All four Michigan beauty licenses in one place. Michigan uses NIC exams via PSI for all modalities — a direct fit for NICPrep. Two boards under LARA: the Board of Cosmetology (cosmetology, esthetics, nail tech) and the Board of Barbers. No CE required for any license type. Apply through MiPLUS.
Michigan · Cosmetology
1,500 hours (or 2-year apprenticeship), NIC exams via PSI, written and practical components. Apply through MiPLUS. No CE required at renewal. Biennial license. Michigan Board of Cosmetology under LARA.
Michigan uses NIC National Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services LLC. NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built directly from the NIC CIB and is a direct-fit study resource for Michigan cosmetology licensing. No separate state law exam required.
Michigan's Board of Cosmetology, operating under the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), governs cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians. Applications and renewals go through the MiPLUS online portal. The most comprehensive Michigan beauty license — covering hair, skin, and nail services.
Hair cutting, coloring, chemical treatments (perms, relaxers), styling; nail care (manicures, pedicures); skincare services (facials, waxing, makeup application). Michigan cosmetologists may also perform eyelash extensions.
Verify school licensing through LARA at michigan.gov/lara. Full-time programs typically run 12–15 months. For apprenticeship, arrange a licensed cosmetology establishment and submit monthly time sheets.
Apply at michigan.gov/miplus. Pay the ~$63 application fee to LARA. Once LARA determines eligibility, they submit an electronic file to PSI authorizing you to test.
Pay $91 written + $91 practical to PSI. Schedule at a PSI test center. Must take exams within one year of payment to avoid forfeiture.
Michigan cosmetology license is issued by LARA after passing both components. Biennial renewal through MiPLUS at $48.
Built from the NIC CIB — the exact exam PSI administers in Michigan. Try 10 free questions with full rationales, no signup.
Michigan offers license reciprocity for out-of-state cosmetologists with equivalent training and a current active license. Confirm current reciprocity agreements at michigan.gov/lara — requirements are reviewed periodically.
Biennial · $48 renewal fee · No CE required · Renew through MiPLUS at michigan.gov/miplus.
Michigan · Esthetics
750 hours for anyone who started their program on or after July 1, 2024 (previously 400). NIC exam via PSI, written and practical. Expanded scope of practice effective March 20, 2025 (HB 5684). $39 application fee. No CE required.
Michigan uses the NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services LLC. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built directly from the NIC Esthetics CIB and is a direct-fit study resource for Michigan esthetics licensing.
Michigan increased its esthetics training requirement from 400 hours to 750 hours. The 750-hour requirement applies to anyone who began their esthetics program on or after July 1, 2024. Students who enrolled before July 1, 2024 remain subject to the prior 400-hour requirement. Confirm your program start date with your school.
Michigan's esthetics license has undergone two major changes in the past two years: a significant training hour increase (400 → 750, effective July 2024) and a substantial scope expansion (HB 5684, effective March 2025). If you're starting an esthetics program in Michigan, budget for the 750-hour track and prepare for a broader scope of practice than most states.
Governor Whitmer signed HB 5684 (Public Act 160 of 2024), adding the following services to the Michigan esthetician scope of practice:
These additions bring Michigan's esthetics scope significantly closer to that of medical spas. Confirm the full updated scope at michigan.gov/lara before performing any new service type.
Verify which hour requirement applies based on your program start date. Verify school licensing at michigan.gov/lara.
Apply at michigan.gov/miplus. LARA reviews eligibility and submits an electronic authorization file to PSI.
Schedule written and practical at PSI centers statewide. Must complete both within one year of payment to PSI.
License issued by LARA. Biennial renewal through MiPLUS at $48. No CE required.
Built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — the exact exam PSI administers in Michigan. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Biennial · $48 renewal fee · No CE required · Renew through MiPLUS.
Michigan · Barber
1,800 hours at a licensed barber college — no apprenticeship option. NIC exam via PSI, written and practical. Governed by the separate Michigan Board of Barbers (not the Cosmetology Board). No CE required. Biennial renewal.
Michigan uses NIC National Barber Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services LLC. NICPrep's barber question bank is built directly from the NIC Barber Styling CIB and is a direct-fit study resource for Michigan barber licensing.
Michigan barbers are regulated by the Michigan Board of Barbers — entirely separate from the Board of Cosmetology. Both fall under LARA, but they have separate licensing rules. At 1,800 hours and no apprenticeship option, Michigan's barber requirement is among the most demanding in the country. Barbers must work in a licensed Michigan barbershop; opening your own shop requires a separate establishment license ($80 application + $80 renewal).
Both barber and cosmetologist licenses allow haircutting and styling. Barbering emphasizes shaving, razor work, and men's grooming. Cosmetology includes skin care and nail services. Cosmetology has an apprenticeship option; barbering does not. Barbers require 1,800 hours; cosmetologists require 1,500 hours.
Verify barber college licensing under the Michigan Board of Barbers at michigan.gov/lara. Full-time programs run 12–18 months. No apprenticeship option in Michigan for barbers.
Apply at michigan.gov/miplus under Barber (not Cosmetology). LARA reviews eligibility and submits PSI authorization.
Pay written and practical fees to PSI. Schedule at PSI centers. Complete both within one year of payment.
License issued by LARA. If opening your own shop, apply for an establishment license separately ($80 application + $80 renewal).
Built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — the exact exam PSI administers in Michigan. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Biennial · No CE required · Confirm renewal fee at michigan.gov/lara · Renew through MiPLUS.
Michigan · Nail Technology
400 hours at a licensed school (or 12-month apprenticeship). NIC exam via PSI, written and practical components. $39 application fee through MiPLUS. No CE required at renewal. Governed by the Michigan Board of Cosmetology under LARA.
Michigan uses the NIC National Nail Technology Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services LLC. NICPrep's nail technology question bank is built directly from the NIC Nail Technology CIB and is a direct-fit study resource for Michigan nail technology licensing.
Manicures, pedicures, nail shaping, cuticle care, polish and gel application, nail enhancements (acrylics, gel extensions, wraps, tips), nail art. Hand and foot massage within the nail service scope. Eyelash extensions may also be within scope — confirm with LARA as of 2025.
Verify program licensing at michigan.gov/lara. Full-time programs typically run 8–12 weeks. Apprenticeship requires monthly time sheet submissions by your supervising practitioner.
Apply at michigan.gov/miplus. LARA reviews eligibility and submits PSI authorization.
Schedule written and practical at PSI centers statewide. Complete both within one year of PSI payment.
License issued by LARA. Biennial renewal through MiPLUS at $48. No CE required.
Built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB — the exact exam PSI administers in Michigan. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Biennial · $48 renewal fee · No CE required · Renew through MiPLUS at michigan.gov/miplus.
Michigan uses NIC exams via PSI — the same content NICPrep is built from. No CE required after you pass, and you only need to clear the NIC. Try 10 real questions with full rationales, no signup required.