Connecticut license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Connecticut
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Connecticut: 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 Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Not stated | $100 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
| Barber | Not stated | $100 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
| Nail technician | Not stated | $100 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
| Esthetician | Not stated | $100 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
At $50 a year, renewing costs more than the $32.50 a year typical across the states.
Cosmetologist (Registered Hairdresser and Cosmetician)
Connecticut cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn the last day of your birth month, every two years.
- Renewal fee
- $100 ($50 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments before you renew.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleThe license may still be renewed, and you may keep practicing, for ninety days after it expires; on the 91st day it becomes void.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAfter the 90-day grace period the license is void and must be reinstated, and a holder who has not practiced for two to eight years must meet additional reinstatement requirements.
Barber
Connecticut barber license renewal
Renewed through the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn the last day of your birth month, every two years.
- Renewal fee
- $100 ($50 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments before you renew.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleThe license may still be renewed, and you may keep practicing, for ninety days after it expires; on the 91st day it becomes void.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAfter the 90-day grace period the license is void and must be reinstated, and practice on an expired license is not allowed.
Nail technician
Connecticut nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments.
- When it expires
- Every 2 years
- Renewal fee
- $100 ($50 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments before you renew.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleThe license may still be renewed, and you may keep practicing, for ninety days after it expires; on the 91st day it becomes void.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAfter the 90-day grace period the license is void and must be reinstated; applicants out of active practice for more than five years are typically required to complete refresher training.
Esthetician
Connecticut esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments.
- When it expires
- Every 2 years
- Renewal fee
- $100 ($50 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments before you renew.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleThe license may still be renewed, and you may keep practicing, for ninety days after it expires; on the 91st day it becomes void.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAfter the 90-day grace period the license is void and must be reinstated, and practice on an expired license is not allowed.
Good to know
What else Connecticut says about renewing
- Connecticut has no inactive license status; a license must be kept current or it lapses on non-renewal.
- Licensees on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces may request a renewal fee exemption if they are also Connecticut residents.
- A hairdresser and cosmetician may not practice after the license expires until it is renewed.
Sources
What Connecticut's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments'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
“All hairdresser and cosmetician licenses, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, shall be renewed once every two years”
cga.ct.gov “License expires biennially on the last day of the licensee's month of birth.”
portal.ct.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“for renewal of any hairdresser and cosmetician license, the sum of one hundred dollars”
cga.ct.gov “June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 increased fees from $50 to $100.”
cga.ct.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“The department may renew any hairdresser and cosmetician license if application for such renewal is received by the department within ninety days after the expiration of such license.”
cga.ct.gov “all licenses issued by the PLIS have a grace period of 90 days following expiration during which time the licensee may continue to practice and renew the license.”
portal.ct.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“On the 91st day, the license becomes void and the licensee must apply for reinstatement.”
portal.ct.gov “Applicants who have not actively practiced as a hairdresser within Connecticut or any other state, within the two (2) to eight (8) year period immediately preceding the reinstatement application must, in addition to the requirements outlined above:”
portal.ct.gov - Barber: renewal period
“All licenses issued to master barbers by the Department of Public Health shall be renewed once every two years”
cga.ct.gov “License expires biennially on the last day of the licensee's month of birth.”
portal.ct.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“accompanied by a fee of one hundred dollars for the renewal of such license for two years”
cga.ct.gov “June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 increased fee from $50 to $100.”
cga.ct.gov - Barber: late renewal
“all licenses issued by the PLIS have a grace period of 90 days following expiration during which time the licensee may continue to practice and renew the license.”
portal.ct.gov - Barber: expired license
“On the 91st day, the license becomes void and the licensee must apply for reinstatement.”
portal.ct.gov “No person shall carry on the occupation of master barber after the expiration of his license”
cga.ct.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“may be renewed every two years, for a fee of one hundred dollars. No person shall carry on the occupation of nail technician”
cga.ct.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“Renewal (Biennial): $100”
portal.ct.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“all licenses issued by the PLIS have a grace period of 90 days following expiration during which time the licensee may continue to practice and renew the license.”
portal.ct.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“On the 91st day, the license becomes void and the licensee must apply for reinstatement.”
portal.ct.gov “Typically, applicants for reinstatement who have not been in active practice for longer than five years are required to complete a period of refresher training.”
portal.ct.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“may be renewed every two years, for a fee of one hundred dollars. No person shall carry on the occupation of esthetician”
cga.ct.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“Renewal Fee (Biennial): $100”
portal.ct.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“all licenses issued by the PLIS have a grace period of 90 days following expiration during which time the licensee may continue to practice and renew the license.”
portal.ct.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“On the 91st day, the license becomes void and the licensee must apply for reinstatement.”
portal.ct.gov “No person shall carry on the occupation of esthetician after the expiration of such person's license”
cga.ct.gov - Also good to know
“There is no inactive status for licenses; a licensee would either need to keep the license current or let it lapse due to non-renewal.”
portal.ct.gov - Also good to know
“Licensees who are on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States may request exemption from the license renewal fee provided they are also a legal resident of Connecticut.”
portal.ct.gov - Also good to know
“No person shall carry on the occupation of hairdressing and cosmetology after the expiration of such person's license until such person has made application to the department for the renewal of such license.”
cga.ct.gov
Questions
Connecticut license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Connecticut?
The Connecticut Registered Hairdresser and Cosmetician license renews every 2 years for $100, through the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments. When it expires: On the last day of your birth month, every two years. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments 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 a Connecticut cosmetology license?
The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments before your renewal date.
What happens if my Connecticut cosmetology license expires?
The license may still be renewed, and you may keep practicing, for ninety days after it expires; on the 91st day it becomes void. After the 90-day grace period the license is void and must be reinstated, and a holder who has not practiced for two to eight years must meet additional reinstatement requirements.
How do I renew my barber license in Connecticut?
The Connecticut Barber license renews every 2 years for $100, through the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments. When it expires: On the last day of your birth month, every two years. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Connecticut barber license expires?
The license may still be renewed, and you may keep practicing, for ninety days after it expires; on the 91st day it becomes void. After the 90-day grace period the license is void and must be reinstated, and practice on an expired license is not allowed.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Connecticut?
The Connecticut Nail Technician license renews every 2 years for $100, through the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Connecticut nail technician license expires?
The license may still be renewed, and you may keep practicing, for ninety days after it expires; on the 91st day it becomes void. After the 90-day grace period the license is void and must be reinstated; applicants out of active practice for more than five years are typically required to complete refresher training.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Connecticut?
The Connecticut Esthetician license renews every 2 years for $100, through the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health departments before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Connecticut esthetician license expires?
The license may still be renewed, and you may keep practicing, for ninety days after it expires; on the 91st day it becomes void. After the 90-day grace period the license is void and must be reinstated, and practice on an expired license is not allowed.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Connecticut: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Connecticut
- Running your own salon in Connecticut: the salon license
- What Connecticut inspectors check in a salon
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