Use the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology for the Right License Action
The North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology is the state agency that licenses and regulates cosmetologists, estheticians, advanced estheticians, manicurists, instructors, establishments, independent licensees and cosmetology schools across North Dakota.
The Board now uses a new online licensing portal for applications, renewals, contact updates, complaints and licensing transactions. A current Board notice says the new public license lookup is not yet available and is expected to launch in January 2027, so people who need current license verification should contact the Board while that service is being transitioned.
North Dakota Board of Cosmetology: Fast Answer
Use the Board when you need to apply for a North Dakota cosmetology-related license, renew an existing credential, transfer an out-of-state license, open an establishment or school, register an independent licensee, resolve a licensing problem, file a complaint or confirm current laws and scope-of-practice requirements.
Which North Dakota Board Service Do You Need?
Select the task that matches your situation. This helper does not access the Board’s licensing database; it only points you to the appropriate official starting route.
What the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology Does
The Board administers North Dakota Century Code chapter 43-11 and the state’s cosmetology administrative rules. Its responsibility goes beyond issuing individual licenses.
Professionals and businesses
The Board processes applications and renewals for regulated personal licenses, independent licensees, establishments and schools.
Schools, students and apprentices
The Board licenses schools, registers students and apprentices, sets training requirements and determines examination eligibility.
Inspections and enforcement
The Board establishes safety standards, inspects regulated locations, investigates complaints and may take disciplinary action when violations are established.
North Dakota Cosmetology License Types
North Dakota now separates several professional and business credentials. Choose the actual license that matches the services or business activity you plan to perform.
| Credential | Main purpose | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Broad cosmetology services within the statutory scope. | Requires the appropriate North Dakota education and examinations unless an approved alternative licensing route applies. |
| Esthetician | Basic skin-care and esthetic services. | Does not authorize procedures reserved to the Advanced Esthetician scope. |
| Advanced Esthetician | Specified higher-risk advanced esthetic procedures. | Newly regulated as a separate license category effective January 1, 2026. |
| Manicurist | Nail and related permitted hand and foot services. | Must remain within the manicurist statutory and rule-based scope. |
| Instructor | Teaching in a Board-licensed school. | Has separate training and annual continuing-education requirements. |
| Independent Licensee | Operating independently within a licensed establishment. | The professional must maintain both the relevant individual license and independent-licensee credential. |
| Establishment | The licensed location where regulated services are provided. | Separate from every practitioner’s individual license. |
| School | Operating an approved cosmetology education program. | Requires Board approval and ongoing regulatory compliance. |
Master license categories remain available, but the Board’s current resources state that a master license is no longer required merely to hold an independent-licensee credential and a master licensee does not have to be present for that purpose.
How to Apply for a North Dakota Personal License
New applicants use the Board’s online licensing portal. Completing school or passing an examination does not itself authorize practice; the Board must issue the license first.
Complete the required education or approved pathway
Use a Board-licensed school or an approved apprenticeship route for a credential that permits apprenticeship.
Submit the licensing application
Log in to the Board’s licensing portal, select the appropriate license application and provide the required identity, education and supporting records.
Wait for Board review
Board staff reviews the application and may request missing documentation or corrections before examination authorization.
Complete the required examinations
North Dakota uses required practical, theory and state law/rules examinations for applicable new-license candidates.
Receive the actual license
Do not begin regulated work merely because an application is pending or an exam was passed. North Dakota does not issue a general temporary permit for this step.
Training Hours and Examinations
| License | Current school-hour requirement | Exam route |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology | 1,500 hours | NIC Practical, NIC Written/Theory and North Dakota Law & Rules |
| Esthetics | 600 hours | Required Board/NIC examination pathway |
| Advanced Esthetics | 1,100 hours | Board-required licensing examinations plus procedure-specific certification where applicable |
| Manicuring | 350 hours | Required Board/NIC examination pathway |
The Board’s current student guidance identifies the NIC Practical Examination, NIC Written Theory Examination and North Dakota Law & Rules Examination as the core examination structure. Practical testing is administered by the Board, while written theory and law testing is computer-based through the Board’s testing provider.
North Dakota also recognizes registered apprenticeship pathways. Current Board resources list 2,500 hours for cosmetology apprenticeship and 2,000 hours for esthetics or manicuring apprenticeship. The apprenticeship must be properly registered and approved; informal work experience is not automatically an apprenticeship.
North Dakota Cosmetology License Renewal
North Dakota personal licenses are renewed annually. The current Board guidance says renewal must be completed on or before December 31 each year. Establishment and independent-licensee licenses also renew annually.
December 31
Renew the applicable credential by the annual deadline rather than waiting for a paper reminder.
Licensing Portal
The Board’s new portal is used for renewals and other licensing transactions.
No work on an expired license
North Dakota law prohibits regulated practice without the required current license.
North Dakota Cosmetology Fees for 2026
The Board’s current 2026 fee schedule reflects fee changes effective under the post-2025 statutory framework.
| Credential | Current renewal fee | Current original-license fee |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist / Master Cosmetologist | $50 | $50 |
| Esthetician / Master Esthetician | $50 | $50 |
| Advanced Esthetician | $50 | $50 |
| Manicurist / Master Manicurist | $50 | $50 |
| Instructor | $50 | $50 |
| Establishment | $100 | $150 |
| Independent Licensee | $100 | $150 |
| School | $250 | $550 |
Late charges are separate. Current North Dakota law lists a $50 individual late-renewal fee within one year and a $150 late fee when an individual license is more than one year but less than five years expired. Always let the live Board transaction determine the final amount due for your record.
What If a North Dakota License Has Expired?
| How long expired? | Current Board guidance | Practical next step |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | Renew with the applicable late fee. | Use the existing license record in the Board portal and pay the amount shown. |
| 1–5 years | Pay applicable fees and pass the North Dakota Law exam. | Follow the Board’s late-renewal or reinstatement instructions rather than filing blindly as a first-time applicant. |
| More than 5 years | Retake all examinations required by the Board. | Contact the Board before paying so the correct requalification route is confirmed. |
Continuing Education Requirements
North Dakota does not apply one identical CE requirement to every license type. The Board’s current resource page specifically identifies annual CE requirements for instructors and advanced estheticians.
12 Board-approved hours annually
Instructor licensees must complete the required Board-approved CE before renewal.
8 Board-approved hours annually
Advanced estheticians have a separate annual CE obligation under the current rules.
CE Broker
The Board uses CE Broker to track applicable continuing education. A free basic account option is available.
Courses used for required CE must be approved by the Board. The Board states that approval should be obtained before attending an unapproved course; taking a course first does not guarantee that credit will later be granted.
North Dakota Cosmetology License Lookup in 2026
The Board previously maintained an online individual and salon lookup page, but its current homepage now says the public license lookup is not yet available in the new licensing system and is expected to launch in January 2027.
Do not assume an old search result is current
An older lookup page or cached record may not reflect the Board’s present licensing-system transition.
Contact the Board
If you need to verify whether a professional, independent licensee or establishment currently holds the required North Dakota credential, contact the Board office while the new public lookup is pending.
This matters for consumers and employers because an individual practitioner license, independent-licensee credential and establishment license are different records. One credential does not automatically prove the others are current.
For broader state-by-state verification help, see our cosmetology license guide.
Transfer an Out-of-State Cosmetology License to North Dakota
North Dakota calls this process licensure by endorsement. It is not automatic reciprocity merely because another state has already issued a license.
Apply through the licensing portal
Start the endorsement transaction for the North Dakota license type that matches your prior credential.
Send license verification
Verification is required from jurisdictions where you have held licenses, including expired credentials when the Board requires them. The verification must come directly from the issuing authority.
Document education or experience
The Board compares prior preparation with North Dakota’s licensing standards and may request training or experience documentation.
Wait for the Board’s determination
Depending on equivalency, the Board may approve the application, require examinations or identify additional training that must be completed.
Establishment and Independent Licensee Rules
North Dakota distinguishes the professional’s individual license from the business-location license and the credential used by an independent licensee operating inside an establishment.
Licensed service location
The establishment must hold an active Board license and meet facility, sanitation, display and inspection requirements before regulated operations begin.
Own business within an establishment
An independent licensee must maintain the underlying personal professional license and the separate independent-licensee credential.
Ownership and location matter
A change in establishment ownership or location requires a new license. Independent-licensee credentials are also tied to the approved establishment location.
Business names must be registered with the North Dakota Secretary of State when applicable. The Board also requires the licensed name and advertising to accurately identify the business and licensee structure.
North Dakota Cosmetology Inspections
Establishments, independent licensees and schools are subject to Board inspection. New locations must complete the required opening inspection before operation, and the Board may also conduct routine, complaint-related, investigative, follow-up or disciplinary inspections.
Licenses and posting
Inspectors can review whether required professional and establishment licenses are current and properly displayed.
Sanitation and disinfection
Inspection can include tools, supplies, cross-contamination controls, cleaning methods and storage practices.
Scope and equipment
The Board may review whether services, devices and products are allowed under the credential held by the practitioner.
Under rules effective in 2026, inspections may occur with or without notice. Additional inspections may follow prior violations, ownership changes, late renewal or probation. Refusing or interfering with an authorized inspection may itself lead to disciplinary action.
How to File a Complaint With the North Dakota Board
The Board investigates complaints involving matters within its cosmetology jurisdiction, including unlicensed practice, sanitation or safety concerns, scope-of-practice violations and violations of North Dakota cosmetology laws or rules.
The complaint must be signed
The Board states that unsigned complaints are not accepted. Include enough identifying information for the Board to understand who or what business is involved.
Include dates and supporting records
Provide the location, a clear description, dates or times when known, and relevant supporting material such as photographs, receipts or correspondence.
After initial review, a matter may be investigated and presented to the Board. Depending on the findings and legal authority, outcomes can include dismissal, warning, settlement, fines, probation, suspension, revocation or another authorized action.
Important 2026 Change: Advanced Esthetician Licensing
Advanced esthetics became a distinct regulated license category in North Dakota effective January 1, 2026. Procedures involving deeper chemical exfoliation, controlled skin injury or certain energy-based devices may require the advanced credential and separate procedure-specific certifications.
Advanced Esthetician license
The Board’s current guidance identifies advanced chemical peels, microneedling and specified nonablative laser, light or energy procedures within the advanced scope when all other requirements are satisfied.
Separate certifications
Procedure-specific certification is required for certain advanced services, including microneedling, advanced chemical peels and applicable laser/IPL work.
Grandfather pathway
A limited grandfather provision remains available through December 31, 2027 for qualifying existing cosmetologists or estheticians who satisfy the Board’s experience, training and safety requirements.
North Dakota Board Meetings and Public Records
The Board conducts public meetings to handle licensing matters, complaints, disciplinary actions, rulemaking, school issues and other official business. Current meeting notices, agendas and minutes are published through the Board website.
The Board states that regular meetings are generally held monthly, with special meetings scheduled when needed. Members of the public may attend according to the meeting notice and open-meeting requirements.
North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology Contact Information
4719 Shelburne Street, Suite 1
Bismarck, ND 58503
Phone: 701-224-9800
Email: bocinfo@nd.gov
Monday–Friday
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Check the official contact page before making an in-person trip because government office schedules can change.
North Dakota Board of Cosmetology FAQs
What is the official North Dakota cosmetology licensing board?
The North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating cosmetology professionals, schools, establishments and related regulated activities under North Dakota law.
What is the North Dakota Board of Cosmetology phone number?
The Board’s current public phone number is 701-224-9800.
Where is the North Dakota Board of Cosmetology located?
The Board office is at 4719 Shelburne Street, Suite 1, Bismarck, North Dakota 58503.
How often do North Dakota cosmetology licenses renew?
Personal cosmetology-related licenses renew annually, and the current Board guidance says renewal must be completed on or before December 31 each year.
How much is a North Dakota cosmetologist renewal in 2026?
The Board’s current 2026 fee schedule lists $50 for cosmetologist and master cosmetologist renewal. Late fees may apply when the credential is not renewed on time.
How many hours are required for a North Dakota cosmetology license?
The current school-based cosmetology training requirement is 1,500 hours. North Dakota also has an approved apprenticeship route with different hour requirements.
Can I look up a North Dakota cosmetology license online right now?
The Board’s current homepage says the new public license lookup is not yet available and is expected to launch in January 2027. Contact the Board for current verification while the new search service is pending.
Does North Dakota require continuing education?
CE requirements depend on the credential. Current Board guidance requires 12 Board-approved hours annually for instructors and 8 Board-approved hours annually for Advanced Estheticians.
What happens if my North Dakota cosmetology license has been expired for more than one year?
The Board’s current guidance says an individual license expired for one to five years requires applicable fees and the North Dakota Law exam. More than five years generally requires retaking all required examinations.
Can I transfer an out-of-state cosmetology license to North Dakota?
Possibly. North Dakota uses licensure by endorsement. The Board reviews the prior license, education, status and other documentation and may approve the application or require examinations or additional training.
Do booth renters need another license in North Dakota?
A person operating independently within a licensed establishment needs the appropriate individual professional license plus the separate Independent Licensee credential required by the Board.
Can an anonymous complaint be filed with the Board?
No. The Board’s current complaint guidance says complaints must be signed and unsigned complaints will not be accepted.
Use the Official Board for the Final Licensing Action
Use this guide to identify the correct North Dakota licensing route, then complete the actual application, renewal, endorsement, complaint or business transaction through the North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology.
Because the Board introduced major licensing-system and regulatory changes in 2026, including the new licensing portal and Advanced Esthetician framework, check the official Board page before paying a fee, starting regulated work or relying on an older license-search result.