The Details
What you need
Required documents for all instructor or assistant instructor license applications
- A 2-inch by 2-inch photo of yourself
- A copy of your driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID
- A copy of your high school diploma or graduate equivalency diploma (GED)
- A notarized Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) form
Additional required documents
You must also include the following documents with your application, depending on the type of license you're applying for.
Cosmetology, barbering, aesthetics, manicuring, or electrology instructor document requirements
- A copy of your cosmetology, barbering, aesthetics, manicuring, or electrology license or assistant instructor license.
- Adequate work experience, depending on your occupation:
- A cosmetology or aesthetics instructor must have two years of full-time (eight hours a day, five days a week) experience as a cosmetologist, aesthetician, assistant cosmetology instructor, or assistant aesthetics instructor, or the equivalent.
- A manicuring instructor must have three years of full-time work experience as a manicurist or assistant manicuring instructor or the equivalent.
- A barbering instructor must have two years of full-time (eight hours a day, five days a week) experience as a barber or assistant barbering instructor, or the equivalent.
- An electrology instructor must have two years of full-time (eight hours a day, five days a week) experience as an electrologist or the equivalent in the two years prior to applying.
To show work experience, you must submit a notarized affidavit (signed by notary public with a seal) certifying the date you started and stopped working for each employer and whether the work was full- or part- time. Part-time experience will be given half credit, e.g. four years of part-time experience equals two years of full-time experience. This affidavit must be signed by a school director if you worked as an assistant instructor in a school.
- A copy of your diploma from a cosmetology, barbering, aesthetics, manicuring, or electrology school
Cosmetology, barbering, aesthetics, manicuring and electrology assistant instructor document requirements
- A copy of your cosmetology, barbering, aesthetics, manicuring, or electrology license.
- A copy of your diploma from a cosmetology, barbering, aesthetics, manicuring, or electrology school.
- An official transcript from your school in a sealed envelope if your professional license is from out of state.
An assistant instructor license for cosmetology and aesthetics is valid for two years from the date it's issued and cannot be renewed. After working for two years, an assistant instructor may apply to become a full instructor.
Fees
Application fees are non-refundable.
| Name | Fee | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Barbering instructor application | $170 | each |
| Cosmetology/aesthetics instructor | $136 | each |
| Manicuring instructor | $0 | each |
| Electrology instructor | $66 | each |
| Cosmetology/aesthetics assistant instructor | $68 | each |
| Barbering assistant instructor | $0 | each |
| Manicuring assistant instructor | $0 | each |
How to apply
- When you create your MyMassGov account to access eLIPSE the first time, eLIPSE will ask you to enter information to help it locate your license and link it to your MyMassGov account.
- Please read the Linking Your License guide before creating your account to ensure it is linked correctly.
- Applications, renewals, and reinstatements must be submitted online through the eLIPSE platform.
- You will be asked to submit all required documents via the eLIPSE platform, including a DOL CORI form. Once submitted, you will be notified of any required next steps.
- Payment will also be made via the eLIPSE platform.
- For general instructions on managing your licenses and permits, view the DOL eLIPSE How-to-Guides.
- Incomplete applications will be held open for 180 days from the date of application receipt in order to allow applicants to provide the missing information or documentation. After 180 days have elapsed, the incomplete application will be considered abandoned, and applicants will need to submit a new application and payment.
You may call our Welcome Center at 617-701-8895 any time between 9:00am- 5:00pm. Our welcome center staff will guide you through the process.
You may visit our Welcome Center at One Federal Street, Suite 600, Boston MA 02110 between 9:00am- 5:00pm. Our welcome center staff will guide you through the process via our agency kiosks or your personal laptop/mobile device.
To apply by mail or email, or if you need reasonable accommodation, please reach out to the board for next steps via the email or phone number below.
Next steps
Take a written examination
After your application is approved, you will get information about taking a written examination. A practical examination is no longer required.