Transfer Your Cosmetology / Barber License to Louisiana: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Does my cosmetology license transfer to Louisiana?
Louisiana accepts licensed cosmetologists from every state via endorsement — no re-schooling when your training meets its 1,500 training hours requirement. Applications go to the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology (LSBC); the fee is $60–$85 ($25 state exam fee plus $35 initial license fee, plus $25 if the Louisiana practical exam is required (reciprocity application worksheet); national (NIC) exam fees are paid separately to the testing company).
Moving to Louisiana from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
At 1,500 required training hours, Louisiana sits in the national mainstream. Transfers from most states clear the hour bar; if you trained in one of the low-hour states (around 1,000-1,200 hours), check the gap-closing options in the requirements below before assuming you need more schooling.
Not a Cosmetology Licensure Compact state as of 2026. LSBC states it recognizes the cosmetology licenses of all other states with some exceptions: licenses obtained by experience or apprenticeship cannot be transferred, nor can hairdressing, hairstyling, hair design, cosmetician, or Class CA/CH licenses (the board names Missouri Class CA and CH, Connecticut cosmetology/cosmetician and hairdressing/cosmetician, and Rhode Island hairdresser/cosmetology); a license must include hair, nails, and skin to be equivalent. Applicants whose state did not give a hands-on state-board practical exam must take Louisiana's practical exam. Board site is served over http only.
Louisiana requirements at a glance
| Exam | National (NIC) theory results (with your NIC score sheet) and hands-on practical exams administered by a state board are credited, but every reciprocity applicant must pass the Louisiana state examination before the license is issued; applicants who never passed a national or hands-on state-board practical exam must pass the board-administered version (LAC 46:XXXI Section 509) |
|---|---|
| Training hours | 1,500 training hours for the standard license |
| Fees | $60–$85 ($25 state exam fee plus $35 initial license fee, plus $25 if the Louisiana practical exam is required (reciprocity application worksheet); national (NIC) exam fees are paid separately to the testing company) |
| Processing time | board does not publish a processing timeframe |
Step by step
- Confirm Louisiana's current requirements on the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology (LSBC) website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology (LSBC) (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold an active cosmetologist license in another US state or territory.
- Submit the cosmetology reciprocity application with all supporting documents and applicable fees.
- Provide evidence of successful passage of all required examinations.
- Have attended a cosmetology school; licenses obtained by experience or apprenticeship cannot be transferred to Louisiana.
- Pass the Louisiana state examination (and any missing national or practical exam) before the reciprocity license is issued.
- Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Louisiana:
Nearby states
Cosmetology / Barber license transfer into the states bordering Louisiana:
Louisiana for other professions
- Nursing in Louisiana
- Real Estate in Louisiana
- Contractor in Louisiana
- Teaching in Louisiana
- CPA / Accounting in Louisiana
- Electrician in Louisiana
- Plumber in Louisiana
- Engineering in Louisiana
- Pharmacy in Louisiana
- Physical Therapy in Louisiana
- Psychology in Louisiana
- Counseling in Louisiana
- Social Work in Louisiana
- Occupational Therapy in Louisiana
Frequently asked questions
How many training hours does Louisiana require for cosmetology?
1,500 clock hours for the standard cosmetology license (verified 2026-10-29). Transfers with fewer completed hours should review Louisiana's gap options — experience substitution, supplemental training, or examination.
Is Louisiana in the Cosmetology Licensure Compact?
No — Louisiana has not enacted the compact as of 2026-10-29. Endorsement through the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology (LSBC) is the transfer path.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-10-29.
- LSBC — Reciprocity Application page ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- LSBC — Application for Reciprocity, Cosmetology (packet revised 08/04/25) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- LSBC — Individual Licensing FAQ (hours and out-of-state licensees) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Louisiana Administrative Code Title 46, Part XXXI (curriculum; Licensure by Reciprocity) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-10-29
How we verify · All sources · Corrections log · spot an error? hello@licensereciprocity.com