All Montana beauty licenses in one place. Montana uses NIC exams via Prov — 75% passing. Montana has one of the higher cosmetology hour requirements nationally at 2,000 hours. Biennial renewal December 31. CE-free. Age 18+, HS diploma required. Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists, Helena MT — under the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI).
Prep for this state
Practice Test + Flashcards
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Practice Test + Flashcards
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Practice Test + Flashcards
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Practice Test + Flashcards
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Free preview · No signup
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. Montana tests on the NIC exam, so this is the exam you'll sit. No email, no signup.
Montana · Cosmetology
2,000 hours at a Board-approved school — among the highest cosmetology hour requirements in the US. NIC exams via Prov — 75% passing both written and practical. Biennial renewal December 31 at $45 (license fee). CE-free. Age 18+, HS diploma. 301 S. Park Ave, Helena MT 59620 · 406-444-6880.
Montana 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. 75% passing on both. Montana's 2,000-hour requirement is among the highest nationally — programs typically take 15–20 months full-time.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
Age 18+, HS diploma. Programs typically 15–20 months full-time. Verify school at boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov.
Documents: proof of education, training verification, photo ID. Mail to Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists, P.O. Box 200513, Helena, MT 59620-0513.
Register at provexam.com. Both written and practical required. 75% passing on each.
CE-free for cosmetologists. Instructors: CE required. Reciprocity available if training equivalent to or greater than Montana's requirements.
🇪🇸 NICPrep's cosmetology prep is also available in Spanish.
Montana · Esthetics
650 hours at a Board-approved school. NIC esthetics exams via Prov — 75% passing. Age 18+, HS diploma. $45 license fee. Biennial renewal December 31. CE-free for practitioners. Reciprocity available if training substantially equivalent.
Montana uses NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations via Prov. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — a direct-fit study resource. 75% passing. Programs typically 4–6 months.
Montana · Barber
1,500 hours at a Board-approved barber school (or 1,100-hour barber school for out-of-state endorsement). NIC Barber Styling exams via Prov — 75% passing. Age 18+, HS diploma. $45 license fee. Biennial renewal December 31. CE-free for practitioners. Instructor: 12 months licensed experience required before pursuing instructor credential.
Montana uses NIC Barber Styling Theory and Practical Examinations via Prov. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — a direct-fit study resource. 75% passing on both.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
🇪🇸 NICPrep's barber styling prep is also available in Spanish.
Montana · Manicurist
350 hours at a Board-approved school. NIC Nail Technology exams via Prov — 75% passing. Age 18+, HS diploma. $45 license fee. Biennial renewal December 31. CE-free. Montana does not issue a separate "nail technician" license — the credential is called "Manicurist."
Montana uses NIC National Nail Technology Theory and Practical Examinations via Prov. NICPrep's nail technology question bank is built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB — a direct-fit study resource. 75% passing. Programs typically 8–12 weeks full-time.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
🇻🇳 NICPrep's nail technology prep is also available in Vietnamese.
Montana uses NIC exams via Prov — 75% passing. 2,000-hour cosmetology requirement. NICPrep is built from the NIC CIBs.
2026 CIB changes, domain study tips, and new-modality launches — a few emails a month, no spam.