Wyoming licenses cosmetologists through the Wyoming Board of Cosmetology, which oversees cosmetology, hair styling, esthetics, and nail technology licensing in the state. You need a Wyoming cosmetology license to legally perform hair, skin, and nail services for compensation anywhere in Wyoming.
Wyoming requires 1,600 hours of approved training. Licensing costs are modest: $48 for the license fee paid to the Board, plus exam fees paid directly to the test administrator, ProV. No continuing education is required for renewal. Here is exactly how to do it.
Fees, hours, and procedures on this page were verified against the Wyoming Board of Cosmetology’s current applications, rules, and website in August 2026. Always confirm details with the Board before applying.
Wyoming Cosmetology License Requirements at a Glance
| Governing Agency | Wyoming Board of Cosmetology |
| Training Hours Required | 1,600 hours at a Board-recognized school (minimum 8-month program) (Board Rules, Ch. 6, Sec. 1) |
| Apprenticeship Available? | No in-state apprenticeship pathway; out-of-state apprenticeships are recognized only if certified through that state’s regulatory agency |
| Minimum Age | 16 years old (Board Rules, Ch. 5, Sec. 1) |
| Education Prerequisite | 10th grade completion or equivalent (Board Rules, Ch. 5, Sec. 1) |
| Exam Required | NIC theory + written-practical exams (administered by ProV) |
| Exam Fees | Set by ProV and paid directly to ProV when you schedule; see ProV’s current candidate information bulletin |
| License Fee | $48, submitted with the exam application (money order or cashier’s check only) |
| License Renewal | Every 2 years | $96 (first-time renewers should contact the Board office for their fee) |
| Continuing Education | None required |
| Applications & Forms | Board applications and forms page (renewals can be completed online) |
| Board Website | cosmetology.wyo.gov |
Education & Training Requirements
Wyoming requires completion of 1,600 hours of cosmetology training at a Board-recognized school, in a program lasting at least eight months. This requirement is set by the Board’s rules (Chapter 6, Section 1, Course of Study), not stated on the Board’s main web pages; the rules are published on the Board’s Rules and Regulations page and at the Wyoming Secretary of State’s rules portal, rules.wyo.gov. That is somewhat above the 1,500 hours most states require, though well below the highest-hour states. The Board maintains a current list of recognized Wyoming schools.
The curriculum must cover:
- Hair care services (cutting, coloring, styling, chemical treatments)
- Skin care services (facials, makeup, waxing)
- Nail care services (manicures, pedicures, artificial nails)
- Sanitation and infection control
- Wyoming laws and rules
- Salon management and professional ethics
Hair-only alternative: If you only plan to work with hair, Wyoming offers a separate hair stylist license requiring 1,000 hours of training over at least five months (Board Rules, Ch. 6, Sec. 2), 600 fewer hours than the full cosmetology license. Contact the Board for details on the hair stylist pathway.
No in-state apprenticeship: Wyoming does not offer an apprenticeship pathway, and the Board does not recognize correspondence courses. Training must be completed at a recognized school. (Applicants moving to Wyoming who trained through another state’s officially certified apprenticeship program may qualify for licensure by endorsement; see the reciprocity section below.)
Eyelash extensions: Wyoming requires a cosmetologist or esthetician license to perform eyelash extension services.
Microblading: Licensees are prohibited from offering services that pierce the skin, including microblading. It is not regulated by the Wyoming Board of Cosmetology; questions go to your local health department.
For a comparison of cosmetology training hours across all states, see our complete cosmetology license guide.
Exam Requirements
Wyoming uses the National-Interstate Council (NIC) examinations administered by ProV. You must pass both a theory exam and a written-practical exam, available at testing centers around the state.
- Theory Exam: Multiple-choice covering cosmetology theory, sanitation, and Wyoming laws and rules.
- Written-Practical Exam: Tests your knowledge of practical cosmetology procedures through written questions about hands-on techniques.
- Passing Score: Set out in ProV’s current candidate information bulletin, linked from the Board’s exam and student information page.
- Exam Fees: Paid directly to ProV when you schedule; amounts are set by ProV, not the Board.
Note the order of operations: you apply to the Board first. Once the Board office approves your application, ProV emails you instructions to schedule and pay for your exams. After you pass both exams, the Board issues your license. You must have your license in hand, and posted at your place of employment, before working.
Application Process & Fees
- Complete 1,600 hours of training at a Board-recognized Wyoming cosmetology school (or equal or greater hours at a school recognized by another state).
- Mail the Application for Examination to the Board (2515 Warren Avenue, Suite 302, Cheyenne, WY 82002) with a notarized signature, proof of lawful presence, a current passport-type photo, certification of your hours, and the $48 license fee (money order or cashier’s check only). The Board does not accept emailed applications or cash.
- Wait for Board approval. ProV will then email you instructions to schedule and pay for your theory and written-practical exams.
- Pass both exams.
- The Board issues your license. You must have it in hand and posted at your workplace before performing any services.
Independent contractor note: If you rent a booth rather than work as an employee, Wyoming requires a separate Independent Contractor license: $75 per year, expiring August 31 regardless of when you apply, with a prorated fee for new applicants based on the month you apply. The license stays valid if you move salons; just notify the Board office of the change.
Wyoming Cosmetology License Fee Summary
| Fee Type | Amount | Paid To |
|---|---|---|
| License Fee (with exam application) | $48 (money order or cashier’s check only) | Wyoming Board of Cosmetology |
| NIC Exams (theory + written-practical) | Set by ProV; see current candidate bulletin | ProV (at scheduling) |
| Biennial Renewal | $96 (first-time renewers: contact the Board for your fee) | Wyoming Board of Cosmetology |
| Endorsement (Out-of-State Transfer) | $273 total ($225 endorsement + $48 license); money order only | Wyoming Board of Cosmetology |
| Independent Contractor License | $75 per year (prorated by application month) | Wyoming Board of Cosmetology |
| Certification of Licensure (for transfers out of Wyoming) | $25 | Wyoming Board of Cosmetology |
Under the Board’s rules (Chapter 1, Section 2), fees are not refunded under any circumstances. Fee amounts above come from the Board’s fee schedule (Board Rules, Ch. 13) and the Board’s current application forms on the Applications and Forms page. The Board office accepts checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards depending on the transaction, but never cash; note that the exam application requires money order or cashier’s check, and endorsement requires money order only.
License Renewal & Continuing Education
Wyoming personal licenses renew every two years. The standard renewal fee is $96. First renewals work differently: under the Board’s fee rules, your initial license is issued for one year from the month you obtain it, and after that first year you move to two-year renewal cycles expiring in your birth month, with prorated amounts. This is why the Board’s renewal form instructs first-time renewers to contact the Board office for their fee.
You can renew online at cosmetology.wyo.gov (credit or debit card) or by mailing the renewal form with a check or money order.
Wyoming does not require continuing education for cosmetology license renewal. You simply submit your renewal and pay the fee before your license expires.
If your license lapses, Wyoming law (W.S. 33-12-129) imposes a reinstatement fee in addition to license fees for the lapsed period. A license lapsed five years or more, where the holder does not qualify for endorsement, requires a 100-hour refresher course at a licensed school followed by the Board examination. Contact the Board at 307-777-3534 or cosmetology@wyo.gov for reinstatement procedures.
Reciprocity & License Transfer
Wyoming offers licensure by endorsement for cosmetologists licensed in other states or countries. The endorsement fee is $273 ($225 endorsement plus $48 license), payable by money order only and non-refundable. No exam is required if you meet the following conditions:
- Hold a current license from another state or country
- Graduated from a licensed school or a state-approved apprenticeship program
- Passed a state examination given by a state board or testing company
- Submit a notarized application by mail with proof of lawful presence and a current photo (the Board does not accept emailed applications)
- Have official certifications sent from the state of your original license and the state where you currently hold a valid license, emailed by those states to cosmetology@wyo.gov
One important exception: if you come from a state that does not examine your license type (the Board’s own example is Florida, which does not require exams for nails or esthetics) and you have not taken exams in any other state, you will be required to take the Wyoming exams. Documents not in English must be translated by a company from the Board’s approved list.
Transferring to Wyoming does not cancel your other licenses; you may hold active licenses in multiple states. If you later leave Wyoming, the Board provides a Certification of Licensure for $25.
If you are considering other states, compare requirements in Colorado or Texas.
Military Provisions
Wyoming’s application and renewal forms ask whether you or your spouse are active military, and the Board can assist service members and military spouses with licensing. Under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, as amended in 2023, military spouses with professional licenses in good standing may practice in their new duty-station state under certain conditions, and each military branch reimburses spouses up to $1,000 for relocation-related licensing costs.
Contact the Wyoming Board of Cosmetology at 307-777-3534 for specific military licensing procedures and any available accommodations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many training hours do I need for a Wyoming cosmetology license?
Wyoming requires 1,600 hours of cosmetology training at a Board-recognized school, in a program of at least eight months. This is slightly above the 1,500 hours most states require.
How much does it cost to get a cosmetology license in Wyoming?
You pay a $48 license fee to the Wyoming Board of Cosmetology with your exam application (money order or cashier’s check only), plus exam fees paid directly to ProV, the test administrator, when you schedule your exams. ProV sets the exam fees; check the current candidate information bulletin on the Board’s website for amounts.
Does Wyoming require continuing education for cosmetologists?
No. Wyoming does not require continuing education for cosmetology license renewal. You simply pay the $96 biennial renewal fee (first-time renewers should contact the Board office for their fee).
Can I transfer my out-of-state cosmetology license to Wyoming?
Yes, through endorsement. The fee is $273 (money order only, non-refundable). You must hold a current license, have graduated from a licensed school or state-approved apprenticeship program, and have passed a state board examination. Your current and original licensing states must email certifications directly to the Wyoming Board. If your state did not examine your license type and you have never taken exams elsewhere, you will need to take the Wyoming exams.
Does Wyoming offer an apprenticeship for cosmetology?
No. Wyoming does not offer an in-state apprenticeship pathway, and correspondence courses are not recognized. Training must be completed at a Board-recognized school. Out-of-state applicants who trained through another state’s officially certified apprenticeship program may qualify for licensure by endorsement.
Is there a hair-only license in Wyoming?
Yes. Wyoming offers a separate hair stylist license requiring 1,000 hours of training, for those who plan to work only with hair rather than the full hair, skin, and nails scope of a cosmetology license.
Can I perform eyelash extensions with a Wyoming cosmetology license?
Yes. Eyelash extensions are within the scope of practice for licensed cosmetologists and estheticians in Wyoming. However, microblading is not regulated by the Board of Cosmetology and falls under local health department jurisdiction.
Official Resources
- Wyoming Board of Cosmetology (official website)
- Board Rules and Regulations (hour requirements: Ch. 6; fee schedule: Ch. 13; also at rules.wyo.gov)
- Applications and Forms
- Exam and Student Information
- Board-Recognized Wyoming Schools
- License Verification
- Board Phone: 307-777-3534
- Board Email: cosmetology@wyo.gov
- Board Address: 2515 Warren Avenue, Suite 302, Cheyenne, WY 82002