Cosmetology / Barber License from New York to Rhode Island: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Rhode Island Department of Health — Board of Hairdressing and Barbering ↗
A cosmetology license transfers from New York to Rhode Island by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Rhode Island Department of Health — Board of Hairdressing and Barbering, verify your New York license, and meet Rhode Island's endorsement requirements. Rhode Island does not re-examine out-of-state applicants — the license is granted on acceptance of credentials, with verification sent directly from the original licensing state that the applicant passed written and practical examinations acceptable to the Department.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
New York and Rhode Island require identical training hours (1,000), which removes the usual friction from a cosmetology transfer. What remains is Rhode Island's administrative checklist below.
What changes, New York → Rhode Island
| New York (current) | Rhode Island (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| CLC status | Reciprocity with 27 states | Licensure by endorsement |
| Training hours | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Application fee | $40 (cosmetology license application fee; $50 combined fee if applying for the initial license and a temporary license together) | $25 (application by verification (endorsement) fee, same as the examination application fee) |
| Processing time | Department of State does not publish a processing timeframe | no published timeline; out-of-state licensees may practice for up to three months on a non-renewable temporary permit provided an application is filed within that period |
| Licensing authority | New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (Appearance Enhancement — Cosmetology) | Rhode Island Department of Health — Board of Hairdressing and Barbering |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Rhode Island sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Rhode Island's current requirements on the Rhode Island Department of Health — Board of Hairdressing and Barbering website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Rhode Island Department of Health — Board of Hairdressing and Barbering (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold a hairdresser/cosmetician license from a state whose requirements are equivalent to Rhode Island's.
- Have verification of licensure in good standing sent directly to the Department from every state where you hold or have held a license.
- Document passage of written and practical examinations in the original licensing state.
- Pay the fees ($25 (application by verification (endorsement) fee, same as the examination application fee)) and allow no published timeline; out-of-state licensees may practice for up to three months on a non-renewable temporary permit provided an application is filed within that period.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Rhode Island accept a New York cosmetology license?
A cosmetology license transfers from New York to Rhode Island by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Rhode Island Department of Health — Board of Hairdressing and Barbering, verify your New York license, and meet Rhode Island's endorsement requirements. Rhode Island does not re-examine out-of-state applicants — the license is granted on acceptance of credentials, with verification sent directly from the original licensing state that the applicant passed written and practical examinations acceptable to the Department.
Will Rhode Island make me retake the cosmetology exams?
Rhode Island does not re-examine out-of-state applicants — the license is granted on acceptance of credentials, with verification sent directly from the original licensing state that the applicant passed written and practical examinations acceptable to the Department.
What does the New York-to-Rhode Island transfer cost and how long does it take?
$25 (application by verification (endorsement) fee, same as the examination application fee); processing no published timeline; out-of-state licensees may practice for up to three months on a non-renewable temporary permit provided an application is filed within that period.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- 216-RICR-40-05-4 — Barbers, Hairdressers/Cosmeticians, Manicurists, Estheticians, and Instructors ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- 216-RICR-10-05-2 — RIDOH fee structure (hairdresser/cosmetologist fees) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- RIDOH — Barbering, Hairdressing and Cosmetology licensing page ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NY DOS — Cosmetology Reciprocity (state table, certification, $40 fee) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NY DOS — Endorsement States (cosmetology endorsement list) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NY DOS — Become a Cosmetologist (1,000-hour course, exams, 5-year experience path) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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