Nebraska license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Nebraska
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Nebraska: 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 Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 8 hours per renewal | Not stated | Every 2 years | Not stated |
| Barber | Not stated | $150 | Every 2 years | $60 |
| Nail technician | 8 hours per renewal | Not stated | Every 2 years | Not stated |
| Esthetician | 8 hours per renewal | Not stated | Every 2 years | Not stated |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
Its continuing education works out to 4 hours a year of license.
Cosmetologist
Nebraska cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn December 31 of even-numbered years.
- Renewal fee
- Not stated
- Continuing education
- 8 hours per renewalEight hours of continuing education are required per renewal period, and four of those hours must teach how to perform the skills or services of the profession. The free online jurisprudence exam counts for two hours.
- Late renewal
- Not stated
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA cosmetologist whose license has expired cannot practice until it is reissued or reinstated. Reinstatement requires eight hours of continuing education completed within the prior 24 months, plus a reinstatement application and the renewal and reinstatement fees. Practicing after expiration carries an administrative penalty of $10 per day up to $1,000.
Barber
Nebraska barber license renewal
Renewed through the Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn June 30 of even-numbered years.
- Renewal fee
- $150 ($75 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $60Renewing after the license has expired adds a $60.00 late fee, which is an additional fee on top of the renewal fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAn expired barber license can be renewed only with late or restoration fees. The restoration fee is $65.00 per year.
Nail technician
Nebraska nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn December 31 of odd-numbered years.
- Renewal fee
- Not stated
- Continuing education
- 8 hours per renewalEight hours of continuing education are required per renewal period, and at least four of those hours must relate to the nail technology scope of practice.
- Late renewal
- Not stated
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA nail technician whose license has expired cannot practice until it is reinstated. Reinstatement requires eight hours of continuing education completed within the prior 24 months, plus a reinstatement application and the renewal and reinstatement fees. Practicing after expiration carries an administrative penalty of $10 per day up to $1,000.
Esthetician
Nebraska esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn September 30 of even-numbered years.
- Renewal fee
- Not stated
- Continuing education
- 8 hours per renewalEight hours of continuing education are required per renewal period, and at least four of those hours must relate to the esthetic scope of practice.
- Late renewal
- Not stated
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAn esthetician whose license has expired cannot practice until it is reinstated. Reinstatement requires eight hours of continuing education completed within the prior 24 months, plus a reinstatement application and the renewal and reinstatement fees. Practicing after expiration carries an administrative penalty of $10 per day up to $1,000.
Good to know
What else Nebraska says about renewing
- Licensees can place a license on inactive status at no charge, online or by paper renewal form, before the license expires. An inactive license may not be used to practice.
- Practicing on an expired license carries an administrative penalty of $10 per day, up to $1,000.
- Active-duty military licensees do not pay the renewal fee or meet the continuing education requirement, but must submit a copy of their military orders.
Sources
What Nebraska's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services'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
“The credential to practice a profession shall be renewed biennially upon request of the credentialed person”
dhhs.ne.gov “NOTE: Licenses expire12-31 of even-numbered years”
dhhs.ne.gov - Cosmetologist: continuing education
“To renew, a licensee must have completed at least eight hours of continuing education; four hours must be learning how to perform the skills or services of your profession.”
dhhs.ne.gov “The exam counts for two hours of continuing education.”
dhhs.ne.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“To reinstate from either inactive or expired status, you must:”
dhhs.ne.gov “Meet the continuing education requirement - eight hours within the prior 24 months”
dhhs.ne.gov “You cannot practice until it is reissued or reinstated.”
dhhs.ne.gov “Licensees who practice after the expiration of their licenses will owe DHHS an administrative penalty of $10 per day up to $1,000.”
dhhs.ne.gov - Barber: renewal period
“Renewal 150.00 Two-year licensing fee.”
barbers.nebraska.gov “Nebraska Barber Licenses expire June 30th of each even numbered year.”
barbers.nebraska.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“Renewal 150.00 Two-year licensing fee.”
barbers.nebraska.gov - Barber: late renewal
“Late Fee 60.00 Restoration 65.00 Per year”
barbers.nebraska.gov “If renewing AFTER the license has expired, there will be an additional fee assessed.”
barbers.nebraska.gov - Barber: expired license
“There will be late or restoration fees incurred on expired licenses.”
barbers.nebraska.gov “Restoration 65.00 Per year”
barbers.nebraska.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“The credential to practice a profession shall be renewed biennially upon request of the credentialed person”
dhhs.ne.gov “NOTE: All Licenses expire12-31 of odd-numbered years”
dhhs.ne.gov - Nail technician: continuing education
“Meet the continuing education requirement (eight hours) earned within the prior 24 months”
dhhs.ne.gov “MANDATORY HOURS: All licensees must complete at least 4 hours of continuing education relating to the nail technology scope of practice; all 8 hours may be obtained through these mandatory hours.”
dhhs.ne.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“To reinstate from either inactive or expired status, you must:”
dhhs.ne.gov “Meet the continuing education requirement (eight hours) earned within the prior 24 months”
dhhs.ne.gov “Licensees who practice after the expiration of their licenses will owe DHHS an administrative penalty of $10 per day up to $1,000.”
dhhs.ne.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“The credential to practice a profession shall be renewed biennially upon request of the credentialed person”
dhhs.ne.gov “NOTE: Licenses expire 9-30 of even-numbered years”
dhhs.ne.gov - Esthetician: continuing education
“MANDATORY HOURS: All licensees must complete at least 4 hours of continuing education relating to the esthetic scope of practice; all 8 hours may be obtained through these mandatory hours.”
dhhs.ne.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“To reinstate from either inactive or expired status, you must:”
dhhs.ne.gov “Meet the continuing education requirement - eight hours within the prior 24 months”
dhhs.ne.gov “Licensees who practice after the expiration of their licenses will owe DHHS an administrative penalty of $10 per day up to $1,000.”
dhhs.ne.gov - Also good to know
“at no charge, either online or by paper renewal form, prior to the license expiration date.”
dhhs.ne.gov - Also good to know
“Licensees who practice after the expiration of their licenses will owe DHHS an administrative penalty of $10 per day up to $1,000.”
dhhs.ne.gov - Also good to know
“Submit a copy of your military orders to the DHHS Licensure Unit. There is no fee or continuing education requirement for military status.”
dhhs.ne.gov
Questions
Nebraska license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Nebraska?
The Nebraska Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years, through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. When it expires: On December 31 of even-numbered years. Continuing education (8 hours per renewal): Eight hours of continuing education are required per renewal period, and four of those hours must teach how to perform the skills or services of the profession. The free online jurisprudence exam counts for two hours. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Nebraska cosmetology license?
Continuing education (8 hours per renewal): Eight hours of continuing education are required per renewal period, and four of those hours must teach how to perform the skills or services of the profession. The free online jurisprudence exam counts for two hours.
What happens if my Nebraska cosmetology license expires?
A cosmetologist whose license has expired cannot practice until it is reissued or reinstated. Reinstatement requires eight hours of continuing education completed within the prior 24 months, plus a reinstatement application and the renewal and reinstatement fees. Practicing after expiration carries an administrative penalty of $10 per day up to $1,000.
How do I renew my barber license in Nebraska?
The Nebraska Barber license renews every 2 years for $150, through the Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners. When it expires: On June 30 of even-numbered years. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Nebraska Board of Barber Examiners before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Nebraska barber license expires?
Renewing after the license has expired adds a $60.00 late fee, which is an additional fee on top of the renewal fee. An expired barber license can be renewed only with late or restoration fees. The restoration fee is $65.00 per year.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Nebraska?
The Nebraska Nail Technician license renews every 2 years, through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. When it expires: On December 31 of odd-numbered years. Continuing education (8 hours per renewal): Eight hours of continuing education are required per renewal period, and at least four of those hours must relate to the nail technology scope of practice. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Nebraska nail technician license?
Continuing education (8 hours per renewal): Eight hours of continuing education are required per renewal period, and at least four of those hours must relate to the nail technology scope of practice.
What happens if my Nebraska nail technician license expires?
A nail technician whose license has expired cannot practice until it is reinstated. Reinstatement requires eight hours of continuing education completed within the prior 24 months, plus a reinstatement application and the renewal and reinstatement fees. Practicing after expiration carries an administrative penalty of $10 per day up to $1,000.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Nebraska?
The Nebraska Esthetician license renews every 2 years, through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. When it expires: On September 30 of even-numbered years. Continuing education (8 hours per renewal): Eight hours of continuing education are required per renewal period, and at least four of those hours must relate to the esthetic scope of practice. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Nebraska esthetician license?
Continuing education (8 hours per renewal): Eight hours of continuing education are required per renewal period, and at least four of those hours must relate to the esthetic scope of practice.
What happens if my Nebraska esthetician license expires?
An esthetician whose license has expired cannot practice until it is reinstated. Reinstatement requires eight hours of continuing education completed within the prior 24 months, plus a reinstatement application and the renewal and reinstatement fees. Practicing after expiration carries an administrative penalty of $10 per day up to $1,000.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Nebraska: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Nebraska
- Running your own salon in Nebraska: the salon license
- What Nebraska inspectors check in a salon
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