What happens if you fail, and how to retake

What happens if you fail, and how to retake

Retake fees differ by state. California charges $75 for a cosmetology retake; Pennsylvania charges $93. Pennsylvania uses that same fee for a first attempt.

Before planning your retake, check the page for your cosmetology exam. Look for the retake fee, application steps, attempt limit, and any waiting period.

What your result tells you

California does not publish how many correct answers you need to pass cosmetology. Its failure notice gives that number.

New York reports a pass or fail, without a numerical score. Michigan cosmetology candidates also receive a PASS or FAIL report.

Review the topics you struggled with, even without a detailed score. Practice those questions again, and explain why each wrong choice does not fit.

California: another application for each attempt

California does not cap your attempts. To retake cosmetology, submit another re-examination application and pay $75. Each attempt needs that application and payment.

In California, missing your appointment or canceling late costs you the fee. You then need another re-exam application, with a $75 payment.

Texas: fee deadline and unpublished limit

For Texas cosmetology, the written exam fee is $55. The practical exam has a separate $76 fee.

Texas forfeits your fee if you do not test within one year. That year starts when PSI receives the fee. Its bulletin does not publish a retake limit.

NIC states: check the state's retake fee

Alaska's written cosmetology-related exam costs $90 for either an initial attempt or retake. Its separate Board application fee is $150 and is nonrefundable.

Montana charges $80 for its written cosmetology exam. The price stays the same when you retake it.

Delaware charges $160 for an initial written cosmetology attempt. A re-exam costs $80; the combined written and practical option costs $225.

Other state retake charges

Nevada lists a $95 cosmetology retake fee. Its $125 initial charge combines the application, theory, state-law, and practical exams.

Ohio lists a $35 cosmetology retake charge. Reapplying after a no-show costs $50, while the combined theory and practical application costs $40.

What does a retake cost in other states?

The retake fee differs a lot. California charges 75 dollars per re-exam. Ohio charges 35. New Jersey charges 53. Oregon charges 45.

Colorado charges 60 dollars to retake the theory test and 67 to retake the practical. Kentucky charges 85 for each part you retake. Kansas charges 75 per retest.

Wisconsin charges 95.50 dollars for the written retake, against 137.50 for the first try.

South Carolina, Missouri and Oklahoma charge the same fee for a retake as for a first try: 78 dollars in South Carolina, 90 in Missouri, 65 in Oklahoma, each for the written exam.

A retake that costs the same as the first try makes a rushed second attempt expensive. Fix the weak topics first.

Is there a waiting time or a limit?

California sets no limit on attempts, and each one needs a new re-examination application.

Colorado test fees are valid for one year and cannot be refunded, so a retake booked late can be lost.

Check your state's rules on attempts and fee validity before you plan the date.

Prepare for the next attempt

Check any waiting-period instructions before choosing a retake date. For practice, mix your difficult topics into a timed set, then review your reasoning before submitting.

Common questions

How much does a cosmetology exam retake cost in California or Pennsylvania?

Retake fees differ by state. California charges $75 for a cosmetology retake; Pennsylvania charges $93. Pennsylvania uses that same fee for a first attempt.

Do I need to apply again to retake cosmetology in California?

California does not cap your attempts. To retake cosmetology, submit another re-examination application and pay $75. Each attempt needs that application and payment.

Will my cosmetology exam result show a score in New York or Michigan?

New York reports a pass or fail, without a numerical score. Michigan cosmetology candidates also receive a PASS or FAIL report.