All four Indiana beauty licenses in one place. Indiana uses NIC exams via PSI with a notable quirk: 75% to pass the written exam, 70% to pass the practical — reversed from most states. One board for all modalities, a 4-year renewal cycle, and no CE required. License must be posted at your workstation.
Indiana · Cosmetology
1,500 hours at an Indiana-approved school (or DOL registered apprenticeship). NIC exam via PSI — 75% to pass the written exam, 70% to pass the practical. $40 application fee through Indiana PLA. 4-year renewal cycle. No CE required. License must be posted at workstation.
Indiana 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 for Indiana cosmetology licensing. Written exam passing score: 75%. Practical passing score: 70%.
Indiana requires at least 75% to pass the written (theory) exam and at least 70% to pass the practical exam. These are reversed from most states (which typically require equal scores on both, or the opposite thresholds). Both must be passed to receive a license.
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) administers all beauty culture licensing through the State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. One board governs all modalities. Apply through the PLA online portal (mylicense.in.gov). All applications must be completed within 1 year of filing or they are considered abandoned and must restart.
School submits monthly verified enrollment and hour reports to the Board. Upon graduation, school issues Beauty Culture Education Certification. Verify school approval at in.gov/pla.
Apply at mylicense.in.gov. Upload your Beauty Culture Education Certification. PLA approves your application; PSI administers the exam. Complete all requirements within 1 year of filing or application is abandoned.
After PLA approval, PSI contacts you with scheduling instructions. Schedule at psiexams.com or call 800-733-9267. Written exam first, then practical. Unlimited retakes with fee each time.
License issued by Indiana PLA. Renews every 4 years on August 1. No CE required. Post your license at your workstation as required by state law.
Built from the NIC CIB. 75% written, 70% practical. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Every 4 years · August 1 · $40 renewal fee · No CE required · Late fee $50 if expired (within 3 years) · After 3 years expired: $80 reinstatement fee + may need to retake practical exam · Renew at mylicense.in.gov.
Indiana · Esthetics
700 hours at an Indiana PLA-approved school. NIC exam via PSI — 75% written, 70% practical. Same one-board structure, same 4-year renewal (August 1), same $40 application fee. No CE required. Estheticians cannot perform nail services; separate manicurist license required.
Indiana uses the NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — a direct-fit study resource. Written 75%, Practical 70%.
School submits reports and issues Education Certification. Verify approval at in.gov/pla.
Apply at mylicense.in.gov. Upload Education Certification. Complete all requirements within 1 year of filing.
75% written, 70% practical. Unlimited retakes with fee.
4-year renewal August 1. No CE. $40 renewal fee.
Built from the NIC Esthetics CIB. 75% written, 70% practical. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Indiana · Barber
1,500 hours — same as cosmetology. NIC exam via PSI — 75% written, 70% practical. Must be 18 (or 17 with high school diploma). Renewal: September 1 every 4 years (not August 1 like cosmetology). No CE required. Same one-board PLA structure.
Indiana uses NIC National Barber Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — a direct-fit study resource. Written 75%, Practical 70%.
Verify school approval at in.gov/pla. School issues Education Certification upon graduation.
Apply at mylicense.in.gov. Complete all requirements within 1 year of filing.
75% written, 70% practical. Unlimited retakes with fee each time.
4-year renewal September 1. No CE. $40 renewal fee.
Built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Indiana · Manicurist
Indiana calls nail technicians "manicurists." Only 450 hours and an 8th grade education requirement — the lowest individual entry bar in Indiana. NIC exam via PSI — 75% written, 70% practical. Same 4-year renewal (August 1), same $40 fees. No CE required.
Indiana 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 study resource. Written 75%, Practical 70%.
School issues Education Certification. Programs typically run 8–12 weeks full-time.
Apply at mylicense.in.gov. Upload Education Certification. 1-year completion window.
75% written, 70% practical. Unlimited retakes.
4-year renewal August 1. No CE. $40 renewal.
Built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Indiana uses NIC exams via PSI. 75% written, 70% practical. No CE ever required. NICPrep is built from the same NIC CIBs. Try 10 real questions with full rationales, no signup required.