Chapter 9 of 1060% of exam

Alaska Laws, Rules & Licensing

This chapter covers the Alaska-specific legal framework that supplements your national cosmetology theory. It focuses on who regulates the profession in Alaska, the kinds of licenses issued, and the everyday rules every licensee must follow to keep a license in good standing.

The Regulating Authority

In Alaska, cosmetology is regulated by the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers.
It operates as a board under the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing.
The board sets the rules for licensing, sanitation, and professional conduct, and it can investigate complaints and discipline licensees.
Statutes and administrative rules—not individual salons—define what practitioners may legally do.

License Types & Scope of Practice

The board issues distinct credentials such as hairdresser, barber, esthetician, manicurist, instructor, and shop/salon licenses.
Each license defines a scope of practice; you may only perform services your license authorizes.
Practicing without a valid license, or beyond your scope, is prohibited and subject to discipline.
Salon/shop and individual practitioner credentials are separate—registering a salon does not license its workers.

Display, Renewal & Prohibited Practices

Keep your current license displayed or available at your work station as the board requires.
Licenses are issued for a set term and must be periodically renewed to remain valid.
Renewing on time and meeting any continuing-education the board requires keeps a license active.
Prohibited acts include unlicensed practice, exceeding scope, fraud, and unsanitary conditions.
Do not present unpublished figures (hours, fees, exam length, passing score) as official—verify them with the board.

State-specific details

State exam facts

State regulator
Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers
Exam vendor
Prov (NIC exams)
Prelicensing education
1,650 hours of schooling (or a 2,000-hour apprenticeship)
Passing score
75
How many training hours does Alaska require for a cosmetology (hairdresser) license?

Alaska requires 1,650 hours at an approved school, or a 2,000-hour apprenticeship. Note that Alaska licenses the full-service occupation as a 'Hairdresser' rather than 'cosmetologist,' with separate esthetician and nail-technician licenses.

Who licenses cosmetologists in Alaska?

The Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers, within the Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing, issues the license. Exams are the National-Interstate Council (NIC) tests delivered by Prov — not PSI.

Does Alaska still require a practical exam?

Yes. Alaska requires both the NIC written theory exam and a hands-on NIC practical exam, and a scaled score of 75 is required to pass each.

Sources: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/professionallicensing/boardofbarbershairdressers.aspx, https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofBarbersHairdressers/StatutesRegulations.aspx

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