All four Colorado beauty licenses in one place. Colorado uses NIC exams via PSI with a notable twist: 70% to pass the written exam, 75% to pass the practical. Training hours can be clock hours or credit hours. No apprenticeship for any license type. No CE required. Cosmetology Licensure Compact member since June 2024.
Colorado · Cosmetologist
Colorado's broadest beauty license: 1,800 clock hours (or 60 credit hours) at a state-approved school. NIC exams via PSI — 70% on the written, 75% on the practical. No apprenticeship. If no background screening issues: receive license immediately at the PSI testing site. Renewal: April 30 biennially.
Colorado uses NIC National Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services. NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built from the NIC CIB and is a direct-fit study resource. Note the split passing thresholds: 70% for the written exam, 75% for the practical exam. Both must be passed.
Colorado requires at least 70% to pass the written (theory) examination and at least 75% to pass the practical examination. These are different thresholds than most states, which use a single score for both components. A 30-day waiting period is required between retake attempts on any failed component.
Colorado's Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure, administers all beauty licensing. Apply for initial licensure through PSI's system. Endorsement, reinstatement, and renewals go through DORA Online Services (apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing). No paper applications accepted for endorsement or reinstatement.
Hair services (cutting, styling, chemical texture, color), skin care services (facials, makeup, waxing, lash services), and manicuring services (manicures, pedicures, artificial nails). Advanced services require additional certification: microdermabrasion (14 additional clock hours) and chemical peels/resurfacing exfoliation (24 additional clock hours) — available only to licensed cosmetologists or estheticians.
Verify school approval at dpo.colorado.gov. Programs typically run 12–18 months. Colorado's credit-hour alternative may allow faster completion at some institutions.
Go to psiexams.com and apply for your Colorado cosmetology license by examination. Out-of-state training: submit completion records and transcript confirming hours meet or exceed Colorado's requirements.
Schedule at PSI centers statewide. Attend practical with your own mannequin and supplies per the PSI Colorado CIB. 30-day wait between failed retake attempts. Unlimited retakes. Exam fee valid 1 year.
If no background screening issues and no prior Colorado cosmetology work: receive license and photo ID card immediately at PSI site after passing. Otherwise, DORA reviews and mails. Renewal April 30 biennially through DORA Online Services.
Built from the NIC CIB. 70% written, 75% practical. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Colorado joined the Cosmetology Licensure Compact on June 4, 2024 (HB24-1111) — Colorado's enactment triggered the compact's activation. Once fully operational, Colorado cosmetologists with multistate licenses can practice in all compact member states (currently AL, AZ, CO, KS, KY, MD, OH, TN, VA, WA) without additional licensure.
Cosmetologist licenses expire April 30 biennially (issuance-date based) · $40 renewal · No CE · 60-day grace period after expiration · $55 reinstatement fee after grace period · Renew through DORA Online Services.
Colorado · Esthetics
600 clock hours (or 20 credit hours) at a state-approved school. NIC exams via PSI — 70% written, 75% practical. No apprenticeship. Advanced certifications available for microdermabrasion (14 hrs additional) and chemical peels (24 hrs additional). Renewal: March 31 of even-numbered years.
Colorado uses the NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB and is a direct-fit study resource. Written: 70% passing. Practical: 75% passing.
Colorado requires additional training for certain advanced services — available only to licensed estheticians or cosmetologists:
Verify school approval at dpo.colorado.gov. Programs typically run 5–8 months full-time.
Apply at psiexams.com for Colorado esthetics by examination.
30-day waiting period between failed retake attempts. Unlimited retakes. Exam fee valid 1 year.
Immediately at PSI if no screening issues; otherwise DORA mails it. Renewal March 31 even years. No CE.
Built from the NIC Esthetics CIB. 70% written, 75% practical. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Colorado · Hairstylist & Barber
Colorado offers a dedicated Hairstylist license at 1,500 clock hours (50 credit hours) — focused on hair services only, without the full esthetics and nail scope of a cosmetologist license. Barber licensing is also available through the same DORA office. NIC exams via PSI — 70% written, 75% practical. No apprenticeship.
Colorado uses NIC examinations administered by PSI for hairstylist and barber licensing. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — a direct-fit resource. Written: 70%. Practical: 75%.
A Hairstylist license (1,500 hrs / 50 cr) covers hair cutting, styling, chemical texture, and color services — not esthetics or nail services. A full Cosmetologist license (1,800 hrs / 60 cr) adds skin care and nail services. A licensed cosmetologist may also hold a hairstylist license. A hairstylist wanting to add esthetics or nail services needs the additional appropriate license.
Barbers are also licensed through DORA's Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure. The same NIC via PSI exam structure and 70%/75% thresholds apply. Confirm current barber training hour requirements and specific program requirements at dpo.colorado.gov before enrolling.
Verify school approval at dpo.colorado.gov. Programs typically run 10–14 months full-time.
Apply at psiexams.com for Colorado hairstylist by examination.
30-day wait between retakes. Unlimited retakes. Exam fee valid 1 year.
Immediately at PSI or by mail from DORA. Renewal March 31 even years. No CE.
Built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Colorado · Nail Technician
NIC exams via PSI — 70% written, 75% practical. No apprenticeship. School only. Confirm current training hour requirements at dpo.colorado.gov before enrolling — DORA periodically updates requirements. Renewal: March 31 of even-numbered years. No CE required.
Colorado uses the NIC National Nail Technology Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI. NICPrep's nail technology question bank is built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB — a direct-fit resource. Written: 70% passing. Practical: 75% passing.
Clock hours or credit hours accepted. Verify school approval through DORA before enrolling.
Apply at psiexams.com. Pay exam fees. Both written and practical required.
30-day wait between failed retake attempts. Unlimited retakes. Exam fee valid 1 year.
Immediately at PSI or by DORA mail. Renewal March 31 even years. $40 renewal fee. No CE.
Built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB. 70% written, 75% practical. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Colorado uses NIC exams via PSI. 70% written, 75% practical. NICPrep's question banks are built from the same NIC CIBs. Try 10 real questions, no signup.