Board of Cosmetology MA Guide

Board of Cosmetology MA: Requirements and Links

Last checked: 2026-10-30 — Requirements last verified: 2026-10-30.

The Massachusetts authority is the Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering within the Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL). This page consolidates official links, state-specific hours, fees, exams, renewals, reciprocity, apprenticeships, sanitation rules, inspections/discipline, and an opening-a-salon checklist for Massachusetts.

Official Board hub: Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering. Mass. statutes and regulations index: Cosmetology & Barbering statutes/regulations.

Who must be licensed and scope of practice

Massachusetts law requires a Board-issued license before providing cosmetology, aesthetics, or manicuring services. Scope definitions are in M.G.L. c.112 §87T (e.g., cosmetology comprises hairdressing, aesthetics, and manicuring), and unlicensed practice is prohibited under §87II. See: §87T, §87II, and the Board org page above.

Training hours and license types

Minimum school hours are set by regulation and summarized by the state:

License	Minimum hours	Authority
Cosmetologist	1,000 hours	DOL “How to become”; 240 CMR 2.01
Aesthetician	600 hours	DOL; 240 CMR 2.01
Manicurist	100 hours	DOL; 240 CMR 2.01

Application, exams, and fees

Step-by-step (first-time Massachusetts applicants)

1. Complete the required school hours in a Board-approved program (see above).
2. Apply for licensure via the state’s online platform (eLIPSE). Start from: First time licensees. Applications must be submitted online in eLIPSE; incomplete applications are held open 180 days, then considered abandoned. Application fee for cosmetologist is $68. Source.
3. After Board eligibility is approved, schedule your exam with PSI. Massachusetts requires a written theory exam administered by PSI; practical is not listed for initial licensure on the state site. See: DOL “How to become” and PSI’s MA page/Test Taker Guide: PSI MA Cosmetology Test Taker Guide.

Exam details (PSI)

• PSI administers Massachusetts cosmetology theory testing and processes online exam applications (effective Jan 2026). See the PSI MA Test Taker Guide for processes and fees. PSI TTG (rev. 1/9/2026).
• Published PSI fee for the MA Cosmetology Theory Test: $155 (nonrefundable). PSI TTG.
• Board meeting minutes in 2026 reflect ongoing oversight of PSI exam changes and performance monitoring. Board meeting 09/10/2026.

Renewals and common fees

Item	Amount	Notes/Authority
Cosmetologist application	$68	DOL “How to become”
Cosmetologist renewal	$68	Renews every 2 years on your birthday. Renew a license
Late renewal fee	$57	Assessed in addition to renewal if received after expiration. Fees & renewal schedules
PSI theory exam	$155	Nonrefundable. PSI TTG

Continuing education (CE)

Massachusetts regulations specify CE for electrology (240 CMR 11). No CE requirement is listed in regulation for cosmetology, aesthetics, or manicuring renewals on the Board’s site. Always verify renewal instructions in eLIPSE. Sources: 240 CMR 11; Renew a license.

Reciprocity/transfer and foreign-trained applicants

Out-of-state transfers (reciprocity)

Apply through the Transfer process; no exam is required if you hold a current license in good standing from a U.S. jurisdiction with substantially equivalent education/hours and you originally passed an exam, and the scope of your current license fully matches the MA license you seek (e.g., out-of-state cosmetologist must include hairdressing, aesthetics, and manicuring). Otherwise, the Board may require an exam. See: Transfer a license to Massachusetts and 240 CMR 2.03 (Reciprocity): 240 CMR 2.03. The out-of-state checklist is here: Out-of-State Application (PDF).

Training equivalency note: transfer applicants may need to document subject-area hours (e.g., 50 manicuring hours and 80 aesthetics hours within the 1,000). See transfer page and checklist. Transfer; Checklist.

Out-of-country applicants

Use the MA Out-of-Country application and provide originals and certified translations proving education and/or experience. Current checklist cites required documents and fees and notes that the Board no longer issues temporary permits. See: Out-of-Country Application (PDF).

Apprenticeships and shop-employed students

MA allows student apprenticeships/shop employment only under Board policy and while enrolled in a Board-approved school program; registration is required before any services in a shop. Applicants must meet prerequisites (including 25 hours of basic safety/sanitation/shampooing in school) and submit a notarized CORI form. Apply and review requirements here: Apprenticeship or Shop Employment and Policy 2019-01: Student Apprenticeship & Employment Policy.

Sanitation, safety, and scope-of-practice rules (salons)

• Operational and hygiene procedures (e.g., handwashing before/after each client; disinfection and covered waste receptacles) are in 240 CMR 3.00: Cosmetology Salons and detailed in 240 CMR 3.00 PDF.
• Policy bulletin clarifies no delegations outside scope (e.g., medical procedures) even if another professional purports to delegate. See Board policy: Practices Outside the Scope.
• Consumer fact sheet highlights licensing and anti-discrimination pricing rules. Consumer fact sheet.

Inspections, complaints, and discipline

• Upon certain complaints (e.g., injury, health hazard, disease transmission, unsanitary conditions, or unlicensed practice), the Board must inspect and enforce. See M.G.L. c.112 §87DD: §87DD.
• Grounds for discipline and sanctions include suspension, revocation, and civil penalties under c.112 §§61–65E and §87EE. See §65 and §87EE.
• File complaints online via eLIPSE: File a complaint and instructions: Submit a complaint.

Common violations to avoid

• Unlicensed practice or practicing on an expired license (subject to discipline and civil penalties). §65; §87II.
• Failure to follow sanitation and disinfection rules (e.g., handwashing, properly disinfecting implements). 240 CMR 3.00.
• Performing services outside licensed scope (see policy bulletin). Scope policy.

Processing times and practical timeline

Milestone	Typical timing (official guidance)	Source
Board application review (exam eligibility)	No specific timeframe provided by PSI; eligibility valid 12 months once granted	PSI TTG
Salon license processing + inspection scheduling	“Several weeks” after submission; inspection scheduled by Board	Apply for salon license
Incomplete applications	Held open 180 days, then abandoned	DOL “How to become”

Checklist: opening a MA cosmetology salon

1. Confirm your personal license is active (renew every 2 years on your birthday). Renew a license.
2. Submit salon license application via eLIPSE; comply with 240 CMR 3.00 facility, equipment, and hygiene requirements. Shop and salon licenses; 240 CMR 3.00.
3. Prepare for Board inspection (covered waste receptacle(s); disinfection containers; handwashing; posted licenses). 240 CMR 3.00.
4. If hiring students/apprentices, register them with the Board before any services are performed in your shop and ensure supervision meets policy. Apprenticeship/Shop Employment.
5. Post opening: maintain sanitation, renew on time, and monitor policy updates on the Board’s org page. Board.

Direct portals and forms

• Licensing portal: start from Cosmetology, Barbering & Electrology Licensing for first-time, renewals, shop licenses, school licenses, transfers, and reinstatements.
• PSI exam: MA Cosmetology Test Taker Guide and PSI Massachusetts page (scheduling and fees listed in the guide).
• Transfer (reciprocity) instructions: Transfer to MA with checklists: Out-of-State (PDF) and Out-of-Country (PDF).
• Renewals, fees, and schedules: Renew a license; Fees & Renewal Schedules.

FAQs

Is there a practical exam?

The DOL’s “How to become” page specifies passing a written theory exam for initial licensure and directs candidates to PSI. The PSI program materials list Massachusetts for the national cosmetology theory testing. Confirm any test delivery changes with the Board or PSI before scheduling. DOL; PSI TTG.

How often do I renew?

Cosmetologists renew every 2 years on their birthday (current fee $68). Renew a license.

Are pass rates available?

The Board and PSI do not publish Massachusetts cosmetology pass-rate statistics on their public pages. Monitor Board meeting materials for any updates. Board meeting 09/10/2026.