All Alabama beauty licenses in one place. Alabama uses NIC exams via PSI — 70% passing on both written and practical. Updated exams launched May 1, 2026. No separate barber license — cosmetology covers barber services. Biennial renewal during your birth month in odd-numbered years. No CE required. SB183 deregulates natural hair styling effective October 1, 2026.
Alabama · Cosmetology
1,500 hours at an ABOCB-approved school (or 3,000-hour apprenticeship). NIC exam via PSI — 70% passing both written and practical. Cosmetology license covers full barber scope in Alabama — no separate barber license needed. 6-month pending exam permit available. Biennial renewal in birth month of odd years.
Alabama uses NIC National Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services. NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built from the NIC CIB — a direct-fit study resource. Passing score: 70% on both written and practical. Alabama's updated exams launched May 1, 2026 — if you're testing now, you're taking the new version. Schedule through PSI at test-takers.psiexams.com/alcos after ABOCB approval.
The Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (ABOCB) confirmed that updated NIC examinations launched on May 1, 2026. A special testing event was held April 29 for candidates who wanted to test under the previous version. All candidates testing on or after May 1, 2026 take the updated exam. Confirm the current CIB at PSI's candidate portal (test-takers.psiexams.com/alcos) before your exam date.
The Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (ABOCB) governs all beauty license categories including cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology. A cosmetology license in Alabama covers the full scope of barber services — there is no separate barber license issued by ABOCB in the traditional sense. Phone: 800-815-7453 · aboc.alabama.gov.
School cannot be combined with apprenticeship hours. Your teacher or sponsor helps complete the written exam application upon graduation.
Include: proof of 10th grade completion, government-issued photo ID, copy of Social Security card, 2×2 photo, and $75 written exam fee. Official transcript of hours required. ABOCB approves application and notifies PSI.
Schedule at test-takers.psiexams.com/alcos or call (800) 211-2754. You have 2 years and up to 3 attempts per exam to pass. Written exam: 100 scored questions, 90 minutes, $75. Practical: $130.
Biennial renewal in birth month of odd years. $80 on-time renewal. No CE required for practitioners. Expired 3+ years: retake practical exam.
Alabama offers reciprocity. If licensed 5+ years in another state with board-approved written AND practical exams: no additional testing required. Licensed fewer than 5 years: may need to take the practical exam. Current state board must send certification to ABOCB. Reciprocity fee: $100.
Full 10-test NIC Cosmetology exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
1,099 cards: Sci · Hair · Skin · Nail. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.
Alabama · Esthetics
1,000 hours at an ABOCB-approved school (or 2,000-hour apprenticeship). NIC exam via PSI — 70% passing both written and practical. Same ATT process, same 2-year/3-attempt window. Biennial renewal in birth month of odd years at ~$80. No CE. Scope includes dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, and nano-needling with appropriate training.
Alabama uses the NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations via PSI. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — a direct-fit study resource. 70% passing on both. Updated exams launched May 1, 2026 — confirm current CIB at PSI's candidate portal.
School submits transcript and assists with exam application upon graduation.
Same document checklist as cosmetology. ABOCB approves and notifies PSI.
Written: $75 · Practical: $130 · 2-year window · 3 attempts max per exam. Retest every 30+ days.
Biennial renewal in birth month of odd years. No CE required.
Full 10-test NIC Esthetics exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
1,100 cards: Sci · Skin. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.
Alabama · Barber
Alabama does not issue a traditional separate barber license through the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. In Alabama, a cosmetology license covers the full scope of barber services including hair cutting, shaving, trimming beards, and male grooming. If you want to provide barber services in Alabama, obtain a cosmetology license.
The Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (ABOCB) does not issue a standalone barber license in the traditional sense. A licensed cosmetologist in Alabama can legally perform all services that barbers provide in other states — hair cutting, shaving, beard trimming and grooming. The cosmetology license (1,500 hours, NIC via PSI, 70% passing) is the credential you need to work as a barber in Alabama. There is a "Class 2 Barber" designation in some older statutes, but in practice this is handled through the cosmetology licensing framework at ABOCB. Contact ABOCB at 800-815-7453 to confirm current status for your specific situation.
A cosmetology license in Alabama authorizes: hair cutting, styling, coloring, chemical services; shaving and beard trimming (barber scope); nail care (manicures, pedicures); basic skin care and makeup application. This broad scope makes the cosmetology license the standard credential for both traditional salon work and traditional barber work in the state.
Same school requirements as any cosmetology licensee. Apprenticeship path: 3,000 hours.
Written and practical. Same process as cosmetology licensing.
This is the credential that authorizes barber-scope services throughout Alabama.
Full 10-test NIC Barber Styling exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
1,100 cards: Sci · Hair · Implements · Facial. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.
Alabama · Nail Technology
600 hours at an ABOCB-approved school (or 1,200-hour apprenticeship). NIC exam via PSI — 70% passing both written and practical. Same ATT process and 2-year/3-attempt window as cosmetology. Biennial renewal in birth month of odd years at ~$80. No CE required.
Alabama uses the NIC National Nail Technology Theory and Practical Examinations via PSI. NICPrep's nail technology question bank is built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB — a direct-fit study resource. 70% passing on both. Written: 90 minutes. Practical: 2 hours.
School submits transcript and helps complete exam application. Programs typically run 10–16 weeks full-time.
Same document checklist as cosmetology. ABOCB approves; PSI sends ATT notification by email.
Written: $75, 90 minutes. Practical: $130, 2 hours. 2-year window, 3 attempts max per exam.
Biennial renewal in birth month of odd years. No CE. Expired 3+ years: retake practical.
Full 10-test NIC Nail Technology exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
1,100 cards across 9 NIC domains. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.
Alabama uses NIC exams via PSI — 70% passing. Updated exams launched May 1, 2026. NICPrep is built from the same NIC CIBs.