How to Become a Cosmetologist in New Brunswick
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick to work as a cosmetologist in New Brunswick or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Cosmetologist Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick”
From www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/post-secondary_education_tra..., checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 7 steps, listed one-time fees $150 (3 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total)
- Licensed in another province: 3 steps (4 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total)
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- Annual fees
-
- Membership fees: $70 (paid by individual cosmetologists to be licensed)
Source
“Individual cosmetologists are licensed through the Cosmetologist Association of NB. This means that they have completed their training and have paid their membership fees of $70.”
canb.ca/en/association/licensing-regulations-faqs
- Membership fees: $70 (paid by individual cosmetologists to be licensed)
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 7 done
- Listed one-time fees: $150
- 3 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $70 (paid by individual cosmetologists to be licensed)
-
Submit an application to the Registrar before your training start date.
Source
“Any person desiring to become a cosmetologist (student) must make an application to the Registrar prior to the commencement date.”
canb.ca/en/licensing/students -
Wait until the Registrar approves you, since training hours only count after pre-approval.
Source
“Hours of training will not be accumulated until the student has been pre-approved. ... Upon approval from the Registrar the student may commence training.”
canb.ca/en/licensing/students -
Register as a student with the Association and have the school submit your fees within 30 days of enrollment.
- Student Registration - Hairstyling and Technical Cutting Stylist: $355 (for student registration in hairstyling and technical cutting stylist)
Source
“Student Registration - Hairstyling and Technical Cutting Stylist Application Fees - 355.00 CAD”
canb.ca/en/applications-fees/make-a-payment - Student Registration - Aesthetic, Make-Up, Nail Technician, Lash & Brow Technician and Eyelash Technician: $280 (for student registration in aesthetic, make-up, nail technician, lash and brow technician and eyelash technician)
Source
“Student Registration - Aesthetic, Make-Up, Nail Technician, Lash & Brow Technician and Eyelash Technician Application Fees - 280.00 CAD”
canb.ca/en/applications-fees/make-a-payment - Student Registration - Aesthetic eyelash: $440 (for student registration in aesthetic eyelash)
Source
“Student Registration - Aesthetic eyelash Application Fees - 440.00 CAD”
canb.ca/en/applications-fees/make-a-payment
Source
“All students must be registered with the Association. ... All schools must register each student and payment of fees must be submitted 30 days after enrollment.”
canb.ca/en/licensing/students - Student Registration - Hairstyling and Technical Cutting Stylist: $355 (for student registration in hairstyling and technical cutting stylist)
-
Complete your training under the direct supervision of a licensed instructor in a licensed school, including the prescribed number of clients.
Source
“All training must take place under the direct supervision of a licensed instructor in a licensed school. ... Students must complete the prescribed number of clients required.”
canb.ca/en/licensing/students -
Before the exam, show the Committee satisfactory evidence that you completed the prescribed hours of theory and practical instruction under a licensed instructor in a registered school.
Source
“Before submitting to an examination held pursuant to this Act, a student shall provide evidence satisfactory to the Committee that the student has been trained as a student in cosmetology, in a registered school, for the number of hours prescribed in the by-laws for theory and practical instruction under the supervision of a licensed cosmetology instructor.”
canb.ca/en/licensing/students -
Complete the provincial theory and practical exams as part of your training.
- Exam Fee: $110
Source
“Training includes extensive theory, practical, clinical, and client quotas, and completing a provincial theory and practical exams.”
canb.ca/en/association/licensing-regulations-faqs -
Pay your membership fees to become a licensed cosmetologist.
- Registration Fee: $40
Source
“Individual cosmetologists are licensed through the Cosmetologist Association of NB. This means that they have completed their training and have paid their membership fees of $70.”
canb.ca/en/association/licensing-regulations-faqs
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $150
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Exams | $110 | 73% |
| Registration | $40 | 27% |
| One-time total | $150 | 100% |
3 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total.
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Membership fees: $70 (paid by individual cosmetologists to be licensed)
Source
“Individual cosmetologists are licensed through the Cosmetologist Association of NB. This means that they have completed their training and have paid their membership fees of $70.”
canb.ca/en/association/licensing-regulations-faqs
Licensed in another province
0 of 3 done
- 4 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total
- 1 step without a listed fee
- Annual fees: $70 (paid by individual cosmetologists to be licensed)
-
Fill out the out-of-province application form if you were trained outside New Brunswick and want to practise there.
- Out of Province Fees - Application Fee: $110 (for out-of-province applicants)
Source
“Out of Province Fees - Application Fee Application Fee - 110.00 CAD”
canb.ca/en/applications-fees/make-a-payment
Source
“Our regulations require an out-of-province application form to be completed if a cosmetologist trained out of province wishes to practice in NB.”
canb.ca/en/association/licensing-regulations-faqs - Out of Province Fees - Application Fee: $110 (for out-of-province applicants)
-
Provide documents such as proof of training, curriculums, licence if applicable, and work experience.
- Out of Province Fees - Section A: $230 (for out-of-province applicants)
Source
“Out of Province Fees - Section A Total Fee - 230.00 CAD”
canb.ca/en/applications-fees/make-a-payment - Out of Province Fees - Section B, C & D: $230 (for out-of-province applicants)
Source
“Out of Province Fees - Section B, C & D Total Fee - 230.00 CAD”
canb.ca/en/applications-fees/make-a-payment - Out of Province Fees - Section E: $230 (for out-of-province applicants, without temporary license)
Source
“Out of Province Fees - Section E Total Fee without Temporary License - 230.00 CAD”
canb.ca/en/applications-fees/make-a-payment
Source
“The application requires documentation such as proof of training, curriculums, license (if applicable) work experience, etc.”
canb.ca/en/association/licensing-regulations-faqs - Out of Province Fees - Section A: $230 (for out-of-province applicants)
-
Depending on the documentation you submit, you may or may not have to pass the provincial theory and practical exam.
Source
“Depending on the documentation received the candidate may or may not be required to pass the provincial theory and practical exam, which is a requirement to become licensed and able to work as a cosmetologist in NB.”
canb.ca/en/association/licensing-regulations-faqs
Listed fees for this route
4 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total.
1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.
- Membership fees: $70 (paid by individual cosmetologists to be licensed)
Source
“Individual cosmetologists are licensed through the Cosmetologist Association of NB. This means that they have completed their training and have paid their membership fees of $70.”
canb.ca/en/association/licensing-regulations-faqs
Trained outside Canada
- Annual fees: $70 (paid by individual cosmetologists to be licensed)
No separate route for this group. Source
“We work with cosmetologists entering New Brunswick to ensure compliance with our provincial certification and public health standards”
canb.ca/en/association/licensing-regulations-faqs
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Application Fee: $110
- Exam Rewrite Fee: $30
- Temporary License Fee: $40
Source
“Temporary License Fee Temporary License - 40.00 CAD”
canb.ca/en/applications-fees/make-a-payment - Penalty Fee: $50
- Cosmetologist Past Due: $130 (for cosmetologists with past due payments)
- NSF: $25
- Duplicate Certificate/Name Change: $20
Source
“Duplicate Certificate/Name Change Other Fees - 20.00 CAD”
canb.ca/en/applications-fees/make-a-payment - Mannequin Head: $75
- Out of Province Fees - Section E with Temporary License: $270
- Out of Province Fees - Section E without Temporary License with Mannequin: $305
Source
“Total Fee without Temporary License with Mannequin - 305.00 CAD”
canb.ca/en/applications-fees/make-a-payment - Out of Province Fees - Section E with Temporary License and Mannequin: $345 (for out-of-province applicants with a temporary license and a mannequin)
Source
“Total Fee with Temporary License and Mannequin - 345.00 CAD”
canb.ca/en/applications-fees/make-a-payment
Requirements
Education
A student must have completed grade 12 with a diploma.
Source
“A student shall have completed grade 12 with a diploma and be 18 years of age at the completion of their training.”
canb.ca/en/licensing/studentsAll training must take place under the direct supervision of a licensed instructor in a licensed school, and online training is not accepted.
Source
“All training must take place under the direct supervision of a licensed instructor in a licensed school. ... The CANB does not accept ONLINE training”
canb.ca/en/licensing/studentsStudents must complete the prescribed number of clients required.
Source
“Students must complete the prescribed number of clients required.”
canb.ca/en/licensing/studentsBefore an exam, a student must show satisfactory evidence of the prescribed hours of theory and practical instruction in a registered school under a licensed cosmetology instructor.
Source
“Before submitting to an examination held pursuant to this Act, a student shall provide evidence satisfactory to the Committee that the student has been trained as a student in cosmetology, in a registered school, for the number of hours prescribed in the by-laws for theory and practical instruction under the supervision of a licensed cosmetology instructor.”
canb.ca/en/licensing/studentsHairstylists require no less than 1600 hours of training, with other categories requiring between 300 and 1300 hours.
Source
“Hairstylists require no less than 1600 hours; assistant hair stylist 300; depilatory technician 300 hours; aesthetics 1300 hours; Lash & Brow technician 375 hours; make-up 300 hours; nail technician 450 hours, technical cutting stylist 1000 hours, creative specific hairstylist 350 hours.”
canb.ca/en/association/licensing-regulations-faqs
Other
A student must be 18 years of age at the completion of their training.
Source
“A student shall have completed grade 12 with a diploma and be 18 years of age at the completion of their training.”
canb.ca/en/licensing/studentsMature students must be 21 years of age and have no less than grade 10 education with proof.
Source
“Mature students must be 21 years of age and have no less than grade 10 education with proof.”
canb.ca/en/licensing/students
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
An out-of-province cosmetologist must complete an out-of-province application with documentation and may or may not be required to pass the provincial theory and practical exam. Source
“Our regulations require an out-of-province application form to be completed if a cosmetologist trained out of province wishes to practice in NB. ... Depending on the documentation received the candidate may or may not be required to pass the provincial theory and practical exam, which is a requirement to become licensed and able to work as a cosmetologist in NB.”
canb.ca/en/association/licensing-regulations-faqs
Complete out-of-province application
Source
“Our regulations require an out-of-province application form to be completed if a cosmetologist trained out of province wishes to practice in NB.”
canb.ca/en/association/licensing-regulations-faqsSubmit documentation
Source
“The application requires documentation such as proof of training, curriculums, license (if applicable) work experience, etc.”
canb.ca/en/association/licensing-regulations-faqsPossibly pass provincial exams
Source
“Depending on the documentation received the candidate may or may not be required to pass the provincial theory and practical exam, which is a requirement to become licensed and able to work as a cosmetologist in NB.”
canb.ca/en/association/licensing-regulations-faqs
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick
Exams
-
Provincial theory and practical exam
Source
“Depending on the documentation received the candidate may or may not be required to pass the provincial theory and practical exam, which is a requirement to become licensed and able to work as a cosmetologist in NB.”
canb.ca/en/association/licensing-regulations-faqs
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick
Demand and pay
No Job Bank wage or outlook data for this occupation yet.
Cosmetologists in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Not confirmed yet
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Not confirmed yet
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- Nova Scotia Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Certified Occupations www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/post-secondary_education_tra... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Students - CANB canb.ca/en/licensing/students · fetched October 10, 2026
- Make a Payment - CANB canb.ca/en/applications-fees/make-a-payment · fetched October 10, 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions - CANB canb.ca/en/association/licensing-regulations-faqs · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a cosmetologist in New Brunswick?
Yes. Registration with the Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick is required to practise in New Brunswick.
Which exams are required?
Provincial theory and practical exam.
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