Cosmetology License Renewal: State-by-State CE Requirements (2026)
Getting your cosmetology license is just the beginning — you will need to renew it regularly to keep practicing legally. Renewal requirements vary significantly by state: some states require continuing education, others simply charge a renewal fee. This guide covers renewal cycles, fees, and CE requirements for all 51 states in our database.
All data below is pulled from our verified state databases. Click any state to see its full renewal details and sources.
Renewal Overview
51
States Tracked
16
Require CE
$11
Lowest Renewal Fee
$61
Avg. Renewal Fee
Complete Renewal Comparison Table
The table below shows renewal requirements for all 51 states, sorted by renewal cycle length. Click any state for full details.
| State | Renewal Cycle | Renewal Fee | CE Required | CE Hours | Late Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | Annual | $25 | No | — | $25 |
| New Mexico | Annual (expires on licensee's birthday each year) | $25 | No | — | $40 |
| Kentucky | 1 year (annual, by July 31) | $20 | No | — | $50 (restoration fee) |
| Maine | 1 year (annual) | $20 | No | — | N/A |
| North Dakota | 1 year (annual) | $15 | No | — | N/A |
| South Dakota | 1 year (annual) | $20 | No | — | $30 |
| Alabama | 2 years (odd-numbered years during birth month) | $80 | No | — | $54 |
| Alaska | 2 years (biennial) | $160–$180 | No | — | N/A |
| Arizona | 2 years (expires on licensee's birthday) | $60 | No | — | N/A |
| Arkansas | 2 years (biennial, expires on practitioner's birthday) | N/A | No | — | N/A |
| California | 2 years | $50 | No | — | $25 |
| Colorado | 2 years | $40 | No | — | $15 |
| Connecticut | 2 years (biennial, by last day of birth month) | $100 | No | — | N/A |
| Delaware | 2 years (biennial) | $110 | No | — | 50% of renewal fee |
| District of Columbia | 2 years (biennial) | N/A | Yes | 6 hrs | N/A |
| Florida | 2 years | $45 | Yes | 10 hrs | N/A |
| Georgia | 2 years | $50 | Yes | 5 hrs | N/A |
| Hawaii | 2 years (biennial, expires December 31 of every odd-numbered year) | $146 | No | — | N/A |
| Illinois | 2 years | $50 | Yes | 14 hrs | Restoration fee of $50 plus all lapsed renewal fees (max $200) |
| Iowa | 2 years (biennial, by March 31 of odd-numbered years) | $60 | Yes | 6 hrs | $60 |
| Kansas | 2 years (biennial, by last day of the month it was issued) | $35 | No | — | $100 |
| Louisiana | 2 years (biennial) | $25 | No | — | $25 |
| Maryland | 2 years | $25 | Yes | 6 hrs | $25 |
| Massachusetts | 2 years (expires on licensee's birthday) | $68 | No | — | $57 |
| Michigan | 2 years | $48 | No | — | N/A |
| Mississippi | 2 years | $50 | No | — | $50 |
| Missouri | 2 years (expires September 30 of odd-numbered years) | $30 | No | — | $45 |
| Montana | 2 years (biennial) | $80 | No | — | N/A |
| Nebraska | 2 years (biennial, expires December 31 of even-numbered years) | $118 | Yes | 8 hrs | N/A |
| Nevada | 2 years (expires on licensee's birthday) | $70 | Yes | 4 hrs | N/A |
| New Hampshire | 2 years (biennial) | $55 | No | — | N/A |
| New Jersey | 2 years (biennial, even-numbered years) | $90 | No | — | $30 |
| Ohio | 2 years | $65 | Yes | 8 hrs | N/A |
| Oklahoma | 2 years (biennial, effective November 1, 2025; previously annual) | $80 | No | — | $10 |
| Oregon | 2 years | $65 | Yes | Varies | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | 2 years | $97 | No | — | N/A |
| Rhode Island | 2 years (biennial) | $25 | No | — | N/A |
| South Carolina | 2 years (biennial, every odd year by March 10) | $52 | Yes | 12 hrs | $152 |
| Tennessee | 2 years (biennial) | $60 | Yes | Varies | $25 |
| Texas | 2 years | $72 | Yes | 4 hrs | $75–$100 |
| Utah | 2 years | $52 | No | — | N/A |
| Vermont | 2 years (biennial, odd-numbered years by November 30) | $130 | No | — | N/A |
| Virginia | 2 years (biennial) | $120 | No | — | $120 (reinstatement fee in addition to the $120 renewal fee, total $240) |
| Washington | 2 years (biennial) | $66 | No | — | $131 (late renewal within one year of expiration; license cancelled if expired more than one year) |
| Wisconsin | 2 years (biennial, by March 31 of odd-numbered years) | $11 | No | — | $25 |
| Wyoming | 2 years (biennial) | $72–$96 | No | — | N/A |
| Minnesota | 3 years | $75 | Yes | 4 hrs | $45 |
| North Carolina | 3 years | $60 | Yes | 24 hrs | N/A |
| Indiana | 4 years (expires August 1) | $40 | No | — | $50 |
| New York | 4 years | $40/4yr | No | — | $10 |
| West Virginia | Annual (expires December 31, renewal begins in January) | $25 | Yes | 4 hrs | N/A |
Renewal Cycles by State
States renew cosmetology licenses on different schedules. Here is how states group by renewal cycle length:
Annual Renewal Cycle (1 state)
Annual (expires on licensee's birthday each year) Renewal Cycle (1 state)
1 year (annual, by July 31) Renewal Cycle (1 state)
1 year (annual) Renewal Cycle (3 states)
2 years (odd-numbered years during birth month) Renewal Cycle (1 state)
2 years (biennial) Renewal Cycle (11 states)
2 years (expires on licensee's birthday) Renewal Cycle (3 states)
2 years (biennial, expires on practitioner's birthday) Renewal Cycle (1 state)
2 years Renewal Cycle (13 states)
2 years (biennial, by last day of birth month) Renewal Cycle (1 state)
2 years (biennial, expires December 31 of every odd-numbered year) Renewal Cycle (1 state)
2 years (biennial, by last day of the month it was issued) Renewal Cycle (1 state)
2 years (expires September 30 of odd-numbered years) Renewal Cycle (1 state)
2 years (biennial, expires December 31 of even-numbered years) Renewal Cycle (1 state)
2 years (biennial, even-numbered years) Renewal Cycle (1 state)
2 years (biennial, effective November 1, 2025; previously annual) Renewal Cycle (1 state)
2 years (biennial, every odd year by March 10) Renewal Cycle (1 state)
2 years (biennial, odd-numbered years by November 30) Renewal Cycle (1 state)
3 years Renewal Cycle (2 states)
4 years (expires August 1) Renewal Cycle (1 state)
4 years Renewal Cycle (1 state)
Annual (expires December 31, renewal begins in January) Renewal Cycle (1 state)
Continuing Education Requirements
16 of 51 states require continuing education (CE) to renew a cosmetology license. The remaining 35 states require only the renewal fee — no additional education.
States Requiring CE (16)
Must complete 6 CE credits per 2-year renewal cycle: 2 hours in health/safety/welfare course and 4 hours in general elective courses from a Board-approved CE provider. CE requirement is waived for first-time renewals and owner license renewals.
10 hours of Board-approved CE per 2-year renewal cycle. Must include: 1 hour HIV/AIDS, 3 hours sanitation/sterilization, 0.5 hour OSHA, 0.5 hour workers' compensation, 2 hours Florida laws and rules, 1 hour chemical makeup, 1 hour environmental issues, 1 hour any cosmetology-related topic. Effective July 1, 2024, licensees who have held an active license continuously for at least 10 years with no disciplinary action are exempt from CE requirements.
5 hrs per 2-year cycle after first renewal; 3hr health/safety + 2hr elective
14 hours of continuing education required per 2-year renewal cycle. CE courses must be approved by the Board.
6 hours per renewal cycle: 4 hours of technical instruction and 2 hours of Iowa law and sanitation
Effective January 1, 2026, all Maryland cosmetologists must complete 6 hours of State Board-approved continuing education to renew their license. Additionally, all applicants for initial licensure and license renewals must complete a one-time 1-hour domestic violence awareness training.
8 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle; 4 hours must be learning how to perform skills or services. Nebraska offers a free 50-question open book online exam covering cosmetology and esthetic practice that counts for 2 hours of CE.
4 hours of approved continuing education per renewal cycle
8 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal period. Must include: 2 hours on safety and sanitation, 1 hour on laws and rule updates (provided only by the Board), and 5 hours on subject matter relating to the scope of services.
As of July 1, 2025, all practitioners renewing must complete and maintain current Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) training. BBP training may be completed online or in person and is valid for one year. No other CE hours are required beyond the BBP training.
12 contact hours per 2-year cycle; at least 3hr sanitation/health/safety; max 6hr online
Effective January 1, 2022, all licensees must complete approved training on domestic violence awareness. This is a one-time requirement, not a recurring CE obligation. No other continuing education is required for renewal.
Specialty operators: 4 CEUs per 2-year renewal cycle
4 hours of board-approved continuing education required per 3-year renewal cycle, covering infection control, state law, and industry-specific training. Some sources indicate 8 hours; the discrepancy may be due to recent changes.
8 hours of continuing education per year for 3 years (24 hours total per renewal cycle). Cosmetologists with 10+ years of experience and aged 60 or older are exempt from CE requirements.
4 hours of continuing education each year (annual requirement). CE completion is required for renewal approval.
States with No CE Requirement (35)
These states only require the renewal fee — no continuing education coursework:
Understanding Renewal Fees
Renewal fees across the 51 states in our database range from $11 to $160, with an average of $61. Here are important things to know about renewal costs:
- On-time vs. late renewal: Most states charge a significantly higher fee if you renew after your expiration date. Late fees can add $25 to $200+ depending on the state and how long the license has been expired.
- Expired license consequences: Practicing with an expired license is illegal in every state. Some states allow a grace period for late renewal, while others require you to reapply from scratch if your license has been expired for an extended period (typically 1-5 years).
- CE costs are separate: The renewal fee listed above does not include the cost of continuing education courses. CE courses typically cost $25-$200 depending on format and provider, though some state boards offer free CE options.
- Set a calendar reminder. The single most important renewal tip: set a reminder 60-90 days before your license expires. This gives you time to complete any CE requirements and submit your renewal on time.
Tips for Staying Current
- Track your renewal date. Your license expiration date is printed on your license. Most states also send reminder notices, but ultimately it is your responsibility to renew on time.
- Complete CE early. If your state requires continuing education, do not wait until the last month. Complete your CE requirements well in advance to avoid stress and potential late renewal penalties.
- Keep CE certificates. Save all CE completion certificates for at least one full renewal cycle beyond when you completed them. Some states audit CE compliance and you will need proof of completion.
- Renew online when possible. Most states now offer online renewal, which is faster and provides immediate confirmation. Check your state board's website for online renewal options.
- Update your address. If you move, update your address with your state board promptly. Renewal notices sent to an old address is a common reason people miss their renewal deadlines.
Next Steps
Find your state in the table above and click through for the complete renewal details. Also explore our other cosmetology guides:
- How to Get a Cosmetology License in 2026: State-by-State Guide
- Cosmetology School Hours by State: Complete Comparison
- Cosmetology License Cost by State: Government Fees & Education Costs
- Cosmetology License Reciprocity: Transferring Your License
Sources
Renewal data is sourced from official state cosmetology licensing boards and verified against published fee schedules and CE requirements.
- Individual state cosmetology licensing board websites (cited on each state page).
- Published state board fee schedules and continuing education rule documents.
Data was last verified in February 2026. Renewal fees and CE requirements can change as states update their regulations. Always confirm current renewal requirements with your state's licensing board before your renewal deadline.
Cosmetologist Licensing — Quick Reference by State
Median salary, government licensing fees, and estimated timeline. Click any state for full details.
| State | Median Salary | License Fees | Timeline | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $39,370 | $125 | 9 mo | View → |
| Texas | $28,370 | $181 | 9 mo | View → |
| Florida | $29,760 | $95.25 | 11 mo | View → |
| New York | $33,960 | $70 | 9 mo | View → |
| Pennsylvania | $29,680 | $212 | 11 mo | View → |
| Illinois | $34,800 | $167 | 1.1 yr | View → |
| Ohio | $29,440 | $90 | 1.1 yr | View → |
| Georgia | $30,790 | $139 | 1.1 yr | View → |
| North Carolina | $36,140 | $138–$148 | 1.1 yr | View → |
| Michigan | $35,720 | $245–$265 | 1.1 yr | View → |
Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024. Fees & timelines: state licensing boards.
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