Chapter 9 of 1060% of exam

Colorado Laws, Rules & Licensing

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

The Regulating Authority

In Colorado, cosmetology is regulated by the Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetologist Licensure.
It operates as an office within the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations.
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 cosmetologist, barber, esthetician, nail technician, hairstylist, and registered salon/shop 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Do not present unpublished figures (hours, fees, exam length, passing score) as official—verify them with the board.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
Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetologist Licensure (DORA)
Exam vendor
PSI
Prelicensing education
1,500 contact hours (not to exceed 50 credits or 1,500 contact hours)
Passing score
70
Scored questions
135
Time limit
120 minutes
How many training hours does Colorado require for a cosmetology license?

Colorado is a credit-hour state; its cosmetology program is capped at the equivalent of 1,500 contact hours (not to exceed 50 credits). Sources that cite 1,800 hours are incorrect for Colorado.

Who licenses cosmetologists in Colorado?

The Office of Barber and Cosmetologist Licensure, within Colorado's Division of Professions and Occupations (DORA), issues the license and uses PSI to deliver both the written and practical exams.

Does Colorado still require a practical exam?

Yes — and unusually, you must pass the practical exam before you can schedule the written exam. The written theory exam has 135 questions (110 scored) with a 120-minute limit and a 70% passing score.

Sources: https://dpo.colorado.gov/BarberCosmetology, https://proctor2.psionline.com/media/programs/COFP/749%20CO%20Cosmetology%20CIB%20July%202020.pdf

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