Home NIC Cosmetology NIC Nail Technology NIC Esthetics NIC Barber Styling NIC Hair Design NIC Electrology NIC Permanent Cosmetics Our Difference Resources All States Influencers Rewards My Access Support & Contact

North Dakota beauty licenses
2026 requirements.

All North Dakota beauty licenses in one place. North Dakota uses NIC theory and practical exams via PSI — 75% passing. Cosmetology runs 1,500 hours (esthetics 600, barber 1,500, manicurist 325). Applicants also take a separate North Dakota State Laws exam. Annual renewal, no CE for practitioners. Regulated by the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology.

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

North Dakota · Cosmetology

Cosmetology license — 2026.

1,500 hours at a Board-approved cosmetology school. NIC theory and practical exams via PSI (75% each) plus a separate North Dakota State Laws exam. Annual renewal, $15 license fee. No CE.

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

North Dakota 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.

ND State Laws exam required — three exams total

North Dakota requires three separate exam components: NIC Theory, NIC Practical, and a separate North Dakota State Laws exam covering ND cosmetology statutes and board rules. All three must be passed at 75%. The ND Laws exam is NOT covered by NICPrep — NICPrep covers the NIC theory and practical content only.

Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓

Step-by-step: how to get licensed

  1. Complete training hours at a Board-approved North Dakota school

    Cosmo 1,500 · Esth 600 · Barber 1,500 · Nail 325 hours. Verify school approval at ndboc.org.

  2. Submit application to ND State Board of Cosmetology

    Apply at ndboc.org with proof of training, photo ID, and fees. Board issues exam authorization.

  3. Pass NIC theory exam + practical exam + ND State Laws exam via PSI — 75% each

    Schedule at candidate.psiexams.com. Three exams required: NIC written theory, NIC practical, and separate ND State Laws exam.

  4. Receive your North Dakota license · Renew annually ($15)

    No CE required. $15 annual renewal fee. Renew at ndboc.org. Licenses expire annually.

🇪🇸 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
↑ Back to top

North Dakota · Esthetics

Esthetics license — 2026.

600 hours at a Board-approved school. NIC esthetics theory and practical exams via PSI (75% each) plus a separate ND State Laws exam. Annual renewal. No CE.

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

North Dakota 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.

Official esthetics resources

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

North Dakota · Barber

Barber license — 2026.

1,500 hours at a Board-approved barber school. NIC Barber Styling theory and practical exams via PSI (75% each) plus ND State Laws exam. Annual renewal. No CE.

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

North Dakota 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.

Official barber resources

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
↑ Back to top

North Dakota · Nail Technology

Manicurist license — 2026.

325 hours at a Board-approved school. NIC Nail Technology theory and practical exams via PSI (75% each) plus ND State Laws exam. Annual renewal. No CE.

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

North Dakota 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.

Official manicurist resources

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

North Dakota · All license types

Rules that apply to every North Dakota beauty license.

NIC exams via PSI — 75% passing

North Dakota administers the NIC National Examination through PSI. Both the written theory and practical exams are required at 75% passing for all license types. Applicants also take a separate North Dakota State Laws exam covering North Dakota statutes and board rules. A high school diploma or GED is required for all North Dakota beauty licenses. Confirm current application and license fees with the Board — see the official North Dakota licensing portal below.

Annual renewal · No CE for practitioners

North Dakota beauty licenses (cosmetology, esthetics, barber, manicurist) renew annually. 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 North Dakota's requirements.

1,500-hour cosmetology requirement

North Dakota: cosmetology 1,500 hours · esthetics 600 hours · barber 1,500 hours · nail 325 hours.

Official North Dakota licensing portal

Last verified May 2026 against North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology (www.ndboc.org) and NICPrep is an independent prep resource and is not affiliated with the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology or the State of North Dakota.

↑ Back to top
Next step

Study exactly what North Dakota's NIC exam tests.

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