Cosmetology License Renewal in California (2026)

Cosmetology license renewal in California is handled by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, which requires Cosmetologists to renew every 24 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

California Cosmetology renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Cosmetologist licenses are renewed on a two-year (biennial) cycle. The license must be renewed on or before its expiration date; a license can still be renewed after expiration by paying the renewal fee plus a delinquency fee. (Multiple sources state the license expires at midnight on the last day of the licensee's birth month, but this birth-month timing was not confirmed on an official .gov page in this research.)
CE hours required	None required
Renewal fee	$50.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology

Go to the official California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. automated research workflow (official california cosmetology board), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Cosmetologys in California

No continuing education is required. The Board's official FAQ states plainly that the Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license.

Need approved hours? Compare California Cosmetology CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your Cosmetology license in California

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology portal.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Governing body is the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology within the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA). Online renewal is handled through DCA's BreEZe portal (breeze.ca.gov), described by the Board as the fastest way to renew. The renewal fee is governed by Business and Professions Code section 7423, which caps the individual-practitioner renewal fee at $50 and sets the delinquency (late) fee at 50 percent of the renewal fee (i.e., $25 at the current $50 fee). The $50 charged amount and $25 delinquency amount are the figures published in board/renewal materials; the Board's older fee-schedule PDF (16 CCR 998) now returns a 404, so the dollar figures were verified against the statutory cap (leginfo BPC 7423) plus secondary renewal sources rather than a live official fee table. No CE is required for renewal.

Cosmetology license renewal in California: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Cosmetology license in California?

California Cosmetology licenses renew every 24 months. Cosmetologist licenses are renewed on a two-year (biennial) cycle. The license must be renewed on or before its expiration date; a license can still be renewed after expiration by paying the renewal fee plus a delinquency fee. (Multiple sources state the license expires at midnight on the last day of the licensee's birth month, but this birth-month timing was not confirmed on an official .gov page in this research.)

How many CE hours are required to renew an Cosmetology license in California?

California does not require continuing-education hours to renew a standard Cosmetology license. No continuing education is required. The Board's official FAQ states plainly that the Board does not require continuing education credits to maintain a license. Confirm the current rule with the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

Can I renew my California Cosmetology license online?

Yes — California offers online renewal through the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my California Cosmetology license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $25 may apply. Contact the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Cosmetologist renewal