MINNESOTA COSMETOLOGY LAWS & RULES
EXAM STUDY GUIDE PDF (2026–2027) |
COMPLETE STATE BOARD LICENSING EXAM
PREP WITH PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
DETAILED EXPLANATIONS
• This 200-question practice exam covers all domains tested on the Minnesota
Cosmetology State Board Licensing Exam, including statutes, rules, sanitation,
safety, salon operations, and professional conduct.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking the correct option and EXPERT RATIONALE, then reviewing any missed
items to reinforce weak areas before your exam date.
1. Which Minnesota state agency is responsible for regulating cosmetology
licensing?
A. Minnesota Department of Health
B. Minnesota Board of Nursing
C. Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
D. Minnesota Office of Professional Licensing
E. Minnesota Department of Commerce
Correct Answer: C. Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI)
oversees cosmetology licensing, enforcement, and rule-making under Minnesota
Statutes Chapter 155A.
2. Under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 155A, which of the following individuals
is required to hold a cosmetology license?
A. A person who only sells beauty products in a retail store
B. A person who performs shampooing services for compensation
,C. A person who teaches makeup in a non-accredited private class
D. A person who braids hair only for family members without compensation
E. A person who applies sunscreen at a spa
Correct Answer: B. A person who performs shampooing services for
compensation
EXPERT RATIONALE: Minnesota law requires a license for any person who
performs cosmetology services for compensation, which includes shampooing hair
when performed as a professional service.
3. How many hours of training are required to obtain a cosmetologist license
in Minnesota?
A. 1,000 hours
B. 1,200 hours
C. 1,500 hours
D. 1,550 hours
E. 1,800 hours
Correct Answer: C. 1,500 hours
EXPERT RATIONALE: Minnesota requires 1,500 hours of approved cosmetology
education from a licensed cosmetology school to qualify for the cosmetologist
license examination.
4. How many hours are required for a Minnesota esthetician license?
A. 260 hours
B. 500 hours
C. 600 hours
D. 750 hours
,E. 1,000 hours
Correct Answer: C. 600 hours
EXPERT RATIONALE: Minnesota requires 600 hours of approved training in a
licensed school to qualify for the esthetician (skin care) license.
5. What is the minimum number of hours required for a nail technician
license in Minnesota?
A. 150 hours
B. 250 hours
C. 300 hours
D. 350 hours
E. 400 hours
Correct Answer: C. 300 hours
EXPERT RATIONALE: Minnesota law requires 300 hours of approved nail
technology education to qualify to sit for the nail technician licensing examination.
6. How many hours are required for a Minnesota cosmetology instructor
license?
A. 300 hours
B. 500 hours
C. 600 hours
D. 800 hours
E. 1,000 hours
Correct Answer: B. 500 hours
, EXPERT RATIONALE: A cosmetology instructor candidate must complete 500 hours
of instructor training in addition to holding the applicable practitioner license.
7. How often must a Minnesota cosmetology license be renewed?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every four years
E. Every five years
Correct Answer: B. Every two years
EXPERT RATIONALE: Minnesota cosmetology licenses are renewed on a two-year
cycle. Renewal requires payment of the applicable fee and completion of continuing
education requirements.
8. How many continuing education hours are required to renew a
cosmetologist license in Minnesota?
A. 4 hours
B. 6 hours
C. 8 hours
D. 10 hours
E. 12 hours
Correct Answer: C. 8 hours
EXPERT RATIONALE: Minnesota requires 8 hours of approved continuing
education for cosmetologist license renewal during each two-year renewal period.
EXAM STUDY GUIDE PDF (2026–2027) |
COMPLETE STATE BOARD LICENSING EXAM
PREP WITH PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
DETAILED EXPLANATIONS
• This 200-question practice exam covers all domains tested on the Minnesota
Cosmetology State Board Licensing Exam, including statutes, rules, sanitation,
safety, salon operations, and professional conduct.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking the correct option and EXPERT RATIONALE, then reviewing any missed
items to reinforce weak areas before your exam date.
1. Which Minnesota state agency is responsible for regulating cosmetology
licensing?
A. Minnesota Department of Health
B. Minnesota Board of Nursing
C. Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
D. Minnesota Office of Professional Licensing
E. Minnesota Department of Commerce
Correct Answer: C. Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI)
oversees cosmetology licensing, enforcement, and rule-making under Minnesota
Statutes Chapter 155A.
2. Under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 155A, which of the following individuals
is required to hold a cosmetology license?
A. A person who only sells beauty products in a retail store
B. A person who performs shampooing services for compensation
,C. A person who teaches makeup in a non-accredited private class
D. A person who braids hair only for family members without compensation
E. A person who applies sunscreen at a spa
Correct Answer: B. A person who performs shampooing services for
compensation
EXPERT RATIONALE: Minnesota law requires a license for any person who
performs cosmetology services for compensation, which includes shampooing hair
when performed as a professional service.
3. How many hours of training are required to obtain a cosmetologist license
in Minnesota?
A. 1,000 hours
B. 1,200 hours
C. 1,500 hours
D. 1,550 hours
E. 1,800 hours
Correct Answer: C. 1,500 hours
EXPERT RATIONALE: Minnesota requires 1,500 hours of approved cosmetology
education from a licensed cosmetology school to qualify for the cosmetologist
license examination.
4. How many hours are required for a Minnesota esthetician license?
A. 260 hours
B. 500 hours
C. 600 hours
D. 750 hours
,E. 1,000 hours
Correct Answer: C. 600 hours
EXPERT RATIONALE: Minnesota requires 600 hours of approved training in a
licensed school to qualify for the esthetician (skin care) license.
5. What is the minimum number of hours required for a nail technician
license in Minnesota?
A. 150 hours
B. 250 hours
C. 300 hours
D. 350 hours
E. 400 hours
Correct Answer: C. 300 hours
EXPERT RATIONALE: Minnesota law requires 300 hours of approved nail
technology education to qualify to sit for the nail technician licensing examination.
6. How many hours are required for a Minnesota cosmetology instructor
license?
A. 300 hours
B. 500 hours
C. 600 hours
D. 800 hours
E. 1,000 hours
Correct Answer: B. 500 hours
, EXPERT RATIONALE: A cosmetology instructor candidate must complete 500 hours
of instructor training in addition to holding the applicable practitioner license.
7. How often must a Minnesota cosmetology license be renewed?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every four years
E. Every five years
Correct Answer: B. Every two years
EXPERT RATIONALE: Minnesota cosmetology licenses are renewed on a two-year
cycle. Renewal requires payment of the applicable fee and completion of continuing
education requirements.
8. How many continuing education hours are required to renew a
cosmetologist license in Minnesota?
A. 4 hours
B. 6 hours
C. 8 hours
D. 10 hours
E. 12 hours
Correct Answer: C. 8 hours
EXPERT RATIONALE: Minnesota requires 8 hours of approved continuing
education for cosmetologist license renewal during each two-year renewal period.
