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. CE-free. Official term: "aesthetician" (not esthetician).
Massachusetts uses PSI's own National exams, not NIC. PSI lists Massachusetts as a theory-only participant, and the Board requires only a written theory exam.
The blueprint is the shared national one: Cosmetology 100 scored + 10 pretest, 120 min — Safety and Infection Control 30%, Client Consultation and Analysis 19%, Chemical Texture 12%, Haircoloring 10%, Hair Removal 8%, Nail Care 8%, Skin Care 4%, Eyelash and Eyebrow 4%, Haircutting 3%, Hairstyling 2%. Aesthetics 75 + 10, 90 min. Manicurist 60 + 5, 90 min. Barber 85 + 10, 120 min. Pass mark 70% throughout.
An earlier reading of the Massachusetts bulletin suggested different domain names. That was wrong — the document read was the Chinese-language edition, and the domain labels were translation artefacts. Massachusetts carries the same ten domains as Georgia, Colorado, Maryland and Michigan.
Two Massachusetts specifics worth knowing: manicuring requires only 100 training hours, the lowest in the United States, and electrology has a "written practical" — a written test of practical knowledge, not a hands-on exam. Applications moved to eLIPSE on 3 August 2026; PSI still delivers the exams. Eligibility is valid 12 months. Five languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese.
Our practice tests are built to the NIC blueprint, which is not this one: NIC cosmetology is four domains in 90 minutes, the PSI National form is ten domains in 120, and not a single domain label is shared. They cover the underlying science; this exam's weighting differs. Worth knowing before you buy.
Verify: Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering at mass.gov.
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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. Massachusetts tests on the PSI National exam. These questions cover the underlying science it draws on; the blueprint differs. No email, no signup.
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. CE-free. All services must be performed in a licensed establishment.
Massachusetts uses the PSI National Cosmetology Theory Examination administered by PSI Services. NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built from the NIC CIB — a different blueprint, so it covers the underlying science; this exam's outline differs. 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. Just the written exam: no mannequin, kit or practical site.
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. 75% passing. Exam available in English, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese.
Biennial renewal from issue date. CE-free. Renew through ePLACE.
Massachusetts · Aesthetician
Massachusetts spells this "aesthetician" in its statutes. Only 300 hours of training required. NIC written theory exam via PSI — 75% passing, written only. Two license tiers: Type 7 (Operator, <2 yrs experience) and Type 6 (Manager, 2+ yrs as licensed Type 7). Biennial renewal. CE-free.
Massachusetts uses the PSI National Esthetics Theory Examination administered by PSI. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — a different blueprint, so it covers the underlying science; this exam's outline differs. 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. CE-free. Upgrade to Type 6 after 2 years of licensed practice.
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. CE-free.
Massachusetts uses PSI National Barber Theory Examination administered by PSI. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — a different blueprint, so it covers the underlying science; this exam's outline differs. Written exam only. 75% passing.
Verify school approval at mass.gov.
CORI check required.
Written only.
Biennial renewal from issue date. CE-free.
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, written only. Biennial renewal. CE-free.
Massachusetts uses the PSI National Nail Technology Theory Examination administered by PSI. NICPrep's nail technology question bank is built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB — a different blueprint, so it covers the underlying science; this exam's outline differs. Written exam only. 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. Available in multiple languages.
Biennial renewal from issue date. CE-free.
Haircoloring and chemical texture appear swapped against the form we build, and skin care runs higher. We don't sell our PSI bank into that difference.
2026 CIB changes, domain study tips, and new-modality launches — a few emails a month, no spam.