New Mexico Hair School and Requirements

All hairdressers in New Mexico must be licensed by the State Board. You can pick between a hairstylist license focusing solely on hair or a cosmetology license covering other areas, including nails and skin care.

Browse our directory of hair design schools in New Mexico, or skip ahead to learn about the state's hair design licensing requirements and job outlook.

What Can Hairdressers in New Mexico Do?

There are strict rules around the services hairdressers can and can't perform on their clients, especially compared to licensed cosmetologists. For example, licensed hairstylists can:

• Cleanse, massage and stimulate the scalp, and apply products and chemical preparations to it
• Shampoo, cleanse, bleach, dye, cut, straighten, wave, and style the hair
• Apply hair extensions
• Cut or trim beards (using clippers or scissors only)

However, unlike cosmetologists, hairstylists must never offer the following services:

• Applying products to the eyelashes or eyebrows
• Facial or body massages
• Manicures and pedicures
• Removing unwanted hair (except the beard trimming)

Specific treatments, such as shaving with a straight edge or razor, can't be performed by hairstylists or cosmetologists—they're the domain of licensed barbers.

READ MORE: Learn More About Barber School in New Mexico

Hair School in New Mexico

The quickest route to working as a hairdresser in New Mexico is to complete a 1,200-hour hairstylist program at a state-approved hair school. The exact classes vary from program to program, but you'll cover the following topics:

• Basic chemistry
• Chemical services, such as coloring and waving
• Hair cutting, styling, braiding, and extensions
• Human anatomy and physiology
• Infection control and safety practices
• Shampooing, conditioning, and scalp treatments

Alternatively, if you want to cover a wider variety of subjects (including nails and skin care), you can opt to study for a cosmetology license instead. This takes 1,600 hours to complete and means that you're licensed to offer other treatments in addition to working with hair.

READ MORE: Learn More About Cosmetology School in New Mexico

Getting a New Mexico Hairdressing License

Besides completing a hair program, you must meet several requirements for getting your hairstylist license in New Mexico:

• Be at least 17 years old
• Complete at least the 10th grade (or equivalent)
• Submit a license application
• Pay a $50 licensing fee
• Pass the NIC theory and practical exams and the State Law examination

Licenses must be renewed every two years by the last day of the last month of your birth at a cost of $50.

The requirements for gaining a cosmetology license are similar, with two main differences:

• You must complete 1,600 hours of cosmetology training
• The licensing fee is $100

New Mexico Hairdressing License Exams

You have 12 months to take your exams after completing your training program. It costs $130 to take the theory exam, $73 for the practical, or $203 to pay for both simultaneously.

You have 90 minutes to complete the theory exam, which is split as follows:

Scientific Concepts (45%):

• Infection Control and Safety Practices
• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Basic Chemistry

Hair Care and Services (55%):

• Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation
• Tools
• Hair Care
• Hair Design
• Chemical Services
• Chemical Waving and Texturizing

The practical exam is split into the following timed sections:

• Work Area and Client Preparation (15 minutes)
• Thermal Curling (10 minutes)
• Haircutting (30 minutes)
• Work Area and New Client Preparation (15 minutes)
• Chemical Waving (20 minutes)
• Predisposition Test and Strand Test  (10 minutes)
• Highlighting with Foil, Virgin Application with Colored Simulated Product (15 minutes)
• Hair Color Retouch with Colored Simulated Product (10 minutes)
• Virgin Hair Relaxer Application with Colored Simulated Product (Untimed)
• Blood Exposure Procedure (10 minutes)

Scores are received via email, which takes at least 10 business days. You must achieve a score of at least 75 to pass either exam.

Salary for Hairstylists in New Mexico

According to the Bureau of Labor Services (BLS), hairstylists in New Mexico earn an average of $28,810 per year, or $13.85 per hour. These stats don't include data for those who are self-employed—but according to Ziprecruiter.com (March 2024), a freelance hairstylist in New Mexico can expect to earn significantly more, with an average salary of $42,442 per year, or $20 per hour. However, it's hard to tell how accurate this info is, as their data is usually based on recent job listings and can rise or fall based on the latest advertisements.

Good news regarding job prospects is on the horizon for New Mexico hairstylists. According to O*Net, roles in the state are projected to grow by 15% between 2020 and 2030.

Contact the New Mexico State Board of Cosmetology