Ohio license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Ohio
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Ohio: 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 Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 4 hours per renewal | $65 | Every 2 years | $45 |
| Barber | 4 hours per renewal | $65 | Every 2 years | $45 |
| Nail technician | 4 hours per renewal | $65 | Every 2 years | $45 |
| Esthetician | 4 hours per renewal | $65 | Every 2 years | $45 |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
At $32.50 a year, renewing costs about the $32.50 a year typical across the states; its continuing education works out to 2 hours a year of license.
Cosmetologist
Ohio cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsValid until the last day of January of the odd-numbered year following its issuance or renewal.
- Renewal fee
- $65 ($32.50 a year)
- Continuing education
- 4 hours per renewalFour hours per biennial renewal, completed by January 15 of odd-numbered years: one hour on updates to Ohio laws or rules and three hours on safety and infection control, from board-approved providers; the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt, as are licensees age 65 or older or licensed 30 or more years.
- Late renewal
- $45A license not renewed by its expiration date is expired and no grace period is stated; restoring it adds a lapsed renewal fee of $45 for each elapsed renewal period, up to three periods, on top of the current renewal fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAn expired practicing license can be restored by paying the current renewal fee plus a lapsed fee of $45 for each elapsed renewal period, up to three periods, and by completing the renewal continuing education.
Barber
Ohio barber license renewal
Renewed through the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsExpires on August 31 of each even-numbered year; renewal is due by September 1.
- Renewal fee
- $65 ($32.50 a year)
- Continuing education
- 4 hours per renewalFour hours per biennial renewal, completed by August 15 of even-numbered years: one hour on updates to Ohio laws or rules and three hours on safety and infection control, from board-approved providers; the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt, as are licensees age 65 or older or licensed 30 or more years.
- Late renewal
- $45A license not renewed by August 31 of the even-numbered year is expired; restoring it adds a lapsed renewal fee of $45 for each year since the license was last renewed, with the total capped at $690.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAn expired barber license can be restored by paying the current renewal fee plus a lapsed fee of $45 for each year since it was last renewed, capped at a total of $690, and by completing the renewal continuing education.
Nail technician (Manicurist)
Ohio nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsValid until the last day of January of the odd-numbered year following its issuance or renewal.
- Renewal fee
- $65 ($32.50 a year)
- Continuing education
- 4 hours per renewalFour hours per biennial renewal, completed by January 15 of odd-numbered years: one hour on updates to Ohio laws or rules and three hours on safety and infection control, from board-approved providers; the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt, as are licensees age 65 or older or licensed 30 or more years.
- Late renewal
- $45A license not renewed by its expiration date is expired and no grace period is stated; restoring it adds a lapsed renewal fee of $45 for each elapsed renewal period, up to three periods, on top of the current renewal fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAn expired practicing license can be restored by paying the current renewal fee plus a lapsed fee of $45 for each elapsed renewal period, up to three periods, and by completing the renewal continuing education.
Esthetician
Ohio esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsValid until the last day of January of the odd-numbered year following its issuance or renewal.
- Renewal fee
- $65 ($32.50 a year)
- Continuing education
- 4 hours per renewalFour hours per biennial renewal, completed by January 15 of odd-numbered years: one hour on updates to Ohio laws or rules and three hours on safety and infection control, from board-approved providers; the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt, as are licensees age 65 or older or licensed 30 or more years.
- Late renewal
- $45A license not renewed by its expiration date is expired and no grace period is stated; restoring it adds a lapsed renewal fee of $45 for each elapsed renewal period, up to three periods, on top of the current renewal fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleAn expired practicing license can be restored by paying the current renewal fee plus a lapsed fee of $45 for each elapsed renewal period, up to three periods, and by completing the renewal continuing education.
Good to know
What else Ohio says about renewing
- Renewal is a two-step process: complete the required CE hours unless exempt, then renew and pay the fee in the eLicense system.
- Licensees are exempt from continuing education for the first renewal period after their initial licensure, other than required human trafficking training.
- A license can be placed in inactive status for a fee of $25 each biennium.
Sources
What Ohio's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board'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
“is valid until the last day of January of the odd-numbered year following its original issuance or renewal”
codes.ohio.gov “shall complete the number of hours of continuing education specified in this paragraph for each biennial licensing period”
codes.ohio.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“of the Revised Code, sixty-five dollars after June 30, 2025”
codes.ohio.gov - Cosmetologist: continuing education
“Continuing education for a license to practice cosmetology or a branch of cosmetology, advanced license, instructor license, or boutique registration shall be completed on or before the fifteenth of January of every odd-numbered year.”
codes.ohio.gov “One hour of continuing education concerning updates of Ohio laws or rules regulating the practice of the branches of cosmetology and/or barbering, as applicable”
codes.ohio.gov “Three hours of continuing education concerning safety and infection control.”
codes.ohio.gov “Continuing education hours shall be obtained from board-approved continuing education providers.”
codes.ohio.gov “Licensees who are age sixty-five or older before the start of a renewal period, or who have held a board license for thirty or more years before the start of a renewal period, are exempt from the requirement to complete continuing education hours.”
codes.ohio.gov “shall be exempt from all continuing education requirements, other than required training on human trafficking, until the renewal licensing period commencing after their initial licensure.”
codes.ohio.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“an amount equal to the sum of the current license renewal fee and a lapsed renewal fee of forty-five dollars per license renewal period that has elapsed since the license was last issued or renewed for up to three license renewal periods”
codes.ohio.gov “A practicing license, advanced license, or instructor license that has not been renewed for any reason other than because it has been revoked, suspended, or classified inactive”
codes.ohio.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“An expired license may be restored if the individual who held the license meets both of the following applicable conditions”
codes.ohio.gov “In the case of a practicing license or advanced license, completes the continuing education requirement for renewal of a license established by the board”
codes.ohio.gov “an amount equal to the sum of the current license renewal fee and a lapsed renewal fee of forty-five dollars per license renewal period that has elapsed since the license was last issued or renewed for up to three license renewal periods”
codes.ohio.gov - Barber: renewal period
“Every license issued pursuant to this chapter expires on the thirty-first day of August of each even-numbered year.”
codes.ohio.gov “on or before the first day of September of each even-numbered year, renew the licensee's license”
codes.ohio.gov “shall complete the number of hours of continuing education specified in this paragraph for each biennial licensing period”
codes.ohio.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“of the Revised Code, sixty-five dollars after June 30, 2025”
codes.ohio.gov - Barber: continuing education
“Continuing education for a barber or barber instructor license shall be completed on or before the fifteenth of August of every even-numbered year.”
codes.ohio.gov “An individual that holds a license to practice cosmetology or a branch of cosmetology, advanced license, or instructor license, or a barber or barber teacher license, shall complete the following hours of continuing education for each license held”
codes.ohio.gov “One hour of continuing education concerning updates of Ohio laws or rules regulating the practice of the branches of cosmetology and/or barbering, as applicable”
codes.ohio.gov “Three hours of continuing education concerning safety and infection control.”
codes.ohio.gov “Continuing education hours shall be obtained from board-approved continuing education providers.”
codes.ohio.gov “Licensees who are age sixty-five or older before the start of a renewal period, or who have held a board license for thirty or more years before the start of a renewal period, are exempt from the requirement to complete continuing education hours.”
codes.ohio.gov “shall be exempt from all continuing education requirements, other than required training on human trafficking, until the renewal licensing period commencing after their initial licensure.”
codes.ohio.gov - Barber: late renewal
“Every license that has not been renewed in the timeframe specified in this section and for which the continuing education requirement has not been waived or extended shall be considered expired.”
codes.ohio.gov “current license renewal fee and a lapsed renewal fee of forty-five dollars per license for each year that has elapsed since the license was last issued or renewed, provided that the total fee shall not exceed six hundred ninety dollars”
codes.ohio.gov - Barber: expired license
“An expired license may be restored if the individual who held the license satisfies both of the following requirements”
codes.ohio.gov “Completes the continuing education requirement for renewal of a license established by the board in rules adopted under section”
codes.ohio.gov “current license renewal fee and a lapsed renewal fee of forty-five dollars per license for each year that has elapsed since the license was last issued or renewed, provided that the total fee shall not exceed six hundred ninety dollars”
codes.ohio.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“is valid until the last day of January of the odd-numbered year following its original issuance or renewal”
codes.ohio.gov “shall complete the number of hours of continuing education specified in this paragraph for each biennial licensing period”
codes.ohio.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“of the Revised Code, sixty-five dollars after June 30, 2025”
codes.ohio.gov - Nail technician: continuing education
“Continuing education for a license to practice cosmetology or a branch of cosmetology, advanced license, instructor license, or boutique registration shall be completed on or before the fifteenth of January of every odd-numbered year.”
codes.ohio.gov “One hour of continuing education concerning updates of Ohio laws or rules regulating the practice of the branches of cosmetology and/or barbering, as applicable”
codes.ohio.gov “Three hours of continuing education concerning safety and infection control.”
codes.ohio.gov “Continuing education hours shall be obtained from board-approved continuing education providers.”
codes.ohio.gov “Licensees who are age sixty-five or older before the start of a renewal period, or who have held a board license for thirty or more years before the start of a renewal period, are exempt from the requirement to complete continuing education hours.”
codes.ohio.gov “shall be exempt from all continuing education requirements, other than required training on human trafficking, until the renewal licensing period commencing after their initial licensure.”
codes.ohio.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“A practicing license, advanced license, or instructor license that has not been renewed for any reason other than because it has been revoked, suspended, or classified inactive”
codes.ohio.gov “an amount equal to the sum of the current license renewal fee and a lapsed renewal fee of forty-five dollars per license renewal period that has elapsed since the license was last issued or renewed for up to three license renewal periods”
codes.ohio.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“An expired license may be restored if the individual who held the license meets both of the following applicable conditions”
codes.ohio.gov “In the case of a practicing license or advanced license, completes the continuing education requirement for renewal of a license established by the board”
codes.ohio.gov “an amount equal to the sum of the current license renewal fee and a lapsed renewal fee of forty-five dollars per license renewal period that has elapsed since the license was last issued or renewed for up to three license renewal periods”
codes.ohio.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“is valid until the last day of January of the odd-numbered year following its original issuance or renewal”
codes.ohio.gov “shall complete the number of hours of continuing education specified in this paragraph for each biennial licensing period”
codes.ohio.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“of the Revised Code, sixty-five dollars after June 30, 2025”
codes.ohio.gov - Esthetician: continuing education
“Continuing education for a license to practice cosmetology or a branch of cosmetology, advanced license, instructor license, or boutique registration shall be completed on or before the fifteenth of January of every odd-numbered year.”
codes.ohio.gov “One hour of continuing education concerning updates of Ohio laws or rules regulating the practice of the branches of cosmetology and/or barbering, as applicable”
codes.ohio.gov “Three hours of continuing education concerning safety and infection control.”
codes.ohio.gov “Continuing education hours shall be obtained from board-approved continuing education providers.”
codes.ohio.gov “Licensees who are age sixty-five or older before the start of a renewal period, or who have held a board license for thirty or more years before the start of a renewal period, are exempt from the requirement to complete continuing education hours.”
codes.ohio.gov “shall be exempt from all continuing education requirements, other than required training on human trafficking, until the renewal licensing period commencing after their initial licensure.”
codes.ohio.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“A practicing license, advanced license, or instructor license that has not been renewed for any reason other than because it has been revoked, suspended, or classified inactive”
codes.ohio.gov “an amount equal to the sum of the current license renewal fee and a lapsed renewal fee of forty-five dollars per license renewal period that has elapsed since the license was last issued or renewed for up to three license renewal periods”
codes.ohio.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“An expired license may be restored if the individual who held the license meets both of the following applicable conditions”
codes.ohio.gov “In the case of a practicing license or advanced license, completes the continuing education requirement for renewal of a license established by the board”
codes.ohio.gov “an amount equal to the sum of the current license renewal fee and a lapsed renewal fee of forty-five dollars per license renewal period that has elapsed since the license was last issued or renewed for up to three license renewal periods”
codes.ohio.gov - Also good to know
“Renewal of a license is a two-step process:”
dam.assets.ohio.gov - Also good to know
“shall be exempt from all continuing education requirements, other than required training on human trafficking, until the renewal licensing period commencing after their initial licensure.”
codes.ohio.gov - Also good to know
“For placing a license in an inactive status each biennium, twenty-five dollars”
codes.ohio.gov
Questions
Ohio license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Ohio?
The Ohio Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years for $65, through the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board. When it expires: Valid until the last day of January of the odd-numbered year following its issuance or renewal. Continuing education (4 hours per renewal): Four hours per biennial renewal, completed by January 15 of odd-numbered years: one hour on updates to Ohio laws or rules and three hours on safety and infection control, from board-approved providers; the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt, as are licensees age 65 or older or licensed 30 or more years. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew an Ohio cosmetology license?
Continuing education (4 hours per renewal): Four hours per biennial renewal, completed by January 15 of odd-numbered years: one hour on updates to Ohio laws or rules and three hours on safety and infection control, from board-approved providers; the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt, as are licensees age 65 or older or licensed 30 or more years.
What happens if my Ohio cosmetology license expires?
An expired practicing license can be restored by paying the current renewal fee plus a lapsed fee of $45 for each elapsed renewal period, up to three periods, and by completing the renewal continuing education.
How do I renew my barber license in Ohio?
The Ohio Barber license renews every 2 years for $65, through the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board. When it expires: Expires on August 31 of each even-numbered year; renewal is due by September 1. Continuing education (4 hours per renewal): Four hours per biennial renewal, completed by August 15 of even-numbered years: one hour on updates to Ohio laws or rules and three hours on safety and infection control, from board-approved providers; the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt, as are licensees age 65 or older or licensed 30 or more years. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew an Ohio barber license?
Continuing education (4 hours per renewal): Four hours per biennial renewal, completed by August 15 of even-numbered years: one hour on updates to Ohio laws or rules and three hours on safety and infection control, from board-approved providers; the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt, as are licensees age 65 or older or licensed 30 or more years.
What happens if my Ohio barber license expires?
An expired barber license can be restored by paying the current renewal fee plus a lapsed fee of $45 for each year since it was last renewed, capped at a total of $690, and by completing the renewal continuing education.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Ohio?
The Ohio Manicurist license renews every 2 years for $65, through the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board. When it expires: Valid until the last day of January of the odd-numbered year following its issuance or renewal. Continuing education (4 hours per renewal): Four hours per biennial renewal, completed by January 15 of odd-numbered years: one hour on updates to Ohio laws or rules and three hours on safety and infection control, from board-approved providers; the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt, as are licensees age 65 or older or licensed 30 or more years. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew an Ohio nail technician license?
Continuing education (4 hours per renewal): Four hours per biennial renewal, completed by January 15 of odd-numbered years: one hour on updates to Ohio laws or rules and three hours on safety and infection control, from board-approved providers; the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt, as are licensees age 65 or older or licensed 30 or more years.
What happens if my Ohio nail technician license expires?
An expired practicing license can be restored by paying the current renewal fee plus a lapsed fee of $45 for each elapsed renewal period, up to three periods, and by completing the renewal continuing education.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Ohio?
The Ohio Esthetician license renews every 2 years for $65, through the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board. When it expires: Valid until the last day of January of the odd-numbered year following its issuance or renewal. Continuing education (4 hours per renewal): Four hours per biennial renewal, completed by January 15 of odd-numbered years: one hour on updates to Ohio laws or rules and three hours on safety and infection control, from board-approved providers; the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt, as are licensees age 65 or older or licensed 30 or more years. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew an Ohio esthetician license?
Continuing education (4 hours per renewal): Four hours per biennial renewal, completed by January 15 of odd-numbered years: one hour on updates to Ohio laws or rules and three hours on safety and infection control, from board-approved providers; the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt, as are licensees age 65 or older or licensed 30 or more years.
What happens if my Ohio esthetician license expires?
An expired practicing license can be restored by paying the current renewal fee plus a lapsed fee of $45 for each elapsed renewal period, up to three periods, and by completing the renewal continuing education.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Ohio: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Ohio
- Running your own salon in Ohio: the salon license
- What Ohio inspectors check in a salon
License renewal in other states
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