Cosmetology / Barber License from Michigan to Tennessee: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners ↗
A cosmetology license transfers from Michigan to Tennessee by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, verify your Michigan license, and meet Tennessee's endorsement requirements. No Tennessee examinations are listed in the reciprocity process; your certification of licensure must show you substantially met Tennessee's qualifications, which include a theory and practical examination for all license types.
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Michigan and Tennessee require identical training hours (1,500), which removes the usual friction from a cosmetology transfer. What remains is Tennessee's administrative checklist below.
What changes, Michigan → Tennessee
| Michigan (current) | Tennessee (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| CLC status | Licensure by endorsement | CLC enacted — not yet issuing |
| Training hours | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Application fee | $63 (application fee plus 2-year license fee; same $63 total for licensure by examination or reciprocity) | $100 (reciprocity fee, all license types, non-refundable) |
| Processing time | LARA does not publish a processing timeframe in the cosmetology licensing guide | 3–4 weeks (board advises allowing three to four weeks for processing after submitting the online application; receipt of certifications from other state boards varies) |
| Licensing authority | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing — Cosmetology | Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Tennessee sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Tennessee's current requirements on the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold a current cosmetology license in at least one state; certifications are required from every state where you are or were licensed, but only one license must be current.
- Have each state licensing board send your Certification of License directly to the Tennessee board.
- Complete the Out of State application online at core.tn.gov with the non-refundable application fee.
- Submit acceptable proof of work (tax returns showing occupation or employer letters on letterhead) if you completed fewer than 1,500 school hours — practicing as a licensee for at least 1 of the last 3 years or 2 of the last 5 years.
- Name on your license must match your identification documents.
- Pay the fees ($100 (reciprocity fee, all license types, non-refundable)) and allow 3–4 weeks (board advises allowing three to four weeks for processing after submitting the online application; receipt of certifications from other state boards varies).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Tennessee accept a Michigan cosmetology license?
A cosmetology license transfers from Michigan to Tennessee by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, verify your Michigan license, and meet Tennessee's endorsement requirements. No Tennessee examinations are listed in the reciprocity process; your certification of licensure must show you substantially met Tennessee's qualifications, which include a theory and practical examination for all license types.
Will Tennessee make me retake the cosmetology exams?
No Tennessee examinations are listed in the reciprocity process; your certification of licensure must show you substantially met Tennessee's qualifications, which include a theory and practical examination for all license types.
What does the Michigan-to-Tennessee transfer cost and how long does it take?
$100 (reciprocity fee, all license types, non-refundable); processing 3–4 weeks (board advises allowing three to four weeks for processing after submitting the online application; receipt of certifications from other state boards varies).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- TN Cosmetology and Barber Examiners Board — Renewal, Reciprocity, and Other Resources ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- TN Cosmetology and Barber Examiners Board — License Fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- LARA — Cosmetology (profession page) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- LARA — Michigan Cosmetology Licensing Guide (PDF) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Michigan Admin Code R 338.2121b — Licensure by endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]