Tennessee license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Tennessee
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Tennessee: 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 Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Not stated | $60 | Every 2 years | $25 |
| Barber | Not stated | $60 | Every 2 years | $25 |
| Nail technician | Not stated | $60 | Every 2 years | $25 |
| Esthetician | Not stated | $60 | Every 2 years | $25 |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
At $30 a year, renewing costs about the $32.50 a year typical across the states.
Cosmetologist
Tennessee cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and 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 Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $25A $25 late fee applies to individual licensees who renew after the expiration date, and the board never waives penalties.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license expired for more than three years becomes invalid and must be reinstated by taking the reinstatement exams.
Barber (Master Barber)
Tennessee barber license renewal
Renewed through the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and 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 Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $25A $25 late fee applies to individual licensees who renew after the expiration date, and the board never waives penalties.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license expired for more than three years becomes invalid and must be reinstated by taking the reinstatement exams.
Nail technician (Manicurist)
Tennessee nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and 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 Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $25A $25 late fee applies to individual licensees who renew after the expiration date, and the board never waives penalties.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license expired for more than three years becomes invalid and must be reinstated by taking the reinstatement exams.
Esthetician (Aesthetician)
Tennessee esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and 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 Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $25A $25 late fee applies to individual licensees who renew after the expiration date, and the board never waives penalties.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license expired for more than three years becomes invalid and must be reinstated by taking the reinstatement exams.
Good to know
What else Tennessee says about renewing
- Renewal is done online through CORE, and the renewal option appears in your account once you are within sixty (60) days of your expiration date.
- Reinstating an expired license does not allow you to keep working as a licensee before it is valid again.
- Retiring a license requires a written request and a $50 fee, and a retired license may not be used to practice until it is reactivated.
Sources
What Tennessee's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners'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
“Your license expires every two years, and by statute, you must inform the Board of a change in address within thirty (30) days or update it yourself through your online CORE account.”
tn.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“Eyelash Specialist$60”
tn.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“Late Fee for Individuals$25”
tn.gov “Failure to remit fees by the expiration date will result in a penalty fee being assessed”
tn.gov “All penalties are strictly enforced and are never waived.”
tn.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“Licenses expired more than three (3) years become invalid”
tn.gov “To reinstate an invalid license, the licensee must take the reinstatement exams and complete the Application to Test form found on the Forms and Downloads page.”
tn.gov “Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-4-117(d) for Cosmetologist and 62-3-129(c) for Master Barbers, licenses expired for more than three (3) years become invalid.”
support.commerce.tn.gov - Barber: renewal period
“Your license expires every two years, and by statute, you must inform the Board of a change in address within thirty (30) days or update it yourself through your online CORE account.”
tn.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“Eyelash Specialist$60”
tn.gov - Barber: late renewal
“Late Fee for Individuals$25”
tn.gov “Failure to remit fees by the expiration date will result in a penalty fee being assessed”
tn.gov “All penalties are strictly enforced and are never waived.”
tn.gov - Barber: expired license
“Licenses expired more than three (3) years become invalid”
tn.gov “To reinstate an invalid license, the licensee must take the reinstatement exams and complete the Application to Test form found on the Forms and Downloads page.”
tn.gov “Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-4-117(d) for Cosmetologist and 62-3-129(c) for Master Barbers, licenses expired for more than three (3) years become invalid.”
support.commerce.tn.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“Your license expires every two years, and by statute, you must inform the Board of a change in address within thirty (30) days or update it yourself through your online CORE account.”
tn.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“Eyelash Specialist$60”
tn.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“Late Fee for Individuals$25”
tn.gov “Failure to remit fees by the expiration date will result in a penalty fee being assessed”
tn.gov “All penalties are strictly enforced and are never waived.”
tn.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“Licenses expired more than three (3) years become invalid”
tn.gov “To reinstate an invalid license, the licensee must take the reinstatement exams and complete the Application to Test form found on the Forms and Downloads page.”
tn.gov “In order to reinstate an invalid license, the licensee must take reinstatement exams.”
support.commerce.tn.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“Your license expires every two years, and by statute, you must inform the Board of a change in address within thirty (30) days or update it yourself through your online CORE account.”
tn.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“Eyelash Specialist$60”
tn.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“Late Fee for Individuals$25”
tn.gov “Failure to remit fees by the expiration date will result in a penalty fee being assessed”
tn.gov “All penalties are strictly enforced and are never waived.”
tn.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“Licenses expired more than three (3) years become invalid”
tn.gov “To reinstate an invalid license, the licensee must take the reinstatement exams and complete the Application to Test form found on the Forms and Downloads page.”
tn.gov “In order to reinstate an invalid license, the licensee must take reinstatement exams.”
support.commerce.tn.gov - Also good to know
“You can renew your license on our online licensing portal. You will see the option to renew in your CORE account once you are within sixty (60) days of your expiration date.”
tn.gov - Also good to know
“The ability to reinstate an expired license does not allow a person to continue to act as a licensee without a valid license.”
tn.gov - Also good to know
“You will need to submit a statement requesting to retire the license, include your full name and license number, your current mailing address, and a $50 fee.”
tn.gov
Questions
Tennessee license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years for $60, through the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners 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 Tennessee cosmetology license?
The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners before your renewal date.
What happens if my Tennessee cosmetology license expires?
A $25 late fee applies to individual licensees who renew after the expiration date, and the board never waives penalties. A license expired for more than three years becomes invalid and must be reinstated by taking the reinstatement exams.
How do I renew my barber license in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Master Barber license renews every 2 years for $60, through the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Tennessee barber license expires?
A $25 late fee applies to individual licensees who renew after the expiration date, and the board never waives penalties. A license expired for more than three years becomes invalid and must be reinstated by taking the reinstatement exams.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Manicurist license renews every 2 years for $60, through the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Tennessee nail technician license expires?
A $25 late fee applies to individual licensees who renew after the expiration date, and the board never waives penalties. A license expired for more than three years becomes invalid and must be reinstated by taking the reinstatement exams.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Aesthetician license renews every 2 years for $60, through the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Tennessee esthetician license expires?
A $25 late fee applies to individual licensees who renew after the expiration date, and the board never waives penalties. A license expired for more than three years becomes invalid and must be reinstated by taking the reinstatement exams.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Tennessee: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Tennessee
- Running your own salon in Tennessee: the salon license
- What Tennessee inspectors check in a salon
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