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NYS Appearance Enhancement and Barber Licensing Services FAQ

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● Related Web Sites
● Complete Forms Listing
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   Consent Orders
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Consumer Links
● Real Estate Commissions
● Consumer Publications & Information

Help Prevent Fraud
File a Consumer Complaint
(Report a licensee violation to the
Division of Licensing Services)

File a Do Not Call Complaint

The practice of "natural hair styling" means providing for a fee, or any consideration or exchange, whether direct or indirect, any of the following services to the hair of a human being: shampooing, arranging, dressing, twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking or braiding the hair or beard by either hand or mechanical appliances. Such practice shall not include cutting, shaving or trimming hair except that such activities are permissible to the extent that such activities are incidental to the practice of natural hair styling. Such practice shall not include the application of dyes, reactive chemicals, or other preparations to alter the color or to straighten, curl, or alter the structure of the hair. Techniques which result in tension on hair roots such as certain types of braiding, weaving, wrapping, locking and extending of the hair may only be performed by a natural hair styling or cosmetology licensee who has successfully completed an approved course of study in such techniques. It is the responsibility of licensees to understand the Appearance Enhancement Law. (pdf)

“How do I renew my license?”
Appearance Enhancement and Barber licenses must be renewed online through the NY License Center.
Quick Online Renewal Instruction Flyer (pdf)

License Requirements

Fees and terms of licensure

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness Training

Forms: (all forms are Adobe PDF Format)

• Natural Hair Styling Application (English)(Bengali/বাঙালি)(Spanish/Español) (Haitian-Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen) (Italian/Italiano) (Korean/한국어) (Russian/Pусский) (Chinese/中文) (French/Français)
• Appearance Enhancement Business/Area Renter Application (English) (Spanish/Español) (Haitian-Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen) (Italian/Italiano) (Korean/한국어) (Russian/Pусский) (Chinese/中文) (Vietnamese/Việt) (Nepali/नेपाली) (Tibetan/ཊིབེཏན་) (French/Français)
• Appearance Enhancement Temporary License Renewal Application (English) (Spanish/Español) (Haitian-Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen) (Italian/Italiano) (Korean/한국어) (Russian/Pусский) (Chinese/中文) (Bengali/বাঙালি)
• Experience Statement (English) (Spanish/Español) (Haitian-Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen) (Italian/Italiano) (Korean/한국어) (Russian/Pусский) (Chinese/中文) (Bengali/বাঙালি)
• Special Testing Arrangements Request (English) (Spanish/Español) (Haitian-Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen) (Italian/Italiano) (Korean/한국어) (Russian/Pусский) (Chinese/中文)
• Health Certification Form (English) (Spanish/Español) (Haitian-Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen) (Italian/Italiano) (Korean/한국어) (Russian/Pусский) (Chinese/中文) (Bengali/বাঙালি)
• Credit Card Authorization Form (English) (Spanish/Español) (Haitian-Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen) (Italian/Italiano) (Korean/한국어) (Russian/Pусский) (Chinese/中文)
• Duplicate License/Registration Request (English) (Spanish/Español) (Haitian-Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen) (Italian/Italiano) (Korean/한국어) (Russian/Pусский) (Chinese/中文)
• Change Notice (English) (Spanish/Español) (Haitian-Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen) (Italian/Italiano) (Korean/한국어) (Russian/Pусский) (Chinese/中文) (Required when changing a name or address)
• Military Spouse Waiver Application (English) (Spanish/Español) (Haitian-Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen) (Italian/Italiano) (Korean/한국어) (Russian/Pусский) (Chinese/中文)
• Affirmation of New York State Approved School

Examination Information:

Examination Scheduling Policy

Written Exam:

Appearance Enhancement Written Examination Procedures

Written Exam Candidate COVID-19 Mandatory Checklist

Written Examination Sites

• Practical Exam Candidate COVID-19 Mandatory Checklist


• General Practical Exam Information (English) 


• Practical Exam Procedures (English) 


• Practical Exam Supply List (English)


• List of Tasks Evaluated (English)

License Center Guides:

Quick Online Application Instruction Flyer (pdf) Quick Online Renewal Instruction Flyer (pdf) Applicant User Guide for the License Center (English), (Spanish/Español), (Korean/한국어), (Chinese/中文) (doc) License Center Amendments Guide (English),(Spanish/Español), (Korean/한국어), (Chinese/中文) (doc) NY Licensing Center Claiming Record(s) Guide (English), (Spanish/Español), (Korean/한국어), (Chinese/中文) (doc) NYS Licensing Center Renewal Guide(English) (Spanish/Español), (Korean/한국어), (Chinese/中文) (doc)

NYS Appearance Enhancement Advisory Committee

Natural Hair Styling Endorsment Under a policy of endorsement, a state with higher educational requirements can accept licensees from a state with lesser standards by mandating experience to make up for the education deficiencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about the NYS License Center