Cosmetology License Renewal in New Hampshire (2026)

Cosmetology license renewal in New Hampshire is handled by the New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics (administered by the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, OPLC), 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.

New Hampshire Cosmetology renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Under the current OPLC statute (RSA 310:8), licenses are valid for two years from the date of issuance, and the renewal application plus fee must be filed on or before the expiration date. An unrenewed license expires immediately and lapses one year after expiration; once expired, the holder cannot practice and must reinstate rather than renew (reinstatement is allowed within one year of expiration, after which initial licensure is required). This 2-year-from-issuance term supersedes the older RSA 313-A:20 birth-month-based expiration language.
CE hours required	None required
Renewal fee	$82.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics (administered by the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, OPLC)

Go to the official New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics (administered by the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, OPLC) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics (administered by the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, OPLC). automated research workflow (official new-hampshire cosmetology board), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Cosmetologys in New Hampshire

No continuing education is required for a standard cosmetologist (personal license) to renew in New Hampshire. CE applies only to instructors (the older statute referenced instructor education), not to working cosmetologists; the OPLC renewal process and FAQs list no CE requirement for cosmetologist renewal.

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

How to renew your Cosmetology license in New Hampshire

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics (administered by the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, OPLC) 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: A standard licensed cosmetologist holds the "Personal License" (Cosmetology), which carries an $82 renewal fee; the Apprentice License (trainee, 1-year term) is a separate, cheaper $55 tier and should not be confused with the full cosmetologist license. The official fee table lists Personal License renewal and reinstatement both at $82 with no separate stand-alone "late fee" line item, so a distinct late fee could not be verified (null). Renewal is online-only through the NH license portal (forms.nh.gov/license); a registration code from the renewal notice is needed for first-time online renewal. OPLC emails a courtesy renewal notice ~60 days before expiration; you cannot renew more than 60 days early. If expired less than one year, file a reinstatement application with the reinstatement fee; if expired one year or more, an initial application is required. The current 2-year-from-issuance term comes from RSA 310:8 (eff. July 15, 2023), which overrides the older birth-month expiration rule in RSA 313-A:20.

Cosmetology license renewal in New Hampshire: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Cosmetology license in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire Cosmetology licenses renew every 24 months. Under the current OPLC statute (RSA 310:8), licenses are valid for two years from the date of issuance, and the renewal application plus fee must be filed on or before the expiration date. An unrenewed license expires immediately and lapses one year after expiration; once expired, the holder cannot practice and must reinstate rather than renew (reinstatement is allowed within one year of expiration, after which initial licensure is required). This 2-year-from-issuance term supersedes the older RSA 313-A:20 birth-month-based expiration language.

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

New Hampshire does not require continuing-education hours to renew a standard Cosmetology license. No continuing education is required for a standard cosmetologist (personal license) to renew in New Hampshire. CE applies only to instructors (the older statute referenced instructor education), not to working cosmetologists; the OPLC renewal process and FAQs list no CE requirement for cosmetologist renewal. Confirm the current rule with the New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics (administered by the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, OPLC).

Can I renew my New Hampshire Cosmetology license online?

Yes — New Hampshire offers online renewal through the New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics (administered by the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, OPLC). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my New Hampshire Cosmetology license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. Late or reactivation fees may apply. Contact the New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics (administered by the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, OPLC) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Cosmetologist renewal