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Board of Electrologists and Body Art Practitioners - Electrologists - License Information

Requirements for Electrology Licensure as of April 15, 2023

Applicants for licensure must come through one of the following four pathways:

Pathway One: Graduate from a Higher Education Coordinating Commission, Oregon Career School in Electrology

Applicants for licensure must:

  • Submit a completed application (found below under the forms section), which must be accompanied by required fees for application, examinations, and licensure.
  • Submit two forms of government identification (ID). Legible (clear) photocopies are acceptable if submitted by mail. At least one form of ID must be photographic, and names must match on both forms of ID.
  • Submit proof of being at least 18 years of age, providing a copy of birth certificate or school/military/governmental record with age documented, if not already provided on photographic ID required above.
  • Submit proof of having a high school diploma or equivalent education.
  • Submit official transcripts from a licensed electrology career school showing proof of completion of required electrology curriculum as determined by the HLO. Transcripts must be submitted directly from a licensed electrology career school to the HLO.
  • Submit a passing score of the HLO-approved practical examination, administered at a licensed electrology career school, within two years of the date of application. The practical examination consists of objectives and scoring criteria.
  • Submit a passing score of an HLO-approved written examination, including the National Interstate Council (NIC) electrology written examination, within two years of the date of application.
  • Submit a passing score of an HLO-approved Oregon Laws and Rules examination related to safety and infection control requirements for electrology, within two years of the date of application.
  • After passage of all required examinations and before issuance of a license, applicant must pay all license fees.

Pathway Two: Electrology Training Program for Temporary Trainees

Applicants for licensure must:

  • Submit a completed application (found below under the forms section), which must be accompanied by required fees for application, examinations, and licensure.
  • Submit two forms of government identification (ID). Legible (clear) photocopies are acceptable if submitted by mail. At least one form of ID must be photographic, and names must match on both forms of ID.
  • Submit proof of being at least 18 years of age, providing a copy of birth certificate or school/military/governmental record with age documented, if not already provided on photographic ID required above.
  • Submit proof of having a high school diploma or equivalent education.
  • Submit a certification of training form, prescribed by the HLO, verifying completion of an HLO-approved electrology training program under the supervision of an HLO approved supervisor.
  • Submit a passing score of an HLO-approved practical examination administered within two years of the date of application.
  • Submit a passing score of an HLO-approved written examination, including the National Interstate Council (NIC) electrology written examination, within two years of the date of application.
  • Submit a passing score of an HLO-approved Oregon Laws and Rules examination related to safety and infection control requirements for electrology, within two years of the date of application.
  • After passage of all required examinations and before issuance of a license, applicant must pay all license fees.

Pathway Three: Reciprocity

Applicants for licensure must:

  • Submit a completed application (found below under the forms section), which must be accompanied by required fees for application, examinations, and licensure.
  • Submit two forms of government identification (ID). Legible (clear) photocopies are acceptable if submitted by mail. At least one form of ID must be photographic, and names must match on both forms of ID.
  • Submit proof of being at least 18 years of age, providing a copy of birth certificate or school/military/governmental record with age documented, if not already provided on photographic ID required above.
  • Submit proof of having a high school diploma or equivalent education.
  • Submit an affidavit of licensure from another jurisdiction demonstrating proof of holding a current electrology license that is active with no current or pending discipline. The other jurisdictions licensing requirements pertaining to education or training must be substantially equivalent to Oregon's licensing requirements. If it is determined by the HLO that the education and training are not substantially equivalent, the applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the HLO that the applicant has been employed or working as an electrologist full-time for three of the last five years or five of the last ten years. Demonstration of employment and experience may include, but is not limited to, tax documents, employer letters, or business license related to electrology.
  • Submit a passing score of an HLO-approved Oregon Laws and Rules examination related to safety and infection control requirements for electrology, within two years of the date of application.
  • After passage of all required examinations and before issuance of a license, applicant must pay all license fees.

Pathway Four: Equivalent Education, Training, and Experience

Individuals who have obtained education, training, and experience but have not obtained licensure in Oregon or in another state or country must:

  • Submit a completed application (found below under the forms section), which must be accompanied by required fees for application, examinations, and licensure.
  • Submit two forms of government identification (ID). Legible (clear) photocopies are acceptable if submitted by mail. At least one form of ID must be photographic, and names must match on both forms of ID.
  • Submit proof of being at least 18 years of age, providing a copy of birth certificate or school/military/governmental record with age documented, if not already provided on photographic ID required above.
  • Submit proof of having a high school diploma or equivalent education.
  • Submit, to the satisfaction of the HLO, documentation demonstrating education, training, and experience that is substantially equivalent to Oregon's required education, training, and experience. Documentation proving three years of experience that was obtained within the last five years or five years out of the last 10 years. Documentation may include, but is not limited to, tax documents, employer letters, or business licensing. If it is determined by the HLO that the education, training, and experience are not substantially equivalent, then the applicant will need to submit documentation of a review and assessment from a Higher Education Coordinating Commission Oregon Career School or an HLO-approved supervisor confirming the applicant is qualified to take the Board-approved examination.
  • Submit a passing score of an HLO-approved practical examination administered within two years of the date of application.
  • Submit a passing score of an HLO-approved Oregon Laws and Rules examination related to safety and infection control requirements for electrology, within two years of the date of application.
  • After passage of all required examinations and before issuance of a license, applicant must pay all license fees.

Electrology Practical Examinations

The practical examination may be administered at a Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) authorized to teach the electrology approved curriculum, or by a supervisor who is authorized to provide the electrology temporary trainee training program.

The HLO may approve additional practical examinations upon request.

The HLO may waive a practical examination if the examination the applicant passed is equivalent to Oregon's examination.

Electrology Written Examinations

National Interstate Council Examination
The HLO recognizes and approves the National Interstate Council written electrology examintion (NIC). The NIC is a national multi-choice examination administered by the HLO and provided by appointment only. 

Information pertaining to the NIC, including the number of examination questions, the time allotted to complete the examination, and the study references used to source the examination, is included in the NIC Candidate Information Bulletin.

The HLO may approve additional practical examinations upon request.

The HLO may waive a practical examination if the examination the applicant passed is equivalent to Oregon's examination.


Electrology Safety and Infection Control Examination

The Electrology Safety and Infection Control Examination (ESICE) is a state prepared multi-choice examination administered through Workday Oregon (an online examination portal accessed through the internet).

Information pertaining to the ESICE examination, including the number of examination questions, the time allotted to complete the examination, and the study references used to source the examination, is included in the Examination Information Bulletin.

A Workday Oregon User Guide assists candidates through the steps necessary to access the examination and print the required certificate of completion which must be submitted to the HLO with the Electrology License Application.

The following information will provide the necessary details about the examination:

Identification Requirements

Applicants are required to produce two forms of original identification issued by a federal, state or local government agency of the United States at the time of examination. One of the forms must be photographic. See the Identification Requirements page for details.

Forms