All states · Vermont
Licensing in Vermont
In Vermont, most licenses are issued by the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) under the Secretary of State: beauty, massage, nursing and contractors. Electricians and plumbers are licensed by the Division of Fire Safety.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | School | Apprenticeship |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,000 hours | 1,500 hours |
| Barber | 750 hours | 1,125 hours |
| Esthetician | 500 hours | 750 hours |
| Nail Technician | 200 hours | 300 hours |
- Licenses are issued by OPR (Barbers and Cosmetologists). Exams are national, through Prometric, after your application is approved.
- Barbers and cosmetologists can cross over: a barber needs 150 school hours or 300 apprenticeship hours, a cosmetologist 250 or 300 hours.
- Experienced professionals from other states (3+ years licensed) can use fast-track endorsement.
| What | Training | Exam | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massage Therapist, Bodyworker, Touch Professional | Not required | Not required | Not required |
- Since April 1, 2021, Vermont uses registration, not licensure: you submit an application and fee to OPR.
| License | Issued by |
|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Vermont Board of Nursing |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | Vermont Board of Nursing |
| Licensed Nursing AssistantLNA | Vermont Board of Nursing |
| Medication Nursing AssistantMNA | Vermont Board of Nursing |
- Since February 1, 2022, Vermont has been in the Nurse Licensure Compact: multistate licenses are issued.
| License | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Contractor | OPR | Registration for jobs over $10,000 |
| Electrical Master, Journeyman, Specialist | Division of Fire Safety | State licenses |
| Plumbing Master, Journeyman, Specialist | Division of Fire Safety | State licenses |
- Most Division of Fire Safety licenses require CE hours to renew.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| LLC | Vermont Secretary of State | Articles of Organization — $155; annual report — $45 |
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
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Vermont specifics
- Massage — registration. No training hours, exam or CE.
- Cosmetology — 1,000 hours. Or 1,500 apprenticeship hours.
- Barber — 750 hours. Or 1,125 apprenticeship hours.
- Nursing assistants are licensed. The LNA is issued by the Board of Nursing.
- Contractors — over $10,000. OPR registration for residential work.
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate license has been valid since 2022.
What professionals earn in Vermont
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. BLS does not publish barber, nail technician, esthetician or massage therapist data for Vermont.
Frequently asked questions
Do massage therapists need a license?
No. They register with OPR — no exam, training hours or CE.
How many hours does a cosmetologist need?
1,000 school hours or 1,500 apprenticeship hours, then the exam.
Is a multistate nursing license valid in Vermont?
Yes. Vermont has been in the Nurse Licensure Compact since February 1, 2022.
How much does it cost to form an LLC?
$155 for Articles of Organization and $45 for the annual report.
*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: Vermont Office of Professional Regulation, Vermont Statutes, Vermont Board of Nursing, Vermont Division of Fire Safety, Vermont Secretary of State — Business Services. Wage data — BLS.