PermitDueHow to Renew Your Cosmetology License by State
March 16, 2026 · Daniel Amar·Last updated: March 16, 2026
Your cosmetology license expires every 1 to 3 years
A salon owner in Georgia told me she found out her cosmetology license had expired when a client filed a complaint about a bad color job. The state board investigated and discovered the lapsed license before they even looked at the complaint. She got fined $500 and had to shut down for two weeks while she sorted out reinstatement.
Every state requires cosmetology license renewal, and every state does it differently. Some renew annually, some every two years, some every three. The continuing education requirements range from zero hours to 40+. Here is what you need to know, organized by state.
Renewal requirements by state (top 10 states)
We pulled this from our database of 1,057 license types across 50 states. These are the ten states with the most licensed cosmetologists:
| State | Renewal cycle | CE hours required | Renewal fee | Online renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Every 2 years | 0 (no CE required) | $50 | Yes, via BreEZe |
| Texas | Every 2 years | 4 hours | $68 | Yes, via TDLR |
| Florida | Every 2 years | 16 hours (includes HIV/AIDS) | $55 | Yes, via DBPR |
| New York | Every 4 years | 4 hours (infection control) | $40 | Yes, via NY DOS |
| Illinois | Every 2 years | 14 hours | $60 | Yes, via IDFPR |
| Pennsylvania | Every 2 years | 0 (no CE required) | $61 | Yes, via PALS |
| Ohio | Every 2 years | 8 hours | $50 | Yes, via eLicense Ohio |
| Georgia | Every 2 years | 5 hours | $45 | Yes, via SOS portal |
| North Carolina | Every 3 years | 24 hours | $50 | Yes, via NC Board |
| Michigan | Every 2 years | 0 (no CE required) | $58 | Yes, via LARA |
Continuing education: what actually counts
The states that require CE hours are specific about what counts. General rules:
- State-approved providers only. Random YouTube tutorials do not count. Check your state board's website for a list of approved CE providers.
- Topic requirements vary. Florida mandates specific hours on HIV/AIDS awareness. North Carolina requires hours on sanitation. Texas requires a chemical safety module.
- Online courses are usually accepted. Most states now accept online CE courses, but a few (like Louisiana) still require some in-person hours.
Surprising fact: three of the ten largest states (California, Pennsylvania, Michigan) require zero continuing education hours for cosmetology renewal. You just pay the fee and renew. This is unusually lenient compared to barber licenses in those same states.
Online vs. in-person renewal
Good news: all 50 states now offer some form of online renewal for cosmetology licenses. The portals range from smooth to painful, but they exist.
The general process:
- Log in to your state board's licensing portal
- Verify your personal information and address
- Confirm or upload CE completion certificates (if required)
- Pay the renewal fee with a credit card
- Print your renewed license or wait for the new card in the mail
Tip: Complete your CE courses at least 30 days before your renewal date. If a course provider is slow to report your completion to the board, your renewal can get held up.
What if your cosmetology license already expired?
This depends on how long it has been expired:
- Less than 1 year: Most states let you renew late with a penalty fee (typically double the renewal fee). You will need to complete any missing CE hours first.
- 1 to 3 years: Many states require a reinstatement application, additional CE hours, and a higher fee. Some require a practical exam.
- More than 3 years: Several states (including Florida and Georgia) require you to retake the full licensing exam. This means going back to square one with application, testing, and waiting.
If you are working with an expired license, stop. Practicing cosmetology without a valid license is illegal in all 50 states. Penalties range from $500 fines to misdemeanor charges depending on the state. For more on the consequences of expired licenses, see our guide on the hidden cost of an expired business license.
Salon establishment license vs. individual cosmetology license
Do not confuse these two. Your cosmetology license allows you personally to practice. Your salon also needs a separate establishment license (sometimes called a shop license or facility license) from the same state board.
Both expire. Both need renewal. They often have different renewal dates and different fees. If you own the salon and work in it, you are tracking two licenses with the state board alone, plus your local business license on top of that.
Common renewal mistakes
- Confusing your individual license with your shop license. Renewing one does not renew the other.
- Using a non-approved CE provider. Complete the hours through an approved provider listed on your state board's website.
- Ignoring address change requirements. Most boards require you to report address changes within 30 days. Fail to update and your renewal notice goes to the wrong address.
- Waiting until the last day. Online portals crash. Payment systems go down. Give yourself at least two weeks of buffer.
Track your cosmetology license renewal
Check your cosmetology license renewal status and set up automatic reminders so you never get caught with an expired license. Or look up all the permits your salon needs by entering your state and city.
We track 1,057 license types across 50 states, including cosmetology, establishment, and every other permit a salon needs to operate legally.