Arkansas has a reversed and split exam system: practical exam (PCS/ADH) is taken first, then the NIC theory exam (Prov). Practical must be passed at 70% before you're eligible to sit the theory exam. Exams are offered on fixed monthly dates — applications must be received 10 days before exam date. Regulated by the Arkansas Department of Health, not a separate cosmetology board. No apprenticeship. Barbers: separate board.
Arkansas · Cosmetology
1,500 hours at an ADH-approved school. No apprenticeship. Practical exam (PCS/ADH) must be passed first at 70%, then NIC theory exam via Prov/PSI at 70%. Exam fees: $65 practical + $60 theory. Fixed exam dates — apply at least 10 days before. Biennial renewal via CLIPS at $50. No CE.
Arkansas uses the NIC National Cosmetology Theory Examination administered by Prov (scheduled via PSI). NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built from the NIC CIB — a direct-fit study resource for the theory portion. 70% passing. Note: the practical exam (administered by PCS/ADH at Little Rock) must be passed first. NICPrep cannot help with the Arkansas-administered practical.
Arkansas requires candidates to pass the practical exam before taking the theory exam — the opposite of most states. The practical ($65, ~3.5–4 hours) is administered by Professional Credential Services (PCS) at the Arkansas Department of Health in Little Rock. After passing the practical, you are eligible to schedule the NIC theory exam via Prov at a PSI testing center. Both exams require 70% to pass. Cosmetology exams are offered the third week of February, April, June, August, October, and the first week of December — applications must reach the ADH at least 10 days before the exam date.
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Cosmetology Section regulates all cosmetology, esthetics, and nail tech licenses — unlike most states, Arkansas places this under its health department, not a separate board. Apply and renew through CLIPS (Arkansas Cosmetology Licensing Inspection and Permit System) at adhcosmo.arkansas.gov. Phone: 501-682-2168.
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School issues Certificate of Training. Verify school approval at healthy.arkansas.gov/cosmetology.
Apply through CLIPS at adhcosmo.arkansas.gov. Include Certificate of Training and required fees. Cosmetology practical exam dates: third week of Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, and first week of Dec.
$65 to PCS. Bring mannequin head + stand, service tools, labeled products, towels, disinfectants, gloves. ~3.5–4 hours. No late admissions. After passing, you are eligible for the theory exam.
$60 to Prov (scheduled via PSI). Available weekdays at PSI testing centers across Arkansas. ~90 minutes, computer-based. Apply license through ADH/CLIPS after passing both exams.
Online renewal at adhcosmo.arkansas.gov. $50 renewal fee. No CE required. Hair relaxer products with carcinogens/reproductive toxicants now require warning labels (Act 964 of 2025).
🇪🇸 NICPrep's cosmetology prep is also available in Spanish.
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.
Arkansas · Esthetics
600 hours at an ADH-approved school (350 hours if already a licensed cosmetologist). No apprenticeship. Practical first (PCS/ADH, 70%), then NIC theory via Prov/PSI (70%). Esthetics exams held third week of Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov — different months from cosmetology. Biennial renewal via CLIPS. No CE.
Arkansas uses the NIC National Esthetics Theory Examination administered by Prov (via PSI). NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — a direct-fit study resource for the theory portion. 70% passing. Theory content: skin care and services (45%), scientific concepts (55%). Practical must be passed first at ADH Little Rock.
Esthetics, manicurist, electrologist, and instructor exams in Arkansas are held the third week of January, March, May, July, September, and November — not the same months as cosmetology (Feb/Apr/Jun/Aug/Oct/Dec). Plan your timeline carefully to hit the right exam cycle for your license type.
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School provides Certificate of Training. No apprenticeship accepted.
Esthetics exam dates: third week of Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov. Apply at adhcosmo.arkansas.gov.
$65. Bring full kit — skin care supplies, mannequin head, disinfectants. ~3.5 hours. No late admissions.
$60. Available weekdays at PSI locations. ~90 minutes. Apply license through CLIPS after passing both.
No CE required.
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Full 10-test NIC Esthetics exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.
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1,100 cards: Sci · Skin. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.
Arkansas · Barber
Arkansas barbers are regulated by the Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners — separate from the Arkansas Department of Health Cosmetology Section. 1,500 hours required. Contact the Barber Board directly at 501-682-4035 for current exam procedures and requirements.
Barber licensing in Arkansas is governed by the Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners, not the ADH Cosmetology Section. Barber requirements, exam vendors, renewal dates, and fee schedules are managed separately. Contact: 501-682-4035. For reciprocity into Arkansas barber licensure: must have 1,500+ hours and an unrevoked license from another state. Those with fewer than 1,500 hours must also show at least 1 year of continuous licensed practice.
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🇪🇸 NICPrep's barber styling prep is also available in Spanish — coming soon.
Full 10-test NIC Barber Styling exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.
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1,100 cards: Sci · Hair · Implements · Facial. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.
Arkansas · Nail Technology
600 hours at an ADH-approved school. No apprenticeship. Practical first (PCS/ADH, 70%), then NIC theory via Prov/PSI (70%). Nail tech exams: third week of Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov (same as esthetics). Biennial renewal via CLIPS. No CE.
Arkansas uses the NIC National Nail Technology Theory Examination administered by Prov (via PSI). NICPrep's nail technology question bank is built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB — a direct-fit study resource for the theory portion. 70% passing. Practical exam (PCS/ADH) must be passed first.
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No apprenticeship accepted. School provides Certificate of Training. Programs typically 10–16 weeks.
Nail tech exam dates: third week of Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov. Apply at adhcosmo.arkansas.gov.
$65. Bring full nail kit. No late admissions — plan to arrive early.
$60. Available weekdays at PSI locations across Arkansas. ~90 minutes. Apply license through CLIPS.
No CE required.
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Full 10-test NIC Nail Technology exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.
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1,100 cards across 9 NIC domains. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.
Arkansas uses NIC theory exams via Prov — 70% passing. Remember: practical exam (PCS/ADH) must be passed first. NICPrep is built from the NIC CIBs. Practice tests and flashcards on the modality pages.