Cosmetology License Renewal in Mississippi (2026)

Cosmetology license renewal in Mississippi is handled by the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, 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.

Mississippi Cosmetology renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Cosmetologist (practitioner) licenses are renewed biennially (every two years). State law provides a 60-day grace period after expiration to renew at the standard fee; renewing after that 60-day grace period requires paying the renewal fee plus a delinquent (penalty) fee. A lapsed license can still be renewed up to three years after expiration; beyond that, the theory and practical exams must be retaken.
CE hours required	None required
Renewal fee	$50.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering

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

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

Continuing-education requirements for Cosmetologys in Mississippi

No continuing education is required for cosmetologist (practitioner) license renewal. Mississippi eliminated the mandatory CE requirement for practitioners effective April 1, 2026 (S.B. 2566 repealing the prior CE statute), so practitioners renewing after that date are not required to report CE hours. Instructors are the exception and must still complete board-approved CE biennially.

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

How to renew your Cosmetology license in Mississippi

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering 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 combined Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (the older msbc.ms.gov domain is migrating to msbcb.ms.gov). The $50 practitioner renewal fee and $50 delinquent-renewal penalty are published on the board's official Fees page; "Cosmetologist" is listed as a practitioner license type on the practitioner renewal form. No renewal fee is charged for licensees age 70 or older. Online practitioner renewal is offered via the ms.gov portal (ms.gov/msbc/online_licensure). The board approves CE courses directly; no third-party CE tracking platform (e.g., CE Broker) is used, and practitioner CE was eliminated as of April 1, 2026. A temporary special-renewal window for long-tenured licensees whose licenses expired April 2016-April 2026 closes December 31, 2026. The exact statutory expiration month for standard cycles was not confirmed on a single official page; the deadline rule reflects the verified 60-day grace period and delinquency structure from Title 73, Chapter 7.

Cosmetology license renewal in Mississippi: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Cosmetology license in Mississippi?

Mississippi Cosmetology licenses renew every 24 months. Cosmetologist (practitioner) licenses are renewed biennially (every two years). State law provides a 60-day grace period after expiration to renew at the standard fee; renewing after that 60-day grace period requires paying the renewal fee plus a delinquent (penalty) fee. A lapsed license can still be renewed up to three years after expiration; beyond that, the theory and practical exams must be retaken.

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

Mississippi does not require continuing-education hours to renew a standard Cosmetology license. No continuing education is required for cosmetologist (practitioner) license renewal. Mississippi eliminated the mandatory CE requirement for practitioners effective April 1, 2026 (S.B. 2566 repealing the prior CE statute), so practitioners renewing after that date are not required to report CE hours. Instructors are the exception and must still complete board-approved CE biennially. Confirm the current rule with the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.

Can I renew my Mississippi Cosmetology license online?

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

What happens if I let my Mississippi Cosmetology license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $50 may apply. Contact the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Cosmetologist renewal