Board of Barbers and Hairdressers Frequently Asked Questions 1. What types of licenses are issued by the Alaska Board of Barbers & Hairdressers? Barber, Hairdresser, Esthetician, Manicurist, Instructor, Tattoo/Permanent Cosmetic Colorist (both aspects under one license), and Body Piercer. Please note, Alaska does not offer a “cosmetology” license, this license type was split into an esthetician and hairdresser license during the 1980s. We also issue Instructor, Shop Owner, and School licenses. 2. How do I get a license? You must have met the minimum qualifications for the field you are seeking to be licensed for and you must submit an application, fees, and required documentation. 3. What license do I need to apply false eyelashes? You must be either a licensed hairdresser and/or esthetician. 4. What license do I need to provide microblading/microstroking services? You must be a licensed tattooist/permanent cosmetic colorist. 5. Will my out of state license just transfer to Alaska? No, you must submit an application by “waiver of examination”, submit required documentation, fees, and meet the minimum qualifications for the license you are applying for. 6. Who do I make my check or money order payable to? State of Alaska 7. Do you accept credit cards? Yes, we accept Visa or MasterCard. Credit card information must be provided on our Credit Card Authorization form and must be either mailed or faxed with a coversheet detailing what the fees are for. A credit card authorization form is provided with all applications and can also be found on the web. 8. Can I pay my fees over the phone with a credit card? No, you may not pay over the phone. You will need to either fax or mail the Credit Card Payment form to our office. 9. Can I email credit card information? No. 10. Can I renew my license over the phone? No. To renew a license requires you mail a completed renewal application with the required fees directly to this office OR you may drop off a completed renewal application and fees to our Anchorage or Juneau office: 550 W 7th Ave., Ste 1500 Anchorage, AK OR 333 Willoughby Ave., 9th Floor Juneau, AK 11. How long is my license good for? Licenses issued by this board are valid for two years; this profession renews August 31, of odd numbered years. 12. How do I renew a license that has been lapsed for one, two, three, or more years? Before submitting a renewal application or fees be sure to contact your licensing examiner for current fees and renewal application information. Current renewal applications and on-line renewal options are available on the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers website. One or Two Year Lapse You will need to complete a current renewal application and submit the completed application to this office with the renewal fee OR you may renew your license online. Board of Barbers and Hairdressers Website Three Year Lapse In accordance with Statute 08.13.140 and Regulation 12 AAC 09.930; a license that has been lapsed for three or more years requires the submission of a current renewal application, all back & current renewal fees and current examination fees. The complete this renewal process requires the licensee pass both the practical and written examinations. 13. Will the Anchorage office issue my license or permit? No. The Anchorage office can provide notary services and receipt fees. ALL applications, forms, etc., are sent to the Juneau office for review and processing. 14. Can I submit faxed or email copies of my completed application? No. Documents must have original signatures and notary stamps must be mailed directly to this office or dropped off in the Anchorage, AK or Juneau, AK office locations. 15. How to obtain a certified true copy. To obtain a certified true copy of a document, take the original document and a copy to a notary. The notary will compare the copy to the original. In front of the notary write on the copy, “I certify this to be a true copy of the original document”, sign and date it. The notary will notarize your signature and affix their seal, sign and date the copy. 16. How do I get Alaska license & examination information sent to another State board? You must submit a written request or our license verification request form to send verification of your license and our $20 processing fee per license and per mailing. If you send a written request you must include the state board you would like the verification mailed to and their mailing address. Please note; most state boards will not accept license verifications not mailed directly to their offices from the issuing state board. 17. How long does it take to process my application? All applications are processed in date order of receipt. A completed application may be processed in 1-2 weeks. Incomplete applications may take 4-6 weeks to process. Failure to submit required fees will result in an automatic letter requesting required fees before the application is processed. You can help us process your application more rapidly by making sure you complete the application correctly and submit the correct fees and supporting documents. Please read the instruction pages provided with each application carefully. 18. How can I find out about the status of my application? If your application is incomplete you will be notified by mail or email as soon as your application is reviewed. If you choose to have all communications done via the US Postal Service, please allow two to three weeks from the date the application is received for a status letter to reach you. 19. What is licensure by waiver of examination? Some states call this licensure by “credentials" or "reciprocity”. You are eligible for an Alaska license by waiver of examination if you have a current and active license in another state, with the requirements of the other State being equal to or greater than the requirements of the State of Alaska. License verifications must be mailed or emailed directly to this office from the issuing authority/state board. Transcripts must be mailed or emailed directly to this office from the school. 20. I have a license from another country. Would I be able to apply for an Alaska license by waiver of examination? No. Out-of-country license holders are not eligible for licensure by waiver of examination. You must qualify and pass the written and practical exams. Transcripts, certificates, etc., in any language other than English, must be submitted to a certified translator for conversion into English. All-out-of-country training requires board review. A complete application must be on file before being presented to the board for review and consideration. 21. Can I transfer/use hours of training earned out of State or in State to another school or into an apprentice program? Yes. For out of state schools; transcripts must be mailed or emailed directly to this office from the school for evaluation. For in state school or apprenticeships; proof of training must be submitted to this office. Conversion: 150 school hours = 181 apprentice hours 50 school hours = 60.60 apprentice hours (hours x 1.212) 50 apprentice hours = 41.25 school hours 150 apprentice hours = 123.75 school hours (hours x .825) If an apprentice OR student has a two (2) year interruption during training (training not completed); the earned hours/practical operations will expire and applicant will need to re-start training. 22. How do I apply for the examinations after I have finished my school or apprenticeship program? A complete application must be received in the Juneau office by the exam deadline you want to be scheduled for. NO exceptions will be made to examination deadlines. 23. Where can I find examination information? Tentative examination dates, study packets, reexamination/rescheduling forms are available on the web. Examination packets are not mailed to candidates. It is the responsibility of the candidate to be prepared for their examination. 24. How do I get my examination scores? Written examinations are mailed to Florida for grading and may take 2-3 weeks. Practical examinations are scored in house and are an average of three examination proctor scores. Examination scores are only mailed to the individual examination candidate. Examination scores are NOT posted to any websites, etc., and will not be given telephonically or via email. 25. Can I apply for a temporary license while I am waiting to take my examination(s)? Yes, a temporary student license is valid for 120 days from the date of issuance and can be requested when you submit your application for examination or later. The fee is $100.00. A Statement of Responsibility form must be submitted and you must be scheduled for examination(s). Temporary Licenses are not renewable and only one can be issued. 26. Can I apply for a temporary permit? Yes, a temporary permit is available for “by waiver of examination” applicants. A temporary permit is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance and can be requested when you submit your application or later. The application will show the current fee for a temporary permit. You must submit a certified true copy of your current out of State license with your application or with a request submitted at a later date. All application and license fees must have been submitted (application fee, license fee). Temporary Permits are not renewable and only one can be issued. 27. How do I qualify for a hairdresser license? By Waiver of Examination (also known as "by credentials" or "by reciprocity") hold an active (current) license to practice in at least one other state training 1,650 hours of training through a school— or — 2,000 hours training through an apprentice program— or — work experience can be used to meet the hour requirement proof of passing a written and practical examination By Examination training 1,650 hours of training through a school which must include practical operations in accordance with 12 AAC 09.160 — or — 2,000 hours through an apprentice program which must include practical operations in accordance with 12 AAC 09.160 28. How do I qualify for a barber license? By Waiver of Examination (also known as "by credentials" or "by reciprocity") hold an active (current) license to practice in at least one other state training 1,650 hours of training through a school— or — 2,000 hours training through an apprentice program— or — work experience can be used to meet the hour requirement proof of passing a written and practical examination By Examination training 1,650 hours of training through a school which must include practical operations in accordance with 12 AAC 09.160 — or — 2,000 hours through an apprentice program which must include practical operations in accordance with 12 AAC 09.160 29. How do I qualify for an esthetician license? By Waiver of Examination (also known as "by credentials" or "by reciprocity") hold an active (current) license to practice in at least one other state 350 hours of training: taught by a school— or — through an apprentice program proof of passing a written and practical examination By Examination 350 hours of training: taught by a school— or — through an apprentice program 30. How do I qualify for a manicurist license? By Waiver of Examination (also known as "by credentials" or "by reciprocity") hold an active (current) license to practice in at least one other state 12 hours of safety and sanitation training proof of passing a written examination By Examination (with training completed in Alaska) 12 hours of safety and sanitation training passing a written examination offered by a school licensed in Alaska approved to teach this course 31. In Alaska, can manicurist training be done in an apprenticeship program? No. 32. How do I qualify for a manicurist with advanced endorsement license? To qualify for a manicurist with advanced endorsement license by “credentials/waiver of exam/reciprocity” requires the applicant hold an active/current license to practice in at least one other State, proof of completing a minimum of 250 hours of training, and proof of passing a National written examination or its equivalent to qualify for that State’s license. To qualify for a manicurist with advanced endorsement license by examination requires the applicant to enroll in an approved school authorized to teach the endorsement course. Complete a minimum of 250 hours of training. Once training is completed the applicant must submit an application for the written examination. 33. What services can a manicurist or manicurist with advanced endorsement provide? These license types may only provide nail services. There is NO exception to this. 34. How do I qualify for an instructor license? Whether you apply for this license by “examination” or by “waiver of exam” you must first hold an active/current license in the field(s) you will be teaching issued by this board. To qualify by “examination” you have the following options: Hold your individual professional license (barber, hairdresser, etc.) for one year; enroll as a student instructor in a school authorized to teach student instructing to complete 600 hours of training. Once additional training is complete, you may apply for the examinations. Hold your individual professional license (barber, hairdresser, etc.) for three years; submit an application for the examination and verification of three years of licensed work experience on a form provided by this Department. To qualify by “waiver of examination”, you must hold an active/current license in the field you want to teach issued by this board and you must hold an active/current instructor license issued by another state board and meet minimum training and examination requirements. 35. How do I qualify for a body piercer license? Alaska requires body piercers complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of training, the completion of specific practical operations and passing a written safety & sanitation examination for full licensure. To apply for this license by “waiver of exam”, an individual must hold a current license in another state, meet our training requirements, hold current CPR issued by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association or equivalent organization & blood borne pathogen cards, and have passed a written safety/sanitation examination. This type of application requires board review. A complete application must be on file before being presented to the board for review and consideration. To apply for this license by examination requires the completion of 1,000 hours of training through an approved apprenticeship program which must include completion of practical operations. Applicants must hold a current CPR card issued by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association or equivalent organization & a current blood borne pathogen card. 36. How do I qualify for a tattooist/permanent cosmetic colorist license? Alaska requires tattooists & permanent cosmetic colorists complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of training, the completion of specific practical operations and passing a written safety & sanitation examination for full licensure. To apply for this license by “waiver of exam”, an individual must hold a current license in another State, meet our training requirements, hold a current CPR card issued by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association or equivalent organization & a blood borne pathogen card, and have passed a written safety/sanitation examination. This type of application requires board review. A complete application must be on file before being presented to the board for review and consideration. To apply for this license by examination requires the completion of 1,000 hours of training through an approved apprenticeship program which must include completion of practical operations. Applicants must hold a current CPR issued by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association or equivalent organization & blood borne pathogen card. 37. Bloodborne pathogen and CPR course requirements. The board will accept online bloodborne pathogen courses only if the course/provider is listed on the board’s website. To be accepted CPR, courses must be offered by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association or an equivalent organization and include face to face/hands on final certification. Face to face/hands on requirements may be met by online streaming with a live instructor or completion of the course in a brick & mortar classroom. 38. How do I apply for a shop owner license? The shop owner or entity must complete and submit an application, fees, and required documentation. Shops providing body piercing or tattooing/permanent cosmetic coloring must receive and submit a Certificate of Sanitary Standards or Shop Inspection Report completed/issued by the Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Environmental Health, Food Safety & Sanitation Program. To contact their office you may call 907-269-7501 or click the previous link. Shops providing barbering, esthetics, hairdressing, or manicuring must complete a Certification of Compliance with 18 AAC 23. This certification verifies the shop has met all safety & sanitation requirements set by DEC. Be aware, before engaging in business activity, per AS 43.70.020, you must obtain a business license. Apply to the State of Alaska Business License Section for a business license. For additional business license information and forms click on Business License Section. Please direct any business licensing questions to the specific business license examiner based on the alpha-range of the business name. 39. How do I know which type of ownership to put on the shop owner application? (Am I a sole proprietor, LLC, Corporation, etc.?) Business name and DBA name options: Option #1: A business owner may advertise and operate in the exact same name as the business owner, for example: Sole Proprietor: James K. Smith (owner) advertising and operating as “James K. Smith”. Partnership: John and Mary Jones (owners) advertising and operating as “John and Mary Jones” Entity (corporation, LLC, LLP, LP, etc.): Cookies INC (owner) advertising and operating as “Cookies INC” Other (trust, tribe, village, etc.): Smith Family Trust (owner) advertising and operating as “Smith Family Trust Option #2: “DBA” (Doing Business As) is when a business owner chooses to advertise and operate in an alternate/different name than the name of the business owner, for example: Sole Proprietor: James K. Smith (owner) doing business as “Smith Auto Shop” Partnership: John and Mary Jones (owners) doing business as “Alpine Construction” Entity (corporation, LLC, LLP, LP, etc.): Cookies INC (owner) doing business as “Sweet Treats” Other (trust, tribe, village, etc.): Smith Family Trust (owner) doing business as “Smith Investments” IMPORTANT: Only put the exact name you will be operating and advertising in item # 1 on a new business license application. Do not include acronyms like “DBA” or “AKA” in the title of your business unless that is the exact name you will operate and advertise, such as “James K. Smith DBA Smith Auto Shop”. Be aware, the DBA name must be identical on shop and business licenses. A sole proprietorship is an unincorporated business owned and run by one (1) individual with no distinction between the business and the owner. As a sole proprietor you own 100% of the business, get to make all the decisions and are responsible for all debts or liabilities. Example: John Doe will be listed as the owner doing business as (DBA) Doe’s Design. A partnership is an unincorporated business, which consists of two or more “persons” who share ownership. Each partner contributes to all aspects of the business, including money, property, labor or skill. In return, each partner shares in the profits and losses of the business. Examples: Jane Smith & John Doe form a partnership; they apply for a shop owner license as a “partnership”; Jane Smith & John Doe (listed as owners) doing business as (DBA) JJ Salon. Bob Joe, Sue Blue, Sally Red & Sam Iam form a partnership; they apply for a shop owner license as a “partnership”; Bob Joe, Sue Blue, Sally Red & Sam Iam (listed as owners) DBA Healthy Nails. A limited liability company OR limited liability partnership is a legal business entity/corporate structure owned by one or more individuals. When applying for other licenses (i.e shop license, business license) the LLC OR LLP will be the owner of those licenses. Please note, in the State of Alaska an LLC/LLP is defined as “person” by law. Examples: Jane Doe owns Jane Doe, LLC; however when Jane applies for a shop owner license the LLC or LLP will be listed as the shop owner. The application will reflect Jane Doe, LLC doing business as (DBA) Jane’s Cut & Wash. Jane and John Doe own Doe’s Design, LLC. The Doe’s apply for a shop owner license, the application will reflect Doe’s Design, LLC DBA Doe’s Design. A corporation is a legal business entity, which exists separate from its shareholders/owners. Corporations enjoy most of the rights and responsibilities that an individual possesses; that is, a corporation has the right to enter into contracts, loan and borrow money, sue and be sued, hire employees, own assets and pay taxes. A corporation can be owned by one or more live individuals. When applying for other licenses (i.e shop license, business license) the Corporation will be the owner of those licenses. Please note, in the State of Alaska a corporation is defined as “person” by law. Examples: Jane Doe owns Wide River Curlers, Inc.; however when Jane applies for a shop owner license the corporation will be listed as the shop owner. The application will reflect Wide River Curlers, Inc. doing business as (DBA) Jane’s Cut & Wash. Jane and John Doe own Bouffant Up Do’s, Inc. The Doe’s apply for a shop owner license, the corporation will be listed as the shop owner. The application will reflect, Bouffant Up Do’s, Inc. DBA Bouffant Up Do’s. For more information or assistance when choosing the ownership for your shop; visit the Business Licensing website and review the “business structure FAQs” 40. Do I need a shop owner license if I am a chair/booth renter? If you are a legal employee of the shop, you do not need a shop owner license. If you are renting a booth or chair in a shop that holds an active shop owner license , you will only need a business license. As a booth or chair renter in a licensed shop, you may use your own business (DBA) name.