How Do I Apply for a Cosmetologist License?

Create an account, apply, and pay online using the online portal.

Documentation may be submitted electronically to the board office as follows:

Email: plpublic@idph.iowa.gov

The application fee for barber licensure is $60.  You may pay the fee online.  All application fees are nonrefundable.

Applicants must submit documentation meeting one of the following:

• Graduation from a board-approved or nationally accredited cosmetology school/program; or
• If the applicant graduated from a board-approved cosmetology school/program and is not nationally accredited, the school must provide an official transcript and curriculum showing that the course of study meets the requirements in Iowa Administrative Code 650–23.8 (barbering) or Iowa Administrative Code 645–61.14 (cosmetology) for review by the board prior to issuance of a license.

Applicants must submit evidence of a passing score of 75% or higher on one of the following:

• NIC examination; or
• If the applicant completed an examination not administered by the NIC, the applicant must submit additional information about the examination for review.

Licensure in Another State if applicable: Applicants that have previously been licensed, registered or certified in another state must provide official verification of an active license in another state.  The applicant must have held the active license for 12 of the last 24 months directly preceding the date of application.

The license verification must include the following: 

• Issue date
• Expiration date
• Status of license including a 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).