Professions / Cosmetology
2026 data 51 state boards official source

Electrologist Licensing Requirements by State

Licensing requirements, fees, and renewal cycles across 51 state regulatory boards.

Provides permanent hair removal using electrical currents.

Electrologist license-status registry composition

Status mix60%11%ActiveExpiredSuspendedRevokedCancelled
Electrologist license-status registry composition

What the data says about Electrologist licensing

Electrologist is regulated across 51 states, with 51 of 51 (100%) requiring a passing exam score and 51 (100%) requiring a criminal background check before issuing a license. The training burden varies dramatically: Wyoming mandates 1,500 education hours, while New Hampshire requires just 120 — a 13× spread across the same profession.

Initial licensing fees range from $25 in New Hampshire to $198 in California — a $173 spread for the same credential. The average first-time fee is $104. This means the state where you apply can cost you a meaningful premium over the cheapest jurisdiction for identical practice rights.

Continuing education requirements are minimal for this profession, with most states not mandating ongoing hours. Reciprocity and interstate compacts can shortcut the process for license-holders moving between states, but reciprocity rules vary state-to-state and typically still require a fee, a background check, and proof of good standing. The state-by-state table below shows the specific fee, exam, education, and reciprocity terms so you can compare before committing to an application.

States licensed

51

Out of 51 jurisdictions tracked

Avg education hours

801 hrs

Required prelicensure training

Avg initial fee

$104

Application + first issuance

Adoption rates

States requiring an examination 100.0%

51 of 51 states require passing a board examination

States requiring background check 100.0%

51 of 51 states require a criminal-history check

Cheapest vs priciest jurisdiction for Electrologist

A $173 fee spread for the same credential

Initial licensing fees in New Hampshire ($ 25) and California ($ 198) bracket the field — a 8× spread for identical practice rights.

NH

New Hampshire

0.25% top marginal rate
Structure
Flat tax
Burden @ $100K
$25
Brackets
2

CA

California

1.98% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$198
Brackets
2

State-by-State Requirements

51 states
State Edu. Hours Exam Init. Fee Renewal Cycle CE Hrs Details
Alabama 425 Yes $79 $64 2 yrs 0 View →
Alaska 1,500 Yes $75 2 yrs 0 View →
Arizona 936 Yes $171 $129 2 yrs 0 View →
Arkansas 358 Yes $68 $55 2 yrs 0 View →
California 1,087 Yes $198 $148 2 yrs 0 View →
Colorado 1,500 Yes $75 2 yrs 0 View →
Connecticut 782 Yes $143 $109 2 yrs 0 View →
Delaware 663 Yes $122 $94 2 yrs 0 View →
District of Columbia 682 Yes $125 $97 2 yrs 0 View →
Florida 729 Yes $134 $103 2 yrs 0 View →
Georgia 570 Yes $105 $82 2 yrs 0 View →
Hawaii 893 Yes $163 $124 2 yrs 0 View →
Idaho 1,500 Yes $75 2 yrs 0 View →
Illinois 1,021 Yes $186 $140 2 yrs 0 View →
Indiana 544 Yes $101 $79 2 yrs 0 View →
Iowa 305 Yes $58 $49 2 yrs 0 View →
Kansas 1,500 Yes $75 2 yrs 0 View →
Kentucky 385 Yes $72 $59 2 yrs 0 View →
Louisiana 835 Yes $153 $116 2 yrs 0 View →
Maine 146 Yes $30 $28 2 yrs 0 View →
Maryland 769 Yes $141 $108 2 yrs 0 View →
Massachusetts 742 Yes $136 $104 2 yrs 0 View →
Michigan 1,500 Yes $75 2 yrs 0 View →
Minnesota 464 Yes $86 $69 2 yrs 0 View →
Mississippi 411 Yes $77 $62 2 yrs 0 View →
Missouri 451 Yes $84 $67 2 yrs 0 View →
Montana 862 Yes $157 $120 2 yrs 0 View →
Nebraska 1,500 Yes $75 2 yrs 0 View →
Nevada 991 Yes $181 $136 2 yrs 0 View →
New Hampshire 120 Yes $25 $25 2 yrs 0 View →
New Jersey 756 Yes $139 $106 2 yrs 0 View →
New Mexico 875 Yes $160 $121 2 yrs 0 View →
New York 697 Yes $128 $99 2 yrs 0 View →
North Carolina 557 Yes $103 $81 2 yrs 0 View →
North Dakota 1,500 Yes $75 2 yrs 0 View →
Ohio 623 Yes $115 $89 2 yrs 0 View →
Oklahoma 319 Yes $60 $50 2 yrs 0 View →
Oregon 1,500 Yes $75 2 yrs 0 View →
Pennsylvania 676 Yes $124 $96 2 yrs 0 View →
Rhode Island 848 Yes $155 $118 2 yrs 0 View →
South Carolina 332 Yes $63 $52 2 yrs 0 View →
South Dakota 1,500 Yes $75 2 yrs 0 View →
Tennessee 491 Yes $91 $72 2 yrs 0 View →
Texas 636 Yes $117 $91 2 yrs 0 View →
Utah 398 Yes $75 $60 2 yrs 0 View →
Vermont 160 Yes $32 $30 2 yrs 0 View →
Virginia 517 Yes $96 $76 2 yrs 0 View →
Washington 915 Yes $167 $126 2 yrs 0 View →
West Virginia 398 Yes $75 $60 2 yrs 0 View →
Wisconsin 1,500 Yes $75 2 yrs 0 View →
Wyoming 1,500 Yes $75 2 yrs 0 View →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many states license Electrologist professionals?

51 states require a license for Electrologist practitioners. Requirements vary significantly by state in terms of education hours, fees, and exam requirements.

What education is required to become a licensed Electrologist?

On average, states require approximately 801 hours of education or training, with requirements ranging from 120 to 1,500 hours.

What is the average licensing fee?

The average initial licensing fee is $104, ranging from $25 to $198 across states.

Can I transfer my license to another state?

License reciprocity varies by state. Many states participate in interstate compacts that allow license portability. Check the reciprocity information in the state-by-state details for your specific situation.

Do Electrologist licenses require an exam?

51 out of 51 states require passing an examination to obtain a electrologist license. Exam requirements, names, and formats vary by state — check the state-by-state table above for specifics.

Is a background check required for Electrologist licensing?

51 out of 51 states require a criminal background check as part of the electrologist licensing process. Background check requirements and disqualifying offenses vary by jurisdiction.

Data Sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), State licensing board websites. Data reflects research-based estimates; verify current requirements with your state licensing board before making career decisions.

Related

Data sourced from official state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCredential Editorial

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from NCSL and state licensing board databases. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.