Nebraska beauty licenses

Nebraska cosmetology license requirements

To work as a cosmetologist in Nebraska you need a Cosmetologist license from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. It takes 1,800 hours of school and $95 in state fees. Exams: NIC written exam only (no hands-on practical exam). Barbers, nail technicians and estheticians each need a license of their own, below. Every figure is quoted from the state's official pages, read on October 23, 2026.

Licensed by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.How to apply License lookup The state's own words

Cosmetologist

Nebraska cosmetology license

License
Cosmetologist
Issued by
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Training
1,800 hours1,800 hours at a school of cosmetology or an apprentice salon About 12 months of full-time school at 35 hours a week (our estimate, not a state rule).
Exams
NIC written exam only (no hands-on practical exam)
Who can apply
17 years old, formal education equivalent to a United States high school education
State fees, first license
$95
Renewal
Every 2 years
Continuing education
8 hours per renewal

Nebraska's 1,800 hours are more than the 1,500 hours of the middle state, tied for the most of any state.

Barber

Nebraska barber license

License
Barber
Issued by
The Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners
Training
1,800 hours1,800 hours of barber school training; a licensed Nebraska cosmetologist gets 1,000 hours credit toward them About 12 months of full-time school at 35 hours a week (our estimate, not a state rule).
Exams
Written and practical board examinations
Who can apply
17 years old, high school diploma or G.E.D.
State fees, first license
$225
Renewal
Every 2 years, $150
Continuing education
Not stated

Nebraska's 1,800 hours are more than the 1,250 hours of the middle state, tied for the most of any state.

Nail technician

Nebraska nail technician license

License
Nail Technician
Issued by
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Training
300 hoursAbout 2 months of full-time school at 35 hours a week (our estimate, not a state rule).
Exams
NIC written exam only (no hands-on practical exam)
Who can apply
17 years old, formal education equivalent to a United States high school education
State fees, first license
$95
Renewal
Every 2 years
Continuing education
8 hours per renewal

Nebraska's 300 hours are fewer than the 350 hours of the middle state.

Esthetician

Nebraska esthetician license

License
Esthetician
Issued by
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Training
600 hoursAbout 4 months of full-time school at 35 hours a week (our estimate, not a state rule).
Exams
NIC written exam only (no hands-on practical exam)
Who can apply
17 years old, formal education equivalent to a United States high school education
State fees, first license
$95
Renewal
Every 2 years
Continuing education
8 hours per renewal

Nebraska's 600 hours are the same as the 600 hours of the middle state.

Doing lashes, lifts, waxing or threading? See which license Nebraska requires for each. Microblading or permanent makeup? See what Nebraska requires for it. Microneedling, peels, dermaplaning or lasers? See what an esthetician may do in Nebraska.

Moving here

Licensed in another state?

By reciprocity: a current license from another state, plus 1,800 hours of cosmetology training (600 for esthetics) or equivalent work experience, and a passed written exam; the fee is $95 (or $25 in some months).

Good to know in Nebraska

  • A temporary license expires eight weeks after it is issued, or when exam results arrive, whichever is first.
  • A free, open-book online jurisprudence exam (50 questions) on Nebraska cosmetology and esthetic practice counts for two hours of continuing education.
  • Barber licenses are issued by the Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners, not DHHS, and expire June 30 of even-numbered years.

Sources

What Nebraska's official pages say

Each figure above, in the words of the state's own pages, rules or statutes, read on October 23, 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the board before you enroll or apply.

Cosmetologist: license
“Cosmetologist means a person licensed under the Cosmetology, Electrology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, and Body Art Practice Act to perform all of the practices of cosmetology.”
dhhs.ne.gov
Cosmetologist: training hours
“(a) For licensure as a cosmetologist, the program of studies shall consist of a minimum of one thousand eight hundred hours;”
dhhs.ne.gov
“You must have completed at least 1800 hours of cosmetology training or 600 hours esthetic training and have successfully passed a written examination.”
dhhs.ne.gov
Cosmetologist: apprenticeship
“(5) Has graduated from a school of cosmetology or an apprentice salon in or outside of Nebraska, a school of esthetics in or outside of Nebraska, or a school of electrolysis”
dhhs.ne.gov
Cosmetologist: exams
“In Nebraska, applicants for an initial license are required to take the NIC written examination. There is NO hands-on practical exam.”
dhhs.ne.gov
Cosmetologist: who can apply
“(1) Has attained the age of seventeen years on or before the beginning date of the examination for which application is being made;”
dhhs.ne.gov
“(2) Has completed formal education equivalent to a United States high school education;”
dhhs.ne.gov
Cosmetologist: fees
“$95 $95 $95 $95 $95 $95 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25”
dhhs.ne.gov
Cosmetologist: renewal
“The credential to practice a profession shall be renewed biennially upon request of the credentialed person”
dhhs.ne.gov
“Meet the continuing education requirement - eight hours within the prior 24 months”
dhhs.ne.gov
“for any two-year licensing period when a licensee submits documentation”
dhhs.ne.gov
“NOTE: Licenses expire12-31 of even-numbered years”
dhhs.ne.gov
“To renew, a licensee must have completed at least eight hours of continuing education”
dhhs.ne.gov
“If reinstating your cosmetology license, you must have already completed at least 8 hours of continuing education”
dhhs.ne.gov
Barber: license
“Requirements For Registration As A Licensed Barber In Nebraska”
barbers.nebraska.gov
Barber: issued by
“Make Payable to: Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners”
barbers.nebraska.gov
Barber: training hours
“Completed 1,800 hours of training in a school of barbering”
barbers.nebraska.gov
“one thousand (1,000) hours credit toward the course hours”
barbers.nebraska.gov
Barber: exams
“Passed an examination conducted by the Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners.”
barbers.nebraska.gov
“PRACTICAL SCORE WRITTEN SCORE”
barbers.nebraska.gov
“You are only required to retake the failed portion of the examination.”
barbers.nebraska.gov
Barber: who can apply
“At least seventeen years of age”
barbers.nebraska.gov
“High School Diploma or G.E.D.”
barbers.nebraska.gov
Barber: fees
“$225.00 $225.00 $225.00 $225.00 $225.00 $225.00 $300.00 $300.00 $300.00 $300.00 $300.00 $300.00”
barbers.nebraska.gov
Barber: renewal
“Renewal 150.00 Two-year licensing fee.”
barbers.nebraska.gov
“Nebraska Barber Licenses expire June 30th of each even numbered year.”
barbers.nebraska.gov
Nail technician: license
“Nail technician means a person licensed under the Cosmetology, Electrology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, and Body Art Practice Act to perform the practices of nail technology.”
dhhs.ne.gov
Nail technician: training hours
“(a) For licensure as a nail technician, the program of studies shall consist of three hundred hours; and”
dhhs.ne.gov
“Have completed at least 300 hours of nail technology training and graduated from a school of cosmetology or nail technology school providing a nail technology program.”
dhhs.ne.gov
Nail technician: exams
“In Nebraska, applicants for an initial license are required to take the NIC written examination which satisfies both written and practical examination requirements (there is NO hands-on practical exam).”
dhhs.ne.gov
Nail technician: who can apply
“(1) He or she has attained the age of seventeen years on or before the beginning date of the examination for which application is being made;”
dhhs.ne.gov
“(2) He or she has completed formal education equivalent to a United States high school education;”
dhhs.ne.gov
Nail technician: fees
“$95 $95 $95 $95 $95 $95 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25”
dhhs.ne.gov
Nail technician: renewal
“NOTE: All Licenses expire12-31 of odd-numbered years”
dhhs.ne.gov
“The credential to practice a profession shall be renewed biennially upon request of the credentialed person”
dhhs.ne.gov
“Meet the continuing education requirement (eight hours) earned within the prior 24 months”
dhhs.ne.gov
“for any two-year licensing period when a licensee submits documentation”
dhhs.ne.gov
“NOTE: All Licenses expire12-31 of odd-numbered years”
dhhs.ne.gov
“If reinstating your nail technology license, you must have already completed at least 8 hours of continuing education”
dhhs.ne.gov
Esthetician: license
“Esthetician means a person licensed under the Cosmetology, Electrology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, and Body Art Practice Act to perform all of the practices of esthetics.”
dhhs.ne.gov
Esthetician: training hours
“(b) For licensure as an esthetician, the program of studies shall consist of a minimum of six hundred hours;”
dhhs.ne.gov
“You must have completed at least 1800 hours of cosmetology training or 600 hours esthetic training and have successfully passed a written examination.”
dhhs.ne.gov
Esthetician: exams
“In Nebraska, applicants for an initial license are required to take the NIC written examination. There is NO hands-on practical exam.”
dhhs.ne.gov
Esthetician: who can apply
“(1) Has attained the age of seventeen years on or before the beginning date of the examination for which application is being made;”
dhhs.ne.gov
“(2) Has completed formal education equivalent to a United States high school education;”
dhhs.ne.gov
Esthetician: fees
“$95 $95 $95 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $95 $95 $95”
dhhs.ne.gov
Esthetician: renewal
“The credential to practice a profession shall be renewed biennially upon request of the credentialed person”
dhhs.ne.gov
“Meet the continuing education requirement - eight hours within the prior 24 months”
dhhs.ne.gov
“NOTE: Licenses expire 9-30 of even-numbered years”
dhhs.ne.gov
“for any two-year licensing period when a licensee submits documentation”
dhhs.ne.gov
“NOTE: Licenses expire 9-30 of even-numbered years”
dhhs.ne.gov
“If reinstating your esthetic license, you must have already completed at least 8 hours of continuing education”
dhhs.ne.gov
Licensed in another state
“You must have completed at least 1800 hours of cosmetology training or 600 hours esthetic training and have successfully passed a written examination.”
dhhs.ne.gov
“$95 $95 $95 $95 $95 $95 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25 $25”
dhhs.ne.gov
Also good to know
“Licensure as a temporary practitioner shall expire eight weeks following the date of issuance or upon receipt of examination results, whichever occurs first.”
dhhs.ne.gov
Also good to know
“Nebraska offers a free, 50-question, open book online examination relating to cosmetology and esthetic practice.”
dhhs.ne.gov
Also good to know
“Nebraska Barber Licenses expire June 30th of each even numbered year.”
barbers.nebraska.gov

Questions

Nebraska beauty licenses, answered

How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Nebraska?
1,800 hours of training for a Cosmetologist license. About 12 months of full-time school at 35 hours a week (our estimate). Nebraska's 1,800 hours are more than the 1,500 hours of the middle state, tied for the most of any state.
How much does a cosmetology license cost in Nebraska?
The state's fees for a first Cosmetologist license are $95, and it renews every 2 years. School tuition is the much larger cost, and testing companies may charge their own exam fees.
How do you renew a cosmetology license in Nebraska?
The Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years. Each renewal needs 8 hours of continuing education. Renew with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services before the license expires.
How do you get a nail technician license in Nebraska?
Nebraska calls it a Nail Technician license, issued by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. It takes 300 hours of training, NIC written exam only (no hands-on practical exam), $95 in state fees. It renews every 2 years.
How do you get an esthetician license in Nebraska?
Nebraska calls it an Esthetician license, issued by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. It takes 600 hours of training, NIC written exam only (no hands-on practical exam), $95 in state fees. It renews every 2 years.
How do you get a barber license in Nebraska?
Nebraska calls it a Barber license, issued by the Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners. It takes 1,800 hours of training, written and practical board examinations, $225 in state fees. It renews every 2 years, $150.
Can you transfer a cosmetology license from another state to Nebraska?
By reciprocity: a current license from another state, plus 1,800 hours of cosmetology training (600 for esthetics) or equivalent work experience, and a passed written exam; the fee is $95 (or $25 in some months). The fee is $95. Apply with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
Do you need a separate license to open a salon in Nebraska?
Usually, yes: the business needs its own establishment license on top of each person's license. See what Nebraska requires to open a salon, with its fees, inspection and booth rental rules.

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Nebraska Cosmetology License: Hours, Fees, Renewal (2026) | SalonAI