The state may refuse to grant a license if a student has been convicted of a crime; committed any act involving dishonesty, fraud, or deceit; or committed any act that, if committed by a licentiate of the business or profession in question, would be grounds for the Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology to deny licensure. The Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology denies licensure on the grounds that the applicant knowingly made a false statement of fact required to be revealed in the application for such license. Students who are not U.S. citizens or who do not have documented authority to work in the United States will not be eligible to apply to take the state licensure examination. Paul Mitchell The School Murfreesboro is not responsible for students denied licensure.
state licensing requirements
Cosmetology Licensing Requirements
- Be at least sixteen years of age and have completed at least two (2) years of high school or received at least a score of thirty-eight percent (38%) on the GED® or HiSET® examination.
- Completion of 1,500 hours in practice and theory at a school of cosmetology.
- Written and practical examination.
Renewal notices are mailed approximately one month prior to renewal date. Licensee required to submit renewal notice with required fee, if applicable, due by expiration date on license.
To apply for an initial license please visit www.core.tn.gov. The fee for an initial application is $60.
The Cosmetologist renewal fee is $60.00, as set forth in Rule 0440-1-.13(3) of the Tennessee Rules of Cosmetology.
The renewal form and fee must be submitted to the board office prior to the expiration date listed on the license. If the renewal is not processed prior, there is an additional late fee of $25.00 per license. If the late fee is due, your license is not renewed.
Licenses expired for more than three (3) years become invalid. In order to reinstate an invalid license, the licensee must take reinstatement exams. There are no waivers to this provision.
Aesthetician Licensing Requirements
- Be at least sixteen years of age and have completed at least two (2) years of high school or received at least a score of thirty-eight percent (38%) on the GED® or HiSET® examination.
- Satisfactory completion of a course of instruction of not less than 750 hours in the practice and theory of aesthetics at a school of cosmetology.
- A written and practical examination is required.
Renewals are required every two years.
To apply for an initial license please visit www.core.tn.gov. The fee for an initial application is $60.
The Aesthetician renewal fee is $60.00, as set forth in Rule 0440-1-.13(3) of the Tennessee Rules of Cosmetology.
The renewal form and fee must be submitted to the board office prior to the expiration date listed on the license. If the renewal is not processed prior, there is an additional late fee of $25.00 per license. If the late fee is due, your license is not renewed.
Licenses expired for more than three (3) years become invalid. In order to reinstate an invalid license, the licensee must take reinstatement exams. There are no waivers to this provision.
Cosmetology Instructor Licensing Requirements
- Hold a valid license as a cosmetologist, aesthetician, manicurist, natural hair stylist and meet educational and experience requirements. Effective July 1, 2015, the individual must hold a license in the field they are approved to teach for at least three (3) continuous years in order to obtain an instructor license.
- Be a high school graduate or possess a graduate equivalency diploma (G. E. D) and either complete a board-approved course in instructor training of at least 300 hours within a period of six months as an instructor trainee OR complete service as a junior instructor for a minimum of one year. (A junior instructor holds a valid cosmetologist's, aesthetician's, manicurist's or natural hair stylist's license and engages in a course of training in practice teaching in a school under the personal supervision of a licensed instructor for a period not to exceed three years).
- Written and practical (consists of lesson plan) examination. For information on application, registration, examination or fees, contact our testing vender PSI online at https://test-takers.psiexams.com/ or by phone, 800-733-9267.
- Attendance in a cosmetology instructor training program of at least sixteen (16) hours duration every two years at a session approved by the board .
Renewal required every two years along with completion of sixteen (16) hours of continued education.
To apply for an initial license please visit www.core.tn.gov. The fee for an initial application is $80.
The Instructor renewal fee is $70.00, as set forth in Rule 0440-1-.13(3) of the Tennessee Rules of Cosmetology.
The renewal form and fee must be submitted to the board office prior to the expiration date listed on the license. If the renewal is not processed prior, there is an additional late fee of $25.00 per license. If the late fee is due, your license is not renewed.
Licenses expired for more than three (3) years become invalid. In order to reinstate an invalid license, the licensee must take reinstatement exams. There are no waivers to this provision.