Michigan license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Michigan
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Michigan: 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 LARA's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Not stated | $48 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
| Barber | Not stated | $60 | Every 2 years | $20 |
| Nail technician | Not stated | $48 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
| Esthetician | Not stated | $48 | Every 2 years | $20 |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
At $24 a year, renewing costs less than the $32.50 a year typical across the states.
Cosmetologist
Michigan cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
- When it expires
- Every 2 years
- Renewal fee
- $48 ($24 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask LARA before you renew.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleRenewal within 60 days after the expiration date requires the license fee plus a late renewal fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleThe license lapses the day after expiration, can be renewed within 60 days after expiration by paying the license fee and a late renewal fee, can be relicensed within 3 years after expiration, and after 3 or more years must meet department requirements, which may include passing all or part of an examination.
Barber
Michigan barber license renewal
Renewed through the Board of Barber Examiners.
- When it expires
- Every 2 years
- Renewal fee
- $60 ($30 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Board of Barber Examiners before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $20Renewing within the 60-day grace period after expiration, without going through relicensure, carries an additional $20.00 late fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleThe license lapses the day after expiration, can be renewed within 60 days after expiration with a late fee, can be relicensed within 3 years after expiration, and after more than 3 years the applicant must meet listed requirements, such as an active barber license in good standing in another state.
Nail technician (Manicurist)
Michigan nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
- When it expires
- Every 2 years
- Renewal fee
- $48 ($24 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask LARA before you renew.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleRenewal within 60 days after the expiration date requires the license fee plus a late renewal fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleThe license lapses the day after expiration, can be renewed within 60 days after expiration by paying the license fee and a late renewal fee, can be relicensed within 3 years after expiration, and after 3 or more years must meet department requirements, which may include passing all or part of an examination.
Esthetician
Michigan esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
- When it expires
- Every 2 years
- Renewal fee
- $48 ($24 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask LARA before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $20Renewing within the 60-day grace period after expiration carries an additional $20.00 late fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleThe license lapses the day after expiration, can be renewed within 60 days after expiration with a late fee, can be relicensed within 3 years after expiration, and after more than 3 years the applicant must pass the examinations within the prior year or meet another listed requirement.
Good to know
What else Michigan says about renewing
- A licensee mobilized for military duty may be temporarily exempt from renewal fees and continuing education requirements.
- A person whose license is not renewed by its expiration date may not practice the occupation or use its title after the date printed on the license.
- Cosmetology licenses are renewed online through MiPLUS.
Sources
What Michigan's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of LARA'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
“Renewal Cycle 2 years”
michigan.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“Renewal Application Fee: $48.00”
michigan.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“A person that fails to renew a license or registration on or before the expiration date is permitted to renew the license or registration by payment of the required license or registration fee and a late renewal fee within 60 days after the expiration date.”
legislature.mi.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“A license or registration shall lapse on the day after the expiration date.”
legislature.mi.gov “The person applies within 3 years after the expiration date of the last license or registration.”
legislature.mi.gov “which may require a person to pass all or part of a required examination”
legislature.mi.gov - Barber: renewal period
“Renewal Cycle: 2 years”
michigan.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“Barber Renewal Application Fee: $60.00”
michigan.gov - Barber: late renewal
“through the relicensure process. However, if you renew during the 60-day grace period, there is”
michigan.gov “an additional $20.00 late fee when you renew your license.”
michigan.gov - Barber: expired license
“are permitted to renew the license within the 60-day grace period after your expiration date.”
michigan.gov “Establish that you have an active barber license in good standing in another state, jurisdiction, or country”
michigan.gov “A license or registration shall lapse on the day after the expiration date.”
legislature.mi.gov “The person applies within 3 years after the expiration date of the last license or registration.”
legislature.mi.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“Renewal Cycle 2 years”
michigan.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“Renewal Application Fee: $48.00”
michigan.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“A person that fails to renew a license or registration on or before the expiration date is permitted to renew the license or registration by payment of the required license or registration fee and a late renewal fee within 60 days after the expiration date.”
legislature.mi.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“A license or registration shall lapse on the day after the expiration date.”
legislature.mi.gov “The person applies within 3 years after the expiration date of the last license or registration.”
legislature.mi.gov “which may require a person to pass all or part of a required examination”
legislature.mi.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“Renewal Cycle: 2 years”
michigan.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“Esthetician Renewal Application Fee: $48.00”
michigan.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“However, if you renew during the 60-day grace period, there is an additional $20.00”
michigan.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“Pass the examinations required for licensure within a 1-year period immediately preceding the date of the”
michigan.gov “Establish that you have held an active esthetician license in good standing in another state within the 3”
michigan.gov “A license or registration shall lapse on the day after the expiration date.”
legislature.mi.gov “The person applies within 3 years after the expiration date of the last license or registration.”
legislature.mi.gov - Also good to know
“is temporarily exempt from any renewal license fee, continuing education requirements, or other related requirements of this act applicable to that license or registration.”
legislature.mi.gov - Also good to know
“shall not practice the occupation, operate, or use the title of that occupation after the expiration date printed on the license or registration.”
legislature.mi.gov - Also good to know
“Online Application for Cosmetology Renewal - Can be completed by visiting www.michigan.gov/miplus”
michigan.gov
Questions
Michigan license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Michigan?
The Michigan Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years for $48, through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask LARA 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 Michigan cosmetology license?
The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask LARA before your renewal date.
What happens if my Michigan cosmetology license expires?
The license lapses the day after expiration, can be renewed within 60 days after expiration by paying the license fee and a late renewal fee, can be relicensed within 3 years after expiration, and after 3 or more years must meet department requirements, which may include passing all or part of an examination.
How do I renew my barber license in Michigan?
The Michigan Barber license renews every 2 years for $60, through the Board of Barber Examiners. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Board of Barber Examiners before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Michigan barber license expires?
Renewing within the 60-day grace period after expiration, without going through relicensure, carries an additional $20.00 late fee. The license lapses the day after expiration, can be renewed within 60 days after expiration with a late fee, can be relicensed within 3 years after expiration, and after more than 3 years the applicant must meet listed requirements, such as an active barber license in good standing in another state.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Michigan?
The Michigan Manicurist license renews every 2 years for $48, through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask LARA before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Michigan nail technician license expires?
The license lapses the day after expiration, can be renewed within 60 days after expiration by paying the license fee and a late renewal fee, can be relicensed within 3 years after expiration, and after 3 or more years must meet department requirements, which may include passing all or part of an examination.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Michigan?
The Michigan Esthetician license renews every 2 years for $48, through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask LARA before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Michigan esthetician license expires?
Renewing within the 60-day grace period after expiration carries an additional $20.00 late fee. The license lapses the day after expiration, can be renewed within 60 days after expiration with a late fee, can be relicensed within 3 years after expiration, and after more than 3 years the applicant must pass the examinations within the prior year or meet another listed requirement.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Michigan: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Michigan
- Running your own salon in Michigan: the salon license
- What Michigan inspectors check in a salon
License renewal in other states
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