Tennessee Cosmetology Law & Licensing
Tennessee regulates cosmetology through a single combined board. This chapter explains who the regulator is, the credentials it issues, and how licensees stay compliant.
The regulator: Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
Tennessee merged cosmetology and barbering oversight into one board, the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, which sits inside the Department of Commerce and Insurance. The board licenses practitioners, shops, and schools; adopts rules; investigates complaints; and can discipline licensees. Because it is a state board, its rules apply statewide rather than city by city.
Credentials and scope
Tennessee issues distinct credentials — including cosmetologist, aesthetician, manicurist, and natural hair stylist, plus master barber, instructor, shop, and school licenses. Each authorizes a defined scope of services, so a practitioner must hold the credential that matches the work performed. Performing services outside your license or without any license is prohibited.
Staying compliant
A Tennessee license is issued for a set term and must be renewed on the board's schedule; the physical salon also needs its own establishment license and is subject to inspection. Licensees must display current licenses, keep contact information current, and follow the board's sanitation and conduct rules. Exact hours, fees, and renewal intervals are set by the board and should be confirmed from official sources.
State-specific details
State exam facts
- State regulator
- Tennessee Cosmetology and Barber Examiners Board
- Exam vendor
- PSI (NIC-based national exam)
- Prelicensing education
- 1,500 hours
How many training hours does Tennessee require for a cosmetology license?
Tennessee requires 1,500 hours at a licensed school.
Who licenses cosmetologists in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Cosmetology and Barber Examiners Board, within the Department of Commerce & Insurance, licenses cosmetologists. The NIC-based national exam is delivered by PSI.
Does Tennessee still require a practical exam?
Yes. Tennessee requires both a written exam and a hands-on practical exam.
Sources: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/cosmo/license/individual/cosmetologist.html, https://www.psiexams.com/test-takers/
Practice stays free. The full Cosmetology State Board study guide is the material itself, taught start to finish — a downloadable PDF + EPUB you keep.