Cosmetology License Renewal in Ohio (2026)

Cosmetology license renewal in Ohio is handled by the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board, 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.

Ohio Cosmetology renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Cosmetology and branch-of-cosmetology licenses renew on a biennial cycle, with the deadline being January 31 of each odd-numbered year. (Barber licenses follow a separate cycle expiring August 31 of even-numbered years.) The board emails renewal notices starting 120 days before expiration, then again at 90, 60, 30, and 15 days out.
CE hours required	4 hours
Renewal fee	$65.00
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	CE Broker
Governing body	Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board

Go to the official Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board. automated research workflow (official ohio cosmetology board), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Cosmetologys in Ohio

A cosmetologist must complete 4 CE hours per renewal period: 3 hours of Infection Control & Safety and 1 hour of the Board Laws & Rules course (the Laws & Rules course is provided free by the Board). Completion is reported to and verified through CE Broker by the course provider; if required hours are not shown in CE Broker, the online renewal cannot be completed. Exemptions from CE (but not the fee) apply to first-time licensees in their first renewal period, licensees age 65 or older by the cutoff date, and those who have held an Ohio board license for 30 or more years.

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

How to renew your Cosmetology license in Ohio

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board portal.
Complete the required 4 CE hours and confirm they appear in CE Broker.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Renewal is a two-step process: complete required CE hours (reported by the provider to CE Broker), then log in at elicense.ohio.gov to file the renewal application and pay the fee. The $65 personal renewal fee applies uniformly to cosmetology and all branch licenses (esthetics, hair design, manicuring, natural hair styling, instructor). The $45 late fee is a general "Late Fee" line item on the fee schedule. An escrow (inactive) renewal is $25, and escrow-to-active reinstatement is $65. The board is a combined cosmetology and barber board; the board office/exam center relocated from Grove City to Dublin in January 2026. The fee schedule page is dated October 28, 2024.

Cosmetology license renewal in Ohio: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Cosmetology license in Ohio?

Ohio Cosmetology licenses renew every 24 months. Cosmetology and branch-of-cosmetology licenses renew on a biennial cycle, with the deadline being January 31 of each odd-numbered year. (Barber licenses follow a separate cycle expiring August 31 of even-numbered years.) The board emails renewal notices starting 120 days before expiration, then again at 90, 60, 30, and 15 days out.

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

Approximately 4 continuing-education hours per cycle. A cosmetologist must complete 4 CE hours per renewal period: 3 hours of Infection Control & Safety and 1 hour of the Board Laws & Rules course (the Laws & Rules course is provided free by the Board). Completion is reported to and verified through CE Broker by the course provider; if required hours are not shown in CE Broker, the online renewal cannot be completed. Exemptions from CE (but not the fee) apply to first-time licensees in their first renewal period, licensees age 65 or older by the cutoff date, and those who have held an Ohio board license for 30 or more years. Confirm the current requirement with the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board.

Can I renew my Ohio Cosmetology license online?

Yes — Ohio offers online renewal through the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Ohio Cosmetology license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $45 may apply. Contact the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Cosmetologist renewal