New Hampshire Licensing Overview for a Cosmetologist

Licensing for a cosmetologist in New Hampshire is controlled by the New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology & Esthetics.

General Guidelines for a Cosmetologist in New Hampshire

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?

High school education or equivalent; Good professional character

What’s the state licensing site for cosmetologist?

New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology & Esthetics

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 2 years by the last day of the licensee’s birthday month

What are fees associated with licensing?

$40

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.

There are four main steps that need to be completed to become a qualified cosmetologist / esthetician in New Hampshire:

  1. The successful completion of a cosmetology / esthetician course
  2. Submission of an application of intent with New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics
  3. Successfully undergo state testing and pass the minimum requirements of each test
  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 licensed cosmetologist and/or esthetician in the state of New Hampshire. 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 in New Hampshire, students are required to complete a minimum of 600 registered hours at a registered one of the four schools of estheticians.  

Another popular method in which to become a standard cosmetologist in the state of New Hampshire is through an apprenticeship. In order to complete an apprenticeship, students are required to undertake 3000 hours of apprentice training over a period of at least 18 months under the supervision of a New Hampshire licensed cosmetologist who has practiced in the state for at least two years.

Application for licensure

Upon the successful completion of a cosmetology / esthetician course or an apprenticeship, students within the state of New Hampshire are required to submit an application for licensure. This license application must be submitted to the New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics for both a cosmetology license and an esthetician license. There is a cost of $100 for estheticians to apply for this license.

Licensing Exam

The state of New Hampshire requires students who wish to become fully licensed as either a cosmetologist or an esthetician to successfully pass a licensing exam. New Hampshire uses the National Cosmetology Examination through the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) as their written examination. This exam consists of three parts: a theoretical exam, a practical exam Practical Exam has a fee of $104, while the written and state law combined exam fees are $88. and a NH State Law Exam. The theoretical and state exams have a combined cost of $88 for cosmetologists and estheticians and the practical exam costs $88.

The theoretical exam for both cosmetology and esthetician is conducted by PSI Services LLC on behalf of the NIC. The exam consists of questions relating to the fields of hygiene, human anatomy, skin analysis, chemistry and more. 

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 cosmetology practical requires professionals to bring their own equipment and 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 esthetician practical exam requires professionals to bring their own equipment and 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

Continuing 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 every two years during your birth month. This process is simple and can be done online through the New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics. There is a fee of $40 for this two year renewal.

In the state of New Hampshire, there are no continuing 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):

New Hampshire