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

Rhode Island beauty licenses
2026 requirements.

All Rhode Island beauty licenses in one place. Rhode Island uses NIC theory and practical exams via PSI — 75% passing. Cosmetology runs 1,000 hours (esthetics 600, barber 1,500, manicurist 300). Annual renewal, no CE for practitioners. Regulated by the RI Department of Business Regulation, Providence RI.

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

Rhode Island · Cosmetology

Cosmetology license — 2026.

1,000 hours at a DBR-approved cosmetology school — among the lowest cosmetology training requirements nationally. NIC exams via PSI — 75% passing theory and practical. Annual renewal. No CE. RI Department of Business Regulation, Providence RI.

At a glance
Training hours
1,000
Board-approved school
License fee
$45
Rhode Island Board
Passing score
75% both
NIC via Prov · written + practical
Renewal
Annual
Annual renewal · No CE
Rhode Island uses NIC exams via PSI — NICPrep is a direct fit

Rhode Island 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.

1,000-hour cosmetology requirement — among the lowest nationally

Rhode Island's 1,000-hour cosmetology training requirement is among the lowest in the United States. Full-time programs typically complete in 9–12 months. This makes Rhode Island one of the faster paths to a cosmetology license for candidates who plan to practice in-state.

Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓

Step-by-step: how to get licensed

  1. Complete training hours at a Rhode Island DBR-approved school

    Cosmo 1,000 · Esth 600 · Barber 1,500 · Nail 300 hours. Verify approval at dbr.ri.gov.

  2. Submit application to RI Department of Business Regulation

    Apply through DBR at dbr.ri.gov with proof of training hours, 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 Rhode Island license · Renew annually

    No CE required. Annual renewal. Confirm current fees and renewal dates at dbr.ri.gov.

🇪🇸 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

Rhode Island · Esthetics

Esthetics license — 2026.

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

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

Rhode Island 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

Rhode Island · Barber

Barber license — 2026.

1,500 hours at a DBR-approved barber school. NIC Barber Styling exams via PSI — 75% passing. Annual renewal. No CE.

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

Rhode Island 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
↑ Back to top

Rhode Island · Nail Technology

Manicurist license — 2026.

300 hours at a DBR-approved school. NIC Nail Technology exams via PSI — 75% passing. Annual renewal. No CE.

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

Rhode Island 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

Rhode Island · All license types

Rules that apply to every Rhode Island beauty license.

NIC exams via PSI — 75% passing

Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island beauty licenses. Confirm current application and license fees with the Board — see the official Rhode Island licensing portal below.

Annual renewal · No CE for practitioners

Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island's requirements.

1,000-hour cosmetology requirement

Rhode Island: cosmetology 1,000 hours · esthetics 600 hours · barber 1,500 hours · nail 300 hours.

Official Rhode Island licensing portal

Last verified May 2026 against RI Department of Business Regulation, Division of Commercial Licensing (dbr.ri.gov/commercial-licensing) and NICPrep is an independent prep resource and is not affiliated with the RI Department of Business Regulation, Division of Commercial Licensing or the State of Rhode Island.

↑ Back to top
Next step

Study exactly what Rhode Island's NIC exam tests.

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