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Barber Reciprocity

Important Message

Completely read the requirements that must be met PRIOR to starting a reciprocity application.  All reciprocity applications and required documentation are reviewed on a case-by-case bases. Paid application fees will not be refunded regardless of the acceptance or denial of the application.

If the state or country where you were ORIGINALLY licensed did NOT require passing a practical and theory test at a location other than the school where your training program was completed, you may be required to take and pass the Ohio examinations.

Persons holding a current, valid license to practice barbering in another state or jurisdiction may be eligible to obtain an Ohio license if all eligibility requirements are met. The reciprocity application, including required documentation, must be submitted, and reviewed before a decision will be made.   The reciprocity application fee is $303.50 and is non-refundable.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they meet the reciprocity requirements prior to paying this fee. 

The Board may extend reciprocity, which may include waiving the requirement to take/pass Ohio's practical and theory examinations to an individual who holds a current, valid license to practice barbering and meets the following requirements:

• The individual has completed a substantially equivalent number of training hours from a licensed school of barbering. Substantially equivalent is defined as Eighty (80) percent of the hours required in an Ohio Barber program.
  
  Ohio Barber Hours: 1800       Substantially Equivalent Hours:  1440
   
• A year of licensed experience may be substituted for one hundred (100) hours of training, up to a maximum of five hundred (500) hours in total.
  NOTE:  If using work experience to supplement required education hours for licensure in your state, you are required to complete and submit the Work Experience form.

If your license and/or certification is from another state, the following is required:

1. Copy of Current, Active Barber license.
2. Transcripts from the school where you completed the licensing program/including hours completed.
3. One (1) of the following forms of current, valid photo identification:

• Driver’s license
• Military ID
• USA Passport
• Other form of government-issued identification

4. Certification of licensure and training from the State Board or jurisdiction where the license is currently held.
5. Proof of licensure examination taken at a facility managed by a centralized governing licensing body. 

If your license and/or certification is from out-of-country, the following is required:

1. Copy of current-valid barber license or certification.
2. Foreign applicants must include proof of US Citizenship or eligibility for state or local public benefits under 8 U.S.C. 1621.
3. Transcripts from the school where you completed the licensing program/including hours completed.
4. One (1) of the following forms of current, valid photo identification:

• Driver’s license
• Military ID
• USA Passport
• Other form of government-issued identification

5. Proof of licensure examination taken at a facility managed by a centralized governing licensing body. 

NOTE: All foreign-language documents must be translated into English by an official Translation Service. Translated documents must have the Translation Service Seal.

Out of Country applicants are required to have the following items reviewed by a Credential Evaluation Service PRIOR to submission to the Board.

• Current Barber License or Certification - from the country where you are currently licensed or certified. 
• Letter of Certification - from the country where you are currently licensed or certified.
• Certification of training.

NOTE: The Board does not endorse or recommend a specific credential evaluation service. The applicant is responsible for the costs of the evaluation.

If the country where you were originally licensed did NOT require passing a practical and theory test at a location other than the school where your training program was completed, you will not be eligible for reciprocity.

Cosmetology/Branches of Cosmetology Reciprocity

Important Message

Beginning July 19, 2022, the Board will not extend reciprocity to individuals holding a manicurist license from another state.

Manicurists are not eligible for Reciprocity and will not be able to apply.

Completely read the requirements that must be met PRIOR to starting a reciprocity application.  All reciprocity applications and required documentation are reviewed on a case-by-case bases. Paid application fees will not be refunded regardless of the acceptance or denial of the application.

If the state or country where you were ORIGINALLY licensed did NOT require passing a practical and theory test at a location other than the school where your training program was completed, you may be required to take and pass the Ohio examinations

Persons holding a current, valid license to practice cosmetology, or a branch of cosmetology other than manicuring, in another state or jurisdiction may be eligible to obtain an Ohio license if all eligibility requirements are met. The reciprocity application, including required documentation, must be submitted, and reviewed before a decision will be made.  The reciprocity application fee is $73.50 and is non-refundable.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they meet the reciprocity requirements prior to paying this fee.

The Board may extend reciprocity, which may include waiving the requirement to take/pass Ohio's practical and theory examinations to an individual who holds a current, valid license to practice cosmetology, or a branch of cosmetology other than manicuring, and meets the following requirements:

• The individual has held an active license or equivalent in cosmetology or any branch of cosmetology for not less than one year immediately preceding their application for licensure in Ohio. Note: If the license has been held for less than one-year, examination will be required.
• The individual has completed a substantially equivalent number of training hours from a licensed school of cosmetology or branch of cosmetology. Substantially equivalent is defined as Eighty (80) percent of the hours required in an Ohio program of a similar nature.
• • Cosmetologist 1500 Hours Hair, Skin, and Nail Services
    • Substantially Equivalent equals 1200 hours
  • Hair Designer 1200 Hours Hair Services Only
    • Substantially Equivalent equals 960 hours
  • Natural Hair Stylist 450 Hours Natural Hair Services Only (No chemicals/cutting)
    • Substantially Equivalent equals 360 hours
  • Esthetician 600 Hours Skin Services Only
    • Substantially Equivalent equals 480 hours
• One-year of licensed experience may be substituted for one hundred (100) hours of training and up to a maximum of five hundred (500) hours in total.
  NOTE:  If using work experience to supplement required education hours for licensure in your state or other jurisdiction, you are required to complete and submit the Certification of Work Experience form.
• The licensing jurisdiction of origin (other state or country where the applicant’s license is held) required the applicant to take and pass both a practical and theory examination to become licensed in that jurisdiction.
• The licensing jurisdiction requires the testing occur at a facility managed by a centralized governing licensing body.  Licensing test cannot be given at the school where the program was taken.
• Proof of licensure examination taken at a facility managed by a centralized governing licensing body.
• The licensing jurisdiction of origin extends similar reciprocity opportunities to individuals licensed in Ohio.

NOTE:  All reciprocity decisions will be made on a case-by-case bases after an application and documentation have been reviewed.

To start the process:
Contact the state Board where you are currently licensed and request a “Board Certification” be sent directly to the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board. Certifications will not be accepted from an applicant. The license must be active and in good standing to be accepted and must remain active and in good standing until an Ohio license is obtained. Only certifications received within six (6) months of the preparation date will be accepted.

The following information and/or documentation must be provided with the Reciprocity application. Once the application, documentation, and required Board certification have been received and verified by the Board, you will either be issued an Ohio license, required to take/pass the Ohio licensure examinations, or you will be notified of any issues.

If your license and/or certification is from another state, the following is required:

1. Copy of Current, Active license.
2. Transcripts from the school where you completed the licensing program/including hours completed.
3. One (1) of the following forms of current, valid photo identification:

• Driver’s license
• Military ID
• USA Passport
• Other form of government-issued identification

4. Certification of licensure and training from the State Board or jurisdiction where the license is currently held.
5. Proof of licensure examination taken at a facility managed by a centralized governing licensing body.

If you license and/or certification is from out-of-country, the following is required:

1. Copy of current-valid license or certification.
2. Foreign applicants must include proof of US Citizenship or eligibility for state or local public benefits under 8 U.S.C. 1621.
3. Transcripts from the school where you completed the licensing program/including hours completed.
4. One (1) of the following forms of current, valid photo identification:

• Driver’s license
• Military ID
• USA Passport
• Other form of government-issued identification

5.  Proof of licensure examination taken at a facility managed by a centralized governing licensing body.

NOTE: All foreign-language documents must be translated into English by an official Translation Service. Translated documents must have the Translation Service Seal.

Out of Country applicants are required to have the following items reviewed by a Credential Evaluation Service PRIOR to submission to the Board.

• Current Cosmetology License, Branch of Cosmetology License, or Certification - from the country where you are currently licensed or certified.
• Letter of Certification - from the country where you are currently licensed or certified.
• Certification of training.

NOTE: The Board does not endorse or recommend a specific credential evaluation service. The applicant is responsible for the costs of the evaluation.

If the country where you were originally licensed did NOT require passing a practical and theory test at a location other than the school where your training program was completed, you will not be eligible for reciprocity.