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NEW MEXICO STATE BOARD OF
COSMETOLOGY AND BARBER PRACTICE
EXAM PRACTICE EXAM – 40 QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & COMPLETE
RATIONALES
## SECTION 1: LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS &
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
**1. What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a
cosmetology or barber license in New Mexico?**
A. 15 years old
B. 16 years old
C. 17 years old
D. 18 years old
**Correct answer:** 17 years old
**Rationale:** Under 16.34.5.8 NMAC, any person is eligible to
be registered as a practitioner who is at least 17 years of age .
This applies to all practitioner licenses including barber,
cosmetologist, hairstylist, manicurist, esthetician, and
electrologist.
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---
**2. How many training hours are required to obtain a
cosmetology license in New Mexico?**
A. 1,200 hours
B. 1,500 hours
C. 1,600 hours
D. 2,000 hours
**Correct answer:** 1,600 hours
**Rationale:** Under 16.34.5.10 NMAC, a cosmetologist license
requires 1,600 hours or equivalent credit . The reciprocity table
confirms this requirement for out-of-state applicants .
---
**3. How many training hours are required to obtain a barber
license in New Mexico?**
A. 1,000 hours
B. 1,200 hours
C. 1,500 hours
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D. 1,600 hours
**Correct answer:** 1,200 hours
**Rationale:** Under 16.34.5.9 NMAC, a barber license
requires 1,200 hours or equivalent credit . This is confirmed in
the reciprocity requirements table .
---
**4. What is the minimum passing scaled score for all written
and practical licensing examinations in New Mexico?**
A. 65
B. 70
C. 75
D. 80
**Correct answer:** 70
**Rationale:** Under 16.34.3.9 NMAC (amended), the minimum
passing scaled score for all written and practical licensing
examinations is 70 . Note that previous versions of this rule
required 75, but the current amendment lowered it to 70.
NEW MEXICO STATE BOARD OF
COSMETOLOGY AND BARBER PRACTICE
EXAM PRACTICE EXAM – 40 QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & COMPLETE
RATIONALES
## SECTION 1: LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS &
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
**1. What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a
cosmetology or barber license in New Mexico?**
A. 15 years old
B. 16 years old
C. 17 years old
D. 18 years old
**Correct answer:** 17 years old
**Rationale:** Under 16.34.5.8 NMAC, any person is eligible to
be registered as a practitioner who is at least 17 years of age .
This applies to all practitioner licenses including barber,
cosmetologist, hairstylist, manicurist, esthetician, and
electrologist.
,2 | Page
---
**2. How many training hours are required to obtain a
cosmetology license in New Mexico?**
A. 1,200 hours
B. 1,500 hours
C. 1,600 hours
D. 2,000 hours
**Correct answer:** 1,600 hours
**Rationale:** Under 16.34.5.10 NMAC, a cosmetologist license
requires 1,600 hours or equivalent credit . The reciprocity table
confirms this requirement for out-of-state applicants .
---
**3. How many training hours are required to obtain a barber
license in New Mexico?**
A. 1,000 hours
B. 1,200 hours
C. 1,500 hours
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D. 1,600 hours
**Correct answer:** 1,200 hours
**Rationale:** Under 16.34.5.9 NMAC, a barber license
requires 1,200 hours or equivalent credit . This is confirmed in
the reciprocity requirements table .
---
**4. What is the minimum passing scaled score for all written
and practical licensing examinations in New Mexico?**
A. 65
B. 70
C. 75
D. 80
**Correct answer:** 70
**Rationale:** Under 16.34.3.9 NMAC (amended), the minimum
passing scaled score for all written and practical licensing
examinations is 70 . Note that previous versions of this rule
required 75, but the current amendment lowered it to 70.
