All states · Oklahoma
Licensing in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, beauty, barbers and massage therapists are licensed by one board — the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. Nurses are licensed by the Board of Nursing, and electricians, plumbers and HVAC by the Construction Industries Board. There is no statewide general contractor license.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | Training | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours | Annually or for 2 years |
| Facial Operator / Esthetician | 600 hours | Annually or for 2 years |
| Manicurist / Nail Technician | 600 hours | Annually or for 2 years |
| Cosmetician | 600 hours | Annually or for 2 years |
| Hair Braiding | 600 hours | Annually or for 2 years |
| Barber | Barber school or apprenticeship | Annually or for 2 years |
- All beauty and barber licenses are issued by the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. The school files the exam registration within 10 days of course completion.
- A license is valid for one year and renews on the last day of your birth month; a 2-year renewal is also available. Cosmetology, barbering and manicuring also have an apprenticeship route under a licensed instructor.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Massage Therapist | 500 hours | MBLEx or NCBTMB | Every 2 years | 5 per year |
- Massage therapists are licensed by the same State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. Since July 1, 2026, the massage advisory board has been dissolved and the board regulates massage directly.
- Liability insurance is required. CE hours do not carry over to the next year.
| License | Issued by | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Oklahoma Board of Nursing | NCLEX-RN |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | Oklahoma Board of Nursing | NCLEX-PN |
| Certified Nurse AideCNA | State Department of Health registry | State exam |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification |
- Oklahoma has been in the Nurse Licensure Compact since 2018: a multistate nursing license is valid.
| License | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | Construction Industries Board | State license |
| Plumbing | Construction Industries Board | State license |
| Mechanical | Construction Industries Board | State license |
| Roofing Contractor | Construction Industries Board | Registration |
| Home Inspector | Construction Industries Board | State license |
- General contractors do not currently need a state license — check your city’s requirements. CIB licenses are issued for 1 year.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Salon or barbershop | Board of Cosmetology and Barbering | Establishment license |
| LLC | Oklahoma 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
Oklahoma specifics
- One board for beauty and massage. Cosmetologists, barbers and massage therapists are licensed by the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.
- Hair braiding is its own license. Hair Braiding requires 600 training hours.
- Renew for 1 or 2 years. The deadline is the last day of your birth month.
- Massage — 500 hours. MBLEx or NCBTMB, liability insurance and 5 CE hours a year.
- No general contractor license. There is none at the state level; electricians, plumbers and HVAC go through the CIB.
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate nursing license is valid here.
What professionals earn in Oklahoma
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, then the board exam.
How many hours does a massage therapist need?
At least 500 hours at a massage school and the MBLEx or NCBTMB exam.
Does a general contractor need a license?
Not at the state level. Electricians, plumbers and HVAC are licensed by the Construction Industries Board.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in Oklahoma?
Yes. Oklahoma is part of 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: Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, Oklahoma Board of Nursing, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, Oklahoma Secretary of State. Wage data — BLS.