Alaska license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Alaska
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Alaska: when each expires, the renewal fee, the continuing education it needs, and what to do if you renew late or the license has lapsed. Every answer comes from the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Not stated | $180 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
| Barber | Not stated | $180 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
| Nail technician | Not stated | $180 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
| Esthetician | Not stated | $180 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
At $90 a year, renewing costs more than the $32.50 a year typical across the states.
Cosmetologist (Hairdresser)
Alaska cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn August 31 of odd-numbered years.
- Renewal fee
- $180 ($90 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers before you renew.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleA lapsed license may be reinstated only after all renewal and delinquent fees for the lapsed period are paid, and there is no grace period after the August 31 expiration date.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license lapsed for not more than three years is reinstated after a completed application and payment of the fees for the lapsed period. After more than three years, the applicant must also show prior Alaska licensure and pass the written examination for the license sought.
Barber
Alaska barber license renewal
Renewed through the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn August 31 of odd-numbered years.
- Renewal fee
- $180 ($90 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers before you renew.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleA lapsed license may be reinstated only after all renewal and delinquent fees for the lapsed period are paid, and there is no grace period after the August 31 expiration date.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license lapsed for not more than three years is reinstated after a completed application and payment of the fees for the lapsed period. After more than three years, the applicant must also show prior Alaska licensure and pass the written examination for the license sought.
Nail technician (Manicurist)
Alaska nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn August 31 of odd-numbered years.
- Renewal fee
- $180 ($90 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers before you renew.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleA lapsed license may be reinstated only after all renewal and delinquent fees for the lapsed period are paid, and there is no grace period after the August 31 expiration date.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license lapsed for not more than three years is reinstated after a completed application and payment of the fees for the lapsed period. After more than three years, the applicant must also show prior Alaska licensure and pass the written examination for the license sought.
Esthetician
Alaska esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn August 31 of odd-numbered years.
- Renewal fee
- $180 ($90 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers before you renew.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleA lapsed license may be reinstated only after all renewal and delinquent fees for the lapsed period are paid, and there is no grace period after the August 31 expiration date.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license lapsed for not more than three years is reinstated after a completed application and payment of the fees for the lapsed period. After more than three years, the applicant must also show prior Alaska licensure and pass the written examination for the license sought.
Good to know
What else Alaska says about renewing
- The license lapses after its August 31 expiration date. There is no grace period, and it is illegal to work on a lapsed license.
- A U.S. Social Security Number must be on file with the board before a professional license is renewed.
- Allow 4 to 6 weeks for a complete renewal application to be processed.
Sources
What Alaska's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026. Fees and deadlines change: confirm with the board before you renew.
- Cosmetologist: renewal period
“Licenses are issued for a two-year period and expire on August 31 of odd-numbered years”
commerce.alaska.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“(1) barber, non-chemical barber, or hairdresser, $180;”
commerce.alaska.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“of more than three years, or otherwise at the discretion of the board, and all renewal and delinquent fees for the period”
commerce.alaska.gov “Your license lapses after August 31, 2025. There is no grace period - it is illegal to work if your license has lapsed.”
commerce.alaska.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“(1) submits a completed application; and”
commerce.alaska.gov “(2) pays the applicable fees required under AS 08.13.140 and 12 AAC 02.140.”
commerce.alaska.gov “of more than three years, or otherwise at the discretion of the board, and all renewal and delinquent fees for the period”
commerce.alaska.gov “(1) submits a completed application and supporting documents to show that the applicant was previously”
commerce.alaska.gov “(3) successfully passes the written examination for the license sought.”
commerce.alaska.gov - Barber: renewal period
“Licenses are issued for a two-year period and expire on August 31 of odd-numbered years”
commerce.alaska.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“(1) barber, non-chemical barber, or hairdresser, $180;”
commerce.alaska.gov - Barber: late renewal
“of more than three years, or otherwise at the discretion of the board, and all renewal and delinquent fees for the period”
commerce.alaska.gov “Your license lapses after August 31, 2025. There is no grace period - it is illegal to work if your license has lapsed.”
commerce.alaska.gov - Barber: expired license
“(1) submits a completed application; and”
commerce.alaska.gov “(2) pays the applicable fees required under AS 08.13.140 and 12 AAC 02.140.”
commerce.alaska.gov “of more than three years, or otherwise at the discretion of the board, and all renewal and delinquent fees for the period”
commerce.alaska.gov “(1) submits a completed application and supporting documents to show that the applicant was previously”
commerce.alaska.gov “(3) successfully passes the written examination for the license sought.”
commerce.alaska.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“Licenses are issued for a two-year period and expire on August 31 of odd-numbered years”
commerce.alaska.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“(6) manicurist and advanced manicurist endorsement, $180;”
commerce.alaska.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“of more than three years, or otherwise at the discretion of the board, and all renewal and delinquent fees for the period”
commerce.alaska.gov “Your license lapses after August 31, 2025. There is no grace period - it is illegal to work if your license has lapsed.”
commerce.alaska.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“(1) submits a completed application; and”
commerce.alaska.gov “(2) pays the applicable fees required under AS 08.13.140 and 12 AAC 02.140.”
commerce.alaska.gov “of more than three years, or otherwise at the discretion of the board, and all renewal and delinquent fees for the period”
commerce.alaska.gov “(1) submits a completed application and supporting documents to show that the applicant was previously”
commerce.alaska.gov “(3) successfully passes the written examination for the license sought.”
commerce.alaska.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“Licenses are issued for a two-year period and expire on August 31 of odd-numbered years”
commerce.alaska.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“(2) esthetician, $180;”
commerce.alaska.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“of more than three years, or otherwise at the discretion of the board, and all renewal and delinquent fees for the period”
commerce.alaska.gov “Your license lapses after August 31, 2025. There is no grace period - it is illegal to work if your license has lapsed.”
commerce.alaska.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“(1) submits a completed application; and”
commerce.alaska.gov “(2) pays the applicable fees required under AS 08.13.140 and 12 AAC 02.140.”
commerce.alaska.gov “of more than three years, or otherwise at the discretion of the board, and all renewal and delinquent fees for the period”
commerce.alaska.gov “(1) submits a completed application and supporting documents to show that the applicant was previously”
commerce.alaska.gov “(3) successfully passes the written examination for the license sought.”
commerce.alaska.gov - Also good to know
“Your license lapses after August 31, 2025. There is no grace period - it is illegal to work if your license has lapsed.”
commerce.alaska.gov - Also good to know
“A U.S. Social Security Number must be on file with the division before a professional license is renewed.”
commerce.alaska.gov - Also good to know
“Plan on a 4 - 6-week processing time for correct and complete renewal applications.”
commerce.alaska.gov
Questions
Alaska license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Alaska?
The Alaska Hairdresser license renews every 2 years for $180, through the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers. When it expires: On August 31 of odd-numbered years. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew an Alaska cosmetology license?
The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers before your renewal date.
What happens if my Alaska cosmetology license expires?
A lapsed license may be reinstated only after all renewal and delinquent fees for the lapsed period are paid, and there is no grace period after the August 31 expiration date. A license lapsed for not more than three years is reinstated after a completed application and payment of the fees for the lapsed period. After more than three years, the applicant must also show prior Alaska licensure and pass the written examination for the license sought.
How do I renew my barber license in Alaska?
The Alaska Barber license renews every 2 years for $180, through the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers. When it expires: On August 31 of odd-numbered years. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Alaska barber license expires?
A lapsed license may be reinstated only after all renewal and delinquent fees for the lapsed period are paid, and there is no grace period after the August 31 expiration date. A license lapsed for not more than three years is reinstated after a completed application and payment of the fees for the lapsed period. After more than three years, the applicant must also show prior Alaska licensure and pass the written examination for the license sought.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Alaska?
The Alaska Manicurist license renews every 2 years for $180, through the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers. When it expires: On August 31 of odd-numbered years. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Alaska nail technician license expires?
A lapsed license may be reinstated only after all renewal and delinquent fees for the lapsed period are paid, and there is no grace period after the August 31 expiration date. A license lapsed for not more than three years is reinstated after a completed application and payment of the fees for the lapsed period. After more than three years, the applicant must also show prior Alaska licensure and pass the written examination for the license sought.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Alaska?
The Alaska Esthetician license renews every 2 years for $180, through the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers. When it expires: On August 31 of odd-numbered years. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Alaska esthetician license expires?
A lapsed license may be reinstated only after all renewal and delinquent fees for the lapsed period are paid, and there is no grace period after the August 31 expiration date. A license lapsed for not more than three years is reinstated after a completed application and payment of the fees for the lapsed period. After more than three years, the applicant must also show prior Alaska licensure and pass the written examination for the license sought.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Alaska: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Alaska
- Running your own salon in Alaska: the salon license
- What Alaska inspectors check in a salon
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