(1) Applicants for licenses to practice shall apply for licensure within three years of the applicant's graduation date from a licensed school.

(2) Previously licensed applicants may apply for licensure within ten years of termination of license by meeting current board licensing requirements and successfully passing a national written exam.

(3) Applicants for licensure shall submit the following documentation:

(a) hour records showing the following hours completed:

(i) barbering - 1500;

(ii) cosmetology - 2000;

(iii) electrology - 600;

(iv) esthetics - 650;

(v) manicuring - 350; or

(vi) supplemental barbering - 150.

(b) a barbering, cosmetology, electrology, esthetics, or manicuring school diploma from a board licensed school;

(c) proof of high school graduation or equivalency;

(d) copy of a birth certificate or other verifiable evidence of applicant's birth date; and

(e) proof of passage of a board approved examination.

(4) In lieu of a high school diploma or equivalency, applicants may petition the board for an exception by submitting the following information:

(a) certified copies of applicant's high school transcripts; and/or

(b) lists of courses completed including:

(i) adult education courses;

(ii) postsecondary education courses; and

(iii) other experiences providing evidence to equivalency of a high school diploma.

(5) The board shall accept hours of instruction from jurisdictionally licensed schools located outside Montana towards fulfillment of the hour requirements for the various categories of licenses.

(6) Out-of-state student applicants shall meet the same requirements as in-state barbering, cosmetology, electrology, esthetics, or manicuring students.

(7) An applicant who has completed 1500 hours of barbering instruction or more, possesses a current barbering license, and enrolls in a course of cosmetology, shall receive 1500 hours of credit toward the 2000-hour requirement for a cosmetologist license.

(8) An applicant who has completed 2000 hours of cosmetology instruction and possesses a current cosmetology license shall complete an additional 125 hours in clipper cuts and 25 hours in shaving to qualify for barbering licensure.

(9) An applicant who has completed 650 hours of training or more, possesses a current esthetics license, and enrolls in a course of cosmetology, shall receive 650 hours of esthetics credit toward the 2000-hour requirement for a cosmetologist license.

(10) An applicant who has completed 350 hours of training or more, possesses a current manicurist license, and enrolls in a course of cosmetology will be granted 350 hours of credit toward the 2000-hour requirement for a cosmetologist license.