Eligibility Requirements

New Mexico Cosmetology and Barber-Related Professions State Licensure Requirements for Eligibility

Candidates will have two years (24 months from the date of completion to pass all required examinations and obtain a license. Examination scores are only valid within 24 months of your training completion date.

Cosmetology:

To receive a Cosmetology license in the State of New Mexico, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 17 years of age.
• Have completed at least the 10^th grade or equivalent.
• Successfully complete a minimum of 1,600-hour course of instruction in a licensed school of Cosmetology.
• Successfully passed the NIC theory & practical and State Law examinations.

Crossover License to Cosmetology

• Hold a current New Mexico Barber license.
• Have at least one year of full-time, verified work experience in a licensed establishment.
• Successfully complete 175 course hours or applicable credit hours in a licensed school.
• Successfully pass the NIC “basic manicure” portion of the Manicurist/Pedicurist Examination.

Hairstylist:

To receive a Hairstylist license in the State of New Mexico, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 17 years of age.
• Have completed at least the 10^th grade or equivalent.
• Successfully complete a minimum of 1,200-hour course of instruction in a licensed school of Cosmetology.
• Successfully pass the NIC theory & practical and State Law examinations.

Barber

To receive a Barber license in the State of New Mexico, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 17 years of age.
• Have completed at least the 10^th grade or equivalent.
• Successfully complete a minimum of 1,200-hour course of instruction in a licensed school of barbering.
• Successfully pass the NIC theory & practical and State Law examinations.

Crossover License to Barber

• Hold a current New Mexico Cosmetology license.
• Successfully complete a 150-hour course of instruction in shaving in a licensed school.
• Successfully pass the NIC “shaving” portion of the practical examination.

Esthetician

To receive an Esthetician license in the State of New Mexico, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 17 years of age.
• Have completed at least the 10^th grade or equivalent.
• Successfully complete a minimum of 600-hour course of instruction in a licensed school of esthetics.
• Successfully pass the NIC theory & practical and State Law examinations.

Manicurist/Pedicurist

To receive a Manicurist/Pedicurist license in the State of New Mexico, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 17 years of age.
• Have completed at least the 10^th grade or equivalent.
• Successfully complete a minimum of 400-hour course of instruction in a licensed school.
• Successfully pass the NIC theory & practical and State Law examinations.

Electrologist

To receive an Electrologist license in the State of New Mexico, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 17 years of age.
• Have completed at least the 10^th grade or equivalent.
• Successfully complete a minimum of 600-hour course of instruction in a licensed school of electrology.
• Successfully pass the NIC theory & practical and State Law examinations.

Instructor

To receive an Instructor license in the State of New Mexico, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 17 years of age.
• Have completed at least the 10^th grade or equivalent.
• Hold a current license in New Mexico as a practitioner in the field in which you seek a license as an instructor.
• Successfully complete a minimum of 1,000-hour course of instruction in a licensed school or have two years of current working experience.
• Successfully pass the NIC theory and State Law examinations.

Instructor Exam Attempt Limit:Pursuant to New Mexico law, if you are applying to take the Instructor Exam based on two years of current work experience or a Provisional License and fail any portion of the exam, you cannot retake the exam until completing a 1,000-hour Instructor Course at a Board Approved School. Upon completion, you must submit a new application to PCS and proof of completing these additional hours. Failing any portion of the instructor examination automatically voids the provisional instructor license.

First Time Candidates

Application Requirements

• Once you have completed an online application with PCS, you must upload the following items to your PCS Homepage.
• Copy of Photo Identification Card – must be a non-expired Driver’s License, State ID Card, or U.S. Passport.
• A New Mexico Transcript of Training*(must be notarized or have an official school seal) needs to be uploaded to your PCS homepage and sent via mail directly to the New Mexico Board Office.
• Out-of-state candidates may submit an official transcript if it provides a breakdown of hours by subject.

Reinstatement

How to Reinstate an Expired License

• If you hold a license that has been expired for less than one year, please contact the Board Office at (505) 476 4622 or visit  https://www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/barbers-and-cosmetologists/
• for further information.
• If you hold a license that has been expired for more than one year but less than five years, you must complete an online application with PCS. You are required to take and pass the practical examination.
• If you hold a license that has been expired for more than five years, you must apply to a Board approved school; submit to a scholastic evaluation to determine your training needs; and complete a minimum of 150 hours of remedial education. Upon completion of the remediation, you must apply online with PCS. You are required to take and pass both the theory and practical examinations.

Application Requirements

• Copy of Photo Identification Card – must be non-expired Driver’s License, State ID Card or U.S. Passport.
• Copy of Expired License.
• If expired for over 5 years, a Transcript of Training showing 150 Hours of Remedial Education is required.

Reciprocity

How to Reciprocate an Out-of-State License

If you hold a license in another state and would like to obtain a license in New Mexico, please contact the Board Office at (505) 476 4622 or visit https://www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/barbers-and-cosmetologists/

for further information.

Foreign Trained Candidates

Foreign candidates who meet the requirements set forth by the New Mexico Board may apply for a license by examination.

Application Requirements

• Copy of Photo Identification Card – must be non-expired Driver’s License, State ID Card or U.S. Passport.
• Proof of High School Education
• Notarized translation of a valid license or certificate from another nation.
• Notarized translation of certified transcript of training from school or nation.
• Notarized translation of any other documents that may be required by the Board.

Note: The board requires examination applicants with foreign training who fail any part for the examination to register at a NM Board approved licensed school, submit to a scholastic evaluation to determine their training needs, and complete a minimum of 150 hours of remedial education. Upon completion and proof of the remediation, the applicant will be allowed to re-apply and examine on the failed areas.  Translation is only required for documents not written in English.

New Mexico Body Arts-Related Professions State Licensure Requirements for Eligibility

Tattooer, Permanent Cosmetic Tattooer, and Body Piercing:

To receive a Body Art license in the State of New Mexico, you must meet the following requirements:

• Receive Board Approval
• Pass the NIC Theory (Written) and State Law examinations.

Training Expiration Limit

Pursuant to New Mexico Regulation 16.34.2.8A(2)©, all required examinations must be taken and passed within 12 months of the date training was completed. After 12 months have passed from the date training was completed you will be required to reapply with the Board.

3 x Exam Fail Limit

Pursuant to New Mexico Regulation 16.36.2.14(G) Any candidate who does not meet the minimum passing score after three attempts shall be required to enroll or re-enroll in an apprentice program.

First Time Candidates

Application Requirements

• You also must apply for Licensure with the state of New Mexico.
• Create an online account and complete an online application with PCS.
• Upload a copy of your Photo Identification Card – must be non-expired Driver’s License, State ID Card or U.S. Passport.

Reinstatement:

How to Reinstate an Expired License

If you hold a license that has been expired for less than one year, please contact the Board at

(505) 476 4622 or visit https://www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/body-art-practitioners/

for further information. If you hold a license that has expired for more than one year, you must reapply with the Board.

Reciprocity:

How to Reciprocate an Out of State License

If you hold a license in another state and would like to obtain a NM license, contact the Board at

(505) 476 4622 or visit https://www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/body-art-practitioners/

for further information.