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

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

Is there a practical exam for the Michigan cosmetology license?

Yes. Michigan 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 Michigan?

You must be at least 17 years old. The education requirement is Education equivalent to the completion of the ninth grade.

MI Cosmetology licensing

Michigan cosmetology license requirements and exam prep

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

At a glance

Michigan Cosmetology facts

License type: Cosmetologist
School hours: 1,500 hours
Written exam: Required
Practical exam: Required
Exam vendor: PSI Services LLC
Minimum age: 17
Education: Education equivalent to the completion of the ninth grade
Last verified: 2026-08-07

Checked against 2 official sources on 2026-07-30. 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

Practical exam

Status: Required

Renewal and transfer

Reciprocity: Case by case - the board compares your training and may require an exam

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

Study path

How to use this Michigan 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 PSI Services LLC as the exam vendor.
Plan hands-on practiceMichigan 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

Michigan Administrative Code R 338.2101 to R 338.2195, Cosmetology ↗Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs · Accessed 2026-07-30License type, Training hours, Written exam, Practical exam, Exam vendor, Transfer route
Michigan Manicurist Candidate Information Bulletin (EFF 2/11/26) ↗PSI Services LLC · Accessed 2026-08-06Minimum age, Education, Question Count, Time Limit, Written exam fee

Michigan in context

What these Michigan cosmetology rules mean for you

Michigan 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.

Michigan 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.

Michigan Cosmetology licensing questions

How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Michigan?: Michigan requires 1,500 hours of approved training. That is more than 12 of the other jurisdictions tracked here and fewer than 13.
Is there a practical exam for the Michigan cosmetology license?: Yes. Michigan 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 Michigan?: You must be at least 17 years old. The education requirement is Education equivalent to the completion of the ninth grade.

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