How Do I Apply for a Barbering & Cosmetology Instructor License?

Documentation and questions may be submitted by email: plpublic@idph.iowa.gov.

The application fee for barbering & cosmetology license is $60.  An applicant may pay the fee online.  All application fees are nonrefundable.

An applicant must provide evidence of one of the following:

1. A current Iowa license in the specific practice discipline to be taught; or
2. A current Iowa license in barbering & cosmetology, and demonstrated skill and knowledge required to instruct in the specific practice discipline to be taught.

An applicant must provide evidence of one of the following:

1. Completion of 1,000 hours of instructor training from a board-approved school; or

2. Two years of active practice in the field of cosmetology within the 6 years directly preceding the submission of the application.

An applicant must submit evidence of successful completion of a board-approved exam as follows:

• Passing score of 75% or higher on the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology, Inc. (NIC) or national theory instructor exam. 

If the exam was taken out of state, the exam administrator must send verification of the exam results directly to the board office.

If applicable, an applicant that has previously been licensed, registered or certified in another jurisdiction must provide a verification of license from the jurisdiction in which the applicant has most recently been licensed. 

The license verification must include the following: 

• Licensee name
• License number
• Issue date
• Expiration date
• License status including reference to any pending or past disciplinary action.

The verification may be printed from another state licensing board’s website if it contains all of the information noted above. If an online verification is not available, the verification must be sent directly from the licensing board(s).