NV Cosmetology licensing

Nevada cosmetology license requirements and exam prep

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

At a glance

Nevada Cosmetology facts

License type
Cosmetologist
School hours
1,600 hours
Written exam
Required
Practical exam
Required
Exam vendor
Pearson VUE
Passing score
75%
Renewal cycle
2 or 4 years
Minimum age
18
Education
Completion of the 10th grade or its equivalent
Last verified
2026-07-30

Checked against 3 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

  1. 1Confirm the license categoryState boards may use different names for the same career path.
  2. 2Verify training and exam eligibilityCheck hours, application order, fees, IDs and vendor rules from official sources.
  3. 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
100
Time limit
120 minutes
Passing score
75%

Practical exam

Status
Required

Renewal and transfer

Renewal
2 or 4 years
Reciprocity
Case by case - the board compares your training and may require an exam

What it costs

Reciprocity
$325.00

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

Still to verifyNot published in the cited sources: 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 Nevada 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.

  1. Confirm eligibilityFinish 1,600 approved training hours before relying on exam practice as your only preparation step.
  2. Prepare for the written examUse timed practice against the published written-exam structure: 100 scored questions, 120 minutes, passing standard 75%. The cited sources name Pearson VUE as the exam vendor.
  3. Plan hands-on practiceNevada requires a practical exam for this license, so do not let written-question practice replace service practice and kit/exam-day preparation.
  4. 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

Nevada in context

What these Nevada cosmetology rules mean for you

Nevada 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.

Nevada 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 Pearson VUE. The written exam has 100 questions with 120 minutes allowed. The published passing standard is 75%.

Nevada Cosmetology licensing questions

How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Nevada?
Nevada 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 Nevada cosmetology license?
Yes. Nevada requires a hands-on practical examination in addition to the written examination.
How long is the Nevada cosmetology written exam?
You are allowed 120 minutes for 100 questions.
How old do you have to be to get a cosmetology license in Nevada?
You must be at least 18 years old. The education requirement is Completion of the 10th grade or its equivalent.
How often do you renew a Nevada cosmetology license?
The renewal cycle is 2 or 4 years.
What does it cost to transfer an out-of-state license to Nevada?
The licensure by reciprocity application fee is $325.00.

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

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