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New Jersey uses its own state exam through Prometric (not NIC), requires 1,200 training hours, and has no continuing education for renewal. Here's everything for 2026.
1,200
Training Hours
State
Specific Exam
$60
Renewal Fee
No CE
Required for Renewal
New Jersey is one of the states that skips the NIC exam entirely. Instead of the national exam used by most states, NJ developed its own cosmetology exam administered through Prometric. It includes both a written theory test and a hands-on practical exam on a mannequin. You need a 75% on each.
The New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling operates under the Division of Consumer Affairs. You need 1,200 training hours at an approved school, plus a high school diploma or GED. The good news on the back end: New Jersey doesn't require any continuing education for license renewal. Pay the $60 fee every two years and you're done.
You must be at least 17 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. New Jersey is stricter than some states here — the 17-year minimum and diploma requirement both apply before you can submit your application to sit for the exam.
Enroll in and complete 1,200 hours of cosmetology training at a New Jersey Board-approved school. There is no apprenticeship option in New Jersey. All hours must come from an approved cosmetology program. Full-time students typically finish in 9 to 12 months.
Submit your application to the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs with the required fees ($50 filing fee plus a $60 or $30 licensing fee depending on where you are in the two-year cycle). Your school will typically submit your training hours directly to the Board.
Schedule the written exam through Prometric ($39 fee). The test has 120 questions total: 110 are scored and 10 are unscored experimental items. You need a 75% on the scored questions, meaning about 83 correct answers. You have 2 hours to complete it.
Schedule the practical exam through Prometric separately ($53 fee). You will perform ten timed service tasks on a mannequin at a designated test site, observed by an examiner. Tasks cover haircutting, chemical services, and sanitation procedures. You need a 75% overall. If you fail either exam, you only retake that section.
New Jersey's cosmetology exam is state-developed and administered through Prometric. It is not the NIC written exam used by the majority of other states, and it is not PSI. The exam has two completely separate components: a written theory test and a practical mannequin exam. You schedule and pay for each one independently.
120 total questions: 110 scored and 10 unscored experimental items. You have 2 hours. Topics include hair theory, skin care, nail care, sanitation, infection control, and salon operations. Passing score is 75% on the 110 scored questions. Fee: $39 through Prometric.
Ten timed service tasks on a mannequin, observed in person by an examiner at a Prometric test site. Tasks cover technical cosmetology skills including cutting, chemical services, and sanitation. Passing score is 75% overall. Fee: $53 through Prometric.
Because New Jersey uses its own state-developed exam (not the NIC), study materials marketed specifically for NIC-based states may not align perfectly with NJ content. The fundamentals of cosmetology theory are the same, but exam format and question style will differ. Make sure your prep materials cover the full cosmetology knowledge base.
Getting licensed in New Jersey has several distinct fees spread across the process. Here's what to budget for beyond cosmetology school tuition.
Renew every 2 years through the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs online portal.
New Jersey cosmetology licenses renew every two years. The renewal fee is $60. Here's what makes NJ stand out compared to most other states: there is no continuing education requirement. No CE courses, no credit hours to track, no certificates to file. Just submit your renewal application and fee before your license expires.
Licenses renew on a biennial basis. Renew through the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs online portal. Check your license expiration date and submit before it lapses to avoid late fees.
New Jersey does not mandate continuing education for cosmetology license renewal. This makes NJ one of the lower-maintenance states for licensed cosmetologists. The $60 renewal fee is the only obligation.
A few things set New Jersey apart from the majority of states. Knowing these up front helps you plan better.
Most states use the NIC exam. New Jersey wrote its own, administered through Prometric. This means your prep strategy should focus on comprehensive cosmetology fundamentals rather than NIC-specific content.
Unlike Florida which is written-only, New Jersey requires both a written and a practical mannequin exam. Budget time and money for both. They are scheduled and paid for separately through Prometric.
New Jersey is one of the few states with zero continuing education requirements for cosmetology renewal. You don't need to track CE hours or find approved providers. That said, keeping skills current is still good practice.
New Jersey accepts a high school diploma or its equivalent, including a GED. You don't need a traditional high school graduation. The minimum age of 17 still applies.