West Virginia license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in West Virginia
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in West Virginia: 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 West Virginia State 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 | $35 | Every year | $10 |
| Barber | None required | $35 | Every year | $10 |
| Nail technician | None required | $35 | Every year | $10 |
| Esthetician | None required | $35 | Every year | $10 |
Renew on the board's site The board's own words
At $35 a year, renewing costs about the $32.50 a year typical across the states; it is one of 7 states whose board says no continuing education is required.
Cosmetologist
West Virginia cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
- When it expires
- Every yearLicenses are renewed each year, on or before January 1.
- Renewal fee
- $35
- Continuing education
- None requiredContinuing education is not required to renew this license; the requirement ended effective 5/8/2022.
- Late renewal
- $10An extra $10 late fee is added each month after the January grace period, capped at $205 for individual licenses.
- If it has expired
- Not statedAsk the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists what an expired license needs before you work on it again.
Barber
West Virginia barber license renewal
Renewed through the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
- When it expires
- Every yearLicenses are renewed each year, on or before January 1.
- Renewal fee
- $35
- Continuing education
- None requiredContinuing education is not required to renew this license; the requirement ended effective 5/8/2022.
- Late renewal
- $10An extra $10 late fee is added each month after the January grace period, capped at $205 for individual licenses.
- If it has expired
- Not statedAsk the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists what an expired license needs before you work on it again.
Nail technician
West Virginia nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
- When it expires
- Every yearLicenses are renewed each year, on or before January 1.
- Renewal fee
- $35
- Continuing education
- None requiredContinuing education is not required to renew this license; the requirement ended effective 5/8/2022.
- Late renewal
- $10An extra $10 late fee is added each month after the January grace period, capped at $205 for individual licenses.
- If it has expired
- Not statedAsk the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists what an expired license needs before you work on it again.
Esthetician
West Virginia esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
- When it expires
- Every yearLicenses are renewed each year, on or before January 1.
- Renewal fee
- $35
- Continuing education
- None requiredContinuing education is not required to renew this license; the requirement ended effective 5/8/2022.
- Late renewal
- $10An extra $10 late fee is added each month after the January grace period, capped at $205 for individual licenses.
- If it has expired
- Not statedAsk the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists what an expired license needs before you work on it again.
Good to know
What else West Virginia says about renewing
- Individual licenses can be renewed online.
- If online renewal is not possible, a renewal can be mailed with a check or money order.
- The board may deny a renewal application for any reason that would justify denying an original application.
Sources
What West Virginia's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the West Virginia State 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
“A professional licensee and certificate holder shall annually on or before January 1, renew his or her professional license or certificate”
code.wvlegislature.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“Individual License Renewal Barber, Cosmetologist, Aesthetician, Nail Technician, Hair Stylist, and Waxing Specialist. $35.00 January 1st”
wvbbc.com - Cosmetologist: continuing education
“Effective 5/8/2022, all active barbers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, aestheticians, hair stylists, waxing specialists, and instructors are no longer required to complete continuing education.”
wvbbc.com - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“There is a grace period through the month of January for individual licenses and instructor certifications. Beginning February 1st, there is a $10 late fee added each month the renewal is late. Individual license and instructor certification fees cannot exceed $205.”
wvbbc.com - Barber: renewal period
“A professional licensee and certificate holder shall annually on or before January 1, renew his or her professional license or certificate”
code.wvlegislature.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“Individual License Renewal Barber, Cosmetologist, Aesthetician, Nail Technician, Hair Stylist, and Waxing Specialist. $35.00 January 1st”
wvbbc.com - Barber: continuing education
“Effective 5/8/2022, all active barbers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, aestheticians, hair stylists, waxing specialists, and instructors are no longer required to complete continuing education.”
wvbbc.com - Barber: late renewal
“There is a grace period through the month of January for individual licenses and instructor certifications. Beginning February 1st, there is a $10 late fee added each month the renewal is late. Individual license and instructor certification fees cannot exceed $205.”
wvbbc.com - Nail technician: renewal period
“A professional licensee and certificate holder shall annually on or before January 1, renew his or her professional license or certificate”
code.wvlegislature.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“Individual License Renewal Barber, Cosmetologist, Aesthetician, Nail Technician, Hair Stylist, and Waxing Specialist. $35.00 January 1st”
wvbbc.com - Nail technician: continuing education
“Effective 5/8/2022, all active barbers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, aestheticians, hair stylists, waxing specialists, and instructors are no longer required to complete continuing education.”
wvbbc.com - Nail technician: late renewal
“There is a grace period through the month of January for individual licenses and instructor certifications. Beginning February 1st, there is a $10 late fee added each month the renewal is late. Individual license and instructor certification fees cannot exceed $205.”
wvbbc.com - Esthetician: renewal period
“A professional licensee and certificate holder shall annually on or before January 1, renew his or her professional license or certificate”
code.wvlegislature.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“Individual License Renewal Barber, Cosmetologist, Aesthetician, Nail Technician, Hair Stylist, and Waxing Specialist. $35.00 January 1st”
wvbbc.com - Esthetician: continuing education
“Effective 5/8/2022, all active barbers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, aestheticians, hair stylists, waxing specialists, and instructors are no longer required to complete continuing education.”
wvbbc.com - Esthetician: late renewal
“There is a grace period through the month of January for individual licenses and instructor certifications. Beginning February 1st, there is a $10 late fee added each month the renewal is late. Individual license and instructor certification fees cannot exceed $205.”
wvbbc.com - Also good to know
“Individual licenses, salon/shop licenses, and booth rental certificates may be renewed online:”
wvbbc.com - Also good to know
“If you are unable to renew online, you may mail a check or money order to: PO Box 40235, Charleston, WV 25364.”
wvbbc.com - Also good to know
“The board may deny an application for renewal for any reason which would justify the denial of an original application for a license or certificate.”
code.wvlegislature.gov
Questions
West Virginia license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Cosmetologist license renews every year for $35, through the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. When it expires: Licenses are renewed each year, on or before January 1. No continuing education is required to renew it: continuing education is not required to renew this license; the requirement ended effective 5/8/2022. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a West Virginia cosmetology license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: continuing education is not required to renew this license; the requirement ended effective 5/8/2022.
What happens if my West Virginia cosmetology license expires?
An extra $10 late fee is added each month after the January grace period, capped at $205 for individual licenses.
How do I renew my barber license in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Barber license renews every year for $35, through the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. When it expires: Licenses are renewed each year, on or before January 1. No continuing education is required to renew it: continuing education is not required to renew this license; the requirement ended effective 5/8/2022. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a West Virginia barber license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: continuing education is not required to renew this license; the requirement ended effective 5/8/2022.
What happens if my West Virginia barber license expires?
An extra $10 late fee is added each month after the January grace period, capped at $205 for individual licenses.
How do I renew my nail technician license in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Nail Technician license renews every year for $35, through the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. When it expires: Licenses are renewed each year, on or before January 1. No continuing education is required to renew it: continuing education is not required to renew this license; the requirement ended effective 5/8/2022. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a West Virginia nail technician license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: continuing education is not required to renew this license; the requirement ended effective 5/8/2022.
What happens if my West Virginia nail technician license expires?
An extra $10 late fee is added each month after the January grace period, capped at $205 for individual licenses.
How do I renew my esthetician license in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Esthetician license renews every year for $35, through the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. When it expires: Licenses are renewed each year, on or before January 1. No continuing education is required to renew it: continuing education is not required to renew this license; the requirement ended effective 5/8/2022. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a West Virginia esthetician license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: continuing education is not required to renew this license; the requirement ended effective 5/8/2022.
What happens if my West Virginia esthetician license expires?
An extra $10 late fee is added each month after the January grace period, capped at $205 for individual licenses.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in West Virginia: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in West Virginia
- Running your own salon in West Virginia: the salon license
- What West Virginia inspectors check in a salon
License renewal in other states
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