Montana license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Montana
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Montana: 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 Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | None required | $100 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
| Barber | None required | $100 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
| Nail technician | None required | $100 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
| Esthetician | None required | $100 | Every 2 years | See the rule |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
At $50 a year, renewing costs more than the $32.50 a year typical across the states; it is one of 7 states whose board says no continuing education is required.
Cosmetologist
Montana cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsEvery two years, renewal must be completed by March 1, when the January 1 to March 1 renewal period ends.
- Renewal fee
- $100 ($50 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew a cosmetologist license.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleA late fee equal to 100 percent of the renewal fee is assessed if the renewal is not completed or postmarked by March 1, and a license not renewed by then may be reactivated as a lapsed license within 45 days after the renewal date.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license that has expired may be reactivated within 2 years after the renewal date by submitting the renewal form and paying the late penalty fee and the current renewal fee, and a license not renewed within 2 years terminates so a new original license must be obtained.
Barber
Montana barber license renewal
Renewed through the Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsEvery two years, renewal must be completed by March 1, when the January 1 to March 1 renewal period ends.
- Renewal fee
- $100 ($50 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew a barber license.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleA late fee equal to 100 percent of the renewal fee is assessed if the renewal is not completed or postmarked by March 1, and a license not renewed by then may be reactivated as a lapsed license within 45 days after the renewal date.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license that has expired may be reactivated within 2 years after the renewal date by submitting the renewal form and paying the late penalty fee and the current renewal fee, and a license not renewed within 2 years terminates so a new original license must be obtained.
Nail technician (Manicurist)
Montana nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsEvery two years, renewal must be completed by March 1, when the January 1 to March 1 renewal period ends.
- Renewal fee
- $100 ($50 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew a manicurist license.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleA late fee equal to 100 percent of the renewal fee is assessed if the renewal is not completed or postmarked by March 1, and a license not renewed by then may be reactivated as a lapsed license within 45 days after the renewal date.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license that has expired may be reactivated within 2 years after the renewal date by submitting the renewal form and paying the late penalty fee and the current renewal fee, and a license not renewed within 2 years terminates so a new original license must be obtained.
Esthetician
Montana esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsEvery two years, renewal must be completed by March 1, when the January 1 to March 1 renewal period ends.
- Renewal fee
- $100 ($50 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew an esthetician license.
- Late renewal
- See the ruleA late fee equal to 100 percent of the renewal fee is assessed if the renewal is not completed or postmarked by March 1, and a license not renewed by then may be reactivated as a lapsed license within 45 days after the renewal date.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license that has expired may be reactivated within 2 years after the renewal date by submitting the renewal form and paying the late penalty fee and the current renewal fee, and a license not renewed within 2 years terminates so a new original license must be obtained.
Good to know
What else Montana says about renewing
- Licensees renew online during the renewal period by logging into their existing license account.
- A licensee who practices after a license has expired is considered to be practicing without a license.
- A licensee may reactivate a lapsed license within 45 days after the renewal date.
Sources
What Montana's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists'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
“Barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, manicurists, estheticians, and teachers renew every two years. Renewal opens on January 1 and ends on March 1.”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“Original and renewal license to practice barbering, barbering nonchemical, cosmetology, electrology, esthetics, and manicuring $100.”
rules.mt.gov “Final Rulemaking Action - Effective November 22, 2025”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov - Cosmetologist: continuing education
“CE is not required for barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, estheticians, or manicurists.”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“A late fee(100% of renewal fee) will be assessed if the renewal is not complete or postmarked on or before March 1.”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov “A licensee may reactivate a lapsed license within 45 days after the renewal date by following the process in subsection (5) and complying with all certification and educational requirements.”
mca.legmt.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“A licensee may reactivate an expired license within 2 years after the renewal date by following the process in subsection (5)”
mca.legmt.gov “(b) pay the late penalty fee provided for in subsection (7); and”
mca.legmt.gov “(c) pay the current renewal fee as prescribed by the department or the board.”
mca.legmt.gov “Unless otherwise provided by statute or rule, an occupational or professional license that is not renewed within 2 years of the most recent renewal date automatically terminates.”
mca.legmt.gov “The terminated license may not be reactivated, and a new original license must be obtained.”
mca.legmt.gov - Barber: renewal period
“Barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, manicurists, estheticians, and teachers renew every two years. Renewal opens on January 1 and ends on March 1.”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“Original and renewal license to practice barbering, barbering nonchemical, cosmetology, electrology, esthetics, and manicuring $100.”
rules.mt.gov “Final Rulemaking Action - Effective November 22, 2025”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov - Barber: continuing education
“CE is not required for barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, estheticians, or manicurists.”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov - Barber: late renewal
“A late fee(100% of renewal fee) will be assessed if the renewal is not complete or postmarked on or before March 1.”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov “A licensee may reactivate a lapsed license within 45 days after the renewal date by following the process in subsection (5) and complying with all certification and educational requirements.”
mca.legmt.gov - Barber: expired license
“A licensee may reactivate an expired license within 2 years after the renewal date by following the process in subsection (5)”
mca.legmt.gov “(b) pay the late penalty fee provided for in subsection (7); and”
mca.legmt.gov “(c) pay the current renewal fee as prescribed by the department or the board.”
mca.legmt.gov “Unless otherwise provided by statute or rule, an occupational or professional license that is not renewed within 2 years of the most recent renewal date automatically terminates.”
mca.legmt.gov “The terminated license may not be reactivated, and a new original license must be obtained.”
mca.legmt.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“Barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, manicurists, estheticians, and teachers renew every two years. Renewal opens on January 1 and ends on March 1.”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“Original and renewal license to practice barbering, barbering nonchemical, cosmetology, electrology, esthetics, and manicuring $100.”
rules.mt.gov “Final Rulemaking Action - Effective November 22, 2025”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov - Nail technician: continuing education
“CE is not required for barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, estheticians, or manicurists.”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“A late fee(100% of renewal fee) will be assessed if the renewal is not complete or postmarked on or before March 1.”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov “A licensee may reactivate a lapsed license within 45 days after the renewal date by following the process in subsection (5) and complying with all certification and educational requirements.”
mca.legmt.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“A licensee may reactivate an expired license within 2 years after the renewal date by following the process in subsection (5)”
mca.legmt.gov “(b) pay the late penalty fee provided for in subsection (7); and”
mca.legmt.gov “(c) pay the current renewal fee as prescribed by the department or the board.”
mca.legmt.gov “Unless otherwise provided by statute or rule, an occupational or professional license that is not renewed within 2 years of the most recent renewal date automatically terminates.”
mca.legmt.gov “The terminated license may not be reactivated, and a new original license must be obtained.”
mca.legmt.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“Barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, manicurists, estheticians, and teachers renew every two years. Renewal opens on January 1 and ends on March 1.”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“Original and renewal license to practice barbering, barbering nonchemical, cosmetology, electrology, esthetics, and manicuring $100.”
rules.mt.gov “Final Rulemaking Action - Effective November 22, 2025”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov - Esthetician: continuing education
“CE is not required for barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, estheticians, or manicurists.”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“A late fee(100% of renewal fee) will be assessed if the renewal is not complete or postmarked on or before March 1.”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov “A licensee may reactivate a lapsed license within 45 days after the renewal date by following the process in subsection (5) and complying with all certification and educational requirements.”
mca.legmt.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“A licensee may reactivate an expired license within 2 years after the renewal date by following the process in subsection (5)”
mca.legmt.gov “(b) pay the late penalty fee provided for in subsection (7); and”
mca.legmt.gov “(c) pay the current renewal fee as prescribed by the department or the board.”
mca.legmt.gov “Unless otherwise provided by statute or rule, an occupational or professional license that is not renewed within 2 years of the most recent renewal date automatically terminates.”
mca.legmt.gov “The terminated license may not be reactivated, and a new original license must be obtained.”
mca.legmt.gov - Also good to know
“Renew your license online during the renewal period by logging into your existing license account .”
boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov - Also good to know
“(b) A licensee who practices after a license has expired is considered to be practicing without a license.”
mca.legmt.gov - Also good to know
“A licensee may reactivate a lapsed license within 45 days after the renewal date by following the process in subsection (5) and complying with all certification and educational requirements.”
mca.legmt.gov
Questions
Montana license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Montana?
The Montana Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years for $100, through the Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. When it expires: Every two years, renewal must be completed by March 1, when the January 1 to March 1 renewal period ends. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew a cosmetologist license. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Montana cosmetology license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew a cosmetologist license.
What happens if my Montana cosmetology license expires?
A late fee equal to 100 percent of the renewal fee is assessed if the renewal is not completed or postmarked by March 1, and a license not renewed by then may be reactivated as a lapsed license within 45 days after the renewal date. A license that has expired may be reactivated within 2 years after the renewal date by submitting the renewal form and paying the late penalty fee and the current renewal fee, and a license not renewed within 2 years terminates so a new original license must be obtained.
How do I renew my barber license in Montana?
The Montana Barber license renews every 2 years for $100, through the Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. When it expires: Every two years, renewal must be completed by March 1, when the January 1 to March 1 renewal period ends. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew a barber license. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Montana barber license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew a barber license.
What happens if my Montana barber license expires?
A late fee equal to 100 percent of the renewal fee is assessed if the renewal is not completed or postmarked by March 1, and a license not renewed by then may be reactivated as a lapsed license within 45 days after the renewal date. A license that has expired may be reactivated within 2 years after the renewal date by submitting the renewal form and paying the late penalty fee and the current renewal fee, and a license not renewed within 2 years terminates so a new original license must be obtained.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Montana?
The Montana Manicurist license renews every 2 years for $100, through the Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. When it expires: Every two years, renewal must be completed by March 1, when the January 1 to March 1 renewal period ends. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew a manicurist license. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Montana nail technician license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew a manicurist license.
What happens if my Montana nail technician license expires?
A late fee equal to 100 percent of the renewal fee is assessed if the renewal is not completed or postmarked by March 1, and a license not renewed by then may be reactivated as a lapsed license within 45 days after the renewal date. A license that has expired may be reactivated within 2 years after the renewal date by submitting the renewal form and paying the late penalty fee and the current renewal fee, and a license not renewed within 2 years terminates so a new original license must be obtained.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Montana?
The Montana Esthetician license renews every 2 years for $100, through the Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. When it expires: Every two years, renewal must be completed by March 1, when the January 1 to March 1 renewal period ends. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew an esthetician license. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Montana esthetician license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew an esthetician license.
What happens if my Montana esthetician license expires?
A late fee equal to 100 percent of the renewal fee is assessed if the renewal is not completed or postmarked by March 1, and a license not renewed by then may be reactivated as a lapsed license within 45 days after the renewal date. A license that has expired may be reactivated within 2 years after the renewal date by submitting the renewal form and paying the late penalty fee and the current renewal fee, and a license not renewed within 2 years terminates so a new original license must be obtained.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Montana: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Montana
- Running your own salon in Montana: the salon license
- What Montana inspectors check in a salon
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