Massachusetts license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Massachusetts
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Massachusetts: 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 Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Not stated | $68 | Every 2 years | $57 |
| Barber | Not stated | $78 | Every 2 years | $57 |
| Nail technician | Not stated | $68 | Every 2 years | $57 |
| Esthetician | Not stated | $68 | Every 2 years | $57 |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
At $34 a year, renewing costs about the $32.50 a year typical across the states.
Cosmetologist
Massachusetts cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn the licensee's birthday, every two years.
- Renewal fee
- $68 ($34 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $57A $57 late renewal fee is added to the renewal fee when renewal is received after the expiration date; no grace period is stated.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed within three years after expiration can be renewed on application; after three years, the licensee must pass a practical examination to reinstate.
Barber
Massachusetts barber license renewal
Renewed through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn December 31 of odd-numbered years.
- Renewal fee
- $78 ($39 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $57A $57 late renewal fee is added to the renewal fee when renewal is received after the expiration date; no grace period is stated.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed within three years after expiration can be renewed on application; after three years, the licensee must pass a practical examination to reinstate.
Nail technician (Manicurist)
Massachusetts nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn the licensee's birthday, every two years.
- Renewal fee
- $68 ($34 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $57A $57 late renewal fee is added to the renewal fee when renewal is received after the expiration date; no grace period is stated.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed within three years after expiration can be renewed on application; after three years, the licensee must pass a practical examination to reinstate.
Esthetician (Aesthetician)
Massachusetts esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn the licensee's birthday, every two years.
- Renewal fee
- $68 ($34 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $57A $57 late renewal fee is added to the renewal fee when renewal is received after the expiration date; no grace period is stated.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed within three years after expiration can be renewed on application; after three years, the licensee must pass a practical examination to reinstate.
Good to know
What else Massachusetts says about renewing
- Renewals must be submitted online through the eLIPSE platform, and payment is made there.
- A licensee may not practice the licensed occupation until the renewal fee is paid and a renewed license is issued.
- Renewal applications require a notarized CORI Authorization Form.
Sources
What Massachusetts's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering'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
“Cosmetologist $68 Birthday Every 2 years”
mass.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“Cosmetologist $68 Birthday Every 2 years”
mass.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“Late Renewal Fee $57 per license renewal (Fee is in addition to renewal fee if renewal is received beyond license expiration date).”
mass.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“Any licensee whose license has not been renewed within 3 years following the date of expiration of that license shall be entitled to renewal of such license upon filing an application”
malegislature.gov “A barber, cosmetology, or electrology license that has been expired for more than three years may be reinstated only after the licensee passes a written practical examination.”
mass.gov - Barber: renewal period
“Barber $78 Dec. 31, odd year Every 2 years”
mass.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“Barber $78 Dec. 31, odd year Every 2 years”
mass.gov - Barber: late renewal
“Late Renewal Fee $57 per license renewal (Fee is in addition to renewal fee if renewal is received beyond license expiration date).”
mass.gov - Barber: expired license
“Any licensee whose license has not been renewed within 3 years following the date of expiration of that license shall be entitled to renewal of such license upon filing an application”
malegislature.gov “A barber, cosmetology, or electrology license that has been expired for more than three years may be reinstated only after the licensee passes a written practical examination.”
mass.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“Manicurist $68 Birthday Every 2 years”
mass.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“Manicurist $68 Birthday Every 2 years”
mass.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“Late Renewal Fee $57 per license renewal (Fee is in addition to renewal fee if renewal is received beyond license expiration date).”
mass.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“Any licensee whose license has not been renewed within 3 years following the date of expiration of that license shall be entitled to renewal of such license upon filing an application”
malegislature.gov “A barber, cosmetology, or electrology license that has been expired for more than three years may be reinstated only after the licensee passes a written practical examination.”
mass.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“Aesthetician $68 Birthday Every 2 years”
mass.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“Aesthetician $68 Birthday Every 2 years”
mass.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“Late Renewal Fee $57 per license renewal (Fee is in addition to renewal fee if renewal is received beyond license expiration date).”
mass.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“Any licensee whose license has not been renewed within 3 years following the date of expiration of that license shall be entitled to renewal of such license upon filing an application”
malegislature.gov “A barber, cosmetology, or electrology license that has been expired for more than three years may be reinstated only after the licensee passes a written practical examination.”
mass.gov - Also good to know
“Applications, renewals, and reinstatements must be submitted online through the”
mass.gov - Also good to know
“No person licensed under said sections shall engage in the occupation covered by such license until the prescribed renewal fee shall have been paid and renewed license issued.”
malegislature.gov - Also good to know
“all new and renewal applications are being standardized across all license types, including the requirement to submit a notarized”
mass.gov
Questions
Massachusetts license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years for $68, through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering. When it expires: On the licensee's birthday, every two years. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering 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 Massachusetts cosmetology license?
The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering before your renewal date.
What happens if my Massachusetts cosmetology license expires?
A $57 late renewal fee is added to the renewal fee when renewal is received after the expiration date; no grace period is stated. A license not renewed within three years after expiration can be renewed on application; after three years, the licensee must pass a practical examination to reinstate.
How do I renew my barber license in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Barber license renews every 2 years for $78, through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering. When it expires: On December 31 of odd-numbered years. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Massachusetts barber license expires?
A $57 late renewal fee is added to the renewal fee when renewal is received after the expiration date; no grace period is stated. A license not renewed within three years after expiration can be renewed on application; after three years, the licensee must pass a practical examination to reinstate.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Manicurist license renews every 2 years for $68, through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering. When it expires: On the licensee's birthday, every two years. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Massachusetts nail technician license expires?
A $57 late renewal fee is added to the renewal fee when renewal is received after the expiration date; no grace period is stated. A license not renewed within three years after expiration can be renewed on application; after three years, the licensee must pass a practical examination to reinstate.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Aesthetician license renews every 2 years for $68, through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering. When it expires: On the licensee's birthday, every two years. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Massachusetts esthetician license expires?
A $57 late renewal fee is added to the renewal fee when renewal is received after the expiration date; no grace period is stated. A license not renewed within three years after expiration can be renewed on application; after three years, the licensee must pass a practical examination to reinstate.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Massachusetts: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Massachusetts
- Running your own salon in Massachusetts: the salon license
- What Massachusetts inspectors check in a salon
License renewal in other states
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