Iowa license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Iowa
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Iowa: 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 Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 6 hours per renewal | $60 | Every 2 years | $60 |
| Barber | 6 hours per renewal | $60 | Every 2 years | $60 |
| Nail technician | 6 hours per renewal | $60 | Every 2 years | $60 |
| Esthetician | 6 hours per renewal | $60 | Every 2 years | $60 |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
At $30 a year, renewing costs about the $32.50 a year typical across the states; its continuing education works out to 3 hours a year of license.
Cosmetologist (Barbering and cosmetology license)
Iowa cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsLicenses expire on March 31 at the end of each two-year renewal period, which begins April 1.
- Renewal fee
- $60 ($30 a year)
- Continuing education
- 6 hours per renewalSix hours of continuing education are required per two-year renewal period, including at least four hours in the prescribed practice discipline and at least two hours in Iowa barbering and cosmetology law and rules and sanitation; the first renewal is exempt and online hours are allowed without limit.
- Late renewal
- $60A $60 late fee applies to renewals completed during the 30-day grace period after expiration, in addition to the renewal requirements; the license becomes inactive once the grace period ends.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAfter the 30-day grace period the license becomes inactive and cannot be practiced; to reactivate, the licensee pays a $120 fee and provides verification of the license, plus six hours of continuing education completed within two years or 2,080 hours of active practice if inactive five years or less, or 12 hours of continuing education completed within two years if inactive more than five years.
Barber (Barbering and cosmetology license)
Iowa barber license renewal
Renewed through the Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsLicenses expire on March 31 at the end of each two-year renewal period, which begins April 1.
- Renewal fee
- $60 ($30 a year)
- Continuing education
- 6 hours per renewalSix hours of continuing education are required per two-year renewal period, including at least four hours in the prescribed practice discipline and at least two hours in Iowa barbering and cosmetology law and rules and sanitation; the first renewal is exempt and online hours are allowed without limit.
- Late renewal
- $60A $60 late fee applies to renewals completed during the 30-day grace period after expiration, in addition to the renewal requirements; the license becomes inactive once the grace period ends.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAfter the 30-day grace period the license becomes inactive and cannot be practiced; to reactivate, the licensee pays a $120 fee and provides verification of the license, plus six hours of continuing education completed within two years or 2,080 hours of active practice if inactive five years or less, or 12 hours of continuing education completed within two years if inactive more than five years.
Nail technician (Nail technologist)
Iowa nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsLicenses expire on March 31 at the end of each two-year renewal period, which begins April 1.
- Renewal fee
- $60 ($30 a year)
- Continuing education
- 6 hours per renewalSix hours of continuing education are required per two-year renewal period, including at least four hours in the prescribed practice discipline and at least two hours in Iowa barbering and cosmetology law and rules and sanitation; the first renewal is exempt and online hours are allowed without limit.
- Late renewal
- $60A $60 late fee applies to renewals completed during the 30-day grace period after expiration, in addition to the renewal requirements; the license becomes inactive once the grace period ends.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAfter the 30-day grace period the license becomes inactive and cannot be practiced; to reactivate, the licensee pays a $120 fee and provides verification of the license, plus six hours of continuing education completed within two years or 2,080 hours of active practice if inactive five years or less, or 12 hours of continuing education completed within two years if inactive more than five years.
Esthetician
Iowa esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsLicenses expire on March 31 at the end of each two-year renewal period, which begins April 1.
- Renewal fee
- $60 ($30 a year)
- Continuing education
- 6 hours per renewalSix hours of continuing education are required per two-year renewal period, including at least four hours in the prescribed practice discipline and at least two hours in Iowa barbering and cosmetology law and rules and sanitation; the first renewal is exempt and online hours are allowed without limit.
- Late renewal
- $60A $60 late fee applies to renewals completed during the 30-day grace period after expiration, in addition to the renewal requirements; the license becomes inactive once the grace period ends.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAfter the 30-day grace period the license becomes inactive and cannot be practiced; to reactivate, the licensee pays a $120 fee and provides verification of the license, plus six hours of continuing education completed within two years or 2,080 hours of active practice if inactive five years or less, or 12 hours of continuing education completed within two years if inactive more than five years.
Good to know
What else Iowa says about renewing
- Renewal opens 60 days before the expiration date; the online portal is the renewal route.
- A license that has become inactive cannot be used to practice in Iowa.
- Licensees who are renewing for the first time are exempt from continuing education.
Sources
What Iowa's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences'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 licensees shall renew on a biennial basis.”
legis.iowa.gov “The biennial license renewal period for a license to practice cosmetology arts and sciences shall begin on April 1 of one year and end on March 31 two years later.”
legis.iowa.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“Biennial license renewal fee for each license for each biennium is $60.”
legis.iowa.gov “Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences Licenses: $60”
dial.iowa.gov - Cosmetologist: continuing education
“A licensee in this state shall be required to complete a minimum of six hours of continuing education”
legis.iowa.gov “A minimum of four of the six hours shall be in the prescribed practice discipline and a minimum of two of the six hours shall be in the content areas of Iowa barbering and cosmetology law and rules and sanitation.”
legis.iowa.gov “One Active License Related to Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences : Six (6) hours of continuing education.”
dial.iowa.gov “First Renewal Period after Receiving Initial License : Exempt from continuing education requirements.”
dial.iowa.gov “Board rules currently allow unlimited online continuing education hours.”
dial.iowa.gov “Those persons licensed for the first time shall not be required to complete continuing education as a prerequisite for the first renewal of their licenses.”
legis.iowa.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“Late fee for failure to renew before expiration is $60.”
legis.iowa.gov “To renew a late license, the licensee shall complete the renewal requirements and submit the late fee within the grace period.”
legis.iowa.gov “Late Fee to Renew during the Grace Period: $60”
dial.iowa.gov “means the 30-day period following expiration of a license when the license is still considered to be active.”
legis.iowa.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“means the 30-day period following expiration of a license when the license is still considered to be active.”
legis.iowa.gov “Late fee for failure to renew before expiration is $60.”
legis.iowa.gov “To renew a late license, the licensee shall complete the renewal requirements and submit the late fee within the grace period.”
legis.iowa.gov “A licensee whose license is inactive continues to hold the privilege of licensure in Iowa, but may not practice barbering and cosmetology arts and sciences in Iowa until the license is reactivated.”
legis.iowa.gov “Reactivation fee for applicants licensed to practice barbering and cosmetology arts and sciences is $120; for establishments, $144; and for schools, $330.”
legis.iowa.gov “If the license has been on inactive status for five years or less, an applicant must provide the following:”
legis.iowa.gov “Verification of completion of six hours of continuing education that meet the continuing education standards defined in rule 481 - 944.3 (157,272C) within two years of application for reactivation”
legis.iowa.gov “verification of active practice, consisting of a minimum of 2,080 hours, in another state or jurisdiction during the two years preceding an application for reactivation.”
legis.iowa.gov “If the license has been on inactive status for more than five years, an applicant must provide the following:”
legis.iowa.gov “Verification of completion of 12 hours of continuing education that meet the continuing education standards defined in rule 481 - 944.3 (157,272C) within two years of application for reactivation.”
legis.iowa.gov “To renew a late license, the licensee shall complete the renewal requirements and submit the late fee within the grace period.”
legis.iowa.gov - Barber: renewal period
“All licensees shall renew on a biennial basis.”
legis.iowa.gov “The biennial license renewal period for a license to practice cosmetology arts and sciences shall begin on April 1 of one year and end on March 31 two years later.”
legis.iowa.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“Biennial license renewal fee for each license for each biennium is $60.”
legis.iowa.gov “Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences Licenses: $60”
dial.iowa.gov - Barber: continuing education
“A licensee in this state shall be required to complete a minimum of six hours of continuing education”
legis.iowa.gov “A minimum of four of the six hours shall be in the prescribed practice discipline and a minimum of two of the six hours shall be in the content areas of Iowa barbering and cosmetology law and rules and sanitation.”
legis.iowa.gov “One Active License Related to Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences : Six (6) hours of continuing education.”
dial.iowa.gov “First Renewal Period after Receiving Initial License : Exempt from continuing education requirements.”
dial.iowa.gov “Board rules currently allow unlimited online continuing education hours.”
dial.iowa.gov “Those persons licensed for the first time shall not be required to complete continuing education as a prerequisite for the first renewal of their licenses.”
legis.iowa.gov - Barber: late renewal
“Late fee for failure to renew before expiration is $60.”
legis.iowa.gov “To renew a late license, the licensee shall complete the renewal requirements and submit the late fee within the grace period.”
legis.iowa.gov “Late Fee to Renew during the Grace Period: $60”
dial.iowa.gov “means the 30-day period following expiration of a license when the license is still considered to be active.”
legis.iowa.gov - Barber: expired license
“means the 30-day period following expiration of a license when the license is still considered to be active.”
legis.iowa.gov “Late fee for failure to renew before expiration is $60.”
legis.iowa.gov “To renew a late license, the licensee shall complete the renewal requirements and submit the late fee within the grace period.”
legis.iowa.gov “A licensee whose license is inactive continues to hold the privilege of licensure in Iowa, but may not practice barbering and cosmetology arts and sciences in Iowa until the license is reactivated.”
legis.iowa.gov “Reactivation fee for applicants licensed to practice barbering and cosmetology arts and sciences is $120; for establishments, $144; and for schools, $330.”
legis.iowa.gov “If the license has been on inactive status for five years or less, an applicant must provide the following:”
legis.iowa.gov “Verification of completion of six hours of continuing education that meet the continuing education standards defined in rule 481 - 944.3 (157,272C) within two years of application for reactivation”
legis.iowa.gov “verification of active practice, consisting of a minimum of 2,080 hours, in another state or jurisdiction during the two years preceding an application for reactivation.”
legis.iowa.gov “If the license has been on inactive status for more than five years, an applicant must provide the following:”
legis.iowa.gov “Verification of completion of 12 hours of continuing education that meet the continuing education standards defined in rule 481 - 944.3 (157,272C) within two years of application for reactivation.”
legis.iowa.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“All licensees shall renew on a biennial basis.”
legis.iowa.gov “The biennial license renewal period for a license to practice cosmetology arts and sciences shall begin on April 1 of one year and end on March 31 two years later.”
legis.iowa.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“Biennial license renewal fee for each license for each biennium is $60.”
legis.iowa.gov “Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences Licenses: $60”
dial.iowa.gov - Nail technician: continuing education
“A licensee in this state shall be required to complete a minimum of six hours of continuing education”
legis.iowa.gov “A minimum of four of the six hours shall be in the prescribed practice discipline and a minimum of two of the six hours shall be in the content areas of Iowa barbering and cosmetology law and rules and sanitation.”
legis.iowa.gov “One Active License Related to Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences : Six (6) hours of continuing education.”
dial.iowa.gov “First Renewal Period after Receiving Initial License : Exempt from continuing education requirements.”
dial.iowa.gov “Board rules currently allow unlimited online continuing education hours.”
dial.iowa.gov “Those persons licensed for the first time shall not be required to complete continuing education as a prerequisite for the first renewal of their licenses.”
legis.iowa.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“Late fee for failure to renew before expiration is $60.”
legis.iowa.gov “To renew a late license, the licensee shall complete the renewal requirements and submit the late fee within the grace period.”
legis.iowa.gov “Late Fee to Renew during the Grace Period: $60”
dial.iowa.gov “means the 30-day period following expiration of a license when the license is still considered to be active.”
legis.iowa.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“means the 30-day period following expiration of a license when the license is still considered to be active.”
legis.iowa.gov “Late fee for failure to renew before expiration is $60.”
legis.iowa.gov “To renew a late license, the licensee shall complete the renewal requirements and submit the late fee within the grace period.”
legis.iowa.gov “A licensee whose license is inactive continues to hold the privilege of licensure in Iowa, but may not practice barbering and cosmetology arts and sciences in Iowa until the license is reactivated.”
legis.iowa.gov “Reactivation fee for applicants licensed to practice barbering and cosmetology arts and sciences is $120; for establishments, $144; and for schools, $330.”
legis.iowa.gov “If the license has been on inactive status for five years or less, an applicant must provide the following:”
legis.iowa.gov “Verification of completion of six hours of continuing education that meet the continuing education standards defined in rule 481 - 944.3 (157,272C) within two years of application for reactivation”
legis.iowa.gov “verification of active practice, consisting of a minimum of 2,080 hours, in another state or jurisdiction during the two years preceding an application for reactivation.”
legis.iowa.gov “If the license has been on inactive status for more than five years, an applicant must provide the following:”
legis.iowa.gov “Verification of completion of 12 hours of continuing education that meet the continuing education standards defined in rule 481 - 944.3 (157,272C) within two years of application for reactivation.”
legis.iowa.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“All licensees shall renew on a biennial basis.”
legis.iowa.gov “The biennial license renewal period for a license to practice cosmetology arts and sciences shall begin on April 1 of one year and end on March 31 two years later.”
legis.iowa.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“Biennial license renewal fee for each license for each biennium is $60.”
legis.iowa.gov “Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences Licenses: $60”
dial.iowa.gov - Esthetician: continuing education
“A licensee in this state shall be required to complete a minimum of six hours of continuing education”
legis.iowa.gov “A minimum of four of the six hours shall be in the prescribed practice discipline and a minimum of two of the six hours shall be in the content areas of Iowa barbering and cosmetology law and rules and sanitation.”
legis.iowa.gov “One Active License Related to Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences : Six (6) hours of continuing education.”
dial.iowa.gov “First Renewal Period after Receiving Initial License : Exempt from continuing education requirements.”
dial.iowa.gov “Board rules currently allow unlimited online continuing education hours.”
dial.iowa.gov “Those persons licensed for the first time shall not be required to complete continuing education as a prerequisite for the first renewal of their licenses.”
legis.iowa.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“Late fee for failure to renew before expiration is $60.”
legis.iowa.gov “To renew a late license, the licensee shall complete the renewal requirements and submit the late fee within the grace period.”
legis.iowa.gov “Late Fee to Renew during the Grace Period: $60”
dial.iowa.gov “means the 30-day period following expiration of a license when the license is still considered to be active.”
legis.iowa.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“means the 30-day period following expiration of a license when the license is still considered to be active.”
legis.iowa.gov “Late fee for failure to renew before expiration is $60.”
legis.iowa.gov “To renew a late license, the licensee shall complete the renewal requirements and submit the late fee within the grace period.”
legis.iowa.gov “A licensee whose license is inactive continues to hold the privilege of licensure in Iowa, but may not practice barbering and cosmetology arts and sciences in Iowa until the license is reactivated.”
legis.iowa.gov “Reactivation fee for applicants licensed to practice barbering and cosmetology arts and sciences is $120; for establishments, $144; and for schools, $330.”
legis.iowa.gov “If the license has been on inactive status for five years or less, an applicant must provide the following:”
legis.iowa.gov “Verification of completion of six hours of continuing education that meet the continuing education standards defined in rule 481 - 944.3 (157,272C) within two years of application for reactivation”
legis.iowa.gov “verification of active practice, consisting of a minimum of 2,080 hours, in another state or jurisdiction during the two years preceding an application for reactivation.”
legis.iowa.gov “If the license has been on inactive status for more than five years, an applicant must provide the following:”
legis.iowa.gov “Verification of completion of 12 hours of continuing education that meet the continuing education standards defined in rule 481 - 944.3 (157,272C) within two years of application for reactivation.”
legis.iowa.gov - Also good to know
“You may renew your license within the 60 days prior to the expiration date.”
dial.iowa.gov - Also good to know
“Licensees cannot practice in Iowa with an inactive license.”
dial.iowa.gov - Also good to know
“Those persons licensed for the first time shall not be required to complete continuing education as a prerequisite for the first renewal of their licenses.”
legis.iowa.gov
Questions
Iowa license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Iowa?
The Iowa Barbering and cosmetology license renews every 2 years for $60, through the Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences. When it expires: Licenses expire on March 31 at the end of each two-year renewal period, which begins April 1. Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Six hours of continuing education are required per two-year renewal period, including at least four hours in the prescribed practice discipline and at least two hours in Iowa barbering and cosmetology law and rules and sanitation; the first renewal is exempt and online hours are allowed without limit. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew an Iowa cosmetology license?
Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Six hours of continuing education are required per two-year renewal period, including at least four hours in the prescribed practice discipline and at least two hours in Iowa barbering and cosmetology law and rules and sanitation; the first renewal is exempt and online hours are allowed without limit.
What happens if my Iowa cosmetology license expires?
A $60 late fee applies to renewals completed during the 30-day grace period after expiration, in addition to the renewal requirements; the license becomes inactive once the grace period ends. After the 30-day grace period the license becomes inactive and cannot be practiced; to reactivate, the licensee pays a $120 fee and provides verification of the license, plus six hours of continuing education completed within two years or 2,080 hours of active practice if inactive five years or less, or 12 hours of continuing education completed within two years if inactive more than five years.
How do I renew my barber license in Iowa?
The Iowa Barbering and cosmetology license renews every 2 years for $60, through the Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences. When it expires: Licenses expire on March 31 at the end of each two-year renewal period, which begins April 1. Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Six hours of continuing education are required per two-year renewal period, including at least four hours in the prescribed practice discipline and at least two hours in Iowa barbering and cosmetology law and rules and sanitation; the first renewal is exempt and online hours are allowed without limit. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew an Iowa barber license?
Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Six hours of continuing education are required per two-year renewal period, including at least four hours in the prescribed practice discipline and at least two hours in Iowa barbering and cosmetology law and rules and sanitation; the first renewal is exempt and online hours are allowed without limit.
What happens if my Iowa barber license expires?
A $60 late fee applies to renewals completed during the 30-day grace period after expiration, in addition to the renewal requirements; the license becomes inactive once the grace period ends. After the 30-day grace period the license becomes inactive and cannot be practiced; to reactivate, the licensee pays a $120 fee and provides verification of the license, plus six hours of continuing education completed within two years or 2,080 hours of active practice if inactive five years or less, or 12 hours of continuing education completed within two years if inactive more than five years.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Iowa?
The Iowa Nail technologist license renews every 2 years for $60, through the Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences. When it expires: Licenses expire on March 31 at the end of each two-year renewal period, which begins April 1. Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Six hours of continuing education are required per two-year renewal period, including at least four hours in the prescribed practice discipline and at least two hours in Iowa barbering and cosmetology law and rules and sanitation; the first renewal is exempt and online hours are allowed without limit. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew an Iowa nail technician license?
Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Six hours of continuing education are required per two-year renewal period, including at least four hours in the prescribed practice discipline and at least two hours in Iowa barbering and cosmetology law and rules and sanitation; the first renewal is exempt and online hours are allowed without limit.
What happens if my Iowa nail technician license expires?
A $60 late fee applies to renewals completed during the 30-day grace period after expiration, in addition to the renewal requirements; the license becomes inactive once the grace period ends. After the 30-day grace period the license becomes inactive and cannot be practiced; to reactivate, the licensee pays a $120 fee and provides verification of the license, plus six hours of continuing education completed within two years or 2,080 hours of active practice if inactive five years or less, or 12 hours of continuing education completed within two years if inactive more than five years.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Iowa?
The Iowa Esthetician license renews every 2 years for $60, through the Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences. When it expires: Licenses expire on March 31 at the end of each two-year renewal period, which begins April 1. Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Six hours of continuing education are required per two-year renewal period, including at least four hours in the prescribed practice discipline and at least two hours in Iowa barbering and cosmetology law and rules and sanitation; the first renewal is exempt and online hours are allowed without limit. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew an Iowa esthetician license?
Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Six hours of continuing education are required per two-year renewal period, including at least four hours in the prescribed practice discipline and at least two hours in Iowa barbering and cosmetology law and rules and sanitation; the first renewal is exempt and online hours are allowed without limit.
What happens if my Iowa esthetician license expires?
A $60 late fee applies to renewals completed during the 30-day grace period after expiration, in addition to the renewal requirements; the license becomes inactive once the grace period ends. After the 30-day grace period the license becomes inactive and cannot be practiced; to reactivate, the licensee pays a $120 fee and provides verification of the license, plus six hours of continuing education completed within two years or 2,080 hours of active practice if inactive five years or less, or 12 hours of continuing education completed within two years if inactive more than five years.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Iowa: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Iowa
- Running your own salon in Iowa: the salon license
- What Iowa inspectors check in a salon
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