All states · Missouri
Licensing in Missouri
In Missouri, beauty and barber licenses are issued by the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, massage therapists by the Board of Therapeutic Massage, and nurses by the State Board of Nursing. Construction contractors are licensed by cities and counties.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | School | Apprenticeship | Exam | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours | 3,000 hours | State Board exam | Every 2 years |
| Esthetician | 750 hours | — | State Board exam | Every 2 years |
| Manicurist | 400 hours | 800 hours | State Board exam | Every 2 years |
| Barber | 1,000 hours | 2,000 hours | State Board exam | Every 2 years |
- All licenses are issued by the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. They expire on September 30 of odd years.
- At public vocational schools the cosmetology course is 1,220 hours. Barber school takes at least 6 months.
- By law, hair braiding without chemicals is not part of cosmetology.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Massage Therapist | 500 hours | Board-approved exam | Every 2 years | 12 |
- Licenses are issued by the Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage. The 500 hours cover theory and practice, anatomy, ethics and law, CPR and first aid.
| License | Issued by | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Missouri State Board of Nursing | NCLEX-RN |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | Missouri State Board of Nursing | NCLEX-PN |
| Certified Nurse AssistantCNA | Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services | State exam |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification |
- Missouri is in the Nurse Licensure Compact: a multistate nursing license is valid.
| Profession | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor | City or county | No state license — requirements are local |
| Statewide Electrical Contractor | Division of Professional Registration | Optional state license — instead of several local ones |
- Permits and inspections stay with local authorities, even with a state license.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Salon or barbershop | Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners | Establishment license; renewed every 2 years |
| LLC | Secretary of State | Registration — file Articles of Organization |
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
Missouri specifics
- One board for beauty and barbers. Cosmetologists and barbers are licensed by the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.
- Apprenticeship path. Instead of school, you can train under a licensed professional — twice the hours.
- One renewal date. All beauty licenses expire on September 30 of odd years.
- Braiding — outside cosmetology. The law does not treat braiding without chemicals as cosmetology.
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate nursing license is valid here.
- Contractors — local. Contractor licenses are issued by cities and counties; the state electrical license is optional.
What professionals earn in Missouri
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?
1,500 school hours or 3,000 apprenticeship hours.
When do beauty licenses renew?
Every 2 years: licenses expire on September 30 of odd years.
How many hours does a massage therapist need?
500 training hours, plus 12 CE hours for renewal.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri 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: Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage, Missouri State Board of Nursing, Missouri Statewide Electrical Contractors, Missouri Revised Statutes, Missouri Secretary of State. Wage data — BLS.