All Nevada beauty licenses in one place. Nevada requires three separate exams: theory (written), practical, and a Nevada State Law exam — 75% on each. The practical exam is administered at the Board office, not at external testing centers. 4 hours CE required per biennial cycle. Birthday-based renewal. Advanced Esthetician license also available.
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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. Nevada sits on Pearson VUE's national exam. These NIC questions cover the underlying science it draws on; Nevada's blueprint differs. No email, no signup.
Nevada · Cosmetology
1,600 hours at a Board-approved school (or 3,600-hour apprenticeship, or 4 years practice outside Nevada). Three exams required: theory (75%), practical at Board office (75%), and Nevada State Law exam (75%). $110 combined exam fee · $70 license fee. 4 hours CE per biennial cycle. Birthday-based renewal.
Nevada uses no NIC content, and PSI is not the vendor. Pearson VUE authors and delivers a national exam — 100 scored items in 2 hours. Nevada did not write it: Pennsylvania sits on the identical core, the same ten domains at the same weights, and the only difference is where each state puts its law. The outline — Rules, Regulations and Safety 27–32%, Haircolour and Lightening 13–15%, Permanent Waving 12–14%, Chemical Relaxing 12–14%, Haircutting 9–11%, then Trichology, Styling, Esthetics, Nails and Shampoo at single digits. A NIC bank covers much of that science without matching the weighting. Passing: 75% on each of three separate exams (theory, practical, Nevada Law). The Nevada Law exam (25 questions, 75%) covers state-specific statutes — NICPrep's banks cover the NIC portion; Nevada's own law content sits outside them, and it is built to the NIC blueprint rather than Pearson VUE's — it covers the underlying science, not this exam's weighting.
Nevada is one of very few states requiring three separate licensing exams. The practical exam is administered at the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology office (Mon–Thu 8am–4pm). Plan your schedule accordingly. The Nevada State Law exam is a separate 25-question test on Nevada cosmetology statutes. All three exams must be passed at 75% to receive licensure.
The Nevada State Board of Cosmetology (NVCOSMO · nvcosmo.com) governs all cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, hair design, and related licenses. To request an application packet, submit the Application Request Form with a $15 cashier's check to NVCOSMO. The Board mails the full application packet.
Verify school approval at nvcosmo.com. Programs typically 12–15 months full-time.
Submit Application Request Form to Nevada State Board. Board mails full application packet with instructions and fees.
Total initial fees approximately $195 (plus $15 application request). After processing, Board schedules your exams.
Theory: computer-based, multiple choice. Practical: at Board office Mon–Thu 8am–4pm, bring full supply kit + mannequin. Nevada Law: 25 questions on Nevada cosmetology statutes. All three at 75%.
Biennial renewal on your birthday. $70 renewal fee. 4 hours CE (infection control) required per cycle.
Nevada cosmetologists must complete 4 hours of Board-approved CE focused on infection control per biennial renewal cycle. CE may be completed through approved providers. Instructors: 30 hours CE per 2-year cycle (new 2025 rule).
Nevada · Esthetics
600 hours at a Board-approved school (or 1,200-hour apprenticeship). Three exams: theory (75%), practical at Board office (75%), Nevada State Law (75%). $110 combined exam fee · $70 license. 4 hours CE per biennial cycle. Advanced Esthetician license available with expanded supervisory scope. Dermaplaning defined in statute.
Pearson VUE's national esthetics form, 75 scored items in 90 minutes — the same paper Pennsylvania uses. Outline — Rules, Regulations and Safety 30–40%, Facials 20–25%, Hair Removal 16–20%, Esthetic Science and Skin Analysis 15–20%, Makeup 10–15%, Electricity and Electrotherapy 5–10%. A separate 25-question Nevada State Law exam is also required at 75%, and NICPrep does not cover it. If you graduated from a licensed Nevada school you sit the practical at your school, not at the Board office.
Nevada defines dermaplaning in statute (NRS 644A.047) as "the use of a blade with a handle to remove dead skin cells and vellus hairs from the face." This is within the scope of a standard Nevada esthetics license. Advanced services may require the Advanced Esthetician credential.
Nevada offers an Advanced Esthetician license for expanded scope including advanced nonablative treatments. Under 2025 rules, licensed Advanced Estheticians may now immediately supervise esthetics-only establishments and makeup-only establishments — previously restricted to cosmetologists or standard estheticians. Contact NVCOSMO for current Advanced Esthetician training hour requirements and exam information.
Verify school approval at nvcosmo.com. Programs typically 4–6 months full-time.
Board mails full application with instructions and fee schedule.
Board processes and schedules exams. Total initial: ~$195.
Practical: Mon–Thu 8am–4pm at Board office; bring full esthetics kit. Nevada Law: 25 questions.
Biennial birthday renewal. $70 fee. 4 hrs CE (infection control) required.
Nevada · Hair Designer & Barber
Nevada is structured differently from most states. It offers a separate Hair Designer license (distinct from the full cosmetology license) for professionals focusing on hair cutting, styling, and related services without the full cosmetology scope. Barbers can cross into cosmetology with 600 additional training hours.
Nevada issues a Hair Designer license as a distinct credential under NRS 644A.315. Hair Designers can cut, trim, style, dress, shampoo, color, and chemically treat hair — but the scope differs from a full cosmetologist, who can additionally perform esthetics and nail services. If you want to offer both hair and skin or nail services, a full cosmetology license is required. Contact NVCOSMO at nvcosmo.com for current Hair Designer hour requirements and exam specifics.
Licensed Nevada barbers may qualify for a cosmetology license by completing 600 additional hours of cosmetology-specific training in hair design and esthetics at a Board-approved school (NRS 644A.300). After completing those hours, all three cosmetology licensing exams (theory, practical, Nevada Law) must be passed at 75%.
Nevada's Hair Designer program hour requirements and exam specifics are confirmed by the Board. Visit nvcosmo.com or call NVCOSMO directly for the most current Hair Designer application and training hour requirements, as these may have been updated in the 2025 regulatory revision.
Nevada · Nail Technology
600 hours at a Board-approved school (or 1,200-hour apprenticeship). Three exams: theory (75%), practical at Board office (75%), Nevada State Law (75%). $110 combined exam fee · $70 license. Nevada uses "Nail Technologist" as the official title. 4 hours CE per biennial cycle. Birthday renewal.
Pearson VUE's national nail form, 50 scored items in 90 minutes — the same paper Pennsylvania uses. Outline — Rules, Regulations and Safety 30–40%, Professional Services 30–40%, Nail Structure and Analysis 15–20%, Nail Enhancements 12–18%. A separate 25-question Nevada State Law exam at 75% is also required and NICPrep does not cover it. Practical at Board office Mon–Thu.
Verify school at nvcosmo.com. Programs typically 3–5 months full-time.
Board mails full application packet.
Total initial: ~$195. Board schedules exams after processing.
Practical: at Board office Mon–Thu 8am–4pm, bring full nail kit + mannequin hand. Nevada Law: 25 questions.
Biennial birthday renewal. $70 fee. 4 hrs CE (infection control) required per cycle.
Nevada and Pennsylvania share one Pearson VUE national core, delivered for the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology. We don't build a Pearson bank.
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