New York lash and brow rules
Do you need a license to do lashes in New York?
Yes. Lash extensions need an esthetician or cosmetologist license under the state's esthetics definition. Below: lash lifts, tinting and brow lamination (license needed), waxing (license needed) and eyebrow threading (license needed), each answered from New York's own statutes, rules or board pages, read on October 23, 2026, with the state's own words.
- Lash extensions
- License needed
- Lifts and tints
- License needed
- Waxing
- License needed
- Threading
- License needed
Licensed by the New York Department of State.The board's site Hours and fees for each licenseThe state's own words
Lash extensions
Do you need a license to do lash extensions in New York?
Yes. Lash extensions need an esthetician or cosmetologist license under the state's esthetics definition.
- License needed
- License needed
- Licenses that allow it
- Esthetician, Cosmetologist
- License for this work alone
- None
Lash lifts, tinting and brow lamination
Do you need a license to do lash lifts, tinting or brow lamination in New York?
Yes. Lash lifts and lash or brow tinting need a New York license, but the sources do not say which license covers tinting, and brow lamination is not addressed.
- License needed
- License needed
- Licenses that allow it
- Not stated
- License for this work alone
- None
Waxing
Do you need a license to do waxing in New York?
Yes. Waxing needs a waxing license, or an esthetician or cosmetologist license, and the waxing license application fee is $40.
- License needed
- License needed
- Licenses that allow it
- Waxing, Esthetician, Cosmetologist
- License for this work alone
- Waxing, $40
New York is one of 3 states with a license for waxing alone.
Eyebrow threading
Do you need a license to do eyebrow threading in New York?
Yes. Threading needs an esthetician license, which the state describes as covering waxing and threading for face and body hair removal.
- License needed
- License needed
- Licenses that allow it
- Esthetician
- License for this work alone
- None
Good to know
What else New York asks of lash and brow artists
- Each person who provides service must hold their own license; an appearance enhancement business license alone does not allow customer services.
- Eyelash and eyebrow tinting is limited to silver nitrate color additives under the state rule.
- The esthetician license requires a 600-hour approved course of study and passing both New York State exams.
Sources
What New York's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of New York's own statutes, rules or board pages, read on October 23, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the New York Department of State before you start offering a service.
- Lash extensions
“A person shall not engage in the practice of waxing, nail specialty, natural hair styling, esthetics or cosmetology without first having obtained a license therefor.”
dos.ny.gov “services to enhance the appearance of the face, neck, arms, legs, and shoulders of a human being by the use of compounds or procedures including makeup, eyelashes, depilatories, tonics, lotions, waxes, sanding and tweezing”
dos.ny.gov “The practice of “cosmetology” means providing the services described in subdivisions four, five and six of this section”
dos.ny.gov - Lash lifts, tinting and brow lamination
“services to enhance the appearance of the face, neck, arms, legs, and shoulders of a human being by the use of compounds or procedures including makeup, eyelashes, depilatories, tonics, lotions, waxes, sanding and tweezing”
dos.ny.gov “No appearance enhancement licensee shall be authorized or permitted to apply dye of any kind to eyelash or eyebrow hair except as provided in this subdivision.”
dos.ny.gov - Waxing
“A person shall not engage in the practice of waxing, nail specialty, natural hair styling, esthetics or cosmetology without first having obtained a license therefor.”
dos.ny.gov “Appearance enhancement means and includes any or all of the license categories: waxing, nail specialty, natural hair styling, esthetics and cosmetology.”
dos.ny.gov “Provide waxing and threading techniques for face and body hair removal.”
dos.ny.gov “The practice of “cosmetology” means providing the services described in subdivisions four, five and six of this section”
dos.ny.gov “The non-refundable fee for an application for a license to engage in the practice of nail specialty, waxing, natural hair styling, esthetics or cosmetology, shall be $40 initially”
dos.ny.gov - Eyebrow threading
“Provide waxing and threading techniques for face and body hair removal.”
dos.ny.gov - Also good to know
“Each person who provides service must be licensed by the Department of State in his or her respective discipline.”
dos.ny.gov - Also good to know
“Nothing in this subdivision shall prohibit a licensee from applying products containing silver nitrate color additives to tint eyelash or eyebrow hair”
dos.ny.gov - Also good to know
“Complete a 600 hour approved course of study and pass both the New York State written and practical examinations.”
dos.ny.gov
Questions
New York lash and brow licenses, answered
Do you need a license to do lash extensions in New York?
Do you need a license to do lash lifts, tinting or brow lamination in New York?
Do you need a license to do waxing in New York?
Do you need a license to do eyebrow threading in New York?
What do you need to open a lash or brow studio in New York?
Plan the rest
Licensed and ready to book clients
- Hours, exams and fees for each New York license
- What New York requires to open a studio of your own
- What New York inspectors check in a salon or studio
- Microblading or permanent makeup in New York: the license it needs
- Can estheticians do microneedling, peels or laser in New York?
- Renting a room or a chair? Start from a booth rental agreement
Lash and brow rules in other states
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