All four Massachusetts beauty licenses in one place. Massachusetts eliminated its practical exam in October 2023 — only the written NIC theory exam via PSI is required. One of the most accessible licensing processes in the country: cosmetology in 1,000 hours, manicurist in just 100 hours. No CE required. Official term: "aesthetician" (not esthetician).
Massachusetts · Cosmetology
1,000 hours at a Board-approved school. NIC written theory exam via PSI — 75% passing. Practical exam was eliminated October 2, 2023. Total cost ~$223. Biennial renewal. No CE required. All services must be performed in a licensed establishment.
Massachusetts uses the NIC National Cosmetology Theory Examination administered by PSI Services. NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built from the NIC CIB — a direct-fit study resource. Written exam only (practical eliminated October 2, 2023). Passing score: 75%. Exam languages: English, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese.
Massachusetts eliminated the hands-on practical portion of the cosmetology licensing exam effective October 2, 2023. Applicants now only need to pass the written NIC theory examination administered by PSI. This significantly reduces both cost and scheduling time. No mannequin, no kit, no practical site — just the written exam.
The Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering (a merged board under the Division of Occupational Licensure) governs all beauty and barber licenses. Apply through ePLACE at mass.gov. CORI (criminal background) check required. SSN required and forwarded to the Department of Revenue per MGL c 62C §47A.
Verify school approval at mass.gov. 10th grade education required. Programs typically 7–10 months full-time.
Apply online. Submit supporting documents. CORI check required. Receive approval notice to schedule PSI exam.
Schedule at psiexams.com. Written exam only — no practical. 75% passing. Exam available in English, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese.
Biennial renewal from issue date. No CE required. Renew through ePLACE.
Massachusetts uses the NIC written exam — the exact content NICPrep is built from. No practical to study for. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Massachusetts · Aesthetician
Massachusetts spells this "aesthetician" in its statutes. Only 300 hours of training required. NIC written theory exam via PSI — 75% passing, no practical. Two license tiers: Type 7 (Operator, <2 yrs experience) and Type 6 (Manager, 2+ yrs as licensed Type 7). Biennial renewal. No CE required.
Massachusetts uses the NIC National Esthetics Theory Examination administered by PSI. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — a direct-fit study resource. Written exam only (practical eliminated October 2, 2023). 75% passing.
Verify school approval at mass.gov. Programs typically run 2–4 months full-time.
CORI check required. Receive approval to schedule PSI exam.
Written exam only. No practical. Available in multiple languages.
Biennial renewal from issue date. No CE required. Upgrade to Type 6 after 2 years of licensed practice.
NIC written exam only — no practical. Built from the NIC Esthetics CIB. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Massachusetts · Barber
1,000 hours at a Board-approved barbering school. NIC written theory exam via PSI — 75% passing, no practical (practical eliminated October 2023). Licensed cosmetologists may complete additional barber-specific training to also obtain a barber license. Biennial renewal. No CE required.
Massachusetts uses NIC National Barber Theory Examination administered by PSI. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — a direct-fit study resource. Written exam only. 75% passing.
Verify school approval at mass.gov.
CORI check required.
Written only, no practical.
Biennial renewal from issue date. No CE required.
NIC written exam only — no practical. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Massachusetts · Manicurist
Massachusetts calls nail technicians "manicurists" (Type 3 license). Only 100 hours of training — one of the absolute lowest nail technician requirements in the country. NIC written theory exam via PSI — 75% passing, no practical. Biennial renewal. No CE required.
Massachusetts uses the NIC National Nail Technology Theory Examination administered by PSI. NICPrep's nail technology question bank is built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB — a direct-fit study resource. Written exam only (no practical). 75% passing.
Verify school approval at mass.gov. Very short program — typically 2–4 weeks full-time.
CORI check required. Receive approval to schedule PSI exam.
Written only, no practical. Available in multiple languages.
Biennial renewal from issue date. No CE required.
NIC written exam only — no practical. Built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Massachusetts uses the NIC written exam via PSI — practical eliminated in 2023. No CE required. NICPrep is built from the same NIC CIBs. Try 10 real questions, no signup required.