All New Mexico beauty licenses in one place. New Mexico uses NIC theory and practical exams via PSI — 70% 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.
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. New Mexico tests on the NIC exam, so this is the exam you'll sit. No email, no signup.
New Mexico · Cosmetology
1,600 hours at a Board-approved cosmetology school. NIC exams via PSI — 70% passing theory and practical. Biennial renewal, CE-free. NM Regulation and Licensing Department, Cosmetology Program, Santa Fe NM.
New Mexico uses NIC National Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built from the NIC CIB — it covers the NIC portion; this state's own component is tested separately. 70% passing on both.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
Cosmo 1,600 · Esth 600 · Barber 1,600 · Nail 400 hours. Verify school approval at rld.nm.gov/cosmetology.
Apply at rld.nm.gov with proof of training completion, photo ID, and required fees.
Schedule at candidate.psiexams.com. Theory and practical both required. 70% passing on each.
CE-free. Biennial renewal. Confirm current fees at rld.nm.gov/cosmetology.
🇪🇸 NICPrep's cosmetology prep is also available in Spanish.
New Mexico · Esthetics
600 hours at a Board-approved school. NIC esthetics exams via PSI — 70% passing. Biennial renewal, CE-free.
New Mexico uses NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — it covers the NIC portion; this state's own component is tested separately. 70% passing.
New Mexico · Barber
1,600 hours at a Board-approved barber school. NIC Barber Styling exams via PSI — 70% passing. Biennial renewal, CE-free.
New Mexico uses NIC Barber Styling Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — it covers the NIC portion; this state's own component is tested separately. 70% passing on both.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
🇪🇸 NICPrep's barber styling prep is also available in Spanish.
New Mexico · Nail Technology
400 hours at a Board-approved school. NIC Nail Technology exams via PSI — 70% passing. Biennial renewal, CE-free.
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 — it covers the NIC portion; this state's own component is tested separately. 70% passing.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
🇻🇳 NICPrep's nail technology prep is also available in Vietnamese.
New Mexico uses NIC exams via PSI — 70% passing. NICPrep is built from the NIC CIBs.
2026 CIB changes, domain study tips, and new-modality launches — a few emails a month, no spam.