All states · Ohio
Licensing in Ohio
In Ohio, beauty and barber licenses are issued by one state board — the State Cosmetology and Barber Board. Massage therapists are licensed by the State Medical Board, nurses by the Board of Nursing, and electrical, HVAC and plumbing contractors by the Construction Industry Licensing Board.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours | State Board exam | Every 2 years | 4 |
| Barber | 1,800 hours | State Board exam | Every 2 years | 4 |
| Esthetician | 600 hours | State Board exam | Every 2 years | 4 |
| Manicurist | 200 hours | State Board exam | Every 2 years | 4 |
| Natural Hair Stylist | 450 hours | State Board exam | Every 2 years | 4 |
- All licenses are issued by the State Cosmetology and Barber Board.
- The 4 CE hours include 1 hour of Ohio laws and rules and 3 hours of safety and infection control. Human trafficking training is also required.
- A barber with a cosmetology license, or a cosmetologist with a barber license, needs only 1,000 hours.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massage Therapist | 600 hours | MBLEx | Every 2 years | Not required |
- Licenses are issued by the State Medical Board of Ohio.
- The board does not license massage businesses as facilities — premises rules are set locally.
| License | Issued by | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Ohio Board of Nursing | NCLEX-RN | Every 2 years | 24 |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | Ohio Board of Nursing | NCLEX-PN | Every 2 years | 24 |
| State Tested Nurse AideSTNA | Ohio Department of Health | State exam | Every 24 months | At least 7.5 consecutive hours of paid work |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification | — | — |
- Ohio is in the Nurse Licensure Compact: a multistate nursing license is valid.
- Of the 24 CE hours, at least 1 hour must cover Ohio nursing law and rules (Category A).
| Profession | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing Contractor | Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board | Contractor license in the specific trade |
| Hydronics, Refrigeration Contractor | Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board | Contractor license in the specific trade |
- For work on private homes, requirements are often set by cities and counties.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Salon or barbershop | State Cosmetology and Barber Board | Establishment license |
| Braiding, threading, makeup | State Cosmetology and Barber Board | Boutique Services registration instead of a full license |
| LLC | Secretary of State | Registration — $99; no annual report required |
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
Ohio specifics
- One board for beauty and barbers. Cosmetologists and barbers are regulated by the joint State Cosmetology and Barber Board.
- Short CE. Renewal requires 4 CE hours every 2 years: laws, safety and infection control.
- Boutique Services. Braiding, threading, shampooing and makeup need a registration, not a full license.
- Massage — under the medical board. Massage therapists are licensed by the State Medical Board; no CE is required for renewal.
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate nursing license is valid here.
- LLC without reports. LLC registration is $99, and no annual report is filed with the Secretary of State.
What professionals earn in Ohio
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours are needed to renew a beauty license?
4 hours every 2 years: 1 hour of Ohio law and 3 hours of safety and infection control.
Do I need a license for hair braiding?
Braiding needs only a Boutique Services registration. Full natural hair styling requires a Natural Hair Stylist license.
Which exam does a massage therapist take?
The MBLEx. You also need 600 training hours.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio 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: Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board, State Medical Board of Ohio, Ohio Board of Nursing, Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board, Ohio Secretary of State. Wage data — BLS.