# Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-304: 37-31-304 Qualifications of applicants for license to practice > Montana · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T37_C31_P3_S37-31-304 ## Section - **Citation:** Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-304 - **Heading:** 37-31-304 Qualifications of applicants for license to practice - **Jurisdiction:** Montana - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** MT Code / Title 37 / Chapter 31 / Part 3 / Section 37-31-304 ## Text 37-31-304 . Qualifications of applicants for license to practice. (1) (a) To be eligible to take the licensing examination under this chapter, the applicant must be at least 18 years of age, must be of good moral character, and must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent that is recognized by the superintendent of public instruction. An applicant may apply to the board for an exception to the requirement of a high school diploma or its equivalent. The board shall adopt by rule procedures for granting an exception. (b) A person qualified under this section shall file an application with the department, deposit the application fee with the department, and pass an examination as to fitness to practice. (c) The board shall issue a license to practice under this chapter, without examination, to a person licensed in another state if the board determines that: (i) the other state's course of study hour requirement is equal to or greater than the hour requirement in this state; and (ii) the person's license from the other state is current, and the person is not subject to pending or final disciplinary action for unprofessional conduct or impairment. (2) An applicant to practice barbering must have completed a course of study of at least 1,100 hours and received a diploma from a school authorized to offer a course of study in barbering as prescribed by the board by rule. (3) An applicant to practice barbering nonchemical must have completed a course of study of at least 900 hours and received a diploma from a school authorized to offer a course of study in barbering or barbering nonchemical as prescribed by the board by rule. (4) An applicant to practice cosmetology must have completed a course of study of at least 1,500 hours and received a diploma from a school authorized to offer a course of study in cosmetology as prescribed by the board by rule. (5) An applicant to practice electrology must have completed a course of study of at least 600 hours and received a diploma from a school authorized to offer a course of study in electrology as prescribed by the board by rule. (6) An applicant to practice manicuring must have completed a course of study of at least 400 hours and received a diploma from a school authorized to offer a course of study in manicuring as prescribed by the board by rule. (7) An applicant to practice esthetics must: (a) have completed a course of study of at least 650 hours of training and received a diploma from a school authorized to offer a course of study in esthetics as prescribed by the board by rule; or (b) be a licensed cosmetologist and file an application, deposit the application fee with the department, and pass the esthetics examination as to fitness to practice. ## Nearby sections - [Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-301 37-31-301 Prohibited acts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T37_C31_P3_S37-31-301.md) - [Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-302 37-31-302 License required to practice, teach, or operate salon, shop, booth, or school](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T37_C31_P3_S37-31-302.md) - [Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-303 37-31-303 Application for license to practice or teach](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T37_C31_P3_S37-31-303.md) - [Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-304 37-31-304 Qualifications of applicants for license to practice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T37_C31_P3_S37-31-304.md) - [Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-305 37-31-305 Qualifications for license to teach -- provisional teaching license](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T37_C31_P3_S37-31-305.md) - [Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-308 37-31-308 Exemption for persons with disabilities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T37_C31_P3_S37-31-308.md) - [Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-309 37-31-309 Booth rental license](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T37_C31_P3_S37-31-309.md) - [Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-311 37-31-311 Schools -- license -- requirements -- bond -- curriculum](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T37_C31_P3_S37-31-311.md) - [Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-312 37-31-312 Inspection -- provisional licenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T37_C31_P3_S37-31-312.md) - [Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-323 37-31-323 Fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T37_C31_P3_S37-31-323.md) - [Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-324 37-31-324 Deposit of fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T37_C31_P3_S37-31-324.md) - [Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-331 37-31-331 Refusal, revocation, or suspension of licenses -- grounds -- notice and hearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T37_C31_P3_S37-31-331.md) - [Mont. Code Ann. § 37-31-333 37-31-333 Appeal from actions of board](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T37_C31_P3_S37-31-333.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T37_C31_P3_S37-31-304. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.