District of Columbia license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in District of Columbia
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in District of Columbia: 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 DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 6 hours per renewal | $110 | Every 2 years | $50 |
| Barber | 6 hours per renewal | $110 | Every 2 years | $50 |
| Nail technician | 6 hours per renewal | $110 | Every 2 years | $50 |
| Esthetician | 6 hours per renewal | $110 | Every 2 years | $50 |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
At $55 a year, renewing costs more than the $32.50 a year typical across the states; its continuing education works out to 3 hours a year of license.
Cosmetologist
District of Columbia cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn April 15 of even-numbered years, regardless of when the license was issued.
- Renewal fee
- $110 ($55 a year)
- Continuing education
- 6 hours per renewalRenewal requires 6 CE hours from a board-approved provider: 2 hours in a health, safety or welfare course and 4 hours of general courses. The requirement is waived for a first renewal and for owner license renewal.
- Late renewal
- $50A $50 late renewal fee applies, and a license expired 60 days past its renewal date must be reinstated.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license expired 60 days past its renewal date must be reinstated. Reinstatement requires meeting current renewal requirements and paying a $210 reinstatement fee, and the application must be made within 5 years after expiration; after 5 years the person must meet the initial licensing requirements.
Barber
District of Columbia barber license renewal
Renewed through the DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn September 30 of odd-numbered years, regardless of when the license was issued.
- Renewal fee
- $110 ($55 a year)
- Continuing education
- 6 hours per renewalRenewal requires 6 CE hours from a board-approved provider: 2 hours in a health, safety or welfare course and 4 hours of general courses. The requirement is waived for a first renewal and for owner license renewal.
- Late renewal
- $50A $50 late renewal fee applies, and a license expired 60 days past its renewal date must be reinstated.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license expired 60 days past its renewal date must be reinstated. Reinstatement requires meeting current renewal requirements and paying a $210 reinstatement fee, and the application must be made within 5 years after expiration; after 5 years the person must meet the initial licensing requirements.
Nail technician (Manicurist)
District of Columbia nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn April 15 of even-numbered years, regardless of when the license was issued.
- Renewal fee
- $110 ($55 a year)
- Continuing education
- 6 hours per renewalRenewal requires 6 CE hours from a board-approved provider: 2 hours in a health, safety or welfare course and 4 hours of general courses. The requirement is waived for a first renewal and for owner license renewal.
- Late renewal
- $50A $50 late renewal fee applies, and a license expired 60 days past its renewal date must be reinstated.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license expired 60 days past its renewal date must be reinstated. Reinstatement requires meeting current renewal requirements and paying a $210 reinstatement fee, and the application must be made within 5 years after expiration; after 5 years the person must meet the initial licensing requirements.
Esthetician (Esthetician Basic)
District of Columbia esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn April 15 of even-numbered years, regardless of when the license was issued.
- Renewal fee
- $110 ($55 a year)
- Continuing education
- 6 hours per renewalRenewal requires 6 CE hours from a board-approved provider: 2 hours in a health, safety or welfare course and 4 hours of general courses. The requirement is waived for a first renewal and for owner license renewal.
- Late renewal
- $50A $50 late renewal fee applies, and a license expired 60 days past its renewal date must be reinstated.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license expired 60 days past its renewal date must be reinstated. Reinstatement requires meeting current renewal requirements and paying a $210 reinstatement fee, and the application must be made within 5 years after expiration; after 5 years the person must meet the initial licensing requirements.
Good to know
What else District of Columbia says about renewing
- The renewal period for all license types begins 90 days before the expiration date.
- A licensee may move the license to inactive status. While inactive, the renewal fee does not apply and the person may not practice in the District.
- A person whose license has not been renewed is considered unqualified to practice and may be penalized if they keep working.
Sources
What District of Columbia's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the DC Board of Barber 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
“A license, certificate or registration, expires 2 years from the date of its first issuance or renewal unless renewed in accordance with procedures established in this section, except where another period is provided by law or regulation.”
code.dccouncil.gov “All cosmetology and specialty licenses expire on April 15th of even-numbered years, regardless of when they were issued.”
dlcp.dc.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“Renewal Fee for Operators and Owners: $110.00”
dlcp.dc.gov - Cosmetologist: continuing education
“At the time of license renewal/reinstatement, applicants are required to submit proof of 6 Continuing Education (CE) credits (2 hours in a health/safety/welfare course and 4 hours in general election courses) from a board-approved CE provider.”
dlcp.dc.gov “This CE requirement is waived for applicants renewing for the first time and for owner license renewal.”
dlcp.dc.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“Late Renewal Fee: $50.00”
dlcp.dc.gov “Licenses that are expired 60 days past the renewal date must be reinstated.”
dlcp.dc.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“Licenses that are expired 60 days past the renewal date must be reinstated.”
dlcp.dc.gov “Reinstatements for All License Types - $210.00”
dlcp.dc.gov “(1) Applies to the board for reinstatement within 5 years after the license, certification or registration expires;”
code.dccouncil.gov “The Mayor shall not reinstate the license, certification, or registration of a person who fails to apply for reinstatement within 5 years after the license, certification or registration expires.”
code.dccouncil.gov - Barber: renewal period
“A license, certificate or registration, expires 2 years from the date of its first issuance or renewal unless renewed in accordance with procedures established in this section, except where another period is provided by law or regulation.”
code.dccouncil.gov “All barber licenses expire on September 30th of odd-numbered years, regardless of when they were issued.”
dlcp.dc.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“Renewal Fee for Operators and Owners: $110.00”
dlcp.dc.gov - Barber: continuing education
“At the time of license renewal/reinstatement, applicants are required to submit proof of 6 Continuing Education (CE) credits (2 hours in a health/safety/welfare course and 4 hours in general election courses) from a board-approved CE provider.”
dlcp.dc.gov “This CE requirement is waived for applicants renewing for the first time and for owner license renewal.”
dlcp.dc.gov - Barber: late renewal
“Late Renewal Fee: $50.00”
dlcp.dc.gov “Licenses that are expired 60 days past the renewal date must be reinstated.”
dlcp.dc.gov - Barber: expired license
“Licenses that are expired 60 days past the renewal date must be reinstated.”
dlcp.dc.gov “Reinstatements for All License Types - $210.00”
dlcp.dc.gov “(1) Applies to the board for reinstatement within 5 years after the license, certification or registration expires;”
code.dccouncil.gov “The Mayor shall not reinstate the license, certification, or registration of a person who fails to apply for reinstatement within 5 years after the license, certification or registration expires.”
code.dccouncil.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“A license, certificate or registration, expires 2 years from the date of its first issuance or renewal unless renewed in accordance with procedures established in this section, except where another period is provided by law or regulation.”
code.dccouncil.gov “All cosmetology and specialty licenses expire on April 15th of even-numbered years, regardless of when they were issued.”
dlcp.dc.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“Renewal Fee for Operators and Owners: $110.00”
dlcp.dc.gov - Nail technician: continuing education
“At the time of license renewal/reinstatement, applicants are required to submit proof of 6 Continuing Education (CE) credits (2 hours in a health/safety/welfare course and 4 hours in general election courses) from a board-approved CE provider.”
dlcp.dc.gov “This CE requirement is waived for applicants renewing for the first time and for owner license renewal.”
dlcp.dc.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“Late Renewal Fee: $50.00”
dlcp.dc.gov “Licenses that are expired 60 days past the renewal date must be reinstated.”
dlcp.dc.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“Licenses that are expired 60 days past the renewal date must be reinstated.”
dlcp.dc.gov “Reinstatements for All License Types - $210.00”
dlcp.dc.gov “(1) Applies to the board for reinstatement within 5 years after the license, certification or registration expires;”
code.dccouncil.gov “The Mayor shall not reinstate the license, certification, or registration of a person who fails to apply for reinstatement within 5 years after the license, certification or registration expires.”
code.dccouncil.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“A license, certificate or registration, expires 2 years from the date of its first issuance or renewal unless renewed in accordance with procedures established in this section, except where another period is provided by law or regulation.”
code.dccouncil.gov “All cosmetology and specialty licenses expire on April 15th of even-numbered years, regardless of when they were issued.”
dlcp.dc.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“Renewal Fee for Operators and Owners: $110.00”
dlcp.dc.gov - Esthetician: continuing education
“At the time of license renewal/reinstatement, applicants are required to submit proof of 6 Continuing Education (CE) credits (2 hours in a health/safety/welfare course and 4 hours in general election courses) from a board-approved CE provider.”
dlcp.dc.gov “This CE requirement is waived for applicants renewing for the first time and for owner license renewal.”
dlcp.dc.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“Late Renewal Fee: $50.00”
dlcp.dc.gov “Licenses that are expired 60 days past the renewal date must be reinstated.”
dlcp.dc.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“Licenses that are expired 60 days past the renewal date must be reinstated.”
dlcp.dc.gov “Reinstatements for All License Types - $210.00”
dlcp.dc.gov “(1) Applies to the board for reinstatement within 5 years after the license, certification or registration expires;”
code.dccouncil.gov “The Mayor shall not reinstate the license, certification, or registration of a person who fails to apply for reinstatement within 5 years after the license, certification or registration expires.”
code.dccouncil.gov - Also good to know
“The renewal period for all license types begins 90 days before the expiration date.”
dlcp.dc.gov - Also good to know
“While on inactive status, the person shall not be subject to the renewal fee and shall not practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice the occupation or profession in the District.”
code.dccouncil.gov - Also good to know
“A person who fails to renew a license or certification required by this subchapter, or fails to re-register, shall be considered to be unqualified to practice the occupation or profession”
code.dccouncil.gov
Questions
District of Columbia license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in District of Columbia?
The District of Columbia Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years for $110, through the DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology. When it expires: On April 15 of even-numbered years, regardless of when the license was issued. Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Renewal requires 6 CE hours from a board-approved provider: 2 hours in a health, safety or welfare course and 4 hours of general courses. The requirement is waived for a first renewal and for owner license renewal. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a District of Columbia cosmetology license?
Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Renewal requires 6 CE hours from a board-approved provider: 2 hours in a health, safety or welfare course and 4 hours of general courses. The requirement is waived for a first renewal and for owner license renewal.
What happens if my District of Columbia cosmetology license expires?
A license expired 60 days past its renewal date must be reinstated. Reinstatement requires meeting current renewal requirements and paying a $210 reinstatement fee, and the application must be made within 5 years after expiration; after 5 years the person must meet the initial licensing requirements.
How do I renew my barber license in District of Columbia?
The District of Columbia Barber license renews every 2 years for $110, through the DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology. When it expires: On September 30 of odd-numbered years, regardless of when the license was issued. Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Renewal requires 6 CE hours from a board-approved provider: 2 hours in a health, safety or welfare course and 4 hours of general courses. The requirement is waived for a first renewal and for owner license renewal. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a District of Columbia barber license?
Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Renewal requires 6 CE hours from a board-approved provider: 2 hours in a health, safety or welfare course and 4 hours of general courses. The requirement is waived for a first renewal and for owner license renewal.
What happens if my District of Columbia barber license expires?
A license expired 60 days past its renewal date must be reinstated. Reinstatement requires meeting current renewal requirements and paying a $210 reinstatement fee, and the application must be made within 5 years after expiration; after 5 years the person must meet the initial licensing requirements.
How do I renew my nail technician license in District of Columbia?
The District of Columbia Manicurist license renews every 2 years for $110, through the DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology. When it expires: On April 15 of even-numbered years, regardless of when the license was issued. Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Renewal requires 6 CE hours from a board-approved provider: 2 hours in a health, safety or welfare course and 4 hours of general courses. The requirement is waived for a first renewal and for owner license renewal. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a District of Columbia nail technician license?
Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Renewal requires 6 CE hours from a board-approved provider: 2 hours in a health, safety or welfare course and 4 hours of general courses. The requirement is waived for a first renewal and for owner license renewal.
What happens if my District of Columbia nail technician license expires?
A license expired 60 days past its renewal date must be reinstated. Reinstatement requires meeting current renewal requirements and paying a $210 reinstatement fee, and the application must be made within 5 years after expiration; after 5 years the person must meet the initial licensing requirements.
How do I renew my esthetician license in District of Columbia?
The District of Columbia Esthetician Basic license renews every 2 years for $110, through the DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology. When it expires: On April 15 of even-numbered years, regardless of when the license was issued. Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Renewal requires 6 CE hours from a board-approved provider: 2 hours in a health, safety or welfare course and 4 hours of general courses. The requirement is waived for a first renewal and for owner license renewal. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a District of Columbia esthetician license?
Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Renewal requires 6 CE hours from a board-approved provider: 2 hours in a health, safety or welfare course and 4 hours of general courses. The requirement is waived for a first renewal and for owner license renewal.
What happens if my District of Columbia esthetician license expires?
A license expired 60 days past its renewal date must be reinstated. Reinstatement requires meeting current renewal requirements and paying a $210 reinstatement fee, and the application must be made within 5 years after expiration; after 5 years the person must meet the initial licensing requirements.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in District of Columbia: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in District of Columbia
- Running your own salon in District of Columbia: the salon license
- What District of Columbia inspectors check in a salon
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