All states · Connecticut
Licensing in Connecticut
In Connecticut, beauty, barbers, massage therapists and nurses are licensed by the Department of Public Health (DPH). Contractors, electricians and plumbers are licensed by the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP).
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | Training | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Hairdresser and Cosmetician | 1,500 hours or apprenticeship | Prometric |
| Barber | 1,000 hours | Prometric |
| Esthetician | 600 hours | No exam |
| Nail Technician | 100 hours | No exam |
- All beauty and barber licenses are issued by the Department of Public Health. Training is at an approved school; hairdressers can also apprentice through the Department of Labor.
- Esthetician and nail technician licenses are new and applications are online only through eLicense. They renew every 2 years. The experience-based route for estheticians closed on January 1, 2025.
| License | Training | Exam | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massage Therapist | 750 hours + 60 clinical hours | MBLEx or NCBTMB | 24 per 4 years |
- The 750 hours must be classroom hours with an instructor present; online hours do not count. The NESL exam is not accepted.
- Up to 18 of the 24 CE hours may be online. The first renewal is CE-exempt.
| License | Issued by | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Department of Public Health | NCLEX-RN |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | Department of Public Health | NCLEX-PN |
| Certified Nurse AideCNA | DPH registry | Prometric |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification |
- Since October 1, 2025, Connecticut fully implements the Nurse Licensure Compact: nurses who live in the state can get a multistate license.
- CNAs take the written and skills exam within 24 months after training.
| License | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Home Improvement Contractor | DCP | Registration, renewed annually by March 31 |
| New Home Construction Contractor | DCP | Registration plus guaranty fund fee |
| Major Contractor | DCP | Buildings of 4+ stories or 150,000+ sq ft |
| Electrical E-1 / E-2 | DCP | Contractor / journeyperson |
| Plumbing P-1 / P-2 | DCP | Contractor / journeyperson |
- Home Improvement and New Home Construction registration require at least $20,000 liability insurance.
- An E-1 electrical contractor needs 2 years as a journeyperson; a P-1 plumbing contractor also needs 2 years as a journeyperson.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| LLC | Connecticut Secretary of the State | Registration — file a Certificate of Organization |
| Contractor LLC | Secretary of the State, then DCP | Register the company first, then the contractor registration |
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
Connecticut specifics
- Everything through DPH. Beauty, barbers, massage therapists and nurses are licensed by the Department of Public Health.
- New licenses. Estheticians (600 hours) and nail technicians (100 hours) — no exam.
- Massage — 750 hours. Classroom hours only, plus 60 clinical hours.
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact since 2025. Multistate licenses have been valid since October 1, 2025.
- Contractor registration. Home improvement and new homes — registration with DCP and insurance.
- Electricians and plumbers by class. E-1/E-2, P-1/P-2 and limited classes for specific work.
What professionals earn in Connecticut
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does a hairdresser need?
1,500 hours at an approved school or an apprenticeship, then the Prometric exam.
Does an esthetician need an exam?
No. You need 600 hours at an approved school and an eLicense application.
How many hours does a massage therapist need?
750 classroom hours and 60 clinical hours, then the MBLEx or NCBTMB.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in Connecticut?
Yes. Since October 1, 2025, Connecticut fully implements the Nurse Licensure Compact.
*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: Connecticut Department of Public Health, Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Connecticut Secretary of the State. Wage data — BLS.