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

Alabama 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 Alabama cosmetology license cost?

Before tuition, expect $75.00 for the written exam and $130.00 for the practical exam. That is $205 in state and vendor fees to get licensed.

Is there a practical exam for the Alabama cosmetology license?

Yes. Alabama requires a hands-on practical examination in addition to the written examination.

AL Cosmetology licensing

Alabama cosmetology license requirements and exam prep

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

At a glance

Alabama Cosmetology facts

License type: Cosmetologist
School hours: 1,500 hours
Written exam: Required
Practical exam: Required
Exam vendor: PSI Services LLC
Passing score: 70%
Exam fees: Written $75.00 / Practical $130.00
Last verified: 2026-08-07

Checked against 2 official sources on 2026-08-07. 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
Passing score: 70%
Fee: $75.00

Practical exam

Status: Required
Fee: $130.00

Renewal and transfer

What it costs

Written exam: $75.00
Practical exam: $130.00

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, practical time limit, continuing education, transfer terms. Verify the current board page or candidate bulletin before scheduling or applying.

Study path

How to use this Alabama 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. This record also has a sourced apprenticeship path of 3,000 hours.
Prepare for the written examUse timed practice against the published written-exam structure: passing standard 70%. The cited sources name PSI Services LLC as the exam vendor.
Plan hands-on practiceAlabama 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.

Practice Cosmetology questions

Official sources

Source links used for this guide

Requirements for Examination in Alabama ↗Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering · Accessed 2026-07-30Training hours, Apprenticeship hours, Written exam fee, Practical exam fee
Alabama Cosmetology, Manicurist, Esthetician and Instructor Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin (2011) ↗Professional Credential Services · Accessed 2026-07-30Passing Score, Exam vendor

Alabama in context

What these Alabama cosmetology rules mean for you

Alabama 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.

Alabama 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 PSI Services LLC. The published passing standard is 70%.

Alabama Cosmetology licensing questions

How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Alabama?: Alabama 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 Alabama cosmetology license cost?: Before tuition, expect $75.00 for the written exam and $130.00 for the practical exam. That is $205 in state and vendor fees to get licensed.
Is there a practical exam for the Alabama cosmetology license?: Yes. Alabama requires a hands-on practical examination in addition to the written examination.

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