License GuideSOC 39-9099

Electrologist
License.

Personal care and service workers provide direct assistance to clients in their homes or facilities. They help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, grooming, and meal preparation. Some workers assist elderly clients or those with disabilities with mobility and personal hygiene. Others work in hospitality settings, cleaning rooms and maintaining common areas. Many develop relationships with regular clients, learning their preferences and routines. The work is physical and requires patience, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal skills. Hours vary and may include evenings, weekends, or overnight shifts depending on client needs.

At a Glance

Everything a Electrologist needs to know.

The Work
What you actually do

Licensed electrologists are regulated at the state level. Every state sets its own education, exam, and experience requirements.

Read more

Personal care and service workers provide direct assistance to clients in their homes or facilities. They help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, grooming, and meal preparation. Some workers assist elderly clients or those with disabilities with mobility and personal hygiene. Others work in hospitality settings, cleaning rooms and maintaining common areas. Many develop relationships with regular clients, learning their preferences and routines. The work is physical and requires patience, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal skills. Hours vary and may include evenings, weekends, or overnight shifts depending on client needs.

The Exam
Two-part proctored test

Most states require a national or state-administered exam covering electrologist knowledge, ethics, and state law.

Read more

You'll take an exam split into two parts. The national section covers foundational electrology knowledge and appears on tests across all states. Your state adds its own section focused on local laws and regulations specific to your area. Most states contract with testing companies like PSI, Pearson VUE, or Prometric to administer the exam. You schedule your test through these vendors and take it at their testing centers. To pass, you typically need to score 75% or higher on both sections, though requirements vary slightly by state. Check your state's licensing board for exact passing scores and exam dates.

Renewal
Keeping it active

Continuing education is required between renewals in almost every state. Hours and topics vary by board.

Read more

Electrologists renew licenses on a state-by-state basis. Your state likely requires a specific number of continuing education hours each cycle. Common required topics include ethics and state licensing laws. Check your state board's website for exact hour requirements and approved courses.

Is This For You
Who fits this career

Strong candidates for the electrologist role combine the technical knowledge tested on the exam with judgment and communication skills you build through supervised experience.

Read more

You'll need both technical precision and people skills for electrology work. The exam covers the science, but you build judgment through hands-on practice under supervision. You listen carefully to clients about their concerns and expectations. You stay calm during long appointments that require sustained focus. You notice small details in skin condition and adjust your approach accordingly. You explain procedures clearly so clients feel informed, not anxious. This work demands patience, results take multiple sessions, and the ability to make quick decisions when problems arise.

Unlicensed Risk
Practicing without a license

Practicing as an electrologist without an active license is illegal in every state. Typical penalties include civil fines, forfeited income, and in some states criminal charges on repeat offenses.

Read more

Practicing electrology without an active license violates state law across all 50 states. Violators face civil fines and must forfeit any income earned from unlicensed work. Repeat offenses can result in criminal charges in some states, potentially including jail time. The specific penalties vary by state and depend on factors like the number of violations and prior offense history.

Career Outlook
+21.2% projected

Employment change 2024 to 2034. Flagged as a bright-outlook occupation.

The Path

How to Get a Electrologist License.

To get licensed, you'll follow a standard path across most states. Start with accredited education in your field. Next, pass a national or state exam. You'll then complete supervised experience hours under an established professional. A background check comes next. Finally, you'll maintain your license by completing continuing education before each renewal. The specific requirements, education hours, degree type, and experience length, differ by state, so check your state's board for exact minimums.

1
Finish state-approved school hours
State cosmetology or barber boards require a set number of program hours at an accredited school, specific to the electrologist discipline.
2
Pass the written exam
The written exam covers sanitation, infection control, state law, and technical theory.
3
Pass the practical exam
A hands-on demonstration of procedures, scored by a board examiner. Many states now use a virtual practical format.
4
Submit fingerprints and background check
Most boards collect electronic fingerprints through IdentoGO, Fieldprint, or a similar vendor and run a state and federal background check.
5
Apply for the license
Submit the state application with transcripts, exam scores, experience verification, and fees. Processing runs a few days to several months depending on state and board.
6
Pay fees and activate
Once approved, you pay the initial license fee, post any required bond or insurance, and the state issues your license number.
7
Track renewals and continuing education
Most licenses renew every one to three years with a set amount of continuing education. Missing CE or renewal deadlines risks license inactivation.
Timeline

How long it takes.

Background check and exam scheduling
2 to 6 weeks
License issuance after passing
Few days to several weeks
State processing times vary widely.
Cost Breakdown

What it costs out of pocket.

Cosmetology or trade school
State-approved program. Hour requirements are state-specific.
$5,000 to $20,000
Application and license fee
Paid to the state board at submission. Varies widely by state.
$50 to $500
Fingerprint and background check
Flat vendor fee set by the state.
$40 to $120
Exam fee
Paid to the testing vendor when you schedule.
$50 to $400
Compensation

What Electrologists Earn.

National annual wage by percentile.

Bottom 10%
$25k
25th percentile
$32k
Median
$38k
75th percentile
$39k
Top 10%
$49k
Resources

Where to train, certify, and connect.

Optional next steps once your Electrologist license is active.

Advanced
Advanced Lactation Consultant
Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice
Core
Certified End of Life Doula
InterrnationaI End of Life Doula Association
State vs State

Compare any two states.

Pre-license hours and fees vary widely. Pick two states to see the gap.

Left
Right
Varies
Pre-license hours
Varies
Varies
Exam fee
Varies
Varies
License fee
Varies
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
Issuing board
Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers
Frequently Asked

Questions people ask.

Ready to get licensed?

Tell us your state and how you plan to work. We build your license checklist, prepare every filing, and track renewals.

Paperwork prep · State fees handled · Renewal tracking