Cosmetology State Board Exam Requirements by State 2025

Preparing for your Cosmetology State Board Exam? While most U.S. states follow the NIC (National Interstate Council) written and practical exam formats, each state may have slight variations in procedures, safety protocols, and scoring.

On this page, you’ll find state-specific requirements, testing details, and links to free cosmetology practice teststailored for California, Texas, Florida, and New York — plus general NIC-based prep resources for other states.

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California Cosmetology State Board Exam

Exam Format: NIC written & practical, with California-specific health/safety regulations.
Written Exam: 100 questions, 90 minutes.
Practical Exam: Includes client preparation, thermal curling, haircutting, chemical services, and nail & skin care.
Licensing Authority: California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
Pass Score: 75% or higher.
Practice Resource: Free California Cosmetology Practice Test →

Texas Cosmetology State Board Exam

Exam Format: NIC written & practical, Texas-specific sanitation protocols.
Written Exam: 100 questions, 2 hours.
Practical Exam: Includes chemical waving, color retouch, virgin relaxer, and thermal curling.
Licensing Authority: Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR).
Pass Score: 70% or higher.
Practice Resource: Free Texas Cosmetology Practice Test →

Florida Cosmetology State Board Exam

Exam Format: Florida-specific written exam (no practical).
Written Exam: 2 parts — Theory (100 questions) and HIV/AIDS/Sanitation (40 questions).
Licensing Authority: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
Pass Score: 75% or higher.
Practice Resource: Free Florida Cosmetology Practice Test →

New York Cosmetology State Board Exam

Exam Format: Written & practical, based on NIC with New York regulations.
Written Exam: 100 questions, 2 hours.
Practical Exam: Includes haircutting, chemical services, thermal curling, and sanitation procedures.
Licensing Authority: New York State Division of Licensing Services.
Pass Score: 70% or higher.
Practice Resource: Free New York Cosmetology Practice Test →

Other States...

Most other U.S. states follow the NIC exam structure, but you should always verify details with your state’s licensing board. Our full cosmetology prep course includes NIC-aligned questions, practical checklists, and tips for adapting to local variations.

Start here: Free National NIC Cosmetology Practice Test →