California license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in California
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in California: 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 California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | None required | $50 | Every 2 years | $25 |
| Barber | None required | $50 | Every 2 years | $25 |
| Nail technician | None required | $50 | Every 2 years | $25 |
| Esthetician | None required | $50 | Every 2 years | $25 |
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; it is one of 7 states whose board says no continuing education is required.
Cosmetologist
California cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsLicenses are issued for a two-year period and expire at midnight on the last day of the month of issuance.
- Renewal fee
- $50 ($25 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew this license; the Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license.
- Late renewal
- $25The delinquency fee is $25, which is 50 percent of the $50 renewal fee, and is paid on top of all accrued renewal fees; no grace period is stated. A license can be renewed within five years after it expires by paying the accrued renewal fees and the delinquency fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAn expired license can be renewed within five years after its expiration by paying all accrued renewal fees and the delinquency fee. A license not renewed within five years is canceled, and the holder must apply for a new license and pass the examination.
Barber
California barber license renewal
Renewed through the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsLicenses are issued for a two-year period and expire at midnight on the last day of the month of issuance.
- Renewal fee
- $50 ($25 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew this license; the Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license.
- Late renewal
- $25The delinquency fee is $25, which is 50 percent of the $50 renewal fee, and is paid on top of all accrued renewal fees; no grace period is stated. A license can be renewed within five years after it expires by paying the accrued renewal fees and the delinquency fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAn expired license can be renewed within five years after its expiration by paying all accrued renewal fees and the delinquency fee. A license not renewed within five years is canceled, and the holder must apply for a new license and pass the examination.
Nail technician (Manicurist)
California nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsLicenses are issued for a two-year period and expire at midnight on the last day of the month of issuance.
- Renewal fee
- $50 ($25 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew this license; the Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license.
- Late renewal
- $25The delinquency fee is $25, which is 50 percent of the $50 renewal fee, and is paid on top of all accrued renewal fees; no grace period is stated. A license can be renewed within five years after it expires by paying the accrued renewal fees and the delinquency fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAn expired license can be renewed within five years after its expiration by paying all accrued renewal fees and the delinquency fee. A license not renewed within five years is canceled, and the holder must apply for a new license and pass the examination.
Esthetician
California esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsLicenses are issued for a two-year period and expire at midnight on the last day of the month of issuance.
- Renewal fee
- $50 ($25 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew this license; the Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license.
- Late renewal
- $25The delinquency fee is $25, which is 50 percent of the $50 renewal fee, and is paid on top of all accrued renewal fees; no grace period is stated. A license can be renewed within five years after it expires by paying the accrued renewal fees and the delinquency fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAn expired license can be renewed within five years after its expiration by paying all accrued renewal fees and the delinquency fee. A license not renewed within five years is canceled, and the holder must apply for a new license and pass the examination.
Good to know
What else California says about renewing
- License renewals can be submitted up to 83 days before the license is set to expire.
- A license will not renew while it has outstanding fines, which must be paid before renewal.
- The Board waives renewal fees for licensees who are serving on active duty in the Armed Forces or the California National Guard, on request.
Sources
What California's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology'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
“Your license will be good for 2 years from the date it is issued and will need to be renewed every 2 years thereafter.”
barbercosmo.ca.gov “Licenses issued under this chapter, unless specifically excepted, shall be issued for a two-year period and shall expire at midnight on the last day of the month of issuance by the board.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“Cosmetologist $50.00 $25.00 2 years”
barbercosmo.ca.gov - Cosmetologist: continuing education
“No. The Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license.”
barbercosmo.ca.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“Cosmetologist $50.00 $25.00 2 years”
barbercosmo.ca.gov “(j)Notwithstanding Section 163.5 the license renewal delinquency fee shall be 50 percent of the renewal fee in effect on the date of renewal.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“a license that has expired for failure of the licensee to renew within the time fixed by this article may be renewed at any time within five years following its expiration upon application and payment of all accrued and unpaid renewal fees and delinquency fees.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov “a license which has not been renewed within five years following its expiration shall be deemed canceled and may not be renewed, restored, reinstated, or reissued thereafter.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov “The holder of the canceled license may obtain a new license only by submitting an application, paying all required fees, and qualifying for and passing the examination that would be required if the holder were applying for the license for the first time.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov - Barber: renewal period
“Your license will be good for 2 years from the date it is issued and will need to be renewed every 2 years thereafter.”
barbercosmo.ca.gov “Licenses issued under this chapter, unless specifically excepted, shall be issued for a two-year period and shall expire at midnight on the last day of the month of issuance by the board.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“Barber $50.00 $25.00 2 years”
barbercosmo.ca.gov - Barber: continuing education
“No. The Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license.”
barbercosmo.ca.gov - Barber: late renewal
“Barber $50.00 $25.00 2 years”
barbercosmo.ca.gov “(j)Notwithstanding Section 163.5 the license renewal delinquency fee shall be 50 percent of the renewal fee in effect on the date of renewal.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov - Barber: expired license
“a license that has expired for failure of the licensee to renew within the time fixed by this article may be renewed at any time within five years following its expiration upon application and payment of all accrued and unpaid renewal fees and delinquency fees.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov “a license which has not been renewed within five years following its expiration shall be deemed canceled and may not be renewed, restored, reinstated, or reissued thereafter.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov “The holder of the canceled license may obtain a new license only by submitting an application, paying all required fees, and qualifying for and passing the examination that would be required if the holder were applying for the license for the first time.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“Your license will be good for 2 years from the date it is issued and will need to be renewed every 2 years thereafter.”
barbercosmo.ca.gov “Licenses issued under this chapter, unless specifically excepted, shall be issued for a two-year period and shall expire at midnight on the last day of the month of issuance by the board.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“Manicurist $50.00 $25.00 2 years”
barbercosmo.ca.gov - Nail technician: continuing education
“No. The Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license.”
barbercosmo.ca.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“Manicurist $50.00 $25.00 2 years”
barbercosmo.ca.gov “(j)Notwithstanding Section 163.5 the license renewal delinquency fee shall be 50 percent of the renewal fee in effect on the date of renewal.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“a license that has expired for failure of the licensee to renew within the time fixed by this article may be renewed at any time within five years following its expiration upon application and payment of all accrued and unpaid renewal fees and delinquency fees.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov “a license which has not been renewed within five years following its expiration shall be deemed canceled and may not be renewed, restored, reinstated, or reissued thereafter.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov “The holder of the canceled license may obtain a new license only by submitting an application, paying all required fees, and qualifying for and passing the examination that would be required if the holder were applying for the license for the first time.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“Your license will be good for 2 years from the date it is issued and will need to be renewed every 2 years thereafter.”
barbercosmo.ca.gov “Licenses issued under this chapter, unless specifically excepted, shall be issued for a two-year period and shall expire at midnight on the last day of the month of issuance by the board.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“Esthetician $50.00 $25.00 2 years”
barbercosmo.ca.gov - Esthetician: continuing education
“No. The Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license.”
barbercosmo.ca.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“Esthetician $50.00 $25.00 2 years”
barbercosmo.ca.gov “(j)Notwithstanding Section 163.5 the license renewal delinquency fee shall be 50 percent of the renewal fee in effect on the date of renewal.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“a license that has expired for failure of the licensee to renew within the time fixed by this article may be renewed at any time within five years following its expiration upon application and payment of all accrued and unpaid renewal fees and delinquency fees.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov “a license which has not been renewed within five years following its expiration shall be deemed canceled and may not be renewed, restored, reinstated, or reissued thereafter.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov “The holder of the canceled license may obtain a new license only by submitting an application, paying all required fees, and qualifying for and passing the examination that would be required if the holder were applying for the license for the first time.”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov - Also good to know
“License renewals can be submitted up to 83 days before your license is set to expire.”
barbercosmo.ca.gov - Also good to know
“If there are any outstanding fines associated with the license, those fines must be paid prior to the issuance of a license renewal.”
barbercosmo.ca.gov - Also good to know
“The BBC is granted to waive the renewal fees for a licensee if the licensee is currently serving on active duty in the Armed Forces or the California National Guard.”
barbercosmo.ca.gov
Questions
California license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in California?
The California Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years for $50, through the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. When it expires: Licenses are issued for a two-year period and expire at midnight on the last day of the month of issuance. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew this license; the Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a California cosmetology license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew this license; the Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license.
What happens if my California cosmetology license expires?
An expired license can be renewed within five years after its expiration by paying all accrued renewal fees and the delinquency fee. A license not renewed within five years is canceled, and the holder must apply for a new license and pass the examination.
How do I renew my barber license in California?
The California Barber license renews every 2 years for $50, through the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. When it expires: Licenses are issued for a two-year period and expire at midnight on the last day of the month of issuance. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew this license; the Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a California barber license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew this license; the Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license.
What happens if my California barber license expires?
An expired license can be renewed within five years after its expiration by paying all accrued renewal fees and the delinquency fee. A license not renewed within five years is canceled, and the holder must apply for a new license and pass the examination.
How do I renew my nail technician license in California?
The California Manicurist license renews every 2 years for $50, through the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. When it expires: Licenses are issued for a two-year period and expire at midnight on the last day of the month of issuance. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew this license; the Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a California nail technician license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew this license; the Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license.
What happens if my California nail technician license expires?
An expired license can be renewed within five years after its expiration by paying all accrued renewal fees and the delinquency fee. A license not renewed within five years is canceled, and the holder must apply for a new license and pass the examination.
How do I renew my esthetician license in California?
The California Esthetician license renews every 2 years for $50, through the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. When it expires: Licenses are issued for a two-year period and expire at midnight on the last day of the month of issuance. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew this license; the Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a California esthetician license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew this license; the Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license.
What happens if my California esthetician license expires?
An expired license can be renewed within five years after its expiration by paying all accrued renewal fees and the delinquency fee. A license not renewed within five years is canceled, and the holder must apply for a new license and pass the examination.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in California: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in California
- Running your own salon in California: the salon license
- What California inspectors check in a salon
License renewal in other states
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