What’s Changing for New Mexico Esthetics Schools and Instructors

posted on: January 28, 2026

New Mexico finalized major rule changes that took effect January 13, bringing new expectations for esthetics professionals, schools, and instructors across the state. Whether you’re behind the chair, in the treatment room, or teaching the next generation of beauty pros, these updates could affect your practice and career.

To help you understand what’s changing and how the rules may affect you, we’ve outlined the most important updates below, including:

Upcoming changes to exam pass rates
What’s new in school operations
Important curriculum adjustments (significant updates)
Updated continuing education expectations
Increased penalties and fines

Let’s walk through each area so you know what to expect.

Exams: What’s Changing and What It Means for Applicants
New Mexico adjusted its exam standards in ways that affect both new applicants and future instructors. These changes impact passing scores, retake rules, and what happens if applicants don’t complete the licensure process within a required timeframe.

The minimum passing score is now 70 percent for all exam segments, including instructor exams (the minimum passing score was previously 75 percent). Passing scores will remain valid for two years after graduation.

Applicants who fail any segment must retake the entire exam. If an applicant does not pass both the written and practical exam and does not receive a license within 24 months, they must:

Register at a licensed school
Undergo an evaluation to determine training needs
Complete at least 150 hours of additional education

School Operations
Schools will see new documentation and approval requirements. Anyone opening, relocating, or changing ownership of a school will need to meet expanded approval criteria. The following must be included in school documentation:

Course syllabus
Current or proposed school catalog
Current or proposed school enrollment agreement
List of all full‑time instructors with license numbers, including managing instructors
Complete floor plan, including satellite classrooms (indicate square footage)
Appoint a records custodian and create a transcript request process, should the school close
Completed exemption application with the Department of Higher Education

Curriculum Hour Changes
Curricula across all programs have been rebalanced, with some programs increasing total hours, others decreasing, and many redistributing hours across subject areas. Below is a full breakdown of the updated requirements.

Barber—1,200 hours

Theory: 205 (previously 75)
Sterilization, sanitation, bacteriology: 75 hours (no change)
Shampoo, rinses, scalp treatments: 45 hours (previously 75)
Chemical rearranging: 150 hours (previously 200)
Hairstyling: 75 hours (previously 150)
Hair coloring: 150 hours (previously 125)
Hair cutting and beard trimming: 330 hours (previously 250)
Facials: 120 hours (previously 175)
Salon business: 50 hours (no change)
Removed: 25 miscellaneous hours

Cosmetology—1,600 hours

Theory: 255 hours (previously 75)
Sterilization, sanitation, bacteriology: 75 hours (no change)
Shampoo, rinses, scalp treatments: 45 hours (previously 75)
Chemical rearranging: 150 hours (previously 200)
Hairstyling: 75 hours (previously 150)
Hair coloring: 150 hours (previously 125)
Hair cutting: 150 hours (previously 200)
Facials: 250 hours (previously 175)
Manicuring/pedicuring: 300 hours (previously 175)
Salon business: 50 hours (no change)
Removed: 300 miscellaneous hours

Manicurist/pedicurist—600 hours (up from 400)

Theory: 175 hours (previously 75)
Sterilization, sanitation, bacteriology: 75 hours (no change)
Manicuring/pedicuring: 300 hours (previously 175)
Salon business: 50 hours (no change)
Removed: 25 miscellaneous hours

Esthetics—600 hours

Theory: 125 hours (previously 75)
Sterilization, sanitation, bacteriology: 75 hours (no change)
Facials: 350 hours (no change)
Salon business: 50 hours (no change)
Removed: 50 miscellaneous hours

Manicurist/esthetics—950 hours (up from 900)

Theory: 175 hours (previously 100)
Sterilization, sanitation, bacteriology: 75 hours (previously 150)
Facials: 350 (no change)
Manicuring/pedicuring: 300 hours (previously 175)
Salon business: 50 hours (previously 75)
Removed: 50 miscellaneous hours

Instructor course—500 hours (down from 1,000)

Theory: 75 hours (no change)
Course development and lesson planning: 75 hours (previously 100)
Teaching methods: 75 hours (previously 100)
Teaching aids: 25 hours (previously 50)
Theory teaching and classroom management: 75 hours (previously 200)
Testing and student evaluation: 25 hours (previously 50)
Laboratory supervision: 150 hours (previously 300)
Removed: 125 miscellaneous hours

Continuing Education
Instructors must now complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years (12 hours per year) for each renewal cycle. These changes introduce new expectations and audits.

For initial instructor licenses, CE requirements do apply until after the first full year of licensure. Instructors must keep documentation (proof is required for renewal). CE hours do not carry over into the next renewal cycle and must be completed before the license expiration date. The board will audit CE records to verify compliance.

Penalties and Fees
The state has significantly increased penalties for violations related to sanitation, licensing, and safety. Understanding these updated fines is essential for avoiding costly mistakes and maintaining compliance.

Failure to comply with sanitation and safety requirements for establishments:

1st offense: $200 (previously a warning)
2nd offense: $400 (previously $200)
3rd offense: up to $999 (no change)

Failure to post required licenses:

1st offense: $200 (previously $150)
2nd offense: $400 (no change)
3rd offense: up to $999 (no change)

Working with an expired or invalid license:

1st offense: $1,000 (previously $150)
2nd offense: $5,000 ($400)
3rd offense: up to $10,000 (previously up to $999)

With these rules now in effect, it’s a good time to review your curriculum, documentation, and continuing education plans to ensure everything aligns with the new standards.