All states · Arizona
Licensing in Arizona
In Arizona, beauty and barber licenses are issued by one state board — the Barbering and Cosmetology Board. Massage therapists are licensed by the Board of Massage Therapy, nurses by the Board of Nursing, and construction contractors by the Registrar of Contractors.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours | Written and practical | Every 2 years | — |
| Barber | 1,200 hours | Written and practical | Every 2 years | — |
| Hairstylist | 1,000 hours | Written and practical | Every 2 years | — |
| Aesthetician | 600 hours | Written and practical | Every 2 years | — |
| Nail Technician | 600 hours | Written and practical | Every 2 years | — |
- All licenses are issued by the Barbering and Cosmetology Board. Licenses renew every 2 years on your birthday.
- Instead of school, you can complete a state-approved apprenticeship with required infection protection and law hours.
- Cosmetologists and hairstylists need only a 200-hour course to get a barber license.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Massage Therapist | 700 hours | MBLEx or NCBTMB exam | Every 2 years | Required |
- Licenses are issued by the Arizona Board of Massage Therapy. A fingerprint check is required.
- With NCBTMB certification, 500 training hours are enough.
- The national exam is required for graduates of schools outside Arizona.
| License | Issued by | Exam | Renewal | Renewal condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Arizona State Board of Nursing | NCLEX-RN | Every 4 years | 960 practice hours in 5 years or education |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | Arizona State Board of Nursing | NCLEX-PN | Every 4 years | 960 practice hours in 5 years or education |
| Certified Nursing AssistantCNA | Arizona State Board of Nursing | State exam | Every 2 years | At least 8 paid hours in 2 years |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification | — | — |
- Arizona is in the Nurse Licensure Compact: a multistate nursing license is valid.
- Instead of CE hours, nurses need practice: 960 hours in 5 years, or education or a refresher course in that period.
- There is also a Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) — renewal requires 160 paid hours in 2 years.
| Profession | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor | Registrar of Contractors | A license is required for work of $1,000 or more with materials, or when a building permit is needed |
| Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC | Registrar of Contractors | The contractor is licensed in its trade classification |
| Handyman | No license needed | For work under $1,000 without a permit; ads must say “not a licensed contractor” |
- There is no separate state license for individual electricians or plumbers — the contractor is licensed.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Salon or barbershop | Barbering and Cosmetology Board | Establishment license; a manager must be designated |
| Beauty school | Barbering and Cosmetology Board | School license; training counts only at a licensed school |
| LLC | Arizona Corporation Commission | Registration — $50; a notice of formation must be published |
- If the LLC’s statutory agent is in Maricopa or Pima county, the Commission publishes the notice itself. In other counties — in a newspaper.
Your state requires an exam — we prepare you online
An exam-prep platform for Cosmetology, Barber, Esthetician and Nail Technician, as well as state law tests. Questions in the real exam format, a breakdown of every mistake, access from your phone and computer — study whenever it suits you.
Learn about the program- Tests in the real exam format
- An explanation for every answer
- Study materials in your personal account
- Study in Russian and English
Arizona specifics
- One board for beauty and barbers. Since 2021, barbers and cosmetologists are regulated by the joint Barbering and Cosmetology Board.
- No CE for beauty. Beauty licenses renew every 2 years on your birthday, with no required CE hours.
- Hairstylist — a separate license. A hairstylist (1,000 hours) works with hair without the full cosmetology course.
- Braiding and threading — no license. Braiding and hair extensions without chemicals and eyebrow threading need no license.
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate nursing license is valid; RN renewal is every 4 years.
- The contractor holds the license. The Registrar of Contractors licenses companies, not individual tradespeople.
What professionals earn in Arizona
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Do beauty licenses require CE hours for renewal?
No. Licenses renew every 2 years on your birthday; the law sets no required CE hours.
Do I need a license for hair braiding?
No, as long as no chemicals are used.
How many hours does a massage therapist need?
700 training hours, or 500 hours with NCBTMB certification.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate license is valid.
*Current as of September 30, 2026. The information on this page is not official and is for general reference only. Requirements are set by state and local authorities and may change — always check the official websites: Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board, Arizona Board of Massage Therapy, Arizona State Board of Nursing, Arizona Registrar of Contractors, Arizona Corporation Commission. Wage data — BLS.