Cosmetology Certification Pathway Options
Oregon applicants seeking cosmetology certification in one or more fields of practice have three different qualification pathways to choose from. See the pathways below.
Pathway One - Graduation From an Oregon School
Step 1: Overview
Oregon applicants applying for a nail technologist certification must graduate from a Board-approved Oregon school.
Board-approved curriculum includes:
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Nail Technology: 241 hours, 70 practical operations
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Oregon Laws and Rules: 20 hours
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Career Development: 20 hours
Training may also be obtained through a
competency-based school.
Step 2: Submission of Documents
Submission of the following must be made to the Health Licensing Office (HLO):
- The Oregon school will send HLO an official transcript showing proof of hours for the field(s) of practice the applicant is applying for.
- The Oregon school will also send HLO the applicants passing score of a board-approved practical examination. Practical examination scores are valid for five years from the date the practical examination was completed and passed.
- Once HLO has received the documents above, applicants will come to HLO to sit for the written examinations. When applicants come in they will need to fill out and sign a Cosmetology Practitioner Certification Application (found under the Forms section below).
Step 3: Take Written Examinations
To obtain Oregon certification, all applicants must complete and pass a Board-approved written examination, within two years of the date of the application, for each field of practice in which the applicant seeks to obtain licensure. Written examinations are taken at the Health Licensing Office.
In addition, all applicants must pass a Board-approved Oregon Laws and Rules written examination within two years of the date of application. The Oregon Laws and Rules written examination is taken at the Health Licensing Office.
The fees required for certification include:
- Application fee.
- A fee for each separate field of practice written examination taken. This fee will also be charged for each retake of the examination until an applicant passes.
- A fee for the Oregon Laws and Rules written examination. This fee will also be charged for each retake of the examination until an applicant passes.
- A fee for each field of practice an applicant seeks certification in after they pass the examinations.
Basic information on testing at the Health Licensing Office (HLO):
- The written examinations are conducted on a walk-in basis (no appointment necessary).
- HLO office hours for testing are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Applicants who are taking two or more fields of practice examinations should arrive as early as possible (no later than noon) to complete their examinations by our office closing time of 4 p.m. Applicants taking four fields of practice examinations should arrive and be ready to test at 9 a.m.
- Applicants are allowed 90 minutes for each examination. Multiply that by the number of examinations the applicant needs to take to calculate how much time they will need. Applicants who do not allow enough time to complete their examinations will be asked to return on another business day.
To study for the Oregon Laws and Rules examination, applicants need to review the Oregon Laws and Rules. For individual field of practice examinations, questions and answers are taken from the Milady and Pivot Point textbooks.
Applicants need to bring two forms of acceptable original identification issued by a federal, state or local government agency of the United States. One form of identification must be photographic, and the names on each ID must match each other and the applicants certification, or the applicant must bring court documentation showing how the name changed.
After passing the required examinations and paying all fees, applicants will receive their Oregon certification(s) the same day.
Pathway Two - Reciprocity
Step 1: Overview
An applicant who holds an active authorization issued in another state or territory of the United States or another country and the active authorization has not been subject to disciplinary action by the authorizing body may have all or part of the requirements described in Pathway One (above) waived by the Health Licensing Office (HLO) and be allowed to take the required written examinations.
Note: Oregon does not offer an umbrella cosmetology certification.
Step 2: Proof of Licensure From Applicants Home State
First, the Health Licensing Office (HLO) must have proof that the applicants license is current and in good standing in their home state. The license alone is not enough. This proof must be communicated to HLO directly from the board or agency of the state in which the applicant is currently licensed in.
The applicants license can be verified in one of two ways:
- Contact the regulatory authority of the state, territory or country in which the applicant is currently licensed and request that it send a verification of licensure to the Health Licensing Office, 1430 Tandem Ave. NE, Suite 180, Salem, OR 97301.
- Some states give HLO the ability to verify the applicants license on their behalf. This can be done by having the applicant fill out an Affidavit of Licensure form and mail it to HLO or bring it with them to the Office in Salem. (Do not fax or email it.) Contact the office at: hlo.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov or 503-378-8667 to determine the home state's status regarding license verification.
Once HLO receives proof of the applicants active license in another state, HLO will determine whether their licensure is substantially equivalent to Oregon certification requirements.
If the applicant uses the Affidavit of Licensure to verify their current license and it includes an address, HLO will mail the applicant the Office's findings along with additional information. The applicant may also call us at 503-378-8667 to verify whether their affidavit has been received.
If the affidavit discloses any unresolved disciplinary actions and/or outstanding civil fines, the applicant must resolve these issues before obtaining certification in Oregon.
Step 3: Take Written Examinations
To obtain Oregon certification, all applicants must complete and pass a Board-approved written examination, within two years of the date of the application, for each field of practice in which the applicant seeks to obtain licensure. Written examinations are taken at the Health Licensing Office.
In addition, all applicants must pass a Board-approved Oregon Laws and Rules written examination within two years of the date of application. The Oregon Laws and Rules written examination is taken at the Health Licensing Office.
The fees required for certification include:
- Verification of licensure fee.
- Application fee.
- A fee for each separate field of practice written examination taken. This fee will also be charged for each retake of the examination until an applicant passes.
- A fee for the Oregon Laws and Rules written examination. This fee will also be charged for each retake of the examination until an applicant passes.
- A fee for each field of practice an applicant seeks certification in after they pass the examinations.
Basic information on testing at the Health Licensing Office (HLO):
- The written examinations are conducted on a walk-in basis (no appointment necessary).
- HLO office hours for testing are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Applicants who are taking two or more fields of practice examinations should arrive as early as possible (no later than noon) to complete their examinations by our office closing time of 4 p.m. Applicants taking four fields of practice examinations should arrive and be ready to test at 9 a.m.
- Applicants are allowed 90 minutes for each examination. Multiply that by the number of examinations the applicant needs to take to calculate how much time they will need. Applicants who do not allow enough time to complete their examinations will be asked to return on another business day.
To study for the Oregon Laws and Rules examination, applicants need to review the Oregon Laws and Rules. For individual field of practice examinations, questions and answers are taken from the Milady and Pivot Point textbooks.
Applicants need to bring two forms of acceptable original identification issued by a federal, state or local government agency of the United States. One form of identification must be photographic, and the names on each ID must match each other and the applicants certification, or the applicant must bring court documentation showing how the name changed.
After passing the required examinations and paying all fees, applicants will receive their Oregon certification(s) the same day.
Pathway 3 - Non-Credentialed
Step 1: Overview
An applicant who received education or training outside of Oregon and does not hold an active authorization issued by another jurisdiction, may have all or part of the requirements described in Pathway One (above) waived by the Health Licensing Office (HLO) and be allowed to take the required written examinations.
Step 2: Contact an Approved Oregon School
An applicant will need to seek an Oregon school who is willing to review their documentation and conduct a skills assessment and a practical evaluation (passage of a Board-approved practical examination is considered sufficient proof of having passed the skills assessment and practical evaluation).
An applicant will need to submit any and all documentation to the school showing proof of previous education or training which may include, but is not limited to, unofficial transcripts, copies of expired licenses, copies of certificates, diplomas or short-term industry training certificates, apprenticeship and/or on-the-job work records, and military training records.
Note: If an applicants documentation is in a foreign language, the applicant must have the documents translated into English before providing to the school. The applicant may have the translation of documents done by a professional translator, a family member or a friend. The applicant must provide copies of both the foreign language documents and the translated documents to the school. Do not provide originals.
After the representative(s) from the Oregon school reviews the applicants documentation and conducts a skills assessment and a practical evaluation, the school will notify the applicant and HLO with their determination for having the applicant move forward to sit for the written examinations.
Step 3: Take Written Examinations
To obtain Oregon certification, all applicants must complete and pass a Board-approved written examination, within two years of the date of the application, for each field of practice in which the applicant seeks to obtain licensure. Written examinations are taken at the Health Licensing Office.
In addition, all applicants must pass a Board-approved Oregon Laws and Rules written examination within two years of the date of application. The Oregon Laws and Rules written examination is taken at the Health Licensing Office.
The fees required for certification include:
- Application fee.
- A fee for each separate field of practice written examination taken. This fee will also be charged for each retake of the examination until an applicant passes.
- A fee for the Oregon Laws and Rules written examination. This fee will also be charged for each retake of the examination until an applicant passes.
- A fee for each field of practice an applicant seeks certification in after they pass the examinations.
Basic information on testing at the Health Licensing Office (HLO):
- The written examinations are conducted on a walk-in basis (no appointment necessary).
- HLO office hours for testing are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Applicants who are taking two or more fields of practice examinations should arrive as early as possible (no later than noon) to complete their examinations by our office closing time of 4 p.m. Applicants taking four fields of practice examinations should arrive and be ready to test at 9 a.m.
- Applicants are allowed 90 minutes for each examination. Multiply that by the number of examinations the applicant needs to take to calculate how much time they will need. Applicants who do not allow enough time to complete their examinations will be asked to return on another business day.
To study for the Oregon Laws and Rules examination, applicants need to review the Oregon Laws and Rules. For individual field of practice examinations, questions and answers are taken from the Milady and Pivot Point textbooks.
Applicants need to bring two forms of acceptable original identification issued by a federal, state or local government agency of the United States. One form of identification must be photographic, and the names on each ID must match each other and the applicants certification, or the applicant must bring court documentation showing how the name changed.
After passing the required examinations and paying all fees, applicants will receive their Oregon certification(s) the same day.
Written Examinations Offered in Spanish and Vietnamese
The Health Licensing Office (HLO) provides the Cosmetology field of practice examinations (i.e. barbering, hair design, nail technology, and esthetics), and the Oregon Laws and Rules examination in Spanish and Vietnamese.
HLO will continue to provide individuals with the opportunity to obtain additional time to complete an examination administered in English, when English is the individual's second language (ESL).
Additional time will only be given to individuals taking an examination which is not being administered in the individual's primary language.
If an applicant is taking an examination(s) with additional time, the applicant must appear at HLO as specified below:
- Between 9 and 11 a.m. - One (1) field of practice and the Oregon Laws and Rules examination.
- By 9 a.m. - Two (2) fields of practice and the Oregon Laws and Rules examination.
To accommodate individuals taking three (3) field of practice examinations and the Oregon Laws and Rules examination with additional time, the examinations may be required to be completed on two separate testing days.
For questions or additional information, please call HLO at (503) 378-8667 or email hlo.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
Special Accommodations
Special-accommodation examinations are also available. Download and complete an HLO Accommodation Request Form to request accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Retaking a Written Examination
HLO and the Board of Cosmetology established requirements, including waiting periods and/or additional training, for applicants who fail the written examination and must retake the examination after one or more failed attempts.
Printable Examination Retake Policy
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Examination Attempts |
All cosmetology examinations waiting periods and additional training: |
1st through 10th
Failed Attempts | An applicant may retake a failed examination the next business day up to the 10th failed attempt.
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After the 10th
Failed Attempt | The Board may determine qualifications before retaking the failed examination, including, but not limited to, additional hours and practical operations from a school.
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*Business day = | Must fall on a non-holiday, regular HLO office business day and during regular office hours open to the public. Building closures and state holidays.
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