Practice for New York's written cosmetology licensing exam.
New York licenses cosmetologists after a 1,000-hour course and two exams: a written test and a hands-on practical. The written exam is administered by the New York Department of State. Oro helps you prepare for the written portion with a free diagnostic, cited practice questions, and timed mock exams.
New York's Department of State administers the written exam directly. It is multiple choice, based on the pre-licensing curriculum, with a 2.5-hour limit. Results are reported as pass or fail rather than a numerical score, and a passed result stays valid for five years.
| Licensing authority | NY Department of State, Division of Licensing Services |
|---|---|
| Written exam | Multiple choice, based on the pre-licensing curriculum |
| Time limit | 150 minutes (2.5 hours) |
| Result | Pass or fail (no numerical score published) |
| Practical exam | Required (separate hands-on test) |
| Training hours | 1,000 |
The written exam follows New York's pre-licensing cosmetology curriculum: infection control and safety, hair and chemical services, skin, scalp, nails, anatomy, and basic science, plus New York rules. The Department of State does not publish an exact question count, so plan to know the curriculum broadly rather than memorizing to a number.
Oro's national question bank covers the core cosmetology science the New York written exam draws on, with a cited explanation on every question and full timed mock exams for pacing. It prepares you for the written test only; the New York practical exam is a separate hands-on demonstration.
Oro is a general study aid and does not reproduce New York's specific statutes; confirm state rules against the Department of State materials linked below.
Requirements change, so always confirm the current details with the licensing authority: New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services.
Does New York require both a written and a practical exam for cosmetology?
Yes. New York requires completing a 1,000-hour approved course and passing both a written exam and a separate hands-on practical exam.
What score do I need to pass the New York cosmetology written exam?
The New York Department of State reports the written exam as pass or fail and does not publish a numerical passing score. A passed result is valid for five years.
Does Oro prepare me for the New York practical exam?
No. Oro prepares you for the written (theory) exam only. The New York practical exam is a separate hands-on test.
Oro is an independent study aid. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any licensing board or exam provider. Practice content is aligned to publicly available exam outlines and standard cosmetology science.