1. How many hours of education do I need for licensure?
2. Can I do an apprenticeship to get a license?
3. Can I combine school hours and apprenticeship hours?
4. Can I use classroom hours from another state or country toward Delaware's education requirement?
5. What is the fee for a certification of licensure?
6. When is the practical exam offered?
7. Do I need to be a high school graduate to apply for a license?
8. When does my license expire?
9. How long do I have to renew my license after it has expired?
10. What is the license fee?
11. Do I need a license to do permanent make-up?
12. If I have a business license for my shop, do I need a professional license?
13. What are the requirements for setting up a shop or salon?

Question: How many hours of education do I need for licensure?

Answer: It depends on which kind of license you’re applying for:

• Cosmetologist or Barber - 500 classroom hours
• Nail Technician - 125 classroom hours
• Electrologist-300 classroom hours
• Aesthetician- 300 classroom hours
• Cosmetologist or Barber Instructor - 500 classroom hours in teacher training OR two years’ experience as an active, licensed, practicing cosmetologist or barber plus at least 250 hours of instruction in cosmetology or barbering
• Nail Technician Instructor - 45 classroom hours OR two years’ experience as an active, licensed, practicing nail technicianplus at least 25 hours of instruction in nail technology
• ElectrologistInstructor -100 classroom hours OR two years’ experience as an active, licensed, practicing electrologist plus at least 50 hours of instruction in electrology
• Aesthetician Instructor- 600 classroom hours of advanced instruction in aesthetics

Question: Can I do an apprenticeship to get a license?

Answer: Yes. The hours required are:

• Cosmetologist or Barber - 3000 apprenticeship hours
• Nail Technician - 250 apprenticeship hours
• Electrologist-600 apprenticeship hours
• Aesthetician- 300 apprenticeship hours

Question: Can I combine school hours and apprenticeship hours?

Answer: No.

Question: Can I use classroom hours from another state or country toward Delaware's education requirement?

Answer:

• If your education was in another state or U.S. territory (e.g., Puerto Rico), you may use the hours. However, if you are required to submit proof of your education but the document is not in English, you are responsible for providing a certificate of translation from a person or agency acceptable to the Board.
• If your education was outside the U.S. or its territories, you must have arrange for the Board office to receive a credential evaluation to determine if your education is equivalent to Delaware’s requirement (Section 15.3 of the Rules and Regulations). Request the evaluation from the International Educational Research Foundation (IERF).

Question: What is the fee for a certification of licensure?

Answer: See Request License Verification.

Question: When is the practical exam offered?

Answer: See Testing.

Question: Do I need to be a high school graduate to apply for a license?

Answer: If you’re applying for any kind of license other than an Instructors, you must have education equivalent to the 10th grade. Instructors must have completed an education equivalent to the 12th grade.

Question: When does my license expire?

Answer: Click License Renewal.

Question: How long do I have to renew my license after it has expired?

Answer: If you do not renew your license before the expiration date, your license will lapse. It is illegal to practice while your license is lapsed.

Question: What is the license fee?

Answer: See Fee Schedule.

Question: Do I need a license to do permanent make-up?

Answer: Permanent make-up services are considered a form of body art/ tattooing. A permit from the Division of Public Health is required. Click Body Art Program on call (302) 744-1220 for information.

Question: If I have a business license for my shop, do I need a professional license?

Answer: Yes. You are required to obtain a professional licensefrom the Division of Professional Regulationfor each location where you are operating a shop or salon. The professional license is required in addition to the business license from the Division of Revenue. All persons providing professional services in the shop/salon are required to hold a professional license in their field as well.

Question: What are the requirements for setting up a shop or salon?

Answer: All shops and salons operating in Delaware must comply with the Division of Public Health’s Standards for Public Health Assurances in the Practice Of Cosmetology and Barbering .