Arkansas license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Arkansas
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Arkansas: 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 Arkansas Department of Health's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Not stated | $50 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
| Barber | Not stated | $50 | Every year | $75 |
| Nail technician | Not stated | $50 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
| Esthetician | Not stated | $50 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
At $25 a year, renewing costs less than the $32.50 a year typical across the states.
Cosmetologist
Arkansas cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Arkansas Department of Health.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn the licensee's birthday, every two years.
- Renewal fee
- $50 ($25 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Arkansas Department of Health before you renew.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleA license not renewed within 30 days after the birthday is subject to a reinstatement fee of 50% of the renewal fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed for five years has lapsed and cannot be renewed; the holder must pass the Arkansas State Law examination to be licensed again.
Barber (Registered Barber)
Arkansas barber license renewal
Renewed through the Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners.
- When it expires
- Every yearEach year, the license expires if the renewal is not postmarked by September 1.
- Renewal fee
- $50
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $75A renewal not postmarked by September 1 requires a restoration fee of $75 for each year of delinquency.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA registered barber license delinquent for not more than three years is restored by paying the restoration fee for each year of delinquency; after more than three years the holder must take and pass the required examination and pay the examination fee.
Nail technician (Manicurist)
Arkansas nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Arkansas Department of Health.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn the licensee's birthday, every two years.
- Renewal fee
- $50 ($25 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Arkansas Department of Health before you renew.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleA license not renewed within 30 days after the birthday is subject to a reinstatement fee of 50% of the renewal fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed for five years has lapsed and cannot be renewed; the holder must pass the Arkansas State Law examination to be licensed again.
Esthetician (Aesthetician)
Arkansas esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Arkansas Department of Health.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn the licensee's birthday, every two years.
- Renewal fee
- $50 ($25 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Arkansas Department of Health before you renew.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleA license not renewed within 30 days after the birthday is subject to a reinstatement fee of 50% of the renewal fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed for five years has lapsed and cannot be renewed; the holder must pass the Arkansas State Law examination to be licensed again.
Good to know
What else Arkansas says about renewing
- The cosmetology renewal fee returned to its pre-reduction amount on January 1, 2026.
- Barber renewals must be made online, and cash, checks and money orders are not accepted.
- Teacher manager instructor barbers must upload eight hours of continuing education when renewing the TMI license.
Sources
What Arkansas's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the Arkansas Department of Health'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
“Renewal for a Practitioner $50 biennially”
healthy.arkansas.gov “n. Reinstatement fee for a practitioner license will apply for licenses not renewed within thirty (30) days following the birthday of the licensee 50% of renewal”
sos.arkansas.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“Renewal for a Practitioner $50 biennially”
healthy.arkansas.gov “c. Renewal of a cosmetology, manicure, aesthetics, electrology or instructor license $50.00 biennially”
sos.arkansas.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“n. Reinstatement fee for a practitioner license will apply for licenses not renewed within thirty (30) days following the birthday of the licensee 50% of renewal”
sos.arkansas.gov “Reinstatement fee - Practitioner license 50% of proposed renewal fee”
healthy.arkansas.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“A license that has not been renewed for five (5) years has lapsed and is non-renewable.”
healthy.arkansas.gov “You must take and pass the Arkansas State Law examination in order to become licensed again in the state of Arkansas.”
healthy.arkansas.gov - Barber: renewal period
“Every registered barber or teacher manager instructor shall annually between July 1st and September 1st renew his or her license by paying the required fee.”
labor.arkansas.gov “(6) For restoration of an expired certificate (renewal not postmarked by September 1), the fee to practice as a registered barber, seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per year of delinquency;”
labor.arkansas.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“(5) For annual renewal of the certificate to practice as a registered barber and for its issuance, fifty dollars ($50.00);”
labor.arkansas.gov - Barber: late renewal
“(6) For restoration of an expired certificate (renewal not postmarked by September 1), the fee to practice as a registered barber, seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per year of delinquency;”
labor.arkansas.gov - Barber: expired license
“Any registered barber or teacher manager instructor who fails to keep his or her license renewed for not more than three (3) years may renew his or her license upon payment of the required restoration fee for each year of delinquency.”
labor.arkansas.gov “If the time elapsed is more than three (3) years, you must take and pass the required examination and pay the examination fee as set forth by the State Board of Barber Examiners.”
labor.arkansas.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“Renewal for a Practitioner $50 biennially”
healthy.arkansas.gov “n. Reinstatement fee for a practitioner license will apply for licenses not renewed within thirty (30) days following the birthday of the licensee 50% of renewal”
sos.arkansas.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“Renewal for a Practitioner $50 biennially”
healthy.arkansas.gov “c. Renewal of a cosmetology, manicure, aesthetics, electrology or instructor license $50.00 biennially”
sos.arkansas.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“n. Reinstatement fee for a practitioner license will apply for licenses not renewed within thirty (30) days following the birthday of the licensee 50% of renewal”
sos.arkansas.gov “Reinstatement fee - Practitioner license 50% of proposed renewal fee”
healthy.arkansas.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“A license that has not been renewed for five (5) years has lapsed and is non-renewable.”
healthy.arkansas.gov “You must take and pass the Arkansas State Law examination in order to become licensed again in the state of Arkansas.”
healthy.arkansas.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“Renewal for a Practitioner $50 biennially”
healthy.arkansas.gov “n. Reinstatement fee for a practitioner license will apply for licenses not renewed within thirty (30) days following the birthday of the licensee 50% of renewal”
sos.arkansas.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“Renewal for a Practitioner $50 biennially”
healthy.arkansas.gov “c. Renewal of a cosmetology, manicure, aesthetics, electrology or instructor license $50.00 biennially”
sos.arkansas.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“n. Reinstatement fee for a practitioner license will apply for licenses not renewed within thirty (30) days following the birthday of the licensee 50% of renewal”
sos.arkansas.gov “Reinstatement fee - Practitioner license 50% of proposed renewal fee”
healthy.arkansas.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“A license that has not been renewed for five (5) years has lapsed and is non-renewable.”
healthy.arkansas.gov “You must take and pass the Arkansas State Law examination in order to become licensed again in the state of Arkansas.”
healthy.arkansas.gov - Also good to know
“Beginning January 1, 2026, the cosmetology licensure renewal fee amount will be restored to the original amount before the initiation of reduction.”
healthy.arkansas.gov - Also good to know
“All applications and renewals must be made online at www.arbarber.com.”
labor.arkansas.gov - Also good to know
“Certificates totaling at least eight (8) hours of continuing education must be uploaded to your TMI account at the time you renew the TMI license.”
labor.arkansas.gov
Questions
Arkansas license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Arkansas?
The Arkansas Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years for $50, through the Arkansas Department of Health. When it expires: On the licensee's birthday, every two years. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Arkansas Department of Health 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 Arkansas cosmetology license?
The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Arkansas Department of Health before your renewal date.
What happens if my Arkansas cosmetology license expires?
A license not renewed within 30 days after the birthday is subject to a reinstatement fee of 50% of the renewal fee. A license not renewed for five years has lapsed and cannot be renewed; the holder must pass the Arkansas State Law examination to be licensed again.
How do I renew my barber license in Arkansas?
The Arkansas Registered Barber license renews every year for $50, through the Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners. When it expires: Each year, the license expires if the renewal is not postmarked by September 1. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Arkansas barber license expires?
A registered barber license delinquent for not more than three years is restored by paying the restoration fee for each year of delinquency; after more than three years the holder must take and pass the required examination and pay the examination fee.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Arkansas?
The Arkansas Manicurist license renews every 2 years for $50, through the Arkansas Department of Health. When it expires: On the licensee's birthday, every two years. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Arkansas Department of Health before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Arkansas nail technician license expires?
A license not renewed within 30 days after the birthday is subject to a reinstatement fee of 50% of the renewal fee. A license not renewed for five years has lapsed and cannot be renewed; the holder must pass the Arkansas State Law examination to be licensed again.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Arkansas?
The Arkansas Aesthetician license renews every 2 years for $50, through the Arkansas Department of Health. When it expires: On the licensee's birthday, every two years. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Arkansas Department of Health before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Arkansas esthetician license expires?
A license not renewed within 30 days after the birthday is subject to a reinstatement fee of 50% of the renewal fee. A license not renewed for five years has lapsed and cannot be renewed; the holder must pass the Arkansas State Law examination to be licensed again.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Arkansas: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Arkansas
- Running your own salon in Arkansas: the salon license
- What Arkansas inspectors check in a salon
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