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Alaska beauty licenses
2026 requirements.

Alaska uses NIC exams — passing score varies by category. 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. No CE. Regulated by the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers under the Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing (DCBPL).

4
License types
PSI
Exam vendor
Board-verified
Data source
May '26
Verified

Alaska · Hairdresser License

Hairdresser license (cosmetology) — 2026.

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. No CE. Age 16+.

At a glance
Training hours
1,650
Or 2,000-hr apprenticeship
Exam fee
$55
$20 written + $35 practical · per application
Application fee
$50
Non-refundable · per license type
Renewal
Biennial · $140
No CE required
Alaska uses NIC exams — NICPrep is a direct fit for the written portion

Alaska uses NIC National Theory and Practical Examinations. 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.

Hairdresser license scope

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.

Step-by-step: how to get licensed

  1. Complete 1,650 hours at a Board-approved school (or 2,000-hr apprenticeship)

    Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers (DCBPL). Age 16+. Verify school approval at commerce.alaska.gov.

  2. Submit application ($50) with required documents · Pass NIC written and practical exams ($55 total)

    $20 written + $35 practical. Contact DCBPL for exam scheduling and ATT process.

  3. Receive your Hairdresser license · Renew biennially at ~$140

    No CE required. Biennial renewal. Exam waiver may be available if NIC or PSI exam passed in another state.

Official hairdresser resources

Practice tests

Practice Test

$39 one-time · lifetime access

Full 10-test NIC Cosmetology exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.

  • 10 tests × 110 questions = 1,100 total
  • Every domain weighted to NIC percentages
  • Study mode + timed exam mode
  • Free 10-question preview · no signup
Flashcards

Flashcards

$19 one-time · lifetime access

1,099 cards: Sci · Hair · Skin · Nail. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.

  • 1,099 cards: Sci · Hair · Skin · Nail
  • Front: question · Back: answer + rationale
  • Shuffle mode within each domain
  • Per-deck progress tracking
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Alaska · Esthetics / Cosmetician

Esthetics & Cosmetician licenses — 2026.

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. No CE.

At a glance — Esthetics
Training hours
350
Board-approved school
Exam fee
$55
$20 written + $35 practical
Application fee
$50
Non-refundable
Renewal
Biennial · $140
No CE required
Alaska uses NIC esthetics exams — NICPrep is a direct fit

Alaska uses NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations. 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.

Official esthetics resources

Practice tests

Practice Test

$39 one-time · lifetime access

Full 10-test NIC Esthetics exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.

  • 10 tests × 110 questions = 1,100 total
  • Every domain weighted to NIC percentages
  • Study mode + timed exam mode
  • Free 10-question preview · no signup
Flashcards

Flashcards

$19 one-time · lifetime access

1,100 cards: Sci · Skin. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.

  • 1,100 cards: Sci · Skin
  • Front: question · Back: answer + rationale
  • Shuffle mode within each domain
  • Per-deck progress tracking
↑ Back to top

Alaska · Barber

Barber license — 2026.

1,650 hours at a Board-approved barber school (or 2,000-hour apprenticeship) — same hours as the Hairdresser license. NIC Barber Styling exams. $55 exam fee. $50 application fee. Biennial renewal ~$140. No CE. Age 16+.

At a glance
Training hours
1,650
Or 2,000-hr apprenticeship
Exam fee
$55
$20 written + $35 practical
Application fee
$50
Non-refundable
Renewal
Biennial · $140
No CE required
Alaska uses NIC barber exams — NICPrep is a direct fit

Alaska uses NIC Barber Styling Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — a direct-fit study resource. Same $55 exam fee structure. Exam waiver may be available if NIC or PSI exam passed in another state.

Practice tests

Practice Test

$39 one-time · lifetime access

Full 10-test NIC Barber Styling exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.

  • 10 tests × 110 questions = 1,100 total
  • Every domain weighted to NIC percentages
  • Study mode + timed exam mode
  • Free 10-question preview · no signup
Flashcards

Flashcards

$19 one-time · lifetime access

1,100 cards: Sci · Hair · Implements · Facial. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.

  • 1,100 cards: Sci · Hair · Implements · Facial
  • Front: question · Back: answer + rationale
  • Shuffle mode within each domain
  • Per-deck progress tracking
↑ Back to top

Alaska · Manicurist

Manicurist license — 2026.

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. NIC exams. $55 exam fee. $50 application. Biennial renewal ~$140.

At a glance
Training hours
12
Manicurist · + 250 for Advanced Endorsement
Exam fee
$55
$20 written + $35 practical
Application fee
$50
Non-refundable
Renewal
Biennial · $140
No CE required
Alaska manicurist = only 12 hours — Advanced Manicurist Endorsement (250 hrs) expands scope

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.

Practice tests

Practice Test

$39 one-time · lifetime access

Full 10-test NIC Nail Technology exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.

  • 10 tests × 110 questions = 1,100 total
  • Every domain weighted to NIC percentages
  • Study mode + timed exam mode
  • Free 10-question preview · no signup
Flashcards

Flashcards

$19 one-time · lifetime access

1,100 cards across 9 NIC domains. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.

  • 1,100 cards across 9 NIC domains
  • Front: question · Back: answer + rationale
  • Shuffle mode within each domain
  • Per-deck progress tracking
↑ Back to top

Alaska · All license types

Rules that apply to every AK beauty license.

NIC exams · $55 exam fee · Exam waiver available

Alaska uses NIC National Examinations. Written exam: $20. Practical exam: $35. Total exam fee: $55. Application fee: $50 per license type (non-refundable). Alaska offers an exam waiver for applicants who have passed a NIC or PSI Services examination in another jurisdiction — confirm eligibility with DCBPL at commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl.

Biennial renewal · No CE · $140

All Alaska beauty licenses renew biennially. Renewal fee: approximately $140. No CE required for any Alaska beauty license. The Board of Barbers and Hairdressers operates under the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing (DCBPL).

License terminology in Alaska

Alaska uses different naming than most states: what most states call "cosmetology" is the "Hairdresser" license in Alaska. The hairdresser license includes limited esthetics and manicuring scope. Alaska also licenses Barbers, Estheticians, Cosmeticians, Manicurists, and Instructors as separate credential types.

Official Alaska licensing portal

Last verified May 2026 against Alaska DCBPL (commerce.alaska.gov) and BeautySchoolNetwork.com. 12-hour manicurist requirement confirmed from multiple Alaska cosmetology school and board sources. Exam waiver confirmed from DCBPL exam page. NICPrep is an independent prep resource and is not affiliated with Alaska DCBPL or the State of Alaska.

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Next step

Study exactly what Alaska's NIC exam tests.

Alaska uses NIC exams — $55 total. Hairdresser = cosmetology scope. NICPrep is built from the NIC CIBs.