All four Louisiana beauty licenses in one place. Louisiana uses NIC exams, administered through its own board, for cosmetology, esthetics, and nail tech. Neither Louisiana board publishes a passing score. Annual birthday-based renewal is one of the shortest cycles nationally. Barbers are regulated by a separate board with a January 31 annual renewal. CE-free for any practitioner.
Prep for this state
Louisiana sets the NIC national papers and administers them through its own board for cosmetology, esthetics and nail technology; barbers answer to a separate board. Neither board publishes a passing score, and no Louisiana document we hold names the examination languages. Renewal is annual on your birthday. 1,500 hours come first.
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Built for the NIC Candidate Information BulletinPractice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Built for the NIC Candidate Information BulletinPractice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Built for the NIC Candidate Information BulletinPractice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Built for the NIC Candidate Information BulletinEvery question comes with a full rationale. When that isn’t enough — the concept is new, the wording is dense, you got it right by luck — tap Explain and the tutor talks you through it: why your answer was wrong, and what the right idea actually is. Ask it anything back, as many times as you need.
If English isn’t the language you learned this in, it teaches in yours, switched whenever you like. The questions stay in English, because that is how you will see them on exam day. Where enough candidates ask we translate the prep itself — so far Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian and Simplified Chinese, on the products that have it.
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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. Louisiana tests on the NIC exam, so this is the exam you'll sit. No email, no signup.
Louisiana · Cosmetology
1,500 hours at a licensed school. NIC exam through the Louisiana board, written (110 questions, 90 min) and practical (4–5 hours, minimum 4 mannequin heads). Annual birthday-based renewal at ~$35. CE-free. English-only exam. Beware of exam scammers — LSBC warns applicants specifically about this.
Louisiana uses NIC National Theory and Practical Examinations, administered through the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology. No Louisiana board document names a third-party testing vendor: the board’s own testing page, the four candidate bulletins it hosts and LAC Title 46 Part XXXI (77,705 characters) together contain zero occurrences of Prometric, IQT, “contractor”, “testing service” or “testing agency”. Apply to the board, and schedule once it authorizes you. NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built from the NIC CIB — it covers the NIC portion; this state's own component is tested separately. Written: 110 questions (100 scored + 10 pilot), 90 minutes. Practical: 4–5 hours, bring minimum 4 mannequin heads. Louisiana publishes no passing score for either part. Note: Louisiana's cosmetology exam is administered in English only.
The Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology (LSBC) governs cosmetology, esthetics, and nail tech certificates. Office: Baton Rouge. The Board warns all applicants to be alert for scammers posing as state board officials — all official communications come from lsbc.louisiana.gov or @la.gov email addresses.
Hair cutting, styling, coloring, chemical services; nail care (manicures, pedicures); basic skin care and makeup application. A separate Alternative Hair Design permit is available for those who want to offer hair styling services only, with fewer requirements.
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Verify school approval at lsbc.louisiana.gov. School must be licensed by LSBC.
Application includes student registration certificate, photo ID, and initial certificate fee. LSBC approves your application and authorizes your examination scheduling.
Schedule through the board once it authorizes you. Louisiana publishes no examination fee. LAC Title 46 Part XXXI requires “all applicable examination fees” without naming an amount or a payee; its only two $25 figures are an initial license fee and a no-show administrative fee. Bring 4+ mannequin heads to practical. No Louisiana document we hold names the examination languages. Unlimited retakes with fee.
Annual renewal on your birthday at ~$35. CE-free. Late penalty: twice the applicable fee per year expired, capped at $300. Expired 3+ years: take a 25-question reinstatement exam.
Louisiana recognizes cosmetology licenses from all other states. Applicants must pass Louisiana's NIC exams. Those licensed via apprenticeship are not eligible. Reciprocity application fee: $50. Contact LSBC for application form.
🇪🇸 NICPrep's cosmetology prep is also available in Spanish.
Louisiana · Esthetics
750 hours at a licensed school. NIC exam through the Louisiana board. Annual birthday-based renewal at ~$35. CE-free. Dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, and nano-needling now within esthetics scope (LSBC clarified). Microdermabrasion also requires a separate permit. Reciprocity from all states (NIC exam required).
Louisiana uses the NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations, administered through the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — it covers the NIC portion; this state's own component is tested separately. Louisiana publishes no passing score. Annual renewal on your birthday. CE-free.
Louisiana esthetics scope under RS 37:563 includes: massaging the face or neck, eyebrow work, eyelash enhancements, hair removal through waxing or threading, skin treatments on the face, neck, upper body, and extremities. LSBC has explicitly clarified that dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, and nano-needling are within Louisiana esthetics scope. Microdermabrasion also requires a separate permit from LSBC (manufacturer training required before applying).
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Full-time programs typically 5–8 months. Verify school approval at lsbc.louisiana.gov.
Include student registration certificate and photo ID. LSBC approves and authorizes your examination scheduling.
Unlimited retakes, with a fee at each attempt. Louisiana publishes no examination fee. LAC Title 46 Part XXXI requires “all applicable examination fees” without naming an amount or a payee; its only two $25 figures are an initial license fee and a no-show administrative fee.
Annual birthday renewal at ~$35. CE-free.
Louisiana · Barber
1,500 hours at a licensed barber school (or 4,000-hour apprenticeship). Governed by the Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners — a separate board from LSBC. NIC exam administered ~4 times per year by the Barber Board. Neither board publishes a passing score. Must bring 3 live models (2 male, 1 female). Annual renewal January 31.
Louisiana uses NIC Barber examinations administered by the Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — it covers the NIC portion; this state's own component is tested separately. Note: the Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners publishes no passing score, and neither does the State Board of Cosmetology.
Louisiana barbers are governed by the Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners — separate from the State Board of Cosmetology. Key differences: exams are offered approximately 4 times per year (not on demand); you must bring 3 live models (2 male, 1 female) to the practical; annual renewal deadline is January 31 (not birthday-based); age/education requirements are higher (18+, high school diploma vs 16+, 10th grade for cosmetology).
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Verify school approval through the Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners.
Contact the Barber Board for current application forms and requirements. Exams given ~4 times per year.
Written: 1 hour. Practical: 3 hours. Bring 2 male + 1 female models. $40 exam fee for in-state graduates.
Annual renewal January 31. $50 renewal fee. CE-free.
🇪🇸 NICPrep's barber styling prep is also available in Spanish.
Louisiana · Manicurist
Louisiana calls nail technicians "manicurists." 500 hours at a licensed school. NIC exam through the Louisiana board. Annual birthday-based renewal at ~$35. CE-free. Important restriction: sharp blades are prohibited in Louisiana nail tech scope — no callus-removing blade work. Reciprocity from all states (NIC exam required).
Louisiana uses the NIC National Nail Technology Theory and Practical Examinations, administered through the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology. NICPrep's nail technology question bank is built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB — it covers the NIC portion; this state's own component is tested separately. Louisiana publishes no passing score. CE-free.
Louisiana prohibits manicurists from using sharp blades for callus removal or foot care. Blade-style callus removers, metal foot files with sharp edges, and similar tools are outside the Louisiana manicurist scope of practice. Foot care using non-blade tools (pumice stones, electric files within authorized limits) is permitted. Confirm current allowable tools with LSBC before performing pedicure services.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
Verify school at lsbc.louisiana.gov. Programs typically 3–5 months full-time.
LSBC approves and authorizes your examination scheduling.
Unlimited retakes, with a fee at each attempt. Louisiana publishes no examination fee. LAC Title 46 Part XXXI requires “all applicable examination fees” without naming an amount or a payee; its only two $25 figures are an initial license fee and a no-show administrative fee.
Annual birthday renewal at ~$35. CE-free. No blades in scope.
🇻🇳 NICPrep's nail technology prep is also available in Vietnamese.
Louisiana uses NIC exams, administered through its own board, for cosmetology, esthetics, and nail tech. CE-free ever required. NICPrep is built from the same NIC CIBs.
2026 CIB changes, domain study tips, and new-modality launches — a few emails a month, no spam.