Connecticut licenses cosmetologists as registered hairdressers and cosmeticians through the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), overseen by the Examining Board for Barbers, Hairdressers, and Cosmeticians. You need a Connecticut cosmetology license to legally perform hair, skin, and nail services on the face, neck, and arms for compensation anywhere in the state.
Connecticut requires 1,500 hours of approved training (or completion of a Department of Labor apprenticeship) plus a written-only exam administered by Prometric. There is no practical exam. The total cost including the exam and license application is approximately $165. Most people complete the full process in 12 to 18 months. Here is exactly how to do it.
Connecticut Cosmetology License Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Official License Title | Registered Hairdresser and Cosmetician |
| Governing Agency | Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) |
| Statutory Authority | Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 387, Sections 20-250 through 20-265 |
| Minimum Age | Not specified by statute |
| Education Prerequisite | Successful completion of the 9th grade or equivalent |
| Training Hours Required | 1,500 hours at a state-approved school OR CT Department of Labor apprenticeship |
| Licensing Exam | Written exam only (Prometric) — no practical exam |
| Exam Fee | $65 (paid to Prometric) |
| License Application Fee | $100 (paid to DPH) |
| Total Initial Cost (state fees) | Approximately $165 (excluding tuition) |
| License Term | 2 years (biennial renewal) |
| Renewal Fee | $100 every 2 years |
| Continuing Education | None required |
| Apply Online | eLicense Connecticut |
| Board Website | CT DPH Hairdresser Licensure |
Education and Training Requirements
Connecticut requires completion of at least 1,500 hours of cosmetology training at a school approved by the Connecticut State Board for Barbers, Hairdressers, and Cosmeticians, or at a school teaching hairdressing, cosmetology, or barbering under the supervision of the Connecticut State Board of Education.
The curriculum covers:
- Hair care services (cutting, coloring, styling, chemical treatments, singeing, bleaching, waving, weaving)
- Scalp treatments and massage
- Skin care services on the face, neck, and arms (cleansing, stimulating, manipulating, beautifying)
- Hair removal from the face and neck using manual or mechanical means
- Sanitation and infection prevention
- Connecticut laws and regulations
Full-time programs typically take 12 to 18 months. Part-time schedules extend the timeline accordingly. Education completed outside Connecticut is acceptable provided the school was approved by the appropriate regulatory body of the state in which it was located.
Apprenticeship Alternative: Connecticut offers an apprenticeship pathway through the Connecticut Department of Labor. The hairdresser apprenticeship requires 2,000 on-the-job hours plus 150 classroom/theory hours. Apprentices who complete this pathway must still pass the Prometric written exam. Apprentices need only have completed the 8th grade (compared to 9th grade for the school pathway). Contact the Office of Apprenticeship Training at (860) 263-6085 for details.
For a comparison of cosmetology licensing requirements across all states, see our complete cosmetology license guide. You can also compare requirements in nearby states like New York and Massachusetts .
Exam Requirements
Connecticut requires only a written exam administered by Prometric. There is no practical (hands-on) exam for cosmetology licensure in Connecticut.
Exam details:
- Exam Provider: Prometric
- Format: Closed-book, computer-based, 100 multiple-choice questions
- Time Limit: 90 minutes
- Passing Score: 70% or higher
- Exam Fee: $65 (paid directly to Prometric when scheduling)
- Languages: Available in English and Spanish
Exam content covers: Cosmetology theory, sanitation and infection control, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, hair care techniques, skin care, Connecticut laws and rules.
How to register: After completing your training, register for the exam through Prometric’s website. Obtain the Candidate Information Bulletin from Prometric for detailed exam content outlines and testing center locations. Score reports are sent to you within 10 business days of your exam date, and scores must be submitted directly to the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
Retake policy: If you do not pass, you may retake the exam by registering again through Prometric and paying the $65 exam fee.
Application Process and Fees
After completing your training and passing the Prometric exam, follow these steps to apply for your Connecticut cosmetology license:
- Create an account on eLicense Connecticut
- Select “Initial Application” and navigate to the hairdresser/cosmetician category
- Complete the online application with a photograph
- Pay the $100 application fee online
- Ensure your school submits the Affidavit of Hours form directly to DPH
- Ensure your Prometric exam scores are submitted directly to DPH
- If you hold or have held a license in any other state, submit license verification forms from those states
Applications are accepted online only through eLicense Connecticut. Mail supporting documentation to: Connecticut Department of Public Health, Hairdresser Licensing, 410 Capitol Ave., MS #12 APP, Hartford, CT 06134.
| Fee Type | Amount | Paid To |
|---|---|---|
| Written Exam | $65 | Prometric |
| License Application | $100 | CT DPH |
| Total Initial Cost | $165 | |
| Biennial Renewal | $100 | CT DPH |
| Reinstatement (lapsed license) | $100 | CT DPH |
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Connecticut cosmetology licenses must be renewed every two years in accordance with CGS Section 19a-88. The renewal fee is $100.
Connecticut does not require continuing education for cosmetology license renewal. You simply pay the renewal fee and complete the online renewal through eLicense Connecticut.
Reinstatement: If your license lapses, you may apply for reinstatement through the eLicense portal by paying a $100 reinstatement fee. Additional requirements may apply depending on how long the license has been expired.
Reciprocity and License Transfer
Connecticut accepts out-of-state cosmetology licenses for transfer. To qualify, you must hold a current hairdresser/cosmetology license in good standing from another U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. commonwealth or territory.
Standard pathway: Your original license must have been issued based on successful completion of an education and training program in hairdressing and cosmetology and successful completion of an examination. Submit license verification forms from all states where you have been licensed (current or expired).
Alternative pathway (no exam in original state): If your original state did not require an exam, you must demonstrate at least five years of legal cosmetology practice. Provide license verification forms showing five or more years of licensure, employer/coworker/client correspondence confirming five years of practice, and tax returns showing cosmetology as your occupation.
The application fee for transfer is $100. Applications are submitted online only through eLicense Connecticut. No license will be issued to any applicant against whom professional disciplinary action is pending or who is the subject of an unresolved complaint.
Military Provisions
Connecticut recognizes the license portability provisions of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), 50 USC Section 4025a. Under these provisions, servicemembers and their spouses may use their professional licenses when they relocate to Connecticut due to military orders.
To qualify, you must:
- Be a servicemember ordered to active duty in Connecticut, or the spouse of such a servicemember
- Hold a current professional license in good standing from another jurisdiction
- Submit a completed online application through eLicense Connecticut
- Provide a copy of military orders assigning you or your spouse to Connecticut
- Provide a copy of your marriage license (for spouses)
- Submit a notarized affidavit confirming you have practiced in the profession within the previous two years
The credential remains valid for the duration of your military orders in Connecticut. You must maintain good standing with your original licensing jurisdiction and comply with any applicable Connecticut requirements.
Recent Legislative Changes
Public Act 19-117 (effective July 1, 2020): Connecticut expanded Chapter 387 to create new licensing categories for estheticians, eyelash technicians, and nail technicians. While this did not change cosmetology (hairdresser) license requirements directly, it separated esthetics and nail services into distinct license categories. Previously, these services were either unregulated or fell under the cosmetology umbrella. If you are deciding between a cosmetology license and an esthetician or nail technician license, note that the cosmetology license provides the broadest scope of practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a cosmetology license in Connecticut?
Most people complete the process in 12 to 18 months. Full-time cosmetology programs (1,500 hours) typically take 12 to 15 months. After completing training, exam scheduling and license processing add several weeks. The apprenticeship pathway takes longer, requiring 2,000 on-the-job hours plus 150 classroom hours.
How much does it cost to get a cosmetology license in Connecticut?
The total state licensing cost (excluding school tuition) is approximately $165: $65 for the Prometric written exam and $100 for the DPH license application. Tuition at Connecticut cosmetology programs varies by school.
Does Connecticut require a practical exam for cosmetology?
No. Connecticut requires only a written exam administered by Prometric. There is no practical (hands-on) exam for the cosmetology license. This is unusual compared to most states, which require both written and practical exams.
Does Connecticut require continuing education for cosmetologists?
No. Connecticut does not require continuing education for cosmetology license renewal. You simply pay the $100 biennial renewal fee.
Can I transfer my out-of-state cosmetology license to Connecticut?
Yes. You must hold a current license in good standing from another U.S. state, D.C., or U.S. territory. Your original license must have been based on education and an exam. If your state did not require an exam, you must show at least five years of practice. The application fee is $100.
What is the passing score for the Connecticut cosmetology exam?
You must score 70% or higher on the Prometric written exam, which consists of 100 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit.
Official Resources
- Connecticut DPH Hairdresser Licensure (official website)
- eLicense Connecticut — Online License Application
- Prometric Connecticut Cosmetology/Barber Exam (exam registration)
- Out-of-State License Transfer Information
- CT Department of Labor Hairdresser Apprenticeship Program
- DPH Contact: (860) 509-7603 | Email: dph.hairdresserteam@ct.gov
- Mailing Address: Connecticut Department of Public Health, 410 Capitol Ave., MS #12 APP, Hartford, CT 06134