Cosmetology / Barber License from Vermont to New York: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (Appearance Enhancement — Cosmetology) ↗
Yes — New York has a reciprocity arrangement covering Vermont license holders. Apply to the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (Appearance Enhancement — Cosmetology) under its reciprocity/endorsement track; typically you skip the national exam and complete state-specific requirements only.
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Verdict
Reciprocity agreement
Vermont and New York require identical training hours (1,000), which removes the usual friction from a cosmetology transfer. What remains is New York's administrative checklist below.
What changes, Vermont → New York
| Vermont (current) | New York (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| CLC status | Licensure by endorsement | Reciprocity with 27 states |
| Training hours | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Application fee | $155 (cosmetologist application fee per OPR fee schedule; endorsement uses the same application fee) | $40 (cosmetology license application fee; $50 combined fee if applying for the initial license and a temporary license together) |
| Processing time | ~1 weeks (OPR states 3-5 business days to process applications; OPR's 90-day initial licensing policy applies) | Department of State does not publish a processing timeframe |
| Licensing authority | Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) — Barber and Cosmetology Board | New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (Appearance Enhancement — Cosmetology) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — New York sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm New York's current requirements on the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (Appearance Enhancement — Cosmetology) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the reciprocity application to the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (Appearance Enhancement — Cosmetology) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold a current cosmetology license in a listed reciprocity or endorsement state; Arizona and North Dakota require 1 year, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Vermont 2 years, Idaho 3, Montana 4, Colorado, Missouri, and DC 5 years of licensure.
- Submit an original certification of licensure from the state board where you are currently licensed (endorsement states require a letter of good standing dated within six months).
- Massachusetts and Pennsylvania applicants must also submit two experience statements on form DOS-1543 from two different people.
- Applicants from non-listed states must document five years of licensed experience, or complete a 1,000-hour approved course and pass the New York written and practical exams.
- Pay the fees ($40 (cosmetology license application fee; $50 combined fee if applying for the initial license and a temporary license together)) and allow Department of State does not publish a processing timeframe.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does New York accept a Vermont cosmetology license?
Yes — New York has a reciprocity arrangement covering Vermont license holders. Apply to the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (Appearance Enhancement — Cosmetology) under its reciprocity/endorsement track; typically you skip the national exam and complete state-specific requirements only.
Will New York make me retake the cosmetology exams?
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 does the Vermont-to-New York transfer cost and how long does it take?
$40 (cosmetology license application fee; $50 combined fee if applying for the initial license and a temporary license together); processing Department of State does not publish a processing timeframe.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- NY DOS — Cosmetology Reciprocity (state table, certification, $40 fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NY DOS — Endorsement States (cosmetology endorsement list) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NY DOS — Become a Cosmetologist (1,000-hour course, exams, 5-year experience path) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Vermont OPR — Barber and Cosmetology FAQs (training hours) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Vermont OPR — Barber/Cosmetologist Application Instructions (endorsement and fast-track paths, March 2026) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Vermont OPR — Initial licensing and renewal fee schedule ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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