsom
Pamela Newsom
4 years ago

Hi I’m from Ohio and I have my Advanced Cosmetology License. In my state?of Ohio, It’s considered to be moving up the latter. I went from a Receptionist to Stylist(hairdresser), to Managing Cosmetologists, then to an Advanced Cosmetologists. In my State that is as far as I could go. As an Advanced Cos. Girl I could Manage a Salon as well as be the Owner. I also could work from home, as long as I had a separate restroom.
Thanks for your time,
Sincerely, Pamela Newsom
Graduate of Cosmetology 1988

Sara Brown
Sara Brown
4 years ago

hi! i’m starting cosmetology school in January will credits transfer from Kentucky to South Carolina?

Lena
Lena
4 years ago

I have moved to Florida and have an Illinois license; I would like to transfer it to Florida

janet ferrara
janet ferrara
3 years ago

i need help, I need to renew my license, its been a few years, im a cosmetologist for 36 years and I moved to New jersey 6 years ago, Now I want to cut hair again, what do I do?, Il Pay to renew license first but how do I switch to new jersey?

Jessica Battaglia
Jessica Battaglia
3 years ago

Hello,

I am an esthetician in Maryland. I am moving to North Carolina how would I change my license over? Do I have to take the state boards again?

Alyce Dellapenna
Alyce Dellapenna
3 years ago

how do i transfer a osmetologist licence from Jax Florida

Alyce Dellapenna
Alyce Dellapenna
3 years ago

needed to add to North Carolina

Lori
Lori
3 years ago

I will be getting my South Carolina license in the mail soon. How do I transfer my License to North Carolina ??

Donnie Ernst
Donnie Ernst
1 month ago

My wife went to school for cosmetology in Georgia how do I transfer license from Georgia to Cincinnati Ohio

Shannon N Alexander
Shannon N Alexander
3 years ago

how do I obtain an affidavit verifying the type of license

ana
ana
3 years ago

Hello! I’m planning ; to move to Nevada, and I’m active license in Illinois what Are the requirements

Mekdelawit Habtmariam
Mekdelawit Habtmariam
3 years ago

I want transfer my Virginia license to Vermont

k paul
k paul
3 years ago

I just moved to georgia from colorado Ive been doing hair there for 30 years What do I need to do to get a license here

Punnada Phianam
Punnada Phianam
3 years ago

Hello I moved from Alaska I would like to transfer to Pittsburgh PA. I did called an asked for transfer science 2019 Till now I didn’t get any help. Now 2021 what can I do please help
Thank. Punnada

Nga Nguyen
Nga Nguyen
3 years ago

hello could you show me how to transfer my nail license from oregon to utah

Candace Loyd
Candace Loyd
3 years ago

I am a 28yr licensed cosmotologist in Illinois, currently moved to Missouri. would like to transfer my license

Joann
Joann
3 years ago

Hello I have a New York cosmetology license I am moving to South Carolina the requirements for SC a 1500 hours .. NY is 1000 hour requirement.. I have been doing hair for 20+ years in NY does that mean I have to go back to school for an additional 500 hours in order to get my license in South Carolina???

Maria Bollaro
Maria Bollaro
3 years ago

How do I transfer my New Jersey cosmetology license to South Carolina

Vera Kuznetsove
Vera Kuznetsove
3 years ago

I want to transfer my license from New York to New Jersey

Daniella Gibbs
Daniella Gibbs
3 years ago

Hello my name is Daniella Gibbs and I have my New York State cosmetology license and I have been trying to find a way to get reciprocity to North Carolina. I have been on the NYS website and it does not give me the forms to fill out and I have been trying to call. Is there any one that can help me solve this issue?

Anniston Elliott
Anniston Elliott
3 years ago

I want to transfer my cosmetology license from sc to Ny, but I can’t find anything about it online, so how would I do it?

Isabel Gopaul
Isabel Gopaul
3 years ago

Hello How do I transfer my license from New York State to Ga.

Mehmet
Mehmet
3 years ago

hello I want to transfer the license from Washington DC to Virginia

April Thomas
April Thomas
2 years ago

Hi, I am licenced in Illinois. I want to keep my licence current in Illinois but, also transfer to Nevada. I that possible?

Jenny
Jenny
2 years ago

How to transfer my Cosmetology License from NY to Connecticut?

Mikayla
Mikayla
2 years ago

I got my esthetician license in Colorado but recently just moved to Missouri. Is there anything I can do to get my credits transferred? Or get licensed here?

Laura
Laura
2 years ago

Help! I have a MA Esthetician License and want to get a NY license as well. The website is very difficult to navigate and I can’t get anyone on the phone. Does anyone know of a phone number that will take me to someone in that department so I can get some help with this? And how long does it take to get the license once you have all the paperwork in?

Hiyam
Hiyam
2 years ago

I want to transfer my license from Jordan to the USA

tina
tina
2 years ago

i want to add another state to my license. can i have 2 licenses. i 2 different ststaes

Hung Pham
Hung Pham
2 years ago

How do I transfer my license to South Carolina

Jeffery Armstrong
Jeffery Armstrong
2 years ago

I want to transfer my cosmo lic to kansas

Beka
Beka
2 years ago

Hello, I’m having trouble finding information on this so perhaps you might know. I am currently enrolled in cosmetology school in Kansas, they require 1500 credit hours. I am moving to Nebraska once I graduate and they require 1800 credit hours. Is it possible for me to just do an extra 300 credit hours in Kansas so that I may transfer and be qualified to work in Nebraska once I have passed the board exam? Or would I have to complete the extra 300 credit hours in the state of Nebraska?

Thank you!

Ell
Ell
2 years ago

Can you transfer your Michigan cos license to New York?

Transfer my license from North Carolina to New Yor
Transfer my license from North Carolina to New Yor
2 years ago

Hi I’m trying to Transfer my license from North Carolina to New York City

Vanna Ly
Vanna Ly
2 years ago

I want to transfer license nail florida to tennessee license nail. Who can you help me please

Xiomara
Xiomara
2 years ago

Hi,I would like to transfer my Florida Cosmetology and Esthetician licenses to North Caroline,Thank you.Xiomara

Jane Masten
Jane Masten
2 years ago

I want to transfer my license from Georgia to South Carolina

Sydni Sparks
Sydni Sparks
2 years ago

I will be transferring to Washington State from Hawaii in about 10 months. What will I need to do before then?

Jamie smith
Jamie smith
2 years ago

My license expired from Texas, How can I transfer my license to ohio

Puja Shrestha
Puja Shrestha
2 years ago

I have an Esthetician license from NY and I am in Illinois now. How, do I transfer my license.

Puja Shrestha
Puja Shrestha
2 years ago

Thank you

Lorri Bennett
Lorri Bennett
2 years ago

I moved from ny to South Carolina what needs to b done. I’ve been doing hair over 30 years