Missouri beauty licenses — 2026 requirements.

All four Missouri beauty licenses in one place. Missouri uses NIC exams via Prov (not PSI) — 75% passing on both written and practical. One combined board for all modalities. All cosmetology and barber licenses renew September 30 of odd-numbered years. No CE required for practitioners.

Missouri · Cosmetology

Cosmetology license — 2026.

1,500 hours at a licensed cosmetology school (or 3,000-hour apprenticeship). NIC exam via Prov — 75% passing both written and practical. Board issues Authorization to Test (ATT) after approving your application. Practical exams held at state sites, Mondays only. Renewal September 30 of odd-numbered years. No CE required.

At a glance
Training hours
1,500
Or 3,000-hr apprenticeship
Total fees
~$150
Written + practical to Prov + $30 license
Exam format
Written + Practical
NIC via Prov · 75% both
Renewal
Sep 30, odd yrs
$30 fee · No CE required
Missouri uses the NIC national exam via Prov — NICPrep is a direct fit

Missouri uses NIC National Theory and Practical Examinations administered by Prov. NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built from the NIC CIB — a direct-fit study resource for Missouri cosmetology licensing. Passing score: 75% on both written and practical. Written exam: 110 scored multiple-choice questions. Practical: live demonstration exam graded by examiners.

The Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners (pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp) governs all beauty and barber licenses in one combined board. Apply through the Board directly. After approval, the Board issues an Authorization to Test (ATT) which you use to schedule with Prov. Phone: 573-751-1052 · Toll Free: 866-762-9432.

Who qualifies

The examination — Prov, ATT required

Crossovers

Step-by-step: how to get licensed

  1. Complete 1,500 hours at a licensed cosmetology school

    Your school submits a graduation affidavit of hours directly to the Board. Verify school licensing at pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp.

  2. Submit your application to the Missouri Board and receive your ATT

    Submit the Application for Examination/Temporary Permit to the Board (school may submit on your behalf). Do not send fees at this stage — pay directly to Prov when scheduling. Board reviews and issues ATT.

  3. Schedule with Prov using your ATT and pay exam fees (~$150 combined)

    Schedule at provexam.com. Written: flexible scheduling. Practical: Mondays only at state-designated sites. Complete all exams within your one-year ATT period.

  4. Pass both exams (75%) and receive your cosmetology license

    Apply for your license through the Board. Pay $30 license fee. Biennial renewal September 30 of odd years.

NICPrep is a direct fit for Missouri cosmetology.

Built from the NIC CIB — the same exam Prov administers in Missouri. Try 10 free questions, no signup.

Try free →

Renewal

September 30 of odd-numbered years · $30 renewal fee · No CE required · Any application postmarked after September 30 returned; must reinstate · Expired 2+ years: must retake practical exam · Renew at pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp.

Missouri · Esthetics

Esthetics license — 2026.

750 hours at a licensed school. NIC exam via Prov — 75% passing both written and practical. Same ATT process, same Prov practical (Mondays only at state sites). Renewal September 30 of odd-numbered years. No CE required for practitioners.

At a glance
Training hours
750
Licensed esthetics school
Total fees
~$150
Written + practical to Prov + $30 license
Exam format
Written + Practical
NIC via Prov · 75% both
Renewal
Sep 30, odd yrs
$30 fee · No CE for practitioners
Missouri uses the NIC national esthetics exam via Prov — NICPrep is a direct fit

Missouri uses the NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations administered by Prov. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — a direct-fit study resource. 75% passing on both. Esthetics instructors require 8 hrs CE — practitioners do not.

Who qualifies

Step-by-step: how to get licensed

  1. Complete 750 hours at a licensed esthetics school

    School submits graduation affidavit to Board. Verify school licensing at pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp.

  2. Apply to the Board and receive ATT

    Submit Application for Examination/Temporary Permit. Board reviews and issues ATT allowing Prov scheduling.

  3. Schedule with Prov and pass both NIC esthetics exams (75%)

    Written: flexible. Practical: Mondays only at state sites. One-year ATT window; unlimited retakes.

  4. Pay $30 license fee and receive your esthetics license

    Renewal September 30 of odd years. No CE for practitioners.

NICPrep is a direct fit for Missouri esthetics.

Built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — the exam Prov administers in Missouri. Try 10 free questions, no signup.

Try free →

Missouri · Barber

Barber license — 2026.

1,000 hours at a licensed barber school (or 2,000-hour apprenticeship). NIC exam via Prov — 75% passing both. Same ATT process and September 30 odd-year renewal. Cosmetology-to-barber crossover available (45 hours). Barber-to-cosmetology crossover also available (500 hours).

At a glance
Training hours
1,000
Or 2,000-hr apprenticeship
Total fees
~$150
Written + practical to Prov + $30 license
Exam format
Written + Practical
NIC via Prov · 75% both
Renewal
Sep 30, odd yrs
$30 fee · No CE required
Missouri uses the NIC national barber exam via Prov — NICPrep is a direct fit

Missouri uses NIC National Barber Theory and Practical Examinations administered by Prov. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — a direct-fit study resource. 75% passing on both.

Who qualifies

Step-by-step: how to get licensed

  1. Complete 1,000 hours at a licensed barber school (or 2,000-hr apprenticeship)

    School submits graduation affidavit to Board. Verify school at pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp.

  2. Apply to the Board and receive ATT

    Submit Application for Examination/Temporary Permit. Board issues ATT.

  3. Schedule with Prov and pass both NIC barber exams (75%)

    Written: flexible scheduling. Practical: Mondays only at state sites. One-year ATT window.

  4. Pay $30 license fee and receive your barber license

    Renewal September 30 of odd years. No CE required.

NICPrep is a direct fit for Missouri barbering.

Built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — the exam Prov administers in Missouri. Try 10 free questions, no signup.

Try free →

Missouri · Manicurist

Manicurist license — 2026.

Missouri calls nail technicians "manicurists." 400 hours at a licensed school (or 780-hour apprenticeship). NIC exam via Prov — 75% passing both written and practical. Same ATT process and September 30 odd-year renewal as all other Missouri licenses. No CE required.

At a glance
Training hours
400
Or 780-hr apprenticeship
Total fees
~$150
Written + practical to Prov + $30 license
Exam format
Written + Practical
NIC via Prov · 75% both
Renewal
Sep 30, odd yrs
$30 fee · No CE required
Missouri uses the NIC national nail technology exam via Prov — NICPrep is a direct fit

Missouri uses the NIC National Nail Technology Theory and Practical Examinations administered by Prov. NICPrep's nail technology question bank is built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB — a direct-fit study resource. 75% passing on both.

Who qualifies

Step-by-step: how to get licensed

  1. Complete 400 hours at a licensed nail school (or 780-hr apprenticeship)

    School submits affidavit to Board. Verify school at pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp.

  2. Apply to Board and receive ATT

    Submit Application for Examination/Temporary Permit. Receive ATT from Board.

  3. Schedule with Prov and pass both NIC nail technology exams (75%)

    Written: flexible scheduling. Practical: Mondays only. One-year ATT window, unlimited retakes.

  4. Pay $30 license fee and receive your manicurist license

    Renewal September 30 of odd years. No CE required.

NICPrep is a direct fit for Missouri nail technology.

Built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB — the exam Prov administers in Missouri. Try 10 free questions, no signup.

Try free →

Missouri · All license types

Rules that apply to every MO beauty license.

NIC exams via Prov — ATT required before scheduling

Missouri uses NIC national examinations administered by Prov (not PSI). All Missouri beauty licensing exams require an Authorization to Test (ATT) issued by the Board before you can schedule with Prov at provexam.com. Passing score: 75% on both written and practical. Written: results given immediately. Practical: live demonstration exam graded by examiners. Fail one section, retake only that section. Unlimited retakes within the one-year ATT window. Exams available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Practical exams: Mondays only at state sites

Missouri's practical examinations are administered at state-designated sites on Mondays only, four times per month. This is more restrictive than most states where practicals can be scheduled on any business day. Plan your timeline accordingly — practical exam availability is limited. Kit maximum 30"×30"; cold thermal curling iron permitted.

All licenses renew September 30 of odd-numbered years

Every cosmetology and barber license in Missouri — cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, barbers, instructors, and schools — renews biennially on September 30 of odd-numbered years. This is confirmed by 20 CSR 2085-4.010. Renewal fee: $30. Any application postmarked after September 30 is returned and reinstatement is required. If expired 2+ years: must retake the practical examination.

No CE required for practitioners

Missouri does not require continuing education for cosmetologist, esthetician, manicurist, or barber license renewal. CE is required for esthetics instructors (8 hours per renewal cycle through Board-approved seminars). No CE for practicing professionals.

Crossovers available

Missouri offers crossover programs: Cosmetology-to-barber (45 additional hours); Barber-to-cosmetology (500 additional hours). Both require the applicable examination afterward.

Official Missouri licensing portal

Last verified May 2026 against the Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners (pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp) and Prov candidate materials. Missouri uses NIC exams via Prov — not PSI. NICPrep is an independent prep resource and is not affiliated with the MO Board, Prov, or the State of Missouri.

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Study exactly what Missouri's exam tests.

Missouri uses NIC exams via Prov — 75% passing. No CE ever required for practitioners. NICPrep is built from the same NIC CIBs. Try 10 real questions, no signup required.