All states · New Jersey
Licensing in New Jersey
Most professional licenses in New Jersey are issued by state boards within the Division of Consumer Affairs: beauty, massage, nurses, electricians, plumbers and HVAC. Nurse aides are certified by the Department of Health, and tattoo studios are licensed by local health departments.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist-Hairstylist | 1,200 hours | Theory and practical | Every 2 years |
| Beautician | 1,100 hours | Theory and practical | Every 2 years |
| Barber | 900 hours | Theory and practical | Every 2 years |
| Skin Care Specialist | 600 hours | Theory and practical | Every 2 years |
| Manicurist | 300 hours | Theory and practical | Every 2 years |
| Hair Braiding Specialist | 40–50 hours | State exam | Every 2 years |
- Licenses are issued by the Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling within the Division of Consumer Affairs.
- The practical part is allowed after scoring 75% or higher on theory.
- Hair braiding: 40 hours with 3+ years of experience, otherwise 50 hours.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist | 500 hours | MBLEx, NCBTMB or NCCAOM | Every 2 years | 20 |
- Licenses are issued by the Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy within the Division of Consumer Affairs.
- CPR, First Aid and AED certificates are required, plus professional liability insurance of at least $1,000,000.
- The 20 CE hours include 2 hours of ethics and 1 hour of state laws.
| License | Issued by | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Board of Nursing | NCLEX-RN | Every 2 years | 30 |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | Board of Nursing | NCLEX-PN | Every 2 years | 30 |
| Certified Nurse AideCNA | Department of Health | Written or oral and skills test after 90 training hours | Every 2 years | At least 7 hours of paid work in 2 years |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Certification required for injections | — | — |
- New Jersey has been in the Nurse Licensure Compact since 2021: a multistate nursing license is valid.
- The 30 CE hours for nurses include 1 hour on opioid drugs.
- A medical assistant may give injections only with certification (such as AAMA or NCCT) and 10 hours of training.
| Profession | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Contractor | Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors | Exam and 5 years of experience: 4-year apprenticeship and 1 year as Class A journeyman |
| Master Plumber | State Board of Master Plumbers | Exam and 5 years of experience: 4-year apprenticeship and 1 year as journeyman |
| Master HVACR Contractor | Division of Consumer Affairs | State license; municipalities cannot require an additional license |
| Home Improvement Contractor | Division of Consumer Affairs | Annual business registration |
- In New Jersey, electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors are licensed by the state.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Salon or barbershop | Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling | Shop license, renewal every 2 years. The salon must employ a licensee with 3+ years of experience |
| Tattoo, PMU, microblading | Local health departments | Studio license; work only in a licensed studio. A bloodborne pathogens course is required |
| Beauty school | Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling | School license and programs that follow state board standards |
| LLC | Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services | Registration — $100, annual report — $75 |
| Taxes | Division of Revenue | NJ-REG registration and a Business Registration Certificate |
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
New Jersey specifics
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate nursing license has been valid since 2021.
- Two-part exam. Beauty licenses require theory and a practical exam.
- Two licenses for hairstylists. Cosmetologist-Hairstylist — 1,200 hours, Beautician — 1,100 hours.
- Insurance for massage therapists. A license requires liability insurance of at least $1,000,000.
- Contractors — at the state level. Electricians, plumbers and HVAC are licensed by state boards.
- Microblading is body art. PMU follows the same rules as tattooing.
What professionals earn in New Jersey
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to take a practical exam?
Yes. The exam has two parts: theory first, where you need at least 75%, then the practical.
Which exam does a massage therapist take?
The MBLEx, the NCBTMB or the NCCAOM exam. You also need 500 training hours and liability insurance.
Do I need a license for microblading?
Yes. Microblading counts as body art: you may work only in a studio licensed by the local health department.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey 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: NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, NJ Department of Health, NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, N.J.A.C. (Cornell LII). Wage data — BLS.