Summary of States Requiring Licensure

Only 34 States Require Electrologists to at least buy a License to practice, some require you to pass a State administered Board Examination, some well, some have NO requirements.  Yes you read that correctly, you could open your practice tomorrow without any training or consumer protection.  Electrolysis can be very much a "buyer beware" market place.  We advise anyone considering professional hair removal to do their homework ahead of time. 

The following list details which of the U.S. states license the practice of electrology as of April 2008.  Our curriculum for training is based upon exceeding the Wisconsin State Requirements.  We are happy to design a program to fulfill the requirements of your specific state.  

Each state listing includes the designated licensing board, its appointed board members, and general licensing criteria. The remaining unlisted U.S. states currently do not make any requirements in order to practice electrology. 

Contact your state's Department of Regulation and Licensure for updated information as to their specific requirements.  Often their website information is NOT up-to-date, always get hardcopy confirmation that they will accept out of state training.  

Alabama
State Board of Cosmetology
1,200 hours Cosmetology (no electrology included); Examination
16 years of age; 10th grade or equivalent

Arkansas
State Board of Cosmetology
600 hours, or 350 hours and 1,500 hours cosmetology license; Examination

California
State Board of Barbering & Cosmetology
600 hours, or 2 years apprenticeship; Examination
17 years of age; high school or equivalent

Connecticut
State Board of Hypertrichologists
Dept. of Public Health & Addiction Services
600 hours; Examination

Delaware
State Board of Cosmetology
300 hours, or 600 hours apprenticeship; Examination
16 years of age; 10th grade or equivalent

District of Colombia
Barber & Cosmetology Board
600 hours; Examination

Florida
Board of Medicine, Advisory Council
320 total hours: 120 hours academic and 200 hours practical;
Examination; 2.0 CEU's every 2 years

Hawaii
Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs
No Board
600 hours, or 800 hours apprenticeship by rules/regulations; Examination

Idaho
State Board of Cosmetology
500 hours and 300 hours skin care, or 1,600 hours
apprenticeship; Examination
16.5 years of age; 2 years high school or equivalent

Illinois NEW!

Division of Professional Regulation Department

600 hours and a written examination

Recently passed legislation requiring certification, contact state department

for specific information.  This is a link to their Division of Professional Regulation Department's electrology page.

Indiana
State Board of Beauty Culturists Examiners
300 hours and 1,500 hours beauty culture course or
700 hours esthetics course; Examination
18 years of age; 10th grade or equivalent

Iowa (Newly Updated!)  Link to the new requirements here
State Board of Cosmetology Examiners,
Dept. of Public Health
425 hours; Examination, high school or GED equivalent

Kansas
State Board of Cosmetology
500 hours, or 1,000 hours apprenticeship;
Examination, written and practical; 2.0 CEU's every 2 years
17 years of age; high school or equivalent if under 25 years of age

Louisiana
State Board of Electrolysis Examiners,
Dept. of Health & Hospitals
600 hours, or 600 hours apprenticeship;
Examination; 5 CEU's for instructors annual license renewal

Maine
Dept. of Human Services, Bureau of Health
No Board
600 hours in a school of electrology (notarized certificate of completion)
17 years of age; high school or equivalent

Maryland
State Board of Electrologists 
Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene
600 hours; Examination;
2.0 CEU's for biennial license renewal

Massachusetts
Board of Registration of Electrologists
Dept. of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation
1,100 hours; Examination

Michigan
State Board of Cosmetology
400 hours or 12-months apprenticeship;
Examination written and practical

Montana
State Board of Cosmetology
600 hours; Examination written only

Nebraska
State Board of Health 
Board of Cosmetology
600 hours; apprenticeship; Examination
17-yrs; high school or equivalent

Nevada
State Board of Cosmetology
500 hours, or 1,000 hours apprenticeship; Examination

New Hampshire
Dept. of Health & Human Services,
Division of Public Health Services
1,100 hours; Examination

New Jersey
State Board of Medical Examiners/
Electrologists Advisory Committee
600 hours; Examination

New Mexico
State Board of Barbers & Cosmetology
600 hours; Examination

North Carolina
State Board of Electrolysis Examiners
600 hours; Examination; 1.0 CEU's annual

North Dakota
Dept. of Health and Consolidated Laboratories
Division of Health Facilities
No Board
600 hours; 0.5 CEU's for annual license renewal

Ohio
State Medical Board of Ohio
750 hours; Examination; 2.5 CEU's for biennial license renewal

Oklahoma
State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision
600 hours internship; Examination; 1.0 CEU's every 3-yrs
21 years of age; B.S. degree in approved field

Oregon
Dept. of Human Resources Health Division
600 hours; Examination; 2 CEU's every 3 years for license renewal

Rhode Island
State Board of Examiners of Electrolysis,
Dept. of Health
650 hours apprenticeship; Examination

Tennessee
State Board of Electrolysis Examiners,
Dept. of Health and Environment
600 hours AND 23 credit hours in approved subjects; National Examination; Practical Examination;
1.0 CEU's for annual license renewal

Utah
State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering
450 hours; Examination

Vermont New!

Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation

600 hours, Examination, 10 CEUs ever 2 years

West Virginia
Practice of electrology limited to licensed physician or licensed physician's assistant ONLY.

Wisconsin
Barbering and Cosmetology Examining Board
Recognized electrology course of at least 450 hours
(no less than 11 weeks and no more than 30
weeks duration) under the direct supervision of
a certified instructor; Examination, written and practical.

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