Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering: License Help in One Place
The Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering regulates cosmetology, Class 2 barbering, esthetics, manicuring, certain combined credentials, shops and private schools across Alabama.
Use this guide to reach the correct official service for license verification, applications, exams, renewal, reciprocity, shops, complaints and Board contact help.
What Does the Alabama Board Handle?
The Board handles licensing and regulation for covered beauty and barbering professions, shops and private schools. It also provides public license verification, examinations, renewals, reciprocity, forms, inspections, complaints and licensing records.
Choose the Alabama Board Service You Need
Check a license
Verify a practitioner, shop or school through Alabama’s official public licensing system before relying on a paper credential.
Official License VerificationRenew a personal license
Use the Board’s current personal-license renewal route. The Board introduced a newer online system that requires users of the former system to create a new account.
Renewal InstructionsFind the correct form
Use the official forms directory for apprentices, barbers, renewals, shops, schools, reciprocity, duplicate licenses and other transactions.
Open Board FormsRegister for exams
Review required school or apprentice hours, written and practical exam fees, documentation and PSI scheduling rules.
Exam RequirementsTransfer a license to Alabama
Out-of-state applicants must follow Alabama’s reciprocity process and arrange for certification from the licensing state.
Reciprocity HelpFile a complaint
Use the Board’s complaint process for matters within its licensing and regulatory jurisdiction.
Complaint InformationWho the Alabama Board Regulates
The Board’s current law page identifies the professional and business categories within its jurisdiction. The exact credential matters because training, examination and renewal requirements are not identical for every license type.
Covered professional and business categories
- Class 2 barbers
- Cosmetologists
- Estheticians
- Esthetician/Manicurists
- Eyebrow Threaders
- Manicurists
- Manicurist/Waxers
- Covered shops
- Private schools teaching Board-regulated practices
Important jurisdiction limits
The Board states that it does not regulate Class 1 barbers.
Its published jurisdiction also does not cover complaints simply about performance, personalities or behavior, service prices, or contracts between students and schools.
Natural hair styling changes on October 1, 2026; see the dedicated section below before assuming a natural-hair-only provider must hold a Board license.
Alabama Cosmetology License Lookup
Use Alabama’s official public license-verification system when you need to confirm whether a practitioner, shop or school record can be matched to a Board credential.
Search the official record
When available, a license number is usually the strongest identifier. Name, shop and school searches are useful when the credential number is unavailable.
Verify personal and shop credentials separately
A practitioner’s personal license and a shop’s license are separate records. Confirm both when both credentials matter to the service or business you are checking.
For detailed search troubleshooting, use our Alabama Cosmetology License Lookup guide.
Alabama Cosmetology, Barber, Esthetician and Nail Training Requirements
The Board allows school and apprenticeship routes for several credential types, but school hours and apprentice hours cannot be combined to make up one qualification route.
| License type | School hours | Apprentice hours | Typical apprenticeship time limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,500 | 3,000 | 3 years |
| Class 2 Barber | 1,000 | 2,000 | 2 years |
| Esthetician | 1,000 | 2,000 | 3 years |
| Manicurist | 750 | 1,200 | 2 years |
Instructor qualification
Alabama’s instructor rules require a valid license in the applicable practice area plus either 1,500 hours in an approved teacher-training course or one year of active shop experience plus 650 school hours, along with the other statutory qualifications.
Alabama Cosmetology Examination Process
After a student or apprentice completes the required program, the teacher or sponsor assists with the written exam application. The Board must approve the candidate before PSI scheduling becomes available.
Complete the required training
Finish the full school or apprenticeship requirement for the credential you are seeking.
Prepare the written-exam application
The Board currently requires documentation including proof of at least a 10th-grade education, government-issued photo ID, Social Security card, a 2×2 photograph and an official transcript of completed program hours.
Pay the written-exam fee
The current written examination or reexamination fee is $75.
Wait for Board approval
PSI scheduling is available only after the Alabama Board approves the examination application.
Complete required examinations
The practical examination fee is currently $130. Current rules give candidates 24 months from the original examination-application date to pass all required examinations.
Pay for the original license after passing
The current Alabama original-license fee is $50.
Current Alabama Board Fees
Use the exact transaction type before paying. Personal, shop, school, examination and reciprocity fees are separate.
| Transaction | Current fee |
|---|---|
| Written examination or reexamination | $75 |
| Practical examination or reexamination | $130 |
| Original personal license | $50 |
| Personal license renewal | $100 |
| Late fee | $54 |
| Out-of-state reciprocity | $100 |
| Letter of certification | $25 per state |
| Duplicate license | $25 |
| New shop | $200 |
| Shop renewal | $150 |
| New school | $300 |
| School renewal | $200 |
Alabama Cosmetology and Barber License Renewal Rules
Alabama does not use the same renewal year for every personal credential. The renewal cycle depends on the license category.
| Credential | Normal renewal year | Deadline pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Odd-numbered years | Last day of licensee’s birth month |
| Esthetician | Odd-numbered years | Last day of licensee’s birth month |
| Manicurist | Odd-numbered years | Last day of licensee’s birth month |
| Eyebrow Threader | Odd-numbered years | Last day of licensee’s birth month |
| Class 2 Barber | Even-numbered years | Last day of licensee’s birth month |
| Shop or school | Odd-numbered years | Expires Sept. 30; regular renewal by Oct. 31 |
The current personal-renewal fee is $100. A $54 late charge applies after the applicable personal-license deadline.
For the detailed portal, late-renewal and reinstatement workflow, see the Alabama Cosmetology License Renewal guide.
Transfer an Out-of-State Cosmetology License to Alabama
Alabama calls the transfer process reciprocity. The applicant must hold a current license in another state and arrange for certification of licensure to be sent directly from that licensing authority to the Alabama Board.
Request certification from your current state
The certification must be sent directly from the current licensing state to the Alabama Board.
Submit the Alabama reciprocity application
The Board cannot complete the reciprocity review until it receives the required license certification.
Pay the reciprocity fee
The current non-refundable out-of-state reciprocity application fee is $100.
Wait for Alabama’s examination determination
The Board determines whether the applicant must complete the practical examination or both written and practical examinations.
Current examination charges are $75 for the written examination and $130 for the practical examination when those tests are required.
Alabama Shop and School Licensing
Personal professional licenses do not replace shop or school licenses. Alabama separately regulates shops performing covered services and private schools teaching Board-regulated practices.
New shop
The current new-shop license fee is $200.
Shop renewal
The current shop renewal fee is $150.
Private school renewal
The current private-school renewal fee is $200.
Shop and school licenses expire September 30 and are normally renewed by October 31 in odd-numbered years. A $54 late fee applies after that point.
Important Natural Hair Styling Change Effective October 1, 2026
Alabama Senate Bill 183 changes the licensing treatment of natural hair styling effective October 1, 2026.
Natural-hair-only services
Under the enacted law, a person who practices natural hair styling as defined by Alabama law will not be required to hold a Board license solely for that activity.
Facilities where only natural hair styling is performed are also covered by the exemption.
Other regulated services remain different
The exemption does not turn cutting, coloring, permanent waving, relaxing, chemical treatment or other separately regulated cosmetology services into unlicensed natural-hair services.
The law also preserves the availability of a voluntary natural hairstylist license for qualifying applicants.
How to File an Alabama Cosmetology Complaint
The Board provides both an online complaint route and a printable complaint form for matters within its jurisdiction.
Complaint requirements
- Provide a signed complaint when using the paper process.
- Include a current mailing address and phone number.
- Be prepared to testify if the matter proceeds to a hearing.
- The Board states that anonymous complaints are not acknowledged.
Alabama Board of Cosmetology Contact Information
Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
Physical address
RSA Union Building
100 North Union Street, Suite 324
Montgomery, AL 36104
Mailing address
P.O. Box 301750
Montgomery, AL 36130-1750
Public office hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., except Alabama state holidays.
Use the Correct Alabama Board Department
Sending a licensing question directly to the department that handles that transaction can be more useful than sending every issue to the general mailbox.
| Issue | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Personal license renewals | 334-242-1947 | personal.license@aboc.alabama.gov |
| Exams and original licenses after exam | 334-353-7256 | exams@aboc.alabama.gov |
| Apprentices | 334-242-1912 | apprentices@aboc.alabama.gov |
| New shops and shop renewals | 334-242-1917 | shops@aboc.alabama.gov |
| New schools and school renewals | 334-242-1917 | schools@aboc.alabama.gov |
| Out-of-state reciprocity | 334-353-1822 | reciprocity@aboc.alabama.gov |
| Complaints and legal matters | 334-242-1915 | Use Board complaint/legal contact |
Official Alabama Board Resources
Alabama Board of Cosmetology FAQs
What is the Alabama Board of Cosmetology phone number?
The Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering lists 334-242-1918 as its main phone number and 1-800-815-7453 as its toll-free number.
Where is the Alabama Board of Cosmetology located?
The physical office is in the RSA Union Building at 100 North Union Street, Suite 324, Montgomery, Alabama 36104. The mailing address is P.O. Box 301750, Montgomery, AL 36130-1750.
How many hours are required for an Alabama cosmetology license?
Alabama currently requires 1,500 school hours or 3,000 apprenticeship hours for the cosmetologist examination route. School and apprenticeship hours may not be combined.
How much is the Alabama cosmetology license exam?
The current written exam or reexamination fee is $75 and the practical exam or reexamination fee is $130. The original license fee after qualifying is currently $50.
How much is Alabama cosmetology license renewal?
The current personal-license renewal fee is $100. The current late charge is $54 when it applies.
Do Alabama cosmetologists renew in 2026?
A normally current cosmetologist does not use 2026 as the regular renewal year. Cosmetologists and several other non-barber personal credentials normally renew during the licensee’s birth month in odd-numbered years, so the next ordinary cycle is 2027. Class 2 barbers use even-numbered renewal years.
How do I verify an Alabama cosmetology license?
Use the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering’s official License Verification system. Search the exact practitioner, shop or school record and compare the credential information before relying on a paper license.
How do I transfer an out-of-state cosmetology license to Alabama?
Request certification of your current license from the other state and have it sent directly to the Alabama Board, then submit Alabama’s reciprocity application and $100 non-refundable reciprocity fee. The Board determines whether an examination is required.
Does Alabama regulate Class 1 barbers?
No. The Alabama Board’s current law page specifically lists Class 1 barbers among the groups it does not regulate.
Will natural hair styling require an Alabama license after October 1, 2026?
Senate Bill 183 provides that people practicing only natural hair styling as defined by Alabama law, and facilities where only that activity is performed, are not required to hold a Board license beginning October 1, 2026. A voluntary natural hairstylist license remains available to qualifying applicants.
How do I file a complaint with the Alabama Board?
Use the Board’s online complaint system or its complaint form. Paper complaints must be signed and include a current mailing address and phone number. The Board states that anonymous complaints are not acknowledged.
Before You Contact or Pay the Alabama Board
- Confirm your exact license or permit type.
- Verify the current public license record.
- Use the correct personal, shop or school transaction.
- Check the current Board fee before paying.
- Use the correct renewal year for your credential.
- Keep your license or Record ID available.
- Use reciprocity rather than an initial application when appropriate.
- Check the October 1, 2026 natural-hair law change when relevant.
- Use the correct Board department for faster routing.
- Rely on Alabama’s official record for final legal status.
Independent guide: Board-of-Cosmetology.org is not affiliated with the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. Official Alabama statutes, administrative rules, forms, Board notices and licensing records control.