All states · Colorado
Licensing in Colorado
In Colorado, professional licenses are issued by the Division of Professions and Occupations (DORA): beauty and barbers, massage, nurses, electricians and plumbers. General contractor licenses are issued by cities and counties.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | School or apprenticeship | Written and practical | Depends on issue date |
| Barber | School or apprenticeship | Written and practical | Every 2 years, by March 31 |
| Hairstylist | School or apprenticeship | Written and practical | Every 2 years, by March 31 |
| Esthetician | School or apprenticeship | Written and practical | Every 2 years, by March 31 |
| Nail Technician | School or apprenticeship | Written and practical | Every 2 years, by March 31 |
- All licenses are issued by the Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure. Exams are administered by PSI.
- Work experience abroad can replace training hours: 3 months of experience count as 100 hours.
- Check the required training hours for each license with DORA.
| License | Training | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Massage Therapist | 650 hours | State-approved exam |
- Licenses are issued by the Office of Massage Therapy Licensure. Since June 2024, training is at least 650 hours instead of 500.
| License | Issued by | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Colorado Board of Nursing | NCLEX-RN |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | Colorado Board of Nursing | NCLEX-PN |
| Certified Nurse AideCNA | Colorado Board of Nursing | State exam |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification |
- Colorado is in the Nurse Licensure Compact: a multistate nursing license is valid.
| Profession | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | Colorado Electrical Board | State license |
| Plumber | Colorado Plumbing Board | State license |
| General Contractor | City or county | No state license — requirements are local |
- In some areas the state issues electrical and plumbing permits, elsewhere local authorities do.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Salon or barbershop | Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure | Shop registration; renewed by November 30 of odd years |
| LLC | Secretary of State | Registration — $50 online |
| Periodic Report | Secretary of State | Annual report — $25 |
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
Colorado specifics
- One agency. Beauty, massage, nurses, electricians and plumbers are licensed by DORA.
- A separate Hairstylist license. You can work with hair only, without a full cosmetology license.
- Foreign experience counts. 3 months of work abroad replace 100 training hours.
- Massage — 650 hours. Since June 2024, massage training requirements have increased.
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate nursing license is valid here.
- Contractors — local. The state licenses electricians and plumbers; general contractors are licensed by cities and counties.
What professionals earn in Colorado
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Which exams do beauty professionals take?
State written and practical exams, administered by PSI.
Can experience from another country count?
Yes. 3 months of experience replace 100 training hours, except sanitation, safety and law hours.
How many hours does a massage therapist need?
At least 650 training hours.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado 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: Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure, Colorado Office of Massage Therapy Licensure, Colorado Board of Nursing, Colorado Electrical Board, Colorado Plumbing Board, Colorado Secretary of State. Wage data — BLS.