Cosmetologist / Mississippi
2026 data Mississippi board official source

Mississippi Cosmetologist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides hair, skin, and nail care services. Required in all 50 states.

What the Mississippi data shows for Cosmetologists

Becoming a licensed cosmetologist in Mississippi means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 1,178 training hours, a passing score on State Cosmetology Board Exam, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 16. Mississippi regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

Budget $55 to get started, plus $25 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle; processing typically runs about 2 weeks once your application is complete. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Mississippi, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

B
Licensing Ease Score
73/100
Cosmetologist · Mississippi

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training D
1,178 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B
$80
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A-
$22/yr
$44 every 2 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Mississippi

Education / Training Hours
Cosmetology School
1,178 hours
Exam Requirement
State Cosmetology Board Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$80
Renewal Fee
$44
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
2 wks
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
16 years
Compare fees across all states for Cosmetologist →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Cosmetologist All Mississippi licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Mississippi licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Cosmetologist in Mississippi? ▼
Mississippi requires 1178 education/training hours, passing an exam (State Cosmetology Board Exam), and an initial fee of $80. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Cosmetologist in Mississippi? ▼
Certification as a cosmetologist in Mississippi means clearing the state's checklist: 1178 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Mississippi licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Cosmetologist license to Mississippi from another state? ▼
For cosmetologists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Varies by state — check with state board. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Mississippi licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Mississippi require a background check for Cosmetologist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for cosmetologist licensing in Mississippi. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
How much does it cost to get a Cosmetologist license in Mississippi? ▼
The initial licensing fee in Mississippi is $55. The renewal fee is $25 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 2 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Cosmetologist license processing take in Mississippi? ▼
In Mississippi, license processing for cosmetologists typically takes approximately 2 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this cosmetologist license

Cosmetologist in Mississippi, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a cosmetologist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Mississippi's cosmetologist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Cosmetologist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state cosmetologist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Mississippi's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Mississippi overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Mississippi licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.