Finish the Right Tennessee Board Task
Verify a cosmetology or barber license, renew through CORE, understand training and PSI exam rules, transfer an out-of-state license, restore an expired record, register as a hair braider, open a shop or prepare a useful complaint.
The official agency is the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. This independent page explains the process, but Tennessee government records, CORE, PSI instructions and written Board decisions control.
Quick Answer: Which Tennessee Website Should You Use?
Verify.TN
Use it to check a person, shop, specialty shop, school or barber/cosmetology credential before relying on a printed certificate.
CORE
Use CORE to apply, renew, request reciprocity, update records and complete available license transactions.
PSI
Use PSI after your school or Board establishes examination eligibility and PSI sends scheduling instructions.
The Board
Contact the Board when eligibility, work history, expired status, documents or an official-source conflict needs a decision.
Tennessee License Path Helper
Choose your goal. This static helper does not search government records or submit an application.
Tennessee Board Phone Number, Email and Nashville Address
Use the dedicated division number for cosmetology and barber questions, the general TDCI number for department routing, and PSI only for examination scheduling or score-report help.
Cosmetology and Barber Division
Local: 615-741-2515
Toll-free: 800-480-9285
Email: cosmetology.board@tn.gov
Use this route for license categories, documents, reciprocity, expired status, work history, shop licensing and Board decisions.
Tennessee Commerce & Insurance
General phone: 615-741-2241
Address:
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243-0565
Confirm the correct attention line before mailing a form, license certificate or payment.
PSI Candidate Support
Phone: 855-340-3710
Use PSI for scheduling, test delivery, candidate-bulletin questions and duplicate score reports after examination eligibility has been established.
Useful phone script
Tennessee Cosmetology License Lookup: Verify More Than a Name
Use the official public search before hiring, booking, renting a booth, accepting school claims, opening a business relationship or filing a complaint.
Search the official record
Use Verify.TN and enter the legal name, license number or business information. Try fewer fields when a detailed search returns nothing.
Match the credential to the service
Confirm whether the record is cosmetologist, aesthetician, manicurist, natural hair stylist, eyelash specialist, master barber, instructor, shop or school.
Read status and expiration
A wall certificate or payment receipt may be genuine but outdated. Use the current public status before deciding that a person or business may operate.
Check the business separately
A personal practitioner license does not automatically license a shop, specialty shop, barber shop or school location.
| Status or situation | What it generally means | Safe next action |
|---|---|---|
| Active | The credential appears current in the public record. | Still confirm the license type matches the service and that the shop record is active where required. |
| Pending | An application or transaction may still be under review. | Do not treat the application as authority to work. |
| Expired-Grace | The record may still be eligible for a late renewal route, but it cannot be used for practice. | Submit the correct CORE renewal and pay the applicable charges before working. |
| Expired / Invalid | Ordinary renewal may no longer be available. | Follow the reinstatement or examination route directed by the Board. |
| Retired / Inactive | The license holder is not authorized to practice under that status. | Complete the official reactivation process before returning to work. |
Which Tennessee Cosmetology or Barber Credential Do You Need?
Choosing the wrong application can create school-hour, exam, reciprocity and scope-of-practice problems.
Cosmetologist
Broad cosmetology services after the required 1,500-hour program, examinations and licensing application.
Aesthetician
Skin-care and aesthetics credential using Tennessee’s 750-hour education and examination path.
Manicurist
Nail and manicuring credential using the 600-hour Tennessee education and examination path.
Natural Hair Stylist
A licensed 300-hour profession with a broader regulated scope than registration as a hair braider.
Eyelash Specialist
A 300-hour specialty credential. Use the exact eyelash application rather than choosing full aesthetics by mistake.
Master Barber
Barber credential generally using 1,500 hours, with a separate crossover route for qualifying cosmetologists.
Instructor
Requires the underlying professional credential, experience, instructor preparation and continuing education at renewal.
Registered Hair Braider
A registration—not a natural hair stylist license—with its own health-and-hygiene training and public-notice rules.
Shop or School
A separate establishment credential is required where the location or business type falls under Board regulation.
Tennessee Training Hours and Initial Application Checklist
These hours help identify the right route. Your school, Board record and PSI eligibility must still agree before you schedule examinations or submit the final license application.
| Credential | Training or experience | Main next steps |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours | School submits PSI eligibility → pass theory and practical → apply in CORE → pay $60 initial fee. |
| Aesthetician | 750 hours | Complete approved education, examinations and the correct CORE application. |
| Manicurist | 600 hours | Complete approved manicuring education, examinations and CORE licensing. |
| Natural Hair Stylist | 300 hours | Use the licensed natural-hair-stylist path—not hair-braider registration. |
| Eyelash Specialist | 300 hours | Use the eyelash-specific education, examination and CORE application. |
| Master Barber | 1,500 hours | Complete registered barber-school education and applicable examination/application steps. |
| Barber Technician | 340-hour minimum shown in reciprocity guidance | Confirm the current initial-license curriculum directly before enrolling or applying. |
| Instructor | Underlying license held for at least 3 years plus 300 instructor hours, or an applicable junior/assistant route | Complete instructor examination and initial application; later renew with approved CE. |
Initial-license sequence
Confirm the exact credential before enrollment
Make sure the school and program are approved and the curriculum leads to the license type you intend to use.
Match your legal identity
Use the same legal name across school records, PSI registration, photo ID and CORE application.
Have the school establish PSI eligibility
PSI scheduling generally begins only after the school submits the required electronic eligibility information.
Pass both required examinations
Follow the current profession-specific bulletin, equipment, technology, ID and scheduling instructions.
Apply for the license within six months
Attach the required identity and score information in CORE and confirm the public record becomes active before working.
Tennessee Hair Braider Registration Is Not a Cosmetology License
Tennessee hair braiders use a registration route. A registrant must not describe the registration as a natural hair stylist or cosmetology license.
Registration requirements
- Be at least 14 years old.
- Complete 16 hours of health-and-hygiene training.
- Register through CORE.
- Pay the current $30 biennial registration fee.
- Use disposable or properly sanitized instruments.
Important limitations
- Do not claim to be a licensed natural hair stylist without that separate license.
- Display the required notice explaining that a hair braider is not licensed.
- Do not expand into services outside the hair-braiding registration scope.
- A braiding-only location may have different shop rules from a location employing licensed cosmetologists or natural hair stylists.
Tennessee PSI Exams: Eligibility, Scheduling and Two Critical Deadlines
PSI administers Tennessee cosmetology and barber examinations. Theory and practical options may be remotely proctored, while test-center options remain available for candidates who cannot meet the technology requirements.
Tennessee support guidance gives applicants three years to pass both the practical and theory examinations.
After passing, submit the license application within six months or the examinations may have to be taken again.
Use PSI’s updated Tennessee National Exam content documents for examinations on or after this date.
Exam workflow
School submits eligibility
The school or applicable licensing route sends the required eligibility information to PSI.
PSI sends payment and scheduling instructions
Use only the PSI account and instructions connected to your approved eligibility record.
Choose remote or testing-center delivery
Before selecting remote testing, complete the technology check, camera setup and room-rule review.
Use the exact candidate bulletin
Cosmetology, aesthetics, manicuring, eyelash, barber and instructor candidates should not use one generic supply or content list.
Bring matching identification
The name on your registration must match your accepted photo identification and admission notice.
Remote theory check
- Run the computer and camera test before examination day.
- Prepare a private, cleared room that meets PSI rules.
- Review the second-camera and violation instructions.
- Use the test link inside the PSI account.
Virtual practical check
- Watch the current virtual practical tutorial.
- Read the exact setup and submission sequence.
- Watch for the separate evaluator or Webex email.
- Do not buy a kit from an outdated unofficial list.
Tennessee License Renewal Through CORE
The Renew tile normally appears in CORE when the credential is within 60 days of its expiration date. Ordinary practitioner licenses do not use the instructor’s 16-hour CE requirement.
Sign in to the correct CORE account
Use the account linked to the existing license. Do not create repeated accounts when the license is missing from the dashboard.
Confirm you are inside the 60-day window
If the credential is not yet within 60 days of expiration, the Renew tile may not appear.
Review legal name, address and credential
Make sure you are renewing the correct personal, instructor, shop or school record.
Complete additional requirements
Instructors need approved CE. A licensee who has not completed mandatory domestic-violence training may need to complete it.
Pay and verify status afterward
Save the receipt, but use Verify.TN to confirm the credential becomes active/current before relying on it for work.
| Renewal type | Current fee | Extra requirement or warning |
|---|---|---|
| Individual practitioner | $60 | Renew through CORE; ordinary practitioners do not use the instructor’s 16-hour CE rule. |
| Instructor | $70 | Requires 16 hours of approved continuing education. |
| Registered hair braider | $30 | Renew the registration, not a natural hair stylist license. |
| Regular shop or salon | $75 | Track the shop credential separately from every practitioner license. |
| Dual shop | $100 | Use the dually licensed shop record. |
| School | $150 | Cosmetology and barber schools have different expiration and grace rules. |
Domestic-Violence Training and Continuing Education Are Different
A common mistake is applying the instructor CE rule to every Tennessee license holder—or overlooking domestic-violence training because it is not ordinary biennial CE.
Domestic-violence awareness
Initial and reciprocal applicants must complete the required training before license issuance. Existing or reactivating licensees who never completed it may also need proof through CORE or the Board process.
- Use Tennessee’s approved online or in-person option.
- Save the completion proof.
- Do not substitute an unrelated salon-safety course.
16 hours of approved CE
Cosmetology and barber instructors renew with 16 hours of approved continuing education every two years plus the instructor renewal application and $70 fee.
- Use a provider from the current approved list.
- Complete all hours before expecting renewal approval.
- Retain completion records.
Tennessee Expired-Grace and Reinstatement: Costs and Decision Path
An Expired-Grace credential cannot be used for work. The correct route depends on the profession and the amount of time since expiration.
| Status | Cosmetology-side planning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Expired less than 31 days | Check the CORE amount and status immediately. | Complete renewal before additional late-period charges apply. |
| 31 days to 2 years late | $85 planning total: $60 renewal + $25 late fee. | Renew in CORE and confirm active status before working. |
| Between years 2 and 3 | An additional $60 renewal-period charge may apply, creating a $145 planning total. | Let CORE or the Board calculate the exact amount. |
| More than 3 years expired | The license generally becomes invalid and the Application to Test/reinstatement-exam route applies. | Do not submit an ordinary renewal and assume it restores authority. |
Reinstatement checklist
- Search the exact public status first.
- Log into CORE and review available transactions.
- Use the Application to Test when directed.
- Allow approximately 10–15 business days for the Board to process an Application to Test before PSI instructions.
- Complete domestic-violence training if it was never completed.
- Do not work until Verify.TN shows an active credential or the Board provides valid authorization.
Tennessee Cosmetology and Barber Fee Table
Application, examination, license, renewal, shop and records charges are separate. Government fees are generally nonrefundable, so verify the exact transaction before paying.
| Transaction | Current listed amount | Before paying |
|---|---|---|
| Initial individual practitioner license | $60 | Use the exact cosmetologist, aesthetician, manicurist, natural hair or eyelash application. |
| Initial instructor license | $80 | Confirm experience, instructor hours and examination requirements. |
| Hair-braider registration | $30 | This is registration, not a natural hair stylist license. |
| Reciprocity—all license types | $100 | Obtain certifications, transcript and work history where required. |
| New, relocated or ownership-change regular shop | $150 | Prepare owner records and inspection readiness. |
| New dual shop | $200 | Choose dual-shop licensing only when both regulated sides apply. |
| New school | $350 | Separate documentation, inspection and Board-review requirements apply. |
| School relocation or ownership change | $175 | Do not assume a school credential transfers automatically. |
| Duplicate license | $25 | Request through the appropriate CORE update transaction. |
| Name change | $10 | Prepare legal proof and matching identification. |
| License certification to another state | $50 | Use the license-certification request, not a public lookup printout. |
| Student certification of hours | $25 | Submit the correct form, payment type and mailing information. |
Tennessee Cosmetology Reciprocity: Documents, Work History and Conflict Warning
Reciprocity is a case-by-case out-of-state application, not an automatic transfer. Do not work until the Tennessee credential is issued or Verify.TN shows it as active.
Request certification from every licensing state
Tennessee asks for certification history from each state in which you held a license. At least one license generally needs to be current.
Open the correct “Out of State” CORE application
Select the Tennessee license type that matches your current credential and intended services.
Upload photo identification
Make sure the legal name matches your state certifications and CORE record.
Provide education records
Submit a transcript of education hours unless the current Tennessee instructions exempt your source jurisdiction, such as the listed Georgia exception.
Add work history when school hours are short
Useful evidence may include tax returns showing the occupation, sworn affidavits or employer letters on company letterhead showing role and dates.
Pay $100 and wait for review
Allow roughly three to four weeks after the online application, recognizing that certification delivery and deficiencies can extend the process.
| Tennessee credential | Minimum-hour reference | Reciprocity concern |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,500 | Lower-hour states may trigger work-history review. |
| Master Barber | 1,500 | Match the barber credential and lawful practice history. |
| Manicurist | 600 | Do not submit a general cosmetology application for a nail credential. |
| Aesthetician | 750 | Education and license scope must align with Tennessee aesthetics. |
| Eyelash Specialist | 300 | Use the eyelash specialty category. |
| Natural Hair Stylist | 300 | Do not confuse the license with hair-braider registration. |
| Barber Technician | 340 | Confirm this category matches the out-of-state credential. |
Tennessee Form and Record Chooser
Not every request is completed by pressing Renew. Choose the document or transaction that matches the outcome you need.
| Your goal | Likely form or transaction | Preparation tip |
|---|---|---|
| Renew a current credential | CORE renewal transaction | Look for the Renew tile within 60 days of expiration. |
| Apply from another state | CORE “Out of State” application | Request certification from every state before waiting for Tennessee review. |
| Retest or reinstate an invalid license | Application to Test | Use it only when the Board or expired-status guidance directs you to examinations. |
| Send official license proof to another state | License Certification request | A public lookup printout is not the same as Board-issued certification. |
| Obtain certified student hours | Student Hours Certification form | Current charge is $25; use the mailing and payment method shown on the form. |
| Open a shop | CORE new-shop application | Prepare owner IDs, eligibility forms, local business license and inspection readiness. |
| Move a shop | Change of Location application | An inspector must approve the new location before opening. |
| Change shop ownership | CORE Change in Ownership application | A shop license does not automatically transfer with a sale. |
| Replace a license | CORE Duplicate – With Fee transaction | Current duplicate fee is $25. |
| Update a personal address | CORE My License or Permit update | Tennessee requires address changes within 30 days; the update itself has no fee. |
Tennessee Cosmetology Shop, Barber Shop and School Licensing
A personal license does not license the business location. New shops, relocated shops and ownership changes must use the appropriate establishment process and inspection path.
Choose the exact shop type
Options include cosmetology, barber, dual, manicure, skin care, natural hair styling, eyelash and combined specialty categories.
Prepare every owner
Gather the county-clerk business license, eligibility-verification form and photo identification for each owner where required.
Wait for inspector contact
Allow approximately ten business days for application processing. A field inspector then contacts the applicant to arrange inspection.
New cosmetology shop checklist
- Complete the correct CORE shop application.
- Upload the local county-clerk business license.
- Provide an eligibility-verification form for each owner.
- Provide photo identification for each owner.
- Pay the current $150 shop application fee.
- Prepare sanitation, equipment, license-display and facility requirements.
- Do not open before the required inspection and approval.
School renewal differences
Cosmetology schools
Expire August 31 annually. The grace period runs through September 30 with a $25 late fee. After that date, the school license becomes invalid and reapplication is required.
Barber schools
Expire one year from the original licensing month. Tennessee describes a one-year grace period with a $25 late fee, followed by reapplication when the period is exceeded.
Tennessee Student Hours, School Services and Crossover Paths
Students, graduates and licensed professionals moving between barber and cosmetology categories often need records or a specialized path rather than a standard initial application.
Student services in school
Tennessee rules allow certain supervised student services after minimum progress, including cosmetology after 200 hours, manicuring after 100 hours and aesthetics after 150 hours. Services must remain inside the licensed school and supervision rules.
Certified student hours
A former student who is not yet licensed can request certified proof of hours using the Student Hours Certification form and current $25 fee.
Barber/cosmetology crossover
Some applicants can use a 300-hour crossover route or request an examination waiver after holding the other qualifying license continuously for five years. Use the current Board instructions before enrolling.
Tennessee Cosmetology Complaint: What the Board Can and Cannot Do
The Board investigates possible violations and may take disciplinary action. Its complaint process is not private legal representation and is not designed to recover money for an individual consumer.
Prepare useful evidence
- Verify the professional and shop records first.
- Record the date, time, address and service.
- Save receipts, messages and appointment records.
- Attach clear, original photos or documents.
- Write a chronological explanation without speculation.
- Identify witnesses and the people involved.
Understand the limits
- The Board cannot provide personal legal advice.
- The Board does not represent consumers in private disputes.
- Discipline does not automatically produce a refund or reimbursement.
- CORE login problems should not be filed as disciplinary complaints.
- Immediate medical or criminal emergencies belong with the appropriate emergency or law-enforcement service.
High-Cost Tennessee Licensing Mistakes
Waiting more than six months after passing
Passing the examinations does not leave the application open forever. Submit the license application within six months.
Using pre-August exam content
Candidates testing on or after August 17, 2026 should use the updated PSI content documents.
Working in Expired-Grace status
Eligibility to renew does not authorize practice while the credential is expired.
Calling hair-braider registration a license
Hair-braider registration and a licensed natural hair stylist credential are different.
Using old reciprocity work-history rules
Current official sources conflict; obtain current CORE or written Board instructions.
Opening a shop before inspection
Submitting and paying the application is not the same as receiving establishment approval.
Creating duplicate CORE accounts
Request record-linking help when the existing license does not appear.
Paying from an old fee screenshot
Use the current portal—especially where Tennessee’s retirement pages conflict.
Treating a receipt as active status
Verify the final public license record before working, hiring or opening.
Official Tennessee Action Links
The article explains each process first. Use these official pages for live status, final submission, payment, current documents and licensing decisions.
Board resources
Choose individual, shop, school, forms, fees, PSI or CE resources.
Open Board ResourcesSupport articles
Review Tennessee’s current applicant, renewal, shop and general help articles.
Open Support CenterRelated guides on this website
For broader background, use the U.S. cosmetology license guide, the cosmetology state board test guide, and the barbering and cosmetology board guide. Tennessee’s official requirements on this page take priority for Tennessee applications.
Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology FAQ
What is the Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology phone number?
The Tennessee Cosmetology and Barber division directory lists 615-741-2515 and toll-free 800-480-9285. The general Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance number is 615-741-2241, and PSI examination support is 855-340-3710.
How do I verify a Tennessee cosmetology or barber license?
Use Tennessee’s official Verify.TN search. Confirm the legal name, credential category, current status and expiration. Search a shop or school separately because a practitioner license does not license the business location.
When can I renew a Tennessee cosmetology license?
The Renew tile normally appears in CORE when the license is within 60 days of expiration. The current individual practitioner renewal fee is $60. Save the receipt and verify that the public status becomes active after processing.
Do Tennessee cosmetologists need 16 hours of continuing education?
The 16-hour approved CE requirement applies to cosmetology and barber instructor renewal. Ordinary practitioner licenses do not use that instructor CE requirement. Mandatory domestic-violence training is a separate requirement.
What happens when a Tennessee cosmetology license is expired?
A license in Expired-Grace status cannot be used for work. From 31 days through two years, Tennessee guidance lists an $85 cosmetology-side total consisting of the $60 renewal and $25 late fee. Additional charges can apply between years two and three. After three years, the reinstatement-exam route generally applies.
How long do I have to pass and apply after the Tennessee PSI exams?
Tennessee support guidance gives applicants three years to pass both the theory and practical examinations. After passing both, the applicant has six months to apply for the license or may have to retake the examinations.
Is Tennessee changing its cosmetology exam in August 2026?
PSI lists updated National Exam content for Tennessee effective August 17, 2026. Candidates testing on or after that date should use the updated Tennessee content outline, candidate bulletin and PSI tutorials.
How much is Tennessee cosmetology reciprocity?
The current official fee page and April 2026 reciprocity support article list a $100 reciprocity fee. Applicants also need license certification history, identification, education records and work-history proof when prior school hours are below Tennessee requirements.
Does a Tennessee hair braider need a cosmetology license?
Tennessee uses a hair-braider registration rather than a conventional cosmetology license. The registrant must be at least 14, complete 16 hours of health-and-hygiene training, pay the $30 registration fee and comply with notice and sanitation requirements.
Can I open a Tennessee salon with only my personal license?
No. The shop or salon location uses a separate licensing and inspection process. A new cosmetology shop application generally requires the CORE application, county business license, owner identification and eligibility records, a $150 fee and inspection approval before opening.
Final Tennessee License Checklist
- Verify the correct professional and business records.
- Use CORE for the exact license or transaction category.
- Match your legal name across school, PSI, ID and CORE.
- Use updated PSI content for tests on or after August 17, 2026.
- Pass both exams within three years and apply within six months after passing.
- Complete domestic-violence training when required.
- Apply the 16-hour CE rule only to instructor renewal.
- Do not work under Expired-Grace, retired, inactive or pending status.
- Resolve reciprocity and retirement source conflicts with current written Board instructions.
- Wait for shop inspection and approval before opening.
- Confirm active status in Verify.TN after every application or renewal.
Independent-site notice: board-of-cosmetology.org is not the Tennessee government or the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. Official Tennessee records, laws, PSI instructions and Board determinations control.