All Kansas beauty licenses in one place. Kansas uses NIC exams — 75% passing. Renewal requires a 20-question Kansas rules and regulations exam (75% passing) as part of the renewal process. Biennial renewal. All sections must be passed within 12 months of application. Kansas joined the Cosmetology Licensure Compact in April 2025. Barbers: separate Kansas Board of Barbering.
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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. Kansas tests on the NIC exam, so this is the exam you'll sit. No email, no signup.
Kansas · Cosmetology
1,500 hours at a KBOC-licensed school. Cosmetology runs through school training only. NIC exams — 75% passing both written and practical. All sections must be passed within 12 months of application. Biennial renewal includes a mandatory 20-question Kansas rules exam (75%). Kansas Compact member since April 2025. Age 17+, HS diploma.
Kansas writes its own written examination through Ergometrics. A quarter of it — Kansas State General Laws, Rules and Regulations, 25% — is Kansas statute, which sits outside NICPrep's banks, and Safety, Sanitation & Infection Control is another 40%. Where the labels overlap the weightings still differ: Hair Care & Services is 19% here against 45% on the NIC outline, and Skin and Nail Care are 4% each against roughly 10%. NICPrep's cosmetology bank covers the underlying science; this exam's weighting differs, and the state-law quarter sits outside it. 75% passing on both. Exam fees: $75 written + $75 practical ($150 total). Retake only the failed section, immediately; both sections must be passed within 12 months of application.
The Kansas written examination is administered in English, including the 25% Kansas law block. If you are studying in Spanish, you will still sit the paper in English — plan for that.
Kansas requires licensees to pass a 20-question Kansas rules and regulations exam as part of every license renewal — scoring at least 75% (15/20 correct). This is separate from the initial licensing exam. Confirm current renewal exam details with the Kansas Board of Cosmetology (KBOC) at kansas.gov/kboc.
Kansas became the ninth state to enact the Cosmetology Licensure Compact in April 2025. When fully operational, this allows Kansas licensees to practice across all compact member states with a multistate license. Confirm current Compact activation status at kansas.gov/kboc.
Age 17+, HS diploma required. Cosmetology runs through school training only. Verify school at kansas.gov/kboc.
$75 written + $75 practical. If one section failed, retake only that section. Retakes may be scheduled immediately. Bring mannequin and supplies per CIB.
Application fee ~$40–60 depending on KBOC schedule. Contact kansas.gov/kboc for current fees.
Biennial renewal. Renewal exam covers Kansas cosmetology rules and regulations. Fee ~$50. Contact KBOC for current renewal procedures.
Kansas · Esthetics
1,000 hours at a KBOC-approved school or approved apprenticeship. NIC esthetics exams — 75% passing. Biennial renewal includes the mandatory Kansas rules exam (20 questions, 75%). Age 17+, HS diploma. Esthetics apprenticeship available in Kansas (unlike cosmetology, which is school-only).
Kansas writes its own written examination through Ergometrics. A quarter of it — Kansas State General Laws, Rules and Regulations, 25% — is Kansas statute, which sits outside NICPrep's banks, and Safety, Sanitation & Infection Control is another 40%. Skin Care & Services is 21% of the written paper. NICPrep's esthetics bank covers the underlying science; this exam's weighting differs, and the state-law quarter sits outside it. 75% passing. Esthetics apprenticeship available (unlike cosmetology). Renewal exam required at each renewal cycle.
Age 17+, HS diploma. Apprenticeship must meet all KBOC documentation requirements.
$75 written + $75 practical. Retake only the failed section if needed.
Biennial renewal includes 20-question Kansas rules exam at 75%.
Kansas · Barber
Kansas barbers are regulated by the separate Kansas Board of Barbering, not the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. Barber licensing requires: NIC Barber Styling Theory exam + practical exam + Kansas Rules and Regulations exam — all at 80% passing (higher than cosmetology's 75%). Barber training runs at a licensed barber college.
Kansas barbers are licensed through the Kansas Board of Barbering, not the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. The barber exam requires passing three separate exams at 80% or higher: (1) NIC Barber Styling Theory exam, (2) a barber practical examination, and (3) a Kansas Rules and Regulations exam. This is a higher passing threshold than cosmetology (75%). Barber training runs at a licensed barber college. Contact the Kansas Board of Barbering for current hour requirements, fees, and exam scheduling.
Licensed Kansas cosmetologists reach barbering through additional education at a licensed barber college. Similarly, licensed barbers must meet Kansas Board of Cosmetology requirements to obtain a cosmetology license.
Kansas · Nail Technology
350 hours at a KBOC-approved school or approved apprenticeship. NIC nail technology exams — 75% passing. Biennial renewal includes mandatory Kansas rules exam (20 questions, 75%). Age 17+, HS diploma. Kansas calls this license "Nail Technologist."
Kansas writes its own written examination through Ergometrics. A quarter of it — Kansas State General Laws, Rules and Regulations, 25% — is Kansas statute, which sits outside NICPrep's banks, and Safety, Sanitation & Infection Control is another 40%. Nail Care & Services is 21% of the written paper. NICPrep's nail technology bank covers the underlying science; this exam's weighting differs, and the state-law quarter sits outside it. 75% passing. Renewal exam required each cycle.
Age 17+, HS diploma. Programs typically 6–10 weeks full-time.
$75 written + $75 practical. Retake only the failed section if needed.
Biennial renewal. 20-question Kansas rules exam at 75% required at each renewal.
Kansas's written exams are delivered by Ergometrics for the Kansas Board of Cosmetology, at 75% to pass, and a quarter of the paper is Kansas law and rules. We don't build a bank for them.
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