How to Get an Alabama Cosmetology License
To become a licensed cosmetologist in Alabama, you generally need to be at least 16 years old, have completed at least the 10th grade or equivalent, be legally permitted to work in the United States, complete either 1,500 school hours or 3,000 apprenticeship hours, and pass the required written and practical examinations.
The Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, commonly abbreviated ABOCB, regulates cosmetologists and administers the licensing process. PSI is the Board’s current examination vendor.
Alabama Cosmetology License Requirements at a Glance
Alabama provides two main training routes to cosmetologist licensure: complete 1,500 clock hours at a licensed or registered cosmetology school, or complete 3,000 clock hours as a registered apprentice. School hours and apprentice hours cannot simply be combined to reach the requirement.
After training, the candidate enters the examination process. The Board currently charges $75 for the written examination and $130 for the practical examination. After the required exams are passed, the current original-license fee is $50.
Basic Eligibility for an Alabama Cosmetology License
The Alabama Board lists three general requirements that apply before a person can obtain a Board-regulated professional license.
Age
You must be at least 16 years old.
Education
You must have completed at least 10 grades of secondary school or the equivalent.
Work eligibility
You must be legally permitted to work in the United States.
These are the baseline requirements. Cosmetology also has its own training and examination requirements described below.
Alabama Cosmetology School Hours vs Apprenticeship Hours
| Training route | Required hours | Where training occurs | Important rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology school | 1,500 clock hours | Licensed or registered cosmetology school | The school records and certifies completion to the Board. |
| Apprenticeship | 3,000 clock hours | Licensed shop under an eligible sponsor | The apprentice must be properly registered before training begins. |
Alabama cosmetology apprenticeship
An apprentice trains in a licensed shop under a current licensee who meets Alabama’s sponsoring requirements. The Board currently lists 3,000 cosmetology apprentice hours, normally completed within three years.
Before an apprentice begins training, the sponsor must obtain the required apprenticeship work permit from the Board. The sponsor and shop owner are responsible for maintaining apprenticeship-hour documentation.
How to Get an Alabama Cosmetology License Step by Step
Confirm that you meet the basic requirements
Make sure you satisfy Alabama’s age, education and work-eligibility requirements before committing to the licensing route.
Choose school or apprenticeship
Complete either 1,500 school hours or 3,000 apprenticeship hours. Use a Board-recognized training route and make sure your records are properly reported.
Complete the training program
Your school instructor or apprenticeship sponsor must document completion through the Board process. Keep your own copies of important training records when available.
Submit the written-exam application
After training completion, submit the required exam application and supporting documents to ABOCB. The current written-exam fee is $75.
Wait for Board authorization
Do not schedule the PSI examination before ABOCB approves your application. PSI sends scheduling information after Board authorization.
Pass the written examination
Use the current PSI Alabama cosmetology candidate material to prepare. Follow the identification and testing instructions exactly.
Complete the practical examination
The current Alabama practical-exam fee is $130. Review the current candidate instructions before assembling your kit or traveling to the test site.
Pay the original-license fee after passing
After passing the required practical examination, follow the Board’s instructions for the original license. The current original-license fee is $50.
Verify your Alabama license
After issuance, use Alabama’s official license-verification system to confirm that the credential is active and displays the correct information.
Documents Needed for the Alabama Written-Exam Application
The Board’s current exam instructions identify several documents that candidates should prepare when submitting the written-exam application after completing school or apprenticeship training.
Identity and education
- Proof of completion of at least 10th grade, such as an accepted diploma, transcript or GED record.
- Government-issued photo identification.
- Copy of Social Security card.
- A 2×2 photograph.
Training and payment
- Official transcript of completed program hours.
- Completed written-exam application supplied after training completion.
- Current $75 written-examination fee.
Alabama Cosmetology Written and Practical Exams
PSI is the Board’s examination vendor. Candidates cannot schedule simply because training has been completed; ABOCB must first approve the examination application.
Written examination
Current Board fee: $75. Wait for ABOCB approval and the PSI scheduling notification before attempting to book.
Practical examination
Current Board fee: $130. Use the current Alabama practical candidate information and test instructions.
PSI scheduling
After authorization, scheduling is available through PSI. The Board also lists PSI candidate scheduling assistance at 800-211-2754.
Read Alabama exam scheduling instructions · Open the PSI Alabama testing page
Can You Work While Taking the Alabama Cosmetology Exams?
The Board currently provides a Pending Exam Permit after a completed written-exam application is received for a person who has finished the required school or apprenticeship program.
Permit length
The Pending Exam Permit lasts six months. The Board states that only one permit is issued and it is not extended.
After expiration
When the permit expires, the candidate may no longer perform covered salon services under that permit while waiting for the original license.
Because the permit is limited, schedule and complete the required exams early enough to avoid reaching the six-month deadline.
Alabama Cosmetology License and Exam Fees
| Transaction | Current fee | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Written examination or reexamination | $75 | Written test or written retest. |
| Practical examination or reexamination | $130 | Practical test or practical retest. |
| Original personal license | $50 | Initial license after applicable requirements are completed. |
| Personal license renewal | $100 | Ordinary personal-license renewal. |
| Late charge | $54 | Applies when renewal is late under the applicable deadline. |
| Out-of-state reciprocity | $100 | Application to transfer a qualifying current out-of-state license. |
| Duplicate personal license | $25 | Replacement credential. |
| Letter of certification | $25 per state | Formal Alabama certification sent for another jurisdiction. |
Confirm the current transaction and amount on the Alabama Board fee page before paying, especially for reciprocity, reinstatement or a previously expired credential.
Important Alabama Exam Rule Change Effective May 15, 2026
Alabama changed its examination rules in 2026. Candidates now have a 24-month examination eligibility period and must pass all required examinations within that period or reapply to test.
24-month deadline
If the eligibility period expires, the candidate must reapply to test. Previously passed examination credit is forfeited when the period expires.
Old extra-hours rule removed
The 2026 change removed the former automatic additional-training requirement that was tied to a third failed exam attempt.
Candidates can retake a failed examination after the prior result is released, as long as the 24-month eligibility period has not expired.
Transfer an Out-of-State Cosmetology License to Alabama
If you already hold a current cosmetology license in another state, Alabama provides a reciprocity route. The process is different from starting a new 1,500-hour Alabama school program.
Keep your current license active
The Alabama Board states that an applicant transferring from another state must hold a current license in that state.
Request certification from your current state
Your current licensing authority must send a certification of licensure directly to the Alabama Board.
Submit the Alabama reciprocity application
Complete the Board’s Application for Reciprocity to Alabama. The current nonrefundable out-of-state reciprocity fee is $100.
Wait for examination determination
Alabama will notify you whether you must take the practical examination or both the written and practical examinations.
Complete any required testing
When required, the current written-exam fee is $75 and the practical-exam fee is $130.
Verify the Alabama license after approval
Use the official public database to confirm the Alabama credential after the reciprocity process is completed.
Alabama Cosmetology License Renewal
Cosmetologists normally renew during their birth month in odd-numbered years. A normally current cosmetologist therefore is generally not in a regular renewal cycle during 2026 and will look to the applicable birth-month deadline in 2027.
Normal renewal fee
The current personal-license renewal fee is $100.
Late charge
The current late charge is $54 when the applicable renewal deadline is missed.
Expired more than 4 years
A separate reinstatement process applies. The Board says a practical examination is required before completing the applicable back-fee process.
This article focuses on obtaining the license. For the current login process, renewal form, birth-month cycle, late renewal, printing and reinstatement details, use the dedicated guide.
Verify an Alabama Cosmetology License
After the license is issued, use the Alabama Board’s official public verification system rather than relying only on a paper credential, social profile or business website.
The state lookup supports searches for professionals, shops and schools. Search the practitioner and establishment separately when both credentials matter.
Natural Hair Styling Changes on October 1, 2026
A 2026 Alabama law change takes effect on October 1, 2026 and changes licensing for services limited to natural hair styling. This does not eliminate Alabama’s ordinary cosmetologist license or its requirements for broader cosmetology services.
Services involving broader regulated cosmetology practices should still be evaluated under the applicable cosmetology, esthetics, manicure or other Alabama credential.
Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering Contact Information
The Board is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Alabama state holidays.
Physical Office
Alabama Board of Cosmetology and BarberingRSA Union Building
100 North Union Street, Suite 324
Montgomery, AL 36104
Mailing Address
Alabama Board of Cosmetology and BarberingP.O. Box 301750
Montgomery, AL 36130-1750
General Contact
Phone: 334-242-1918
Toll-free: 800-815-7453
Email: cosmetology@aboc.alabama.gov
Exams & Original Licenses
Phone: 334-353-7256
Email: exams@aboc.alabama.gov
Alabama Cosmetology License FAQs
How many hours do I need for an Alabama cosmetology license?
How old do I have to be to become an Alabama cosmetologist?
How much are the Alabama cosmetology exams?
How much is the original Alabama cosmetology license?
Who administers the Alabama cosmetology exams?
How long do I have to pass the Alabama cosmetology exams?
Can I work while waiting to pass my Alabama cosmetology exams?
Can I transfer an out-of-state cosmetology license to Alabama?
How much is Alabama cosmetology reciprocity?
When do Alabama cosmetologists renew their licenses?
What is the Alabama Board of Cosmetology phone number?
Board-of-Cosmetology.org is not the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, PSI or the State of Alabama. Licensing decisions, examination authorization, fees, license status and legal requirements are controlled by the applicable official authority. Submit identity documents, Social Security information, applications and payments only through official Board or authorized testing channels.
Best Next Step: Choose Your Alabama Licensing Route
If you are starting from scratch, decide whether the 1,500-hour school route or 3,000-hour apprenticeship route applies to you. After completing training, submit the Board examination application, wait for authorization, complete the required exams and verify the issued Alabama license.