When to Apply

Apply by reciprocity if you hold a current license as a Cosmetologist, Master Barber, Barber, Aesthetician, Nail Technician or Electrologist in another state, U.S. territory or District of Columbia and wish to apply for the same type of license in Delaware.

• If you do not hold a current license in another state, U.S. territory or District of Columbia, you must apply by examination.

• If you previously held a Delaware Cosmetologist, Master Barber, Barber, Aesthetician, Nail Technician or Electrologist license in expired status for less than five years, you must apply to reinstate that license.

• You must reapply by reciprocity if you previously held a DE license AND…
  • it has been over five years since the license expired, AND
  • you hold a current license in another jurisdiction, AND
  • you have practiced in that jurisdiction for at least one continuous year within the past five years.
• To submit a reapplication by reciprocity, register or login to your DELPROS Dashboard. From your expired DE license, click OPTIONS, then click Reapply.

Selecting the Method of Reciprocity

During the application process in DELPROS, the online portal, you will have to determine whether you are applying by Method 1 or Method 2.

• Method 1 means that at least one jurisdiction (state, U.S. territory or District of Columbia) where you are currently licensed requires the same (or more) hours as Delaware.

• Method 2 means that all jurisdictions where you are currently licensed require fewer hours than Delaware.

Both methods require you to have passed a written and practical examination which was professionally developed and used on a national basis. Below are the hours that Delaware requires for each license type:

• Cosmetologist and Master Barber – 1500 classroom/3000 apprenticeship hours
• Barber – 1250 classroom/3000 apprenticeship hours
• Nail Technician – 300 classroom hours/600 apprenticeship hours
• Electrologist – 300 classroom hours/600 apprenticeship hours
• Aesthetician – 600 classroom hours/1200 apprenticeship hours

It is important to choose the correct method so you submit the correct documents. Choosing the wrong method may delay your application process.

If you don’t know how many hours are required in the places where you’re currently licensed, check with the licensing agency in each jurisdiction. See the Directory at www.nictesting.org.

Information on How to Apply for a License in DELPROS

All applications are submitted our online system DELPROS. We no longer accept paper applications.

PRIOR TO APPLYING

In order to apply for a license or submit a service request, you must first have a DELPROS user account. To LOG IN or CREATE a DELPROS (Delaware Professional Regulation Online Services) user account:

1. Go to: https://delpros.delaware.gov/OH_HomePage.
2. Click GO on the Apply/Manage a License and Service Requests tile.
3. If you do not have a DELPROS user account, click the REGISTER button on the left side of page for NEW USERS.
4. If you already have a DELPROS user account, enter your email address and password on the right side for EXISTING USERS and click the LOGIN button.

DELPROS allows you to save your incomplete application and return to it later to finish the process. You only have six (6) months to submit your application once you begin.

• If you do not submit your application within six months of starting it, you will be required to restart the entire online application again.

You may check the status of your application online throughout the entire application process by using the “View Application Status” feature in DELPROS on your e-License dashboard.

KNOW YOUR REQUIREMENTS AND COLLECT YOUR DOCUMENTS

1. Know the requirements for the license you are pursuing.
   • For more information on the requirements for licensure, refer to your profession’s License Law and Rules and Regulations.
2. Request and gather all documents required to upload on the Attachments page. All information and forms are located on your profession’s webpages.

ATTACHING AND ACKNOWLEDGING DOCUMENTS

On the ATTACHMENTS page of your application, you may be instructed to:

• either “attach” or “upload” the required document(s) directly to your application. This means you will find the document(s) saved on your computer or device and upload it to your application.

• click “acknowledge” . This means you will either mail the documents yourself or request the “third-party” to mail the document(s) directly to the Board office.
  • Examples of “third-party forms” are transcripts from schools, employment verifications from a supervisor, or license verifications from another state.
• Forms requiring a supervisor signature, seal, or notary may have to be MAILED to the Board office directly UNLESS the document specifically indicates to UPLOAD the document.

Requirements for All Applicants

In addition to submitting the application and fee in DELPROS, you must submit:

• A copy of all current licenses you hold in other places. At least one license must be current when the Board reviews your application.

• State/Jurisdiction Licensure Verification sent directly to the Board office from each state or jurisdiction in which you currently hold or have ever held a license.
  • This requirement applies regardless of whether or not the license is current.
  • The verification must be sent directly from the other jurisdiction to the Board office.
  • You may use the Verification of Licensure for Reciprocity form to request the verification. If you are applying for a Delaware Master Barber, the verification from the jurisdiction where you hold a current, equivalent license must reflect that you are allowed to do chemical processing.

Additional Requirement for Method 2 Applicants

In addition to submitting the application, fee, and supporting documentation required in the previous section, you must also submit:

• Proof of at least one year of full-time experience within the last five years.
  • Your experience must be in the field in which you are applying for a Delaware License.
  • The proof must show at least one continuous year of experience in the past five years.
    • The year of experience must be a full uninterrupted year of work while holding a valid license in the same field of cosmetology to which you are applying.

Proof of your employment must include:

• A complete and notarized Board of Cosmetology and Barbering Verification of Employment form.
  • The Experience section of the form must be completed and notarized by your previous or current employer.
  • The Verification of Employment form may be submitted by either uploading it on the Attachments page of your application, or in a Service Request called “Submit Additional Documentation in DELPROS. 

If you cannot obtain the required Verification of Employment form from a previous supervisor or are self-employed, you must submit:

• Tax forms showing at least one year of continuous full-time employment.
• A detailed letter that explaining why you cannot obtain the Verification of Employment form from a current or previous employer AND
• A detailed outline of your experience including your employer or self, job title, job description, and employment dates.

Acceptance of proof of experience other than the Verification of Employment form is at the discretion of the Board.

Request for Additional Shaving Certification

If you already hold either a Cosmetologist license or a Cosmetology Instructor license and wish for your license to reflect that you are qualified to teach shaving, you may submit a Service Request for Additional Shaving Certification. For instructions on how to submit a Service Request in DELPROS, the online portal, click HERE.

In order to qualify, you must:

• be a Delaware-licensed Cosmetologist or Cosmetology Instructor.
• have completed a shaving course consisting of at least 35 hours of instruction in shaving that was taught by a licensed Barbering Instructor.
• upload the Delaware Shaving Course Certification form in your Service Request application. The form must be completed and signed by a school official or Barber Instructor authorized to teach or a transcript showing that you have completed the required shaving coursework.