MN Cosmetology licensing
Minnesota cosmetology license requirements and exam prep
Confirm Minnesota cosmetology training hours, exam requirements, official board sources and the matching Cosmetology practice app.
At a glance
Minnesota Cosmetology facts
- License type
- Cosmetologist
- School hours
- 1,550 hours
- Written exam
- Required
- Practical exam
- Not required
- Exam vendor
- PSI Services LLC
- Passing score
- 75%
- Exam fees
- Written $85
- Renewal cycle
- 3 years
- Minimum age
- 17
- Last verified
- 2026-08-01
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
- Questions
- 190
- Time limit
- 300 minutes
- Passing score
- 75%
- Fee
- $85
- Languages
- English, Spanish, Vietnamese
Practical exam
- Status
- Not required
Minnesota 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
- 3 years
- Reciprocity
- Case by case - the board compares your training and may require an exam
What it costs
- Written exam
- $85
- Practical exam
- included in $85 combo
The $85 PSI combo exam covers the general theory, state, and written practical exams. Separate component retake fees are listed in the PSI bulletin. Board application and renewal fees are not included because they were not verified in this record.
Study path
How to use this Minnesota 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 1,550 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: 190 scored questions, 300 minutes, passing standard 75%. The cited sources name PSI Services LLC as the exam vendor.
- Focus the exam study loopMinnesota 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.
Official sources
Source links used for this guide
- Minnesota Rule 2105.0145 Applicants for Individual Licenses ↗Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes · Accessed 2026-07-30License type, Minimum age, Practical exam, Training hours, Written exam
- Testing ↗Minnesota Board of Cosmetology · Accessed 2026-07-30Exam vendor, Candidate Bulletin
- Minnesota Board of Cosmetology Candidate Information Bulletin ↗PSI Services LLC · Accessed 2026-07-30Exam vendor, Written exam, Practical exam, Passing Score, Exam Fee, Exam languages, Question Count, Time Limit
- Minnesota Rule 2105.0520 License Cycle ↗Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes · Accessed 2026-07-30Renewal cycle
- Minnesota Rule 2105.0183 Transfer of Licenses from Other States or Countries ↗Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes · Accessed 2026-07-30Transfer route
Minnesota in context
What these Minnesota cosmetology rules mean for you
Minnesota requires 1,550 training hours for a cosmetology license. Of the 51 jurisdictions tracked here, 38 ask for fewer hours and 10 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.
Minnesota 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 PSI Services LLC. The written exam has 190 questions with 300 minutes allowed. The published passing standard is 75%.
The Minnesota written exam is offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese. If English is not your first language, confirm the language option when you book, because it is chosen at scheduling rather than on exam day.
Minnesota Cosmetology licensing questions
- How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Minnesota?
- Minnesota requires 1,550 hours of approved training. That is more than 38 of the other jurisdictions tracked here and fewer than 10.
- How much does a Minnesota cosmetology license cost?
- Before tuition, expect $85 for the written exam and included in $85 combo for the practical exam.
- Is there a practical exam for the Minnesota cosmetology license?
- No. Minnesota does not require a hands-on practical examination for this license.
- What languages is the Minnesota cosmetology written exam offered in?
- It is offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese.
- How long is the Minnesota cosmetology written exam?
- You are allowed 300 minutes for 190 questions.
- How old do you have to be to get a cosmetology license in Minnesota?
- You must be at least 17 years old.
- How often do you renew a Minnesota cosmetology license?
- The renewal cycle is 3 years.
Verify before applying. Licensing rules, fees, providers, and exam formats can change. Use the linked board source as the final authority.