How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Connecticut?

Connecticut requires 1,500 hours of approved training. That is more than 12 of the other jurisdictions tracked here and fewer than 13.

How much does a Connecticut cosmetology license cost?

Before tuition, expect $100 for the license application and $100 for the written exam. That is $200 in state and vendor fees to get licensed.

How often do you renew a Connecticut cosmetology license?

The renewal cycle is 2 years. The renewal fee is $100.

CT Cosmetology licensing

Connecticut cosmetology license requirements and exam prep

Confirm Connecticut cosmetology training hours, exam requirements, official board sources and the matching Cosmetology practice app.

At a glance

Connecticut Cosmetology facts

License type: Registered Hairdresser and Cosmetician
School hours: 1,500 hours
Written exam: Required
Practical exam: Not required
Exam vendor: Connecticut Department of Public Health
Exam fees: Written $100
Renewal cycle: 2 years
Education: Completion of the ninth grade
Last verified: 2026-08-01

Checked against 1 official source on 2026-08-01. Every figure on this page links to the document it came from.

Application path

What to verify before you apply

1Confirm the license categoryState boards may use different names for the same career path.
2Verify training and exam eligibilityCheck hours, application order, fees, IDs and vendor rules from official sources.
3Practice once your path is clearUse the state-aware course app for written-exam practice and weak-area review.

Exam details

Written and practical exam notes

Written exam

Status: Required
Fee: $100

Practical exam

Status: Not required

Connecticut does not require a hands-on practical examination for this license, so there is no practical time limit, score or fee to prepare for.

Renewal and transfer

Renewal: 2 years
Renewal fee: $100
Reciprocity: Case by case - the board compares your training and may require an exam

What it costs

License application: $100
Written exam: $100
Renewal every 2 years: $100

Fees are set by the state and the exam vendor and exclude school tuition.

Still to verifyNot published in the cited sources: written question count, written time limit, written exam languages, continuing education. Verify the current board page or candidate bulletin before scheduling or applying.

Study path

How to use this Connecticut cosmetology guide

Verify the licensing path here, then use the course app for active recall, answer explanations, weak-area drills and timed written-exam practice.

Confirm eligibilityFinish 1,500 approved training hours before relying on exam practice as your only preparation step.
Prepare for the written examUse practice for the core written-theory topics, then verify the current question count and time limit before scheduling. The cited sources name Connecticut Department of Public Health as the exam vendor.
Focus the exam study loopConnecticut does not require a practical exam for this license, so the course app can focus on written theory, explanations and timed drills.
Start the matching practice appBegin with the free questions, then unlock full access when your exam date is close enough that you will use the 90-day study window.

High-yield written topics

Safety and infection controlDisinfection, blood exposure, EPA labels, SDS and salon sanitation rules.
Hair color and chemistryLevels, developers, patch tests, chemical reactions and product safety.
Haircutting and texture servicesElevation, guidelines, relaxers, perms, neutralizers and service steps.
Skin, nails and state lawBasic services outside hair plus scope, licensing and board-rule questions.

Practice Cosmetology questions

Official sources

Source links used for this guide

Connecticut General Statutes chapter 387, Hairdressers and Cosmeticians, Estheticians, Eyelash Technicians and Nail Technicians ↗Connecticut General Assembly · Accessed 2026-07-30License type, Training hours, Education, Written exam, Practical exam, Exam vendor, Renewal cycle, Renewal fee, Exam Fee, Application fee, Transfer route

Connecticut in context

What these Connecticut cosmetology rules mean for you

Connecticut requires 1,500 training hours for a cosmetology license. Of the 51 jurisdictions tracked here, 12 ask for fewer hours and 13 ask for more, against a range of 1,000 to 2,000 hours and a median of 1,500. Hour requirements matter beyond school cost: a license earned in a low-hour state is often harder to transfer into a high-hour one.

Connecticut requires a written examination but no hands-on practical examination for this license, which is unusual and means your preparation is entirely theory-based. The examination is administered by Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Connecticut Cosmetology licensing questions

How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Connecticut?: Connecticut requires 1,500 hours of approved training. That is more than 12 of the other jurisdictions tracked here and fewer than 13.
How much does a Connecticut cosmetology license cost?: Before tuition, expect $100 for the license application and $100 for the written exam. That is $200 in state and vendor fees to get licensed.
Is there a practical exam for the Connecticut cosmetology license?: No. Connecticut does not require a hands-on practical examination for this license.
How often do you renew a Connecticut cosmetology license?: The renewal cycle is 2 years. The renewal fee is $100.

Verify before applying. Licensing rules, fees, providers, and exam formats can change. Use the linked board source as the final authority.