NM Cosmetology licensing
New Mexico cosmetology license requirements and exam prep
Confirm New Mexico cosmetology training hours, exam requirements, official board sources and the matching Cosmetology practice app.
At a glance
New Mexico Cosmetology facts
- License type
- Cosmetologist
- School hours
- 1,600 hours
- Written exam
- Required
- Practical exam
- Required
- Exam vendor
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
- Passing score
- 75 scaled score
- Minimum age
- 17
- Last verified
- 2026-07-30
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
- Passing score
- 75 scaled score
Practical exam
- Status
- Required
- Passing score
- 75 scaled score
Renewal and transfer
- Reciprocity
- Case by case - the board compares your training and may require an exam
Study path
How to use this New Mexico 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 1,600 approved training hours before relying on exam practice as your only preparation step.
- Prepare for the written examUse timed practice against the published written-exam structure: passing standard 75 scaled score. The cited sources name New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists as the exam vendor.
- Plan hands-on practiceNew Mexico requires a practical exam for this license, so do not let written-question practice replace service practice and kit/exam-day preparation.
- 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.
Official sources
Source links used for this guide
- 16.34.5 NMAC Regular Licenses ↗New Mexico State Records Center and Archives · Accessed 2026-07-30License type, Training hours, Minimum age, Written exam, Practical exam, Exam vendor
- 16.34.3 NMAC Examinations ↗New Mexico State Records Center and Archives · Accessed 2026-07-30Passing Score, Written exam, Practical exam
New Mexico in context
What these New Mexico cosmetology rules mean for you
New Mexico requires 1,600 training hours for a cosmetology license. Of the 51 jurisdictions tracked here, 41 ask for fewer hours and 6 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.
New Mexico requires both a written examination and a hands-on practical examination, so you need bench skills as well as theory. The examination is administered by New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. The published passing standard is 75 scaled score.
New Mexico Cosmetology licensing questions
- How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in New Mexico?
- New Mexico requires 1,600 hours of approved training. That is more than 41 of the other jurisdictions tracked here and fewer than 6.
- Is there a practical exam for the New Mexico cosmetology license?
- Yes. New Mexico requires a hands-on practical examination in addition to the written examination.
- How old do you have to be to get a cosmetology license in New Mexico?
- You must be at least 17 years old.
Verify before applying. Licensing rules, fees, providers, and exam formats can change. Use the linked board source as the final authority.