How Do I Apply for an Esthetician 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 submit documentation of one of the following:

1. Official transcript or diploma sent directly to the Board office from a board licensed cosmetology school verifying completion of 600 hours of education; or
2. Official transcript or diploma sent directly to the Board office from the educational program showing completion of a course of study that meets the requirements in Iowa Administrative Code 841–941.14 for review by the board prior to issuance of a license.

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 esthetician 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).