Many salons, spas, and other businesses require their makeup artist employees to accept a cosmetology license or 1 of the other beauty practitioner licenses. But what if you don't desire to exist employed, what if y'all want to be your own boss and become a Freelance Makeup Artist? As a lawyer, you lot need to be licensed to practice the police force. It's the same for engineers, social workers, nurses, architects, etc. And then, where are Makeup Artists in this?

First of all, there is no Freelance Makeup Creative person or full general Makeup Creative person license. If a professional license is required, depending on what y'all practice, you'll either demand a cosmetology, esthetician, or barber/barber license. When y'all need such a beauty license is regulated by each state. Allow Jen's story be a cautionary tale. Thus, if y'all are unsure, the best advice we can give is to contact the cosmetology board of your state and enquire almost the license requirements for your specific situation. You tin can observe the contact information for your state here: Beauty Licenses per State.

We know that this is very unsatisfying advice and then we contacted every country board to notice out if there are any common rules applicative to most states.

This is what we wrote:

It is often said that a freelance Makeup Creative person doesn't need a Cosmetology license. Withal, I've heard from some Makeup Artists that they were required to have a dazzler (cosmetology/esthetician) license from their state to lawfully do business as freelance Makeup Artists. I agree that a cosmetology license is always a good investment in terms of education, but I could not find out whether it is mandatory for freelance Makeup Artists in your country.
Could y'all assistance me out with this question?

We are posting this here to be transparent almost what we asked because the situation is not always very clear in every state. In general, we can sort the answers into four categories.

1. No license needed under certain weather condition

In other words, yous generally need a license to apply makeup unless one of the below-listed exceptions applies. This is the situation in most states.

Exception one: Media and theatrical makeup work

"Yes, it is required to take either a cosmetology or aesthetic license to perform makeup services in Arizona, with the exception of media or theatrical."

Arizona State Board of Cosmetology

Exception 2: Retail

If there is a fee or exchange, then you must possess a cosmetology or esthetics license to apply makeup.  If you will be providing complimentary facials (with no strings attached: such as working at cosmetic counters in stores), or working for theater or tv or movies, and so y'all do non need to possess a license.

NYS Section of State, Sectionalization of Licensing Services

Exception3: Military machine or Doctors

"Nevada statute NRS 644.025 defines the practice of aesthetics in Nevada. This law includes beautifying the pare with cosmetics. Makeup services may exist performed past licensed cosmetologists or aestheticians in Nevada. There are some exemptions set forth in the law nether NRS 644.190 and NRS 644.460 which comprehend working on a movement movie or like production, retailers, photographers, doctors, war machine and other exemptions."

Nevada Land Board of Cosmetology

Exception 4: Unpaid work

"It would depend, there are some exceptions in the law.
7319.  The following persons are exempt from this affiliate:
…(d) Persons engaged in any do within its scope when done exterior of a licensed institution, without compensation…."

California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology

Here is the listing of states in this category (exceptions that not require a license in parentheses):

  • Arizona (media, theatrical)
  • California (military/doctors, theatrical, media, retail, unpaid)
  • Florida (unpaid, retail)
  • Indiana (medical, unpaid)
  • Iowa (medical settings)
  • Kansas (retail)
  • Kentucky (retail)
  • Minnesota (theatrical, media, mortuary practice)
  • Montana (theatrical, media, unpaid)
  • Nevada (theatrical, media, military machine/doctors, retail)
  • New England (retail)
  • New York (theatrical, media, unpaid, retail)
  • Oregon (photography, theatrical)
  • Southward Dakota (retail)
  • Tennessee (retail)
  • Texas (medical profession, unpaid, theatrical, media, photography)

2. You e'er need a license for makeup application

These states don't specify whatsoever exemptions, consequently, you need to accept a license regardless.

To provide "make-up" services in the State of Alaska requires yous concur an active/electric current Esthetician license issued by the Alaska Lath of Barbers & Hairdressers.

Alaska Board of Barbers & Hairdressers

States in this category are:

  • Alabama*
  • Alaska**
  • Colorado
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Missouri
  • Due north Carolina*
  • North Dakota
  • South Carolina
  • West Virginia

*Unpaid work may be exempt, just not if information technology happens in a business setting, eastward.thousand. in retail.

** Hairdressing is exempt, Yous can employ for a Hairdresser Courtesy License to work on a television set, film, or stage product.

iii. You don't demand a license for makeup application

Yes, there are indeed some states that apparently don't require any license for the awarding of makeup:

From Washington (Professional Licensing Support Services) we received this response:

At this time makeup artists are non regulated in Washington state and they are not required to have a cosmetology or esthetician license.

States in this category are:
  • Arkansas (unless you are working in a licensed salon)
  • Maryland
  • Washington
  • Michigan

 iv. Unclear or no response

Unfortunately, for a couple of states information technology was impossible to go a response via email. Email was of import for u.s.a. to have at least some written reference. In some cases we would get an answer, which ended up non existence an answer at all:

" The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Diplomacy, CSCL Bureau, and its employees cannot provide legal advice and you may wish to consult an attorney to talk over legal matters pertinent to your individual situation; however, licensing requirements for cosmetologists are established in the Occupational Code, 1980 PA 299, as amended, which can be plant at www.michigan.gov/cosmetology.  However, yous may wish to look at the section of definitions nether MCL 339.1201, in particular, the definition of peel intendance services under MCL 339.1201(q)."
In other cases, I think, I am just not smart enough to understand what that ways:
Per Virginia Code § 54.i-701.10. Exemptions., "persons whose activities are bars solely to applying brand-up, including such activities that are ancillary to applying make-up" are exempt from regulation and licensing by this Board.
Does it mean this board does not regulate information technology, and another board does? In some cases I got bounced around between dissimilar departments , which all claimed not to exist responsible. Or exercise yous actually not need a license in Virginia if you lot are only applying makeup? I would inquire a legal professional to
If you haven't found your land amongst the showtime three categories  then we are lamentable to disappoint you. As shortly equally nosotros go additional information, we will add together information technology to this mail service. If you accept additional information, please let us know in the comments.
What was expressed in the response of Michigan'southward Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs is very valid for us: We cannot provide legal communication nor are attempting to. Don't rely on the data presented here and always consult professionals with regards to your situation. Although the data presented in this post is based on responses nosotros received from the various land boards, it is quite possible that it is wrong, non complete or has changed at the fourth dimension when you read this post. Please also annotation that this post only discusses beauty professional licenses and not other licenses required to operate your business.