Updated: 11/30/2023
Working while taking the exams (Pending Exam Permits)
After you have completed an apprenticeship or a school program, your sponsor or teacher will give you the written exam application. Once the Board receives this application (Completed) you will automatically receive a Pending Exam Permit that will last you 6 months.
You will only receive ONE permit and this permit will not be granted an extension. Once this permit expires you WILL NOT be allowed to work and preform services in a salon until you have received your Original License.
If you wish to continue working throughout the transition from completing a program to receiving your full license you must plan to take the written and practical exams in an appropriate time frame of those 6 months.
After the Practical Exam
After a test candidate has completed the Practical Exam, PSI will email the candidate letting them know if they have passed or not. If you pass you will have the option of printing out your “Congrats” letter and either paying the original license fee online or mail in the payment with the letter. If you decide to pay online ABOCB will automatically receive this payment and you will receive a receipt in your email.
If you chose to mail in the payment, you will mail it to P.O. Box 301750 Montgomery, Al 36130-1750.
If a candidate does not pass you will have the option of an online payment or mail in payment. This will be another payment of $130.
Online Payment Link: https://otc.cdc.nicusa.com/Public2.aspx?portal=alabama&organization=Alabama%20State%20Board%20of%20Cosmetology%20and%20Barbering
Original License:
(Cosmetology, Manicuring, Esthetics, Natural Hair)- If your license is one of these types it will be good until the endo of your birth month in the either current odd (if your birthday has not passed yet) or next odd year. The original license fee is not meant to be a renewal to get you through to the next cycle it is only for you to gain A License. You will be expected to renew this license during your birth month of every odd year. If you do not renew on time, it will have an additional late fee charge applied.
(Barber)- If your license is this type it will be good until the end of your birth month in the either current even (if your birthday has not passed yet) or next even year. The original license fee is not meant to be a renewal to get you through to the next cycle it is only for you to gain A License. You will be expected to renew this license during your birth month of every even year. If you do not renew on time, it will have an additional late fee charge applied.