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New Mexico beauty licenses
2026 requirements.

All New Mexico beauty licenses in one place. New Mexico uses NIC theory and practical exams via PSI — 75% passing. Cosmetology runs 1,600 hours (esthetics 600, barber 1,600, manicurist 400). Biennial renewal, no CE for practitioners. Regulated by the NM Regulation and Licensing Department, Cosmetology Program, Santa Fe NM.

4
License types
PSI
Exam vendor
Board-verified
Data source
Jun '26
Verified

New Mexico · Cosmetology

Cosmetology license — 2026.

1,600 hours at a Board-approved cosmetology school. NIC exams via PSI — 75% passing theory and practical. Biennial renewal. No CE. NM Regulation and Licensing Department, Cosmetology Program, Santa Fe NM.

At a glance
Training hours
1,600
Board-approved school
License fee
$45
New Mexico Board
Passing score
75% both
NIC via Prov · written + practical
Renewal
Biennial
Biennial renewal · No CE
New Mexico uses NIC exams via PSI — NICPrep is a direct fit

New Mexico uses NIC National Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built from the NIC CIB — a direct-fit study resource. 75% passing on both.

Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓

Step-by-step: how to get licensed

  1. Complete training hours at an NM RLD-approved school

    Cosmo 1,600 · Esth 600 · Barber 1,600 · Nail 400 hours. Verify school approval at rld.nm.gov/cosmetology.

  2. Submit application to NM RLD Cosmetology Program

    Apply at rld.nm.gov with proof of training completion, photo ID, and required fees.

  3. Register with PSI and pass NIC theory and practical exams — 75% each

    Schedule at candidate.psiexams.com. Theory and practical both required. 75% passing on each.

  4. Receive your New Mexico license · Renew biennially

    No CE required. Biennial renewal. Confirm current fees at rld.nm.gov/cosmetology.

🇪🇸 NICPrep's cosmetology prep is also available in Spanish.

Practice tests

Practice Test

$39 one-time · lifetime access

Full 10-test NIC Cosmetology exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.

  • 10 tests × 110 questions = 1,100 total
  • Every domain weighted to NIC percentages
  • Study mode + timed exam mode
  • Free 10-question preview · no signup
Flashcards

Flashcards

$19 one-time · lifetime access

1,099 cards: Sci · Hair · Skin · Nail. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.

  • 1,099 cards: Sci · Hair · Skin · Nail
  • Front: question · Back: answer + rationale
  • Shuffle mode within each domain
  • Per-deck progress tracking
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New Mexico · Esthetics

Esthetics license — 2026.

600 hours at a Board-approved school. NIC esthetics exams via PSI — 75% passing. Biennial renewal. No CE.

At a glance
Training hours
600
Board-approved school
License fee
$45
New Mexico Board
Passing score
75% both
NIC via Prov · written + practical
Renewal
Biennial
Biennial renewal · No CE
New Mexico uses NIC esthetics exams via PSI — NICPrep is a direct fit

New Mexico uses NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — a direct-fit study resource. 75% passing.

Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓

🇰🇷 NICPrep's esthetics prep is also available in Korean — coming soon.

Practice tests

Practice Test

$39 one-time · lifetime access

Full 10-test NIC Esthetics exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.

  • 10 tests × 110 questions = 1,100 total
  • Every domain weighted to NIC percentages
  • Study mode + timed exam mode
  • Free 10-question preview · no signup
Flashcards

Flashcards

$19 one-time · lifetime access

1,100 cards: Sci · Skin. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.

  • 1,100 cards: Sci · Skin
  • Front: question · Back: answer + rationale
  • Shuffle mode within each domain
  • Per-deck progress tracking
↑ Back to top

New Mexico · Barber

Barber license — 2026.

1,600 hours at a Board-approved barber school. NIC Barber Styling exams via PSI — 75% passing. Biennial renewal. No CE.

At a glance
Training hours
1,500
Board-approved barber school
License fee
$45
New Mexico Board
Passing score
75% both
NIC via Prov · written + practical
Renewal
Biennial
Biennial renewal · No CE
New Mexico uses NIC barber exams via PSI — NICPrep is a direct fit

New Mexico uses NIC Barber Styling Theory and Practical Examinations. 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 below ↓

🇪🇸 NICPrep's barber styling prep is also available in Spanish — coming soon.

Practice tests

Practice Test

$39 one-time · lifetime access

Full 10-test NIC Barber Styling exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.

  • 10 tests × 110 questions = 1,100 total
  • Every domain weighted to NIC percentages
  • Study mode + timed exam mode
  • Free 10-question preview · no signup
Flashcards

Flashcards

$19 one-time · lifetime access

1,100 cards: Sci · Hair · Implements · Facial. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.

  • 1,100 cards: Sci · Hair · Implements · Facial
  • Front: question · Back: answer + rationale
  • Shuffle mode within each domain
  • Per-deck progress tracking
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New Mexico · Nail Technology

Manicurist license — 2026.

400 hours at a Board-approved school. NIC Nail Technology exams via PSI — 75% passing. Biennial renewal. No CE.

At a glance
Training hours
350
Board-approved school
License fee
$45
New Mexico Board
Passing score
75% both
NIC via Prov · written + practical
Renewal
Biennial
Biennial renewal · No CE
New Mexico uses NIC nail technology exams via PSI — NICPrep is a direct fit

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

Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓

🇻🇳 NICPrep's nail technology prep is also available in Vietnamese.

Practice tests

Practice Test

$39 one-time · lifetime access

Full 10-test NIC Nail Technology exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.

  • 10 tests × 110 questions = 1,100 total
  • Every domain weighted to NIC percentages
  • Study mode + timed exam mode
  • Free 10-question preview · no signup
Flashcards

Flashcards

$19 one-time · lifetime access

1,100 cards across 9 NIC domains. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.

  • 1,100 cards across 9 NIC domains
  • Front: question · Back: answer + rationale
  • Shuffle mode within each domain
  • Per-deck progress tracking
↑ Back to top

New Mexico · All license types

Rules that apply to every New Mexico beauty license.

NIC exams via PSI — 75% passing

New Mexico administers the NIC National Examination through PSI. Both the written theory and practical exams are required at 75% passing for all license types. A high school diploma or GED is required for all New Mexico beauty licenses. Confirm current application and license fees with the Board — see the official New Mexico licensing portal below.

Biennial renewal · No CE for practitioners

New Mexico beauty licenses (cosmetology, esthetics, barber, manicurist) renew biennially. No CE is required for any cosmetology, esthetics, barber, or manicurist practitioner; CE is required for instructors only. Reciprocity may be available for out-of-state applicants whose training meets or exceeds New Mexico's requirements.

1,600-hour cosmetology requirement

New Mexico: cosmetology 1,600 hours · esthetics 600 hours · barber 1,600 hours · nail 400 hours.

Official New Mexico licensing portal

Last verified May 2026 against NM Regulation and Licensing Department, Cosmetology Program (rld.nm.gov/cosmetology) and NICPrep is an independent prep resource and is not affiliated with the NM Regulation and Licensing Department, Cosmetology Program or the State of New Mexico.

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Next step

Study exactly what New Mexico's NIC exam tests.

New Mexico uses NIC exams via PSI — 75% passing. NICPrep is built from the NIC CIBs.