All four Michigan beauty licenses in one place. Michigan uses PSI's own National exams for all modalities — not NIC, and its specifications are unpublished. Two boards under LARA: the Board of Cosmetology (cosmetology, esthetics, nail tech) and the Board of Barbers. CE-free for any license type. Apply through MiPLUS.
Michigan adopted PSI's National exams effective 4 November 2022. Mich. Admin. Code R. 338.2121a names the arrangement. It is not NIC.
Michigan publishes more than almost any state. All six exams are verified in English — Cosmetology 100 scored + 10 pretest, 120 min; Barber 85 + 10; Esthetician 75 + 10, 90 min; Manicurist 60 + 5, 90 min; Instructor 50 + 5, 90 min, theory only; and a Michigan-only Natural Hair Culturist exam, 85 + 10.
The cosmetology outline is byte-identical to Georgia's, Colorado's and Maryland's: Safety and Infection Control 30%, Client Consultation and Hair, Skin, and Nail Analysis 19%, Chemical Texture 12%, Haircoloring 10%, Hair Removal 8%, Nail Care 8%, Skin Care 4%, Eyelash and Eyebrow 4%, Haircutting 3%, Hairstyling 2%.
⚠️ Michigan sets cut scores in raw points, per exam, and they do not resolve to one percentage. Cosmetology 70/100, Barber 56/85 (65.9%), Esthetician 56/75 (74.7%), Manicurist 45/60 (75%), Instructor 37/50 (74%). Practicals are scored the same way — cosmetology 95/127. Do not assume a single pass mark.
Practicals were not eliminated, and Michigan is one of very few states offering a remote practical. A passing score is valid one year and both parts must be passed within a year of each other. Fees: $167 both, $93 either. Offered in six languages — English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese.
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: LARA's cosmetology page, or the PSI bulletins at proctor2.psionline.com.
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Practice Test + Flashcards
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
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Michigan barbers are governed by the Michigan Board of Barbers, a different board from the one that runs the other three licences on this page, and they complete 1,800 hours with no apprenticeship option.
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10 questions from our NIC cosmetology bank and 10 terminology cards from the decks — the same items, the same rationales, the same study modes you get after checkout. Michigan tests on the PSI National exam. These questions cover the underlying science it draws on; the blueprint differs. No email, no signup.
Michigan · Cosmetology
1,500 hours (or 2-year apprenticeship), PSI National exams, written and practical components. Apply through MiPLUS. CE-free at renewal. Biennial license. Michigan Board of Cosmetology under LARA.
Michigan uses PSI National Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services LLC. 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. The law items sit inside the theory form 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.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
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.
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 · CE-free · Renew through MiPLUS at michigan.gov/miplus.
🇪🇸 NICPrep's cosmetology prep is also available in Spanish.
Michigan · Esthetics
750 hours for anyone who started their program on or after July 1, 2024 (previously 400). PSI National exam, written and practical. Expanded scope of practice effective March 20, 2025 (HB 5684). $39 application fee. CE-free.
Michigan uses the PSI National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services LLC. NICPrep’s PSI National bank is built to this form — the same one seven states share character-for-character in cosmetology, esthetics and nails.
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.
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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. CE-free.
Biennial · $48 renewal fee · CE-free · Renew through MiPLUS.
Michigan · Barber
1,800 hours at a licensed barber college — no apprenticeship option. PSI National exam, written and practical. Governed by the separate Michigan Board of Barbers (not the Cosmetology Board). CE-free. Biennial renewal.
Michigan uses PSI National Barber Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services LLC. 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.
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.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
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).
Biennial · CE-free · Confirm renewal fee at michigan.gov/lara · Renew through MiPLUS.
🇪🇸 NICPrep's barber styling prep is also available in Spanish.
Michigan · Nail Technology
400 hours at a licensed school (or 12-month apprenticeship). PSI National exam, written and practical components. $39 application fee through MiPLUS. CE-free at renewal. Governed by the Michigan Board of Cosmetology under LARA.
Michigan uses the PSI National Nail Technology Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services LLC. NICPrep’s PSI National bank is built to this form — the same one seven states share character-for-character in cosmetology, esthetics and nails.
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.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
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. CE-free.
Biennial · $48 renewal fee · CE-free · Renew through MiPLUS at michigan.gov/miplus.
🇻🇳 NICPrep's nail technology prep is also available in Vietnamese.
Michigan uses PSI National exams — the same content NICPrep is built from. CE-free after you pass, and you only need to clear the NIC. See the full prep on the modality page.
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