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Licensing in Idaho
In Idaho, most licenses are issued by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL): beauty and barbers, massage therapists and nurses, and DOPL also handles contractor registration. The CNA registry is run by the Department of Health and Welfare.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | School | Or apprenticeship |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,600 hours | 3,200 hours |
| Barber | 900 hours | 1,800 hours |
| Barber-Stylist | 1,500 hours | — |
| Esthetician | 600 hours | 1,200 hours |
| Nail Technician | 400 hours | 800 hours |
| Electrologist | 600 hours | 1,200 hours |
- Licenses are issued by the Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board under DOPL. Since July 1, 2026, licenses can be renewed annually or every 2 years.
- A 2026 bill to cut cosmetology hours (HB 547) was introduced but did not become law.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Massage Therapist | 500 hours | National exam | Annually or every 2 years |
- Licenses are issued by the Massage Therapists Board under DOPL. The 500 hours are supervised in-class hours, including clinic; the minimum age is 18.
| License | Issued by | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Idaho Board of Nursing (DOPL) | NCLEX-RN |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | Idaho Board of Nursing (DOPL) | NCLEX-PN |
| Certified Nurse AideCNA | Department of Health and Welfare | State exam |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification |
- Idaho residents can get a multistate nursing license under the Nurse Licensure Compact. Since April 1, 2026, nursing licenses renew every 2 years.
- CNA: a 120-hour course (80 classroom, 40 clinical), written and skills exams; renewal every 24 months with no fee.
| License | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor Registration | DOPL | For jobs over $2,000; no exam |
| Electrician, Plumber, HVAC | DOPL | Separate licenses; no contractor registration needed |
- Contractor registration requires at least $300,000 in liability insurance and proof of workers’ compensation. A 2-year registration has been available since October 14, 2025.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Salon or barbershop | DOPL | Establishment license |
| LLC | Idaho Secretary of State | Registration — file a Certificate of Organization via SOSbiz |
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.
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Idaho specifics
- Apprenticeship instead of school. For every beauty license except barber-stylist; it takes twice the hours.
- Barber — 900 hours. Or 1,800 apprenticeship hours.
- Renew for 1 or 2 years. Since 2026 — your choice for beauty, massage and contractors.
- Massage — 500 hours. Supervised in-class hours and a national exam.
- Contractor registration. For jobs over $2,000, no exam, with insurance.
- A multistate nursing license. Idaho residents get one under the Nurse Licensure Compact.
What professionals earn in Idaho
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does a cosmetologist need?
1,600 school hours or 3,200 apprenticeship hours.
How many hours does a barber need?
900 school hours or 1,800 apprenticeship hours.
Does a contractor need an exam?
No, contractor registration needs no exam — it needs insurance.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in Idaho?
Yes. Idaho issues multistate licenses under 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: Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL), Idaho Legislature, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Idaho Secretary of State. Wage data — BLS.