All Kentucky beauty licenses in one place. Kentucky uses PSI's own National exams, not NIC — 70% passing. A standout quirk: cosmetologists must complete a 6-month apprenticeship after passing exams before the full license is issued. Annual renewal July 1–31. CE-free. Barbers use a separate board.
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Your written exam is the PSI National paper, the same one ten states use. The outline, the pass marks and how the ten differ →
Practice Test + Flashcards
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Practice Test + Flashcards
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Board-written exam, not PSI
Kentucky barbering is licensed by the Kentucky Board of Barbering under KRS Chapter 317 — a different statute and a different board from the Board of Cosmetology that runs the three licences above. Its examination is written and administered by the board itself, supervised by two or more board members at the board’s office. It is not a PSI paper and no outline is published.
Practice Test + Flashcards
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
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10 questions from the PSI National cosmetology bank and 10 terminology cards from the decks — the same items, the same rationales, the same study modes you get after checkout. Kentucky tests on the PSI National exam, so this is the exam you’ll sit. No email, no signup.
Kentucky · Cosmetology
1,500 hours at a KBC-approved school. PSI National exam — 70% passing. Theory and practical applications are submitted separately and theory must be passed first. After passing both exams, a 6-month apprenticeship (20 hrs/week minimum) is required before the full license is issued. Annual July 1–31 renewal. CE-free.
Kentucky uses PSI National Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services (kbc.ky.gov exam portal). NICPrep’s PSI National bank is built to this form — the one California, Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland and Michigan share character-for-character in cosmetology, esthetics and nails. Written exam: 100 scored + 10 experimental questions, 120 minutes, 70% passing (PSI CIB v1.0, effective 19 March 2026). Practical: 70% passing. Theory scores valid for 6 months. Must pass theory before scheduling practical.
After passing both the theory and practical exams, Kentucky cosmetology graduates must complete a 6-month apprenticeship working at least 20 hours per week under the supervision of a licensed cosmetologist before the full cosmetology license is issued. This real-world experience requirement is unusual nationally — most states issue the license as soon as both exams are passed. Plan your timeline to include this apprenticeship phase. Esthetics and nail technician candidates skip this apprenticeship.
The Kentucky Board of Cosmetology (KBC · kbc.ky.gov) governs cosmetology, esthetics, and nail tech licenses. Barbers are licensed by the separate Kentucky Board of Barbering. Payment: online credit/debit card only since July 2023. All earned hours expire after 5 years from enrollment.
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School reports your verified graduation to KBC. Board approves and notifies PSI. PSI emails your eligibility notification.
Must pass theory (70%) before scheduling practical. Theory score valid 6 months. Schedule at psiexams.com or call (855) 340-3713. Retest every 30+ days. Create/use same PSI account with student permit number as Candidate ID.
Submit practical application separately after passing theory. 70% passing. Bring solid-color medical scrubs (any colour but white), kit ≤24"×24"×24", manikin head, full manikin hand, EPA-approved disinfectant wipes. Two forms of valid ID. Arrive 30 minutes early — late arrival forfeits fee.
Work under the supervision of a licensed cosmetologist for 6 consecutive months at minimum 20 hours per week. This is a unique Kentucky requirement — the full license issues once the apprenticeship is complete.
Annual renewal July 1–31. Online payment only. CE-free. Expired <5 years: restoration fee + back fees. Expired 5+ years: retake both exams.
🇪🇸 NICPrep's cosmetology prep is also available in Spanish.
Kentucky · Esthetics
750 hours at a KBC-approved school. PSI National exam — 70% passing. Theory and practical applications submitted separately; theory must be passed first (scores valid 6 months). Esthetics licenses on the exams alone. Annual July 1–31 renewal. CE-free. Online payment only.
Kentucky uses the PSI National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations via PSI. NICPrep’s PSI National bank is built to this form — the same one seven states share character-for-character in cosmetology, esthetics and nails. 70% passing on both. Theory before practical. Esthetics licenses on the exams alone, unlike cosmetology.
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School reports graduation to KBC. Board approves. PSI emails eligibility notification.
70% passing. Score valid 6 months. Must pass theory before scheduling practical. Retest every 30+ days.
Submit practical application separately. 70% passing. Bring required supplies per KBC/PSI CIB.
Annual renewal July 1–31. CE-free. Online payment only.
Kentucky · Barber
Kentucky barbers are regulated by the Kentucky Board of Barbering — completely separate from the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology. Barber licensing requirements, exam procedures, and renewal are handled independently. Contact the Kentucky Board of Barbering directly for current hour requirements, exam vendor, and renewal schedule.
The Kentucky Board of Cosmetology (KBC) does not regulate barbers. If you want to obtain a barber license in Kentucky, you must apply through the Kentucky Board of Barbering. Licensed cosmetologists seeking a barber license, or licensed barbers seeking a cosmetology license, must meet the additional requirements of the respective board. Contact the Kentucky Board of Barbering for current requirements, as barber regulations are maintained separately from KBC. Barbers renew on the Board of Barbering's own cycle.
Kentucky · Nail Technology
450 hours at a KBC-approved school. PSI National exam — 70% passing. Theory and practical submitted separately; theory first. Nail tech licenses on the exams alone. Annual July 1–31 renewal. CE-free. Online payment only. Hours expire 5 years from enrollment.
Kentucky uses the PSI National Nail Technology Theory and Practical Examinations via PSI. NICPrep’s PSI National bank is built to this form — the same one seven states share character-for-character in cosmetology, esthetics and nails. 70% passing on both. Nail tech licenses on the exams alone.
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School reports graduation to KBC. Board approves. PSI emails eligibility. Programs typically 8–12 weeks full-time.
70% passing. Score valid 6 months. Must pass theory before applying for practical.
Separate application. 70% passing. Bring required kit per CIB. Retest every 30+ days if needed.
Annual renewal July 1–31. CE-free. Online payment only. Expired <5 years: restoration + back fees. Expired 5+ years: retake both exams.
🇻🇳 NICPrep's nail technology prep is also available in Vietnamese.
Kentucky uses PSI's own National exams — 70% passing. Theory before practical. Separate applications. CE-free. NICPrep's PSI National bank is built to this exam's own ten-domain outline.
2026 CIB changes, domain study tips, and new-modality launches — a few emails a month, no spam.