Cosmetology License Renewal in Colorado (2026)

Cosmetology license renewal in Colorado is handled by the Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure (Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies), which requires Cosmetologists to renew every 12 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.

Colorado Cosmetology renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	12 months
Deadline rule	Cosmetologist licenses expire annually on April 30; the specific expiration year depends on the issuance date. A license issued within 120 days of the upcoming renewal date is valid through the following year's April 30. There is a 60-day grace period after expiration during which the licensee may still provide services; failing to renew causes the license to expire and requires a reinstatement application.
CE hours required	None required
Renewal fee	see board (fee not fixed/published)
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure (Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies)

Go to the official Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure (Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure (Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies). automated research workflow (official colorado cosmetology board), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Cosmetologys in Colorado

No continuing education is required for routine renewal of a cosmetologist license. CE only becomes relevant for reinstatement after a long lapse: a license expired more than two but less than five years may be reinstated by, among other options, completing 16 hours of Director-approved CE, and a license expired more than five years may require 24 hours of approved CE (or, alternatively, verification of active out-of-state licensure or passing the licensure exam).

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

How to renew your Cosmetology license in Colorado

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure (Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies) 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: Colorado regulates cosmetologists through a combined Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure under DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations. Renewal is done through DPO Online Services (apps2.colorado.gov), and renewal generally opens roughly 4-5 weeks before expiration. The cosmetologist cycle is annual (April 30), which differs from the limited licenses (esthetician, hairstylist, nail technician) and barber licenses, which are biennial and expire March 31 of even-numbered years. The renewal fee is set administratively by the Director and is displayed inside DPO Online Services; it is not published on the public DPO pages, so a single fixed cosmetologist renewal fee and any late fee could not be verified on an official source (third-party guides cite figures such as a $40 renewal and $15 late fee, but these are unverified). Note: at least one CE-aggregator site incorrectly lists a 2-year cosmetologist cycle; the official DPO source states cosmetologist licenses expire every year on April 30. The official DPO Drupal pages return 403 to automated fetchers, so the verified rule citation (4 CCR 731-1.5) is via the Cornell LII mirror of the Code of Colorado Regulations.

Cosmetology license renewal in Colorado: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Cosmetology license in Colorado?

Colorado Cosmetology licenses renew every 12 months. Cosmetologist licenses expire annually on April 30; the specific expiration year depends on the issuance date. A license issued within 120 days of the upcoming renewal date is valid through the following year's April 30. There is a 60-day grace period after expiration during which the licensee may still provide services; failing to renew causes the license to expire and requires a reinstatement application.

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

Colorado does not require continuing-education hours to renew a standard Cosmetology license. No continuing education is required for routine renewal of a cosmetologist license. CE only becomes relevant for reinstatement after a long lapse: a license expired more than two but less than five years may be reinstated by, among other options, completing 16 hours of Director-approved CE, and a license expired more than five years may require 24 hours of approved CE (or, alternatively, verification of active out-of-state licensure or passing the licensure exam). Confirm the current rule with the Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure (Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies).

Can I renew my Colorado Cosmetology license online?

Yes — Colorado offers online renewal through the Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure (Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Colorado Cosmetology license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. Late or reactivation fees may apply. Contact the Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure (Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Cosmetologist renewal