Montana Board of Cosmetology: License, Renewal, Lookup & Rules
If you searched for the Montana Board of Cosmetology, the official regulator is the Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. Use this guide to choose the correct state service for license lookup, renewal, a new application, apprenticeship, out-of-state licensing, salon or booth licensing, rules and Board contact.
Find the Right Montana Licensing Action Before You Pay
The Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists regulates barbering, barbering nonchemical, cosmetology, electrology, esthetics and manicuring. It also licenses related teachers, schools, salons/shops and booth renters. The Board does not regulate tattooing, body or ear piercing, permanent makeup or microblading.
Use the public license lookup when you only need to check a credential. Use the professional licensing portal for your own application or renewal. Use Montana’s separate verification-request service when another board or organization needs formal verification sent by the state.
Montana Board of Cosmetology vs the Official Board Name
“Montana Board of Cosmetology” and “Montana State Board of Cosmetology” are common search phrases, but the current regulator is the Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists, within the Montana Department of Labor & Industry.
This distinction matters when searching for forms, rules, staff contacts or a license record. Older web pages, third-party directories or search snippets may use a shortened Board name.
What the Montana Board Regulates
Regulated by this Board
- Barbering
- Barbering nonchemical
- Cosmetology
- Electrology
- Esthetics
- Manicuring
- Teachers
- Schools and courses
- Salons and shops
- Booth rentals
Not regulated by this Board
- Tattooing
- Body piercing
- Ear piercing
- Permanent makeup
- Microblading
For these services, use the appropriate Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services information rather than assuming the cosmetology Board controls the activity.
Montana License Task Helper
This helper does not connect to the Montana licensing database or collect personal information. It only identifies the correct official starting route.
Montana Board of Cosmetology License Lookup
Montana’s public Licensee Lookup System is the starting point for checking a professional or regulated business credential. Use it instead of relying on an old printed license, social-media profile, salon website or third-party directory.
Open Montana’s public license lookup
Use the official Montana Licensee Lookup System.
Use the strongest identifier
Search by the complete license number when you have it. Otherwise use the professional or business name and narrow the result carefully.
Match the credential type
A cosmetologist, esthetician, manicurist, barber, teacher, booth renter and salon/shop can have different state records. Do not treat one credential as proof of another.
Check status and expiration
Finding the correct name is only the first step. Confirm that the credential category, current status and dates match the activity you are checking.
Verify the establishment separately
If the practitioner works from a salon, shop or booth arrangement, verify the applicable business credential separately from the individual’s practice license.
Save dated proof when appropriate
For hiring, booth rental, insurance or another decision that depends on current licensure, save the lookup date and a current copy of the public record.
Public License Lookup vs Montana License Verification
| Service | Use it when | Login | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensee Lookup | You want to check public license information yourself. | No personal licensing account required. | Best for ordinary status and credential checks. |
| Professional Licensing Portal | You need to apply, renew or manage your own credential. | Account required. | This is the transaction system, not the public lookup. |
| MT License Verification | Another board or organization requires formal verification from Montana. | Follow the official verification-request process. | Different from simply printing the public lookup result. |
Montana Cosmetology License Renewal
Individual practice licenses use a biennial renewal cycle. The Board’s general renewal guidance lists the regular individual renewal period as January 2 through March 1, with online late renewal available for 45 days through April 15.
Verify the existing license first
Check the public record for the exact credential type, status and expiration date.
Confirm whether continuing education applies
Ordinary practice licensees do not currently have a routine Board CE requirement. Teachers have a separate 30-hour requirement.
Update contact information
Make sure your mailing address and email are current before completing the renewal. Email is a primary Board communication method.
Use your existing licensing account
Open the renewal transaction for the credential rather than starting an unrelated original-license application.
Read the live fee before paying
Because some older Board pages still show pre-November-2025 fees, compare the portal amount with the current rule and contact staff if the transaction appears inconsistent.
Verify the resulting public record
Save your payment confirmation, then check the public license record after processing. A payment receipt alone does not prove that the resulting credential has the expected status.
Lapsed, Expired and Terminated Montana Licenses
Montana law distinguishes a lapsed license from an expired or terminated license. The stage changes according to the time since the renewal date and determines what must happen next.
| Status stage | General timing | General rule | Practical action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current | Before the applicable renewal deadline | The credential has not entered the late stage. | Renew during the applicable regular window. |
| Lapsed | First 45 days after the renewal date | Generally may be reactivated by completing the renewal process and required fees. | Resolve the renewal immediately. |
| Expired | After the first 45 days and within two years of the renewal date | May generally be reactivated if the statutory and Board requirements are met. | Use the appropriate reactivation route rather than assuming an ordinary renewal applies. |
| Terminated | Generally after two years without renewal or reactivation | The old credential generally may not be reactivated. | Current original-license requirements can apply. |
Montana Cosmetology Fees: Current Rule vs Older Board Pages
Montana’s November 2025 rule adoption changed several licensing fees. This is important because some credential-specific pages have not been fully synchronized with the adopted fee rule.
| Credential or action | Current adopted-rule amount | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Practice license: cosmetology, barbering, barbering nonchemical, electrology, esthetics or manicuring | $100 | Original and renewal fee. Raised from $80 effective November 22, 2025. |
| Active teacher license | $115 | Current adopted-rule amount. Some older teacher-page text may show $95 for renewal. |
| Inactive instructor license | $85 | Inactive status does not authorize active practice as a teacher. |
| School license | $220 | Separate school/course inspection fee is $200. |
| Additional course within a cosmetology school | $70 | Separate from the main school license. |
| Salon or shop license | $125 | Initial inspection fee is separately listed at $150. |
| Salon/shop inspection | $150 | Do not combine this with the license fee when comparing Board amounts. |
| Booth rental | $95 | Original and renewal fee under the amended rule. |
| NIC examinations | Vendor-set | Exam fees are paid according to the contracted examination administrator’s instructions. |
First Montana Cosmetology License: School Route
For the school-based cosmetology route, Montana requires a qualifying course of study and the applicable licensing examinations. The current curriculum provides for 1,500 hours of cosmetology education.
1,500-hour program
Complete the Board-required cosmetology curriculum through an approved educational route.
Theory + practical
Applicants must meet the examination requirements that correspond with the credential.
Apply through Montana
Use the professional licensing system and follow the checklist for documents that must be uploaded or sent directly from their original source.
Montana Cosmetology Exams
Montana uses National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology examinations. The Board’s current exam information says Montana’s NIC exams are administered by Prov, Inc.
Theory minimum
75% is the current minimum passing score for the theory examination.
Practical minimum
75% is the current minimum passing score for the practical examination.
Early eligibility
A Montana school student may be made eligible to test after completing 90% of the applicable educational requirements.
Montana Cosmetology Apprenticeship Pathway
Montana created a new apprenticeship pathway through rule changes effective November 22, 2025. Apprenticeships are available for barbering, cosmetology, electrology, esthetics and manicuring through the Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program.
Cosmetology apprenticeship
The current cosmetology pathway uses a registered apprenticeship rather than simply informal salon employment. The program must operate under Montana’s apprenticeship requirements and Board rules.
Examination still matters
Completing an apprenticeship does not remove the applicable licensing examinations. The Board’s rules require the qualifying theory and practical exams or approved equivalents.
The Board’s current rule package describes a cosmetology apprenticeship as a 3,000-hour pathway, including the required theory/basic-training components. Employers interested in sponsoring apprentices should use the Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program rather than creating an informal training arrangement and calling it an apprenticeship.
Moving to Montana With an Out-of-State Cosmetology License
Montana’s 2025 changes also affected pathways for people who already hold a license in another jurisdiction. Do not assume that every out-of-state credential is treated identically or that “reciprocity” means automatic Montana authorization.
Keep the existing license in good standing
Montana will evaluate the credential and required licensing information under the applicable current pathway.
Use Montana’s current credentialing instructions
Follow the current application checklist rather than relying on an old reciprocity form or third-party state list.
Arrange source verification when required
License verification, transcripts or other authenticity-sensitive records may need to come directly from the issuing authority or source.
Check current substantial-equivalency guidance
Montana evaluates other jurisdictions under current rules. Do not permanently rely on a cached state-equivalency list because determinations can change.
Do not practice until Montana authorization allows it
An active license in another state does not by itself create permission to practice under a Montana license.
Montana Continuing Education Requirements
The Board’s current education guidance says only teachers have continuing-education requirements. Ordinary cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, barbers and electrologists do not currently have a routine CE requirement simply to renew their practice licenses.
Ordinary practice license
No routine Board CE hours are currently listed for ordinary cosmetology renewal.
Teacher license
Teachers must complete 30 hours of continuing education per renewal period to maintain active status. The Board says it does not pre-approve CE courses.
Montana Salon, Shop and Booth Rental Licensing
A personal cosmetology license does not replace the separate credential that can apply to the premises or a booth-rental arrangement.
| Credential | Renewal pattern | Current adopted fee | Important rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual practice license | Biennial; regular Jan. 2–Mar. 1 in the applicable year | $100 | Check the expiration on the individual credential. |
| Salon / shop | Annual | $125 | Initial inspection fee is separately $150. |
| Booth rental | Annual | $95 | The renter must hold a qualifying Montana practice license in good standing and meet the booth-rental conditions. |
| School | Annual | $220 | School/course inspection is separately $200. |
New location
The Board’s current salon/shop page states that moving to a new location requires a new salon or shop license application.
Ownership change
A change in ownership greater than 50% also requires a new salon or shop license application under the Board’s current guidance.
Montana Cosmetology Schools and Courses
Use the Board’s public lookup to identify licensed Montana schools rather than relying only on advertising from a training provider.
School license
The current adopted-rule school license fee is $220.
Inspection
The school/course inspection fee is $200.
Annual bond or security
The Board’s current school page states that renewal requires proof of continuous annual renewal of the applicable bond or other security in the form of a certificate of insurance.
Montana’s 30-Day Address Rule
Montana now requires licensees and applicants to provide the Department with a current mailing address and report a change of address within 30 days.
- Update your mailing address after moving.
- Keep the email attached to your licensing record active.
- Read the additional address and service attestations included with applications and renewals.
- If you consent to electronic service of legal notices, keep that email current.
- Save proof after submitting an address change.
Montana Licensing Scam Warning
The Montana Department of Labor & Industry warns that scammers may use publicly available professional-license information to impersonate government licensing staff.
Warning signs
- A caller threatens immediate suspension or revocation.
- You are ordered to pay immediately by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency or cash.
- The caller asks for your complete Social Security number.
- The caller promises a licensing benefit in exchange for money or personal information.
Safer response
- End the call if it appears suspicious.
- Use the phone number published on the official Board website.
- Check your public license status independently.
- Log in through the known Montana licensing portal rather than a link sent by the caller.
Montana Cosmetology Complaint Help
Use the professional licensing complaint route when you need to ask about filing a complaint against a Board licensee. Complaint staff have a separate contact from ordinary license-renewal and application customer service.
Complaint contact
Phone: 406-841-2357
Email: DLIBSDCOMPLAINTS@MT.GOV
Before contacting complaint staff, gather the name of the person or business, license number if known, dates, location and relevant records. Do not use the complaint contact simply for a password, portal-login or routine renewal question.
Montana Board of Cosmetology Phone Number, Email and Address
| Need | Contact | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| License, application or renewal | 406-444-6880 DLIBSDHELP@MT.GOV |
Applications, existing licenses, renewals and professional licensing portal issues. |
| Board or scope question | 406-841-2394 DLIBSDCOS@MT.GOV |
Board-specific regulatory and scope-of-practice questions. |
| Continuing education | 406-444-5696 AUDIT@MT.GOV |
Teacher CE and audit-related questions. |
| Complaint questions | 406-841-2357 DLIBSDCOMPLAINTS@MT.GOV |
Questions about professional licensing complaints. |
Mailing address
Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
PO Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620-0513
Physical address
Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
301 S. Park Avenue, 4th Floor
Helena, MT 59620
Official Montana Licensing Links
Montana Board of Cosmetology FAQs
What is the official Montana Board of Cosmetology called?
The official regulator is the Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists, which operates within the Montana Department of Labor & Industry. “Montana Board of Cosmetology” is a common search phrase rather than the full current Board name.
What is the Montana Board of Cosmetology phone number?
For applications, current licenses, renewals and general licensing support, call Professional Licensing Customer Service at 406-444-6880. For Board-specific scope questions, the Executive Officer number is 406-841-2394.
How do I look up a Montana cosmetology license?
Use Montana’s official Licensee Lookup System. Search the professional or business, match the credential type, and confirm the current status and expiration. Use formal Montana license verification instead when another organization specifically requires state-issued verification.
When does a Montana cosmetology license renew?
Individual licenses renew biennially. The Board’s general renewal guidance lists January 2 through March 1 as the regular individual renewal period, with late online renewal available for 45 days through April 15. Check the expiration on your own credential because not every individual license is due in the same calendar year.
How much is a Montana cosmetology license renewal?
The adopted Montana fee amendment effective November 22, 2025 changed the original and renewal practice-license fee for cosmetology and the other listed practice licenses to $100. Some older Board pages still display $80, so confirm the live transaction before paying.
Does Montana require continuing education for cosmetologists?
The Board’s current education guidance says only teachers have continuing-education requirements. Ordinary cosmetologists do not currently have a routine CE requirement simply to renew. Teachers must complete 30 hours per renewal period for active status.
How many school hours are required for a Montana cosmetology license?
The school-based cosmetology route requires a 1,500-hour curriculum. Applicants must also satisfy the other current licensing requirements and pass the required examinations.
What score is required on the Montana cosmetology exams?
The current examination rule sets a minimum score of 75% on the theory examination and 75% on the practical examination.
Can I become a cosmetologist through an apprenticeship in Montana?
Yes. Montana’s new apprenticeship licensing rules became effective November 22, 2025. The cosmetology apprenticeship operates through the Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program and still requires the applicable licensing examinations.
Does Montana regulate microblading and permanent makeup through the cosmetology Board?
No. The Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists states that it does not regulate tattooing, body or ear piercing, permanent makeup or microblading. Use the applicable Montana public-health regulator for those activities.
What happens if my Montana cosmetology license is not renewed?
Montana law distinguishes lapsed, expired and terminated licenses. A license may generally be reactivated during the applicable lapse or expiration period by meeting the required conditions, while a credential that reaches termination generally requires a new original license. Check the exact credential because special rules can apply, including to booth rental.
Final Montana Cosmetology License Checklist
- Use the official name: Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
- Check the public license record before relying on a credential.
- Verify the practitioner and salon/shop or booth separately when applicable.
- Check your own expiration date rather than assuming every license is due in 2026.
- Use January 2 through March 1 as the normal individual renewal window in the applicable year.
- Remember that the adopted practice-license fee is $100 even though some older Board pages may still show $80.
- Ordinary cosmetologists currently do not have routine Montana CE; teachers have separate CE requirements.
- School-route cosmetology training requires 1,500 hours.
- The current theory and practical exam minimums are 75% each.
- The apprenticeship pathway became effective November 22, 2025 and must operate through the registered apprenticeship system.
- Use current Montana guidance for an out-of-state license rather than assuming automatic reciprocity.
- Keep your mailing address and Board email current and report address changes within 30 days.
- Never pay a caller demanding gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or immediate cash to protect your license.
- Use the official portal amount and Board staff when an older webpage conflicts with the current adopted fee rule.
Open the official Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists website