Alaska uses NIC exams — 12 AAC 09 requires a written examination only, at a passing grade of “75 percent or above”, in identical wording across all seven examination sections. “Practical examination” appears nowhere in the regulations. Body piercing and tattooing sit under a separate Alaska Body Art exam packet rather than a NIC paper. Tattooing and permanent cosmetic coloring are the one carve-out in the regulations: under 12 AAC 09 §09.068 their written examination is “prepared and administered by the board”, not by NIC — so NICPrep does not prepare for those two, and a candidate for either is not sitting a national paper. Alaska calls the cosmetology license a "Hairdresser" license and uses that term throughout. Notable: Alaska's manicurist license requires only 12 hours — one of the lowest nail-tech requirements in the US. Biennial $140 renewal. CE-free. Regulated by the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers under the Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing (DCBPL).
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Alaska examines in writing only: 12 AAC 09 asks for a grade of “75 percent or above”, in identical wording across all seven examination sections, and “practical examination” appears nowhere in its 319,192 characters. The papers are NIC’s, set by the state rather than through a vendor. Body piercing and tattooing sit under a separate Alaska Body Art packet, and tattooing and permanent cosmetic coloring are examined by the board itself under §09.068, so our banks do not cover those. 1,650 hours come first.
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Built for the NIC Candidate Information BulletinPractice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Built for the NIC Candidate Information BulletinPractice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Built for the NIC Candidate Information BulletinPractice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Built for the NIC Candidate Information BulletinEvery question comes with a full rationale. When that isn’t enough — the concept is new, the wording is dense, you got it right by luck — tap Explain and the tutor talks you through it: why your answer was wrong, and what the right idea actually is. Ask it anything back, as many times as you need.
If English isn’t the language you learned this in, it teaches in yours, switched whenever you like. The questions stay in English, because that is how you will see them on exam day. Where enough candidates ask we translate the prep itself — so far Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian and Simplified Chinese, on the products that have it.
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10 questions from the NIC cosmetology bank and 10 terminology cards from the decks — the same items, the same rationales, the same study modes you get after checkout. Alaska tests on the NIC exam, so this is the exam you'll sit. No email, no signup.
Alaska · Hairdresser License
Alaska calls its cosmetology license the "Hairdresser" license. 1,650 hours at a Board-approved school (or 2,000-hour apprenticeship). NIC exams. The hairdresser license in Alaska includes limited esthetics, manicuring, and pedicuring within its scope. Biennial renewal ~$140. CE-free. Age 16+.
Alaska uses NIC written examinations only — 12 AAC 09 §09.060 names “the written examination entitled the National Hair Design Test” and §09.056(a) the National Barber-Stylist Test. “Practical examination” appears nowhere in the regulations. NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built from the NIC CIB — a direct-fit study resource. Note: Alaska calls its cosmetology license the "Hairdresser" license but the exam content aligns with the standard NIC Cosmetology examination. The hairdresser license covers hair services plus limited esthetics and nail services.
The Alaska Hairdresser license authorizes: hair cutting, styling, coloring, chemical services, and — within the "hairdresser" scope — limited esthetics (skin care) and manicuring/pedicuring. If you want to specialize exclusively in esthetics or nails, Alaska has separate license categories for those.
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Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers (DCBPL). Age 16+. Verify school approval at commerce.alaska.gov.
12 AAC 09 requires a written examination only, with a passing grade of 75% — the regulation’s words are “75 percent or above”. Foreign language interpreters are not allowed in the examination room — stated in every license section of the regulation. Contact DCBPL for exam scheduling and the ATT process.
CE-free. Biennial renewal. Exam waiver may be available if NIC or PSI exam passed in another state.
🇪🇸 NICPrep's cosmetology prep is also available in Spanish.
Alaska · Esthetics / Cosmetician
Alaska offers two specialty skin care credentials: the Esthetician license (350 hours) for comprehensive skin care, and the Cosmetician license (350 hours) for cosmetic application. Both require 350 hours and NIC exams. Biennial renewal ~$140. CE-free.
Alaska uses the NIC written esthetics examination only — 12 AAC 09 §09.065 names “the National Esthetician Test”, and the regulations require no practical. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — a direct-fit study resource. Cosmetician license also 350 hours and covers cosmetic application services. Both use NIC exams.
Alaska · Barber
1,650 hours at a Board-approved barber school (or 2,000-hour apprenticeship) — same hours as the Hairdresser license. NIC Barber Styling written exams. $50 application fee. Biennial renewal ~$140. CE-free. Age 16+.
Alaska uses the NIC written barber examination only — 12 AAC 09 §09.056 names the National Barber-Stylist Test, and the Barber-No Chemical Test for the non-chemical license; the regulations require no practical. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — a direct-fit study resource. Same application fee structure. Exam waiver may be available if NIC or PSI exam passed in another state.
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🇪🇸 NICPrep's barber styling prep is also available in Spanish.
Alaska · Manicurist
Alaska's manicurist (nail tech) license requires only 12 hours — one of the lowest nail requirements in the United States. An Advanced Manicurist Endorsement requires an additional 250 hours for expanded nail services. No examination for the 12-hour license — 12 AAC 09 says the board “may not require an applicant for licensure as a manicurist to take or pass an examination”. $50 application. Biennial renewal ~$140.
The Alaska Manicurist license requires only 12 training hours — the initial entry credential. For expanded nail services including acrylics, enhancements, and advanced nail techniques, an Advanced Manicurist Endorsement (250 additional hours) is required. Confirm the specific scope and exam requirements with the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers at commerce.alaska.gov before enrolling in a program.
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🇻🇳 NICPrep's nail technology prep is also available in Vietnamese.
Alaska uses NIC written exams. Hairdresser = cosmetology scope. NICPrep is built from the NIC CIBs.
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