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Rhode Island cosmetology license
requirements, 2026.

All Rhode Island beauty licenses in one place. Rhode Island uses NIC theory and practical exams via Prov — 75% passing. Cosmetology runs 1,000 hours (esthetics 600, barber 1,500, manicurist 300). Annual renewal, no CE for practitioners. Regulated by the RI Department of Business Regulation, Providence RI.

4
License types
Prov
Exam vendor
Board-verified
Data source
May '26
Verified

Prep for this state

Practice tests and flashcards, by license.

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10 questions from the NIC cosmetology bank and 10 terminology cards from the decks — the same items, the same rationales, the same study modes you get after checkout. Rhode Island tests on the NIC exam, so this is the exam you'll sit. No email, no signup.

Rhode Island · Cosmetology

Cosmetology license — 2026.

1,000 hours at a DBR-approved cosmetology school — among the lowest cosmetology training requirements nationally. NIC exams via Prov — 75% passing theory and practical. Annual renewal. CE-free. RI Department of Business Regulation, Providence RI.

At a glance
Training hours
1,000
Board-approved school
License fee
$45
Rhode Island Board
Passing score
75% both
NIC via Prov · written + practical
Renewal
Annual
Annual renewal · CE-free
Rhode Island uses NIC exams via Prov — NICPrep is built from the NIC CIB, which is the exam this state uses

Rhode Island uses NIC National Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built from the NIC CIB — it is built from the NIC CIB, which is the exam this state uses. 75% passing on both.

1,000-hour cosmetology requirement — among the lowest nationally

Rhode Island's 1,000-hour cosmetology training requirement is among the lowest in the United States. Full-time programs typically complete in 9–12 months. This makes Rhode Island one of the faster paths to a cosmetology license for candidates who plan to practice in-state.

Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑

Step-by-step: how to get licensed

  1. Complete training hours at a Rhode Island DBR-approved school

    Cosmo 1,000 · Esth 600 · Barber 1,500 · Nail 300 hours. Verify approval at dbr.ri.gov.

  2. Submit application to RI Department of Business Regulation

    Apply through DBR at dbr.ri.gov with proof of training hours, photo ID, and required fees.

  3. Register with Prov and pass NIC theory and practical exams — 75% each

    Schedule at candidate.provexam.com. Theory and practical both required. 75% passing on each.

  4. Receive your Rhode Island license · Renew annually

    CE-free. Annual renewal. Confirm current fees and renewal dates at dbr.ri.gov.

🇪🇸 NICPrep's cosmetology prep is also available in Spanish.

See Cosmetology prep and pricing →

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Rhode Island · Esthetics

Esthetics license — 2026.

600 hours at a DBR-approved school. NIC esthetics exams via Prov — 75% passing. Annual renewal. CE-free.

At a glance
Training hours
600
Board-approved school
License fee
$45
Rhode Island Board
Passing score
75% both
NIC via Prov · written + practical
Renewal
Annual
Annual renewal · CE-free
Rhode Island uses NIC esthetics exams via Prov — NICPrep is built from the NIC CIB, which is the exam this state uses

Rhode Island uses NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — it is built from the NIC CIB, which is the exam this state uses. 75% passing.

Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑

See Esthetics prep and pricing →

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Rhode Island · Barber

Barber license — 2026.

1,500 hours at a DBR-approved barber school. NIC Barber Styling exams via Prov — 75% passing. Annual renewal. CE-free.

At a glance
Training hours
1,500
Board-approved barber school
License fee
$45
Rhode Island Board
Passing score
75% both
NIC via Prov · written + practical
Renewal
Annual
Annual renewal · CE-free
Rhode Island uses NIC barber exams via Prov — NICPrep is built from the NIC CIB, which is the exam this state uses

Rhode Island uses NIC Barber Styling Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — it is built from the NIC CIB, which is the exam this state uses. 75% passing on both.

Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑

🇪🇸 NICPrep's barber styling prep is also available in Spanish.

See Barber prep and pricing →

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Rhode Island · Nail Technology

Manicurist license — 2026.

300 hours at a DBR-approved school. NIC Nail Technology exams via Prov — 75% passing. Annual renewal. CE-free.

At a glance
Training hours
350
Board-approved school
License fee
$45
Rhode Island Board
Passing score
75% both
NIC via Prov · written + practical
Renewal
Annual
Annual renewal · CE-free
Rhode Island uses NIC nail technology exams via Prov — NICPrep is built from the NIC CIB, which is the exam this state uses

Rhode Island uses NIC National Nail Technology Theory and Practical Examinations. NICPrep's nail technology question bank is built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB — it is built from the NIC CIB, which is the exam this state uses. 75% passing.

Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑

🇻🇳 NICPrep's nail technology prep is also available in Vietnamese.

See Nail Technology prep and pricing →

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Rhode Island · All license types

Rules that apply to every Rhode Island beauty license.

NIC exams via Prov — 75% passing

Rhode Island administers the NIC National Examination through Prov. Both the written theory and practical exams are required at 75% passing for all license types. A high school diploma or GED is required for all Rhode Island beauty licenses. Confirm current application and license fees with the Board — see the official Rhode Island licensing portal below.

Annual renewal · CE-free for practitioners

Rhode Island beauty licenses (cosmetology, esthetics, barber, manicurist) renew annually. CE-free is required for any cosmetology, esthetics, barber, or manicurist practitioner; CE is required for instructors only. Reciprocity may be available for out-of-state applicants whose training meets or exceeds Rhode Island's requirements.

1,000-hour cosmetology requirement

Rhode Island: cosmetology 1,000 hours · esthetics 600 hours · barber 1,500 hours · nail 300 hours.

Official Rhode Island licensing portal

Last verified May 2026 against RI Department of Business Regulation, Division of Commercial Licensing (dbr.ri.gov/commercial-licensing) and NICPrep is an independent prep resource and is not affiliated with the RI Department of Business Regulation, Division of Commercial Licensing or the State of Rhode Island.

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Rhode Island uses NIC exams via Prov — 75% passing. NICPrep is built from the NIC CIBs.

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