Can you take the exam in Spanish or Vietnamese?

Can you take the exam in Spanish or Vietnamese?

Yes, Spanish and Vietnamese are available for cosmetology in several states. California, Indiana, and Texas include both languages among their written exam choices.

Check the language choices for your cosmetology license before choosing practice questions. Match your practice language to the language you plan to use.

PSI national exam: choices differ by state

California uses PSI’s national theory exam. Its cosmetology language choices are English, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Simplified Chinese.

Michigan lists English, Portuguese, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Simplified Chinese for written cosmetology. Georgia lists English only; its bulletin gives no other language option.

Other state cosmetology exams

Texas offers written cosmetology in English, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Simplified Chinese. Indiana offers English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Simplified Chinese.

Illinois offers English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Its language expansion took effect October 1, 2026.

Pennsylvania offers English, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Simplified Chinese. Nevada lists those languages too.

Massachusetts includes Portuguese alongside English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Simplified Chinese. Kentucky includes Portuguese and Korean alongside English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Simplified Chinese.

Tennessee lists English, Spanish, and Vietnamese for written cosmetology. Hawaii lists English only.

NIC exams and state language lists

NIC provides bulletins in English, Korean, Persian, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Maine’s cosmetology exam lists English, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

New Hampshire and West Virginia also list English, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Virginia lists those languages for cosmetology too.

Louisiana lists English, Spanish, and Vietnamese for cosmetology. Nebraska lists English only.

New York’s wider language choices

New York offers cosmetology in English plus 14 translations. Choices include Spanish, Korean, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, and Albanian.

New York also lists Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Swahili, and Turkish. Vietnamese is not offered for New York cosmetology.

Translation help and timing

Florida’s written cosmetology exam is English only. It permits foreign-language translation dictionaries. Maryland lists English only but allows an interpreter for theory.

Texas permits a bound word-to-word dictionary without pictures. Paid translation is available on request.

PSI California and Texas provide a 15-minute tutorial before timed testing starts. Their trial questions are unscored, with time added for those questions.

Practice reading question wording in your chosen language with a timer. If using translation help, rehearse finding trade words without losing your place.

Common questions

What languages can I use for the cosmetology exam in New York?

New York offers cosmetology in English plus 14 translations. Choices include Spanish, Korean, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, and Albanian. New York also lists Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Swahili, and Turkish. Vietnamese is not offered for New York cosmetology.

Can I use translation help during the written cosmetology exam?

Florida’s written cosmetology exam is English only. It permits foreign-language translation dictionaries. Maryland lists English only but allows an interpreter for theory. Texas permits a bound word-to-word dictionary without pictures. Paid translation is available on request.

When does the PSI exam timer start in California and Texas?

PSI California and Texas provide a 15-minute tutorial before timed testing starts. Their trial questions are unscored, with time added for those questions.