Pursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 278, beginning August 1, 2018, prior to submitting an application for a credential, an individual may apply to the Department for a determination of whether the individual would be disqualified from obtaining the credential due to his or her conviction record.  To apply for a predetermination, please fill out Form #3085 and submit all required documentation specified on the form.   Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 111.335(4)(e), the offenses or kinds of offenses that may result in a refusal, bar, or termination of licensure are published under Additional Resources on the left side of this page.

Fee Reduction

Pursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 319, beginning August 1, 2018, an applicant for an initial credential may apply for a reduction of the initial credential fee that is equal to 10% of the initial fee.  Qualification is based on the federal adjusted gross income being at or below 180% of the federal poverty guideline prescribed for the applicant's family household size by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. To determine eligibility please visit the United States Department of Health and Human Services website prior to submitting Form 3217.

Aesthetics Instructor Certificate

Wisconsin Act 82 generally retains the state’s instructor certificates for cosmetology, barbering, aesthetics, electrology, and manicuring under current law, except that the act provides that applicants pay only a one-time certificate fee and that DSPS is prohibited from requiring renewal of the certificate.

In addition, Act 82 prohibits a person from using a title that states, implies, or represents that they are a Wisconsin certified instructor, unless they are certified as an instructor in Wisconsin. The act also allows licensed cosmetologists, barbers, aestheticians, electrologists, or manicurists to provide practical instruction in that given field, in addition to the persons who are certified as an instructor.

For questions relating to your Cosmetology Instructor license please contact the Department of Safety and Professional Services at (608)266-2112 or email dspscredbac@wisconsin.gov.

Wisconsin Act 82

Pre-Credential Education Information

1. Completes 2,000 hours of practice as a licensed cosmetologist.

2. Completes 150 training hours of instructor training approved by the Department per Wis. Stat. § 440.63(3)(b) 2.

Application Information

You must schedule an appointment for examination with the Department's contracted vendor, DL Roope Administration Inc.