Requirements for an Out-of-State Licensee Seeking a License in Kentucky

Apprentice Cosmetologist/Cosmetologist:

• 1800 hours
• 10th grade education

Nail Technician:

• 600 hours
• 10th grade education

Esthetician:

• 1000 hours
• 12th grade education

Apprentice Instructor/Instructor:

• 1000 hours
• 12th grade education

Must provide a certification from the state board where the hours were obtained and complete remaining hours required for that license in a school of cosmetology in Kentucky.

If that state does not certify the hours, hours will be accepted from the appropriate certifying entity (usually the cosmetology school they attended). One must also provide proof that the state board does not certify hours.

Kentucky will only accept the amount of hours required by that state. (Example: Tennessee requires 1500 hours – that is the maximum amount of hours that we will accept from that state).

An individual must complete a pink out of state enrollment application and provide appropriate proof of education. Application for enrollment must be obtained from prospective school.

Once additional hours are completed, the applicant will be required to take the appropriate examination:

Cosmetology

• apprentice examination, written & practical

Nail Technician

• written and practical;

Esthetician

• written & practical.

If an individual has been licensed less than one (1) year in another state and does not meet the statutory hour requirements for Kentucky, they must enroll in a school of cosmetology and complete the additional hours for the type of license.

• Must have certification from the state board where the hours were obtained and complete an out of state enrollment application obtained from the prospective school.
   
• Statutory education requirements must be provided (attached to application for enrollment).
   
• Once the hours are completed, a student should apply and take the examination as required for any other student graduating from a school of cosmetology.

If an individual has been licensed for less than one (1) year but meets the statutory hour requirement for that type of license, they would be eligible for the examination, written & practical.

• Must have certification from the state board where the hours were completed.
   
• Must meet statutory education requirement (proof attached to application for examination).
   
• Complete out of state examination application and submit to board office with appropriate fee. 

If an individual has less than the statutory hour requirement, he/she must enroll in a school of cosmetology in Kentucky and complete the additional hours.

• Must have certification from state board where license was issued.
   
• Application for out of state enrollment must be completed and submitted to prospective school for enrollment.
   
• Statutory education requirements must be provided (attached to application for enrollment).
   
• Once hours are completed, an applicant should apply for examination, written and practical.

If the individual meets their statutory hour requirement, he/she is eligible to apply for examination, written and practical.

• Must provide certification of licensure from state board who issued the license and/or from the board where individual is currently licensed.
   
• Must meet statutory education requirement (proof attached to application for examination).
   
• Complete out-of-state examination application and submit to board office with appropriate fee. 

If an individual has been licensed for more than two (2) years, regardless of the number of hours completed, they are eligible for examination, practical only.

• Must have certification of licensure from the state where the license was issued or where currently licensed for at least two (2) years.
   
• Must meet statutory education requirements (proof attached to application for examination).
   
• Complete out-of-state examination application and submit with appropriate fee.