Kentucky license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Kentucky
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Kentucky: 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 Kentucky Board of Cosmetology'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 | $50 | Every year | $25 |
| 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 The board's own words
At $50 a year, renewing costs more than the $32.50 a year typical across the states.
Cosmetologist
Kentucky cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn July 31 of each even-numbered year, regardless of when the license was issued.
- Renewal fee
- $100 ($50 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology before you renew.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleRestoration fees apply to a license that is not renewed by its expiration date, which is July 31 of each even-numbered year.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed by its expiration date must be restored, at fifty dollars for each year it has been expired and no more than $300 in total; a license expired over 5 years can no longer be renewed and requires examinations and a new license.
Barber
Kentucky barber license renewal
Renewed through the Kentucky Board of Barbering.
- When it expires
- Every yearOn July 1 of each year.
- Renewal fee
- $50
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Kentucky Board of Barbering before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $25A $25 late fee applies if the renewal is not postmarked by July 1, and a license expired five years or less also requires the lapse fee under KRS 317.410(9).
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license expired five years or less is renewed with the renewal fee, the lapse fee and the late fee; after more than five years the barber must pass both the practical and written examinations.
Nail technician
Kentucky nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn July 31 of each even-numbered year, regardless of when the license was issued.
- Renewal fee
- $100 ($50 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology before you renew.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleRestoration fees apply to a license that is not renewed by its expiration date, which is July 31 of each even-numbered year.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed by its expiration date must be restored, at fifty dollars for each year it has been expired and no more than $300 in total; a license expired over 5 years can no longer be renewed and requires examinations and a new license.
Esthetician
Kentucky esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn July 31 of each even-numbered year, regardless of when the license was issued.
- Renewal fee
- $100 ($50 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology before you renew.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleRestoration fees apply to a license that is not renewed by its expiration date, which is July 31 of each even-numbered year.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed by its expiration date must be restored, at fifty dollars for each year it has been expired and no more than $300 in total; a license expired over 5 years can no longer be renewed and requires examinations and a new license.
Good to know
What else Kentucky says about renewing
- Cosmetology, nail technician and esthetician licenses renew every two years, during July of each even-numbered year.
- A cosmetology license expired more than five years cannot be renewed and requires examinations and a new license.
- Barbers should call the Board of Barbering to confirm reinstatement fees for licenses that expired before July 2026.
Sources
What Kentucky's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the Kentucky Board of 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
“Please note that license renewals will now occur biennially (every even-numbered year) during the renewal period of July 1 through July 31.”
kbc.ky.gov “Your renewal will cover a two-year licensing period”
kbc.ky.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“Cosmetologist - $100;”
apps.legislature.ky.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“Each license shall expire on July 31 of each even numbered year, regardless of the date when the license was issued.”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Restoration fees will be assessed if not renewed by the above expiration date.”
kbc.ky.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“To restore an expired license, a Restoration Application shall be submitted to the board with payment of the restoration fee as established in 201 KAR 12:260 for each year the license has been expired”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “for each year the license has been expired, the total of which shall not exceed $300 per license restored”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Individual license restoration fee - fifty (50) dollars;”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Licenses expired over 5 years are no longer eligible to renew. Examinations and purchase of a new license will be required”
kbc.ky.gov - Barber: renewal period
“Every license that can be renewed by the Board of Barbering expires on July 1st each year.”
barbering.ky.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“The cost to renew each license is $50.”
barbering.ky.gov - Barber: late renewal
“All applications must be completely filled out and postmarked by July 1st to avoid a $25 late fee.”
barbering.ky.gov “The fee for renewal of a license that has been expired for five (5) years or less shall be the lapse fee defined in KRS 317.410(9) in addition to the late fee set forth below:”
apps.legislature.ky.gov - Barber: expired license
“The fee for renewal of a license that has been expired for five (5) years or less shall be the lapse fee defined in KRS 317.410(9) in addition to the late fee set forth below:”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “If a license has been expired for more than five (5) years, an applicant for relicensure shall meet the requirements established in this section.”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “A barber shall pass both the practical and written examination.”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Any license not successfully renewed has expired and must be reinstated.”
barbering.ky.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“Please note that license renewals will now occur biennially (every even-numbered year) during the renewal period of July 1 through July 31.”
kbc.ky.gov “Your renewal will cover a two-year licensing period”
kbc.ky.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“Nail technician - $100;”
apps.legislature.ky.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“Each license shall expire on July 31 of each even numbered year, regardless of the date when the license was issued.”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Restoration fees will be assessed if not renewed by the above expiration date.”
kbc.ky.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“To restore an expired license, a Restoration Application shall be submitted to the board with payment of the restoration fee as established in 201 KAR 12:260 for each year the license has been expired”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “for each year the license has been expired, the total of which shall not exceed $300 per license restored”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Individual license restoration fee - fifty (50) dollars;”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Licenses expired over 5 years are no longer eligible to renew. Examinations and purchase of a new license will be required”
kbc.ky.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“Please note that license renewals will now occur biennially (every even-numbered year) during the renewal period of July 1 through July 31.”
kbc.ky.gov “Your renewal will cover a two-year licensing period”
kbc.ky.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“Esthetician - $100;”
apps.legislature.ky.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“Each license shall expire on July 31 of each even numbered year, regardless of the date when the license was issued.”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Restoration fees will be assessed if not renewed by the above expiration date.”
kbc.ky.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“To restore an expired license, a Restoration Application shall be submitted to the board with payment of the restoration fee as established in 201 KAR 12:260 for each year the license has been expired”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “for each year the license has been expired, the total of which shall not exceed $300 per license restored”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Individual license restoration fee - fifty (50) dollars;”
apps.legislature.ky.gov “Licenses expired over 5 years are no longer eligible to renew. Examinations and purchase of a new license will be required”
kbc.ky.gov - Also good to know
“Please note that license renewals will now occur biennially (every even-numbered year) during the renewal period of July 1 through July 31.”
kbc.ky.gov - Also good to know
“Licenses expired over 5 years are no longer eligible to renew. Examinations and purchase of a new license will be required”
kbc.ky.gov - Also good to know
“Please call 502-429-7148 to confirm fees to reinstate licenses that expired prior to July 2026.”
barbering.ky.gov
Questions
Kentucky license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Kentucky?
The Kentucky Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years for $100, through the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology. When it expires: On July 31 of each even-numbered year, regardless of when the license was issued. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology 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 Kentucky cosmetology license?
The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology before your renewal date.
What happens if my Kentucky cosmetology license expires?
Restoration fees apply to a license that is not renewed by its expiration date, which is July 31 of each even-numbered year. A license not renewed by its expiration date must be restored, at fifty dollars for each year it has been expired and no more than $300 in total; a license expired over 5 years can no longer be renewed and requires examinations and a new license.
How do I renew my barber license in Kentucky?
The Kentucky Barber license renews every year for $50, through the Kentucky Board of Barbering. When it expires: On July 1 of each year. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Kentucky Board of Barbering before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Kentucky barber license expires?
A $25 late fee applies if the renewal is not postmarked by July 1, and a license expired five years or less also requires the lapse fee under KRS 317.410(9). A license expired five years or less is renewed with the renewal fee, the lapse fee and the late fee; after more than five years the barber must pass both the practical and written examinations.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Kentucky?
The Kentucky Nail Technician license renews every 2 years for $100, through the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology. When it expires: On July 31 of each even-numbered year, regardless of when the license was issued. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Kentucky nail technician license expires?
Restoration fees apply to a license that is not renewed by its expiration date, which is July 31 of each even-numbered year. A license not renewed by its expiration date must be restored, at fifty dollars for each year it has been expired and no more than $300 in total; a license expired over 5 years can no longer be renewed and requires examinations and a new license.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Kentucky?
The Kentucky Esthetician license renews every 2 years for $100, through the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology. When it expires: On July 31 of each even-numbered year, regardless of when the license was issued. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Kentucky esthetician license expires?
Restoration fees apply to a license that is not renewed by its expiration date, which is July 31 of each even-numbered year. A license not renewed by its expiration date must be restored, at fifty dollars for each year it has been expired and no more than $300 in total; a license expired over 5 years can no longer be renewed and requires examinations and a new license.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Kentucky: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Kentucky
- Running your own salon in Kentucky: the salon license
- What Kentucky inspectors check in a salon
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