Maine Licensing Overview for a Cosmetologist

Licensing for a cosmetologist in Maine is controlled by the Maine Office of Professional & Occupational Regulation – Barbering & Cosmetology Licensing.

General Guidelines for a Cosmetologist in Maine

Specific requirements to perform cosmetologist services can generally be used as a guideline, but make sure to check with your local governing rules and regulations.

Who’s allowed to perform these services?

Cosmetologist

General requirements for cosmetologist license required?

At least 17 years old; 10th grade education

What’s the state licensing site for cosmetologist?

Maine Office of Professional & Occupational Regulation – Barbering & Cosmetology Licensing

What are some training programs available for cosmetologist?

See training programs

How long is a license good for and when do I need to renew?

Renews every year in October

What are fees associated with licensing?

$50

Cosmetologist / Esthetician Licensing

A cosmetologist is a beauty professional who specializes in the beautification and health of their client’s hair, skin and nails. An esthetician is a beauty professional that specializes in the beautification and health of their client’s skin, particularly through hair removal, skin and facial treatments and the application of makeup. With additional training, a cosmetologist can become an esthetician and vice versa. While there are fundamental differences between cosmetologists and estheticians as we have just explained, the process of becoming licensed within each career is almost the same. The process of being a fully licensed cosmetologist and/or esthetician varies between each state.

There are four main steps that need to be completed to become a qualified cosmetologist / esthetician in the state of Maine. These include:

  1. The successful completion of a cosmetology / esthetician course
  2. Successfully undergo state testing and pass the minimum requirements of each test 
  3. Submission of an application with the State of Maine Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Board
  4. Maintain your knowledge base through regular education to keep your cosmetologist / esthetician license current.

Education

There are basic educational requirements needed before one can become a licenced cosmetologist and/or esthetician in the state of Maine. The minimum education requirement for this profession is a certificate or diploma in cosmetology / esthetician undertaken at a registered beauty school. To successfully complete this course, students are required to undertake a minimum of 1500 hours of training before they can be signed off. For further training, some beauticians may choose to gain an associate degree to boost their qualifications. For those looking to begin their own start up business, an associate degree is quite a desirable skill to possess. To become an esthetician, students are required to complete 600 hours of training at a registered school of estheticians.  

Another method in which to become a standard cosmetologist in the state of Maine is through an apprenticeship. For those wishing to undertake an apprenticeship instead of attending a registered beauty school, they will need to be accepted under the charge of a licensed cosmetologist and complete three years and 2500 supervised hours within the field. 

Licensing Exam

The state of Maine requires students who wish to become fully licensed as either a cosmetologist or an esthetician to successfully pass a licensing exam. Maine uses the National Cosmetology Examination through the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) as their written examination. This exam consists of two parts: a 90 minute theoretical exam, and a 3 hour practical exam.

The theoretical exam consists of questions relating to the fields of hygiene, human anatomy, skin analysis, chemistry and more. The exam questions will cover a range of areas that are specific to the course content relevant to your field of study. 

Read on to see some sample theoretical questions for the cosmetologist exam.

Which of the following refers to the deepest layer of the epidermis?

  1. Stratum spinosum
  2. Stratum granulosum
  3. Stratum germinativum
  4. Stratum lucidum

As hair cells grow, what is the process that they go through to reach full development?

  1. Eumelanin
  2. COHNS
  3. Keratin
  4. Keratinization

How may cranial bones do humans have?

  1. 10
  2. 8
  3. 9
  4. 7

Which of the following will not affect the rate of growth of a nail?

  1. Prenatal vitamins
  2. Exercise
  3. Diet
  4. General health

Read on to see some sample theoretical questions for the esthetician exam.

What is one of the principal functions of the skeletal system?

  1. It protects dendrites
  2. It aids in the metabolic process
  3. It produces red and white blood cells
  4. It produces calcium

Which of the following substances do the sebaceous glands utilize to lubricate the skin?

  1. Lymph
  2. Ascorbic acid
  3. Uric acid
  4. Lipids

Quats, or quaternary ammonium compounds are used by estheticians because…

  1. They are odorless
  2. They don’t soften plastic bottles
  3. They kill bacterial spores
  4. They disinfect tools quickly

What are actinic keratoses?

  1. Rough skin patches
  2. Hives
  3. Shingles
  4. Atopic dermatitis

The practical cosmetology exam will typically look at a range of areas of the profession including (but not limited to):

  • Maintaining a safe work environment
  • Hair set up
  • Hair removal
  • Hair cutting
  • Hair coloring  

The practical esthetician exam requires professionals to supply their own equipment. This exam will typically look at a range of areas of the profession including (but not limited to):

  • Hygienic set up
  • Facial cleansing
  • Hair removal
  • Makeup application
  • Facial mask

Application for licensure

Upon the successful completion of a cosmetology / esthetician course or an apprenticeship, students within the state of Maine are required to submit an application for licensure. This license application must be submitted to the State of Maine Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Board for both a cosmetology license and an esthetician license. The cost of this application is $41 for both cosmetologists and estheticians and requires professionals to submit this fee along with their application, identity documents and qualification transcripts.

Ongoing education

Following the successful completion of your state license to become either a cosmetology or an esthetician, it is important to remember that you must renew this license on October 31st of each year at a fee of $20. This process is simple and can be done online through the State of Maine Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Board.

In the state of Maine, there are no ongoing educational requirements for cosmetology or esthetician licenses, however, many professionals continue to grow their expertise. This allows them to stay up to date with the latest techniques and trends in the field of beauty.

Location(s):

Maine