Cosmetology / Barber License from New York to Tennessee: Does It Transfer? (2026)

What's different between New York and Tennessee

Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Tennessee. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.

Route, each way

New York to Tennessee (this page): Licensure by endorsement.

Tennessee to New York (the reverse move): Reciprocity agreement.

The two directions differ: New York and Tennessee do not give each other's licensees the same route.

Does coming from New York matter?

New York gets Tennessee's most common result: 38 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get the same one, so for most movers the origin does not change the answer.

The others get: compact enacted — not yet issuing; until it issues, licensure by endorsement (12).

Reciprocity agreements

Tennessee's row names no reciprocity agreement states.

New York's reciprocity agreement list names 27 states, including Tennessee.

CLC membership

Tennessee has enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact; New York has not.

Application fee

Tennessee lists $100 for an out-of-state applicant and New York lists $40 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.

Processing time

Tennessee lists 3–4 weeks; New York has no verified processing-time figure on file, so the two cannot be compared here.

Training hours

Tennessee's first-time-applicant standard is 1,500 training hours for the standard license; New York's is 1,000.

Tennessee's is 500 training hours higher than New York's.

Exam rules on record

Tennessee and New York carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.

• Tennessee (this move): No Tennessee examinations are listed in the reciprocity process; your certification of licensure must show you substantially met Tennessee's qualifications, which include a theory and practical examination for all license types
• New York (the reverse move): New York written and practical exams are not retaken by qualifying applicants from listed reciprocity or endorsement states (certification of licensure required; some states require 1-5 years of licensure); applicants from any other state can qualify without exams only by documenting five years of licensed cosmetology experience, otherwise both New York exams are required

What changes, New York → Tennessee

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Tennessee sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

1. Confirm Tennessee's current requirements on the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners website (linked below) — rules change.
2. Submit the endorsement application to the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners (application linked below).
3. Arrange license verification from your current state.
4. Hold a current cosmetology license in at least one state; certifications are required from every state where you are or were licensed, but only one license must be current.
5. Have each state licensing board send your Certification of License directly to the Tennessee board.
6. Complete the Out of State application online at core.tn.gov with the non-refundable application fee.
7. Submit acceptable proof of work (tax returns showing occupation or employer letters on letterhead) if you completed fewer than 1,500 school hours — practicing as a licensee for at least 1 of the last 3 years or 2 of the last 5 years.
8. Name on your license must match your identification documents.
9. Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.

Official links

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