Cosmetology License Renewal in South Carolina (2026)

Cosmetology license renewal in South Carolina is handled by the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology (South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation / LLR), 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.

South Carolina Cosmetology renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Cosmetologist licenses renew biennially. The renewal period runs in odd-numbered years and the license expires on March 10 at 11:59 pm (e.g., the 2025/2027 cycle closed 3/10/2025). Licenses not renewed by the deadline require reinstatement.
CE hours required	4 hours
Renewal fee	$52.00
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	SC LLR / University of South Carolina (USC) CE tracking via the LLR E-Services portal (eservice.llr.sc.gov) — not CE Broker
Governing body	South Carolina Board of Cosmetology (South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation / LLR)

Go to the official South Carolina Board of Cosmetology (South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation / LLR) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology (South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation / LLR). automated research workflow (official south-carolina cosmetology board), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Cosmetologys in South Carolina

Four (4) contact hours of Board-approved continuing education are required each biennial licensing period for cosmetologists (also estheticians and nail technicians). CE must be specific to Board laws and regulations, client safety, and/or infection control including sanitation and disinfection. First-time SC renewers are exempt (CE required only if you hold an active SC license and it is not your first SC renewal). CE may be completed in person or online through Board-approved providers. (Instructors instead need 4 hours geared toward teaching.)

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

How to renew your Cosmetology license in South Carolina

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology (South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation / LLR) portal.
Complete the required 4 CE hours and confirm they appear in SC LLR / University of South Carolina (USC) CE tracking via the LLR E-Services portal (eservice.llr.sc.gov) — not 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 page noted the 2025/2027 period closed 3/10/2025; missed renewals must file a Reinstatement Application with proof of CE. The published "Reinstatement" fee for a Registered Cosmetologist is a flat $152 (not an add-on late fee on top of the $52 renewal). Reinstatement also requires CE: one 4-hour safety/sanitation course if expired at the current deadline, escalating to two such courses if not reinstated by the next odd-year deadline, and re-taking the NIC exam (practical and theory) if still not reinstated three years past expiry. CE records can take ~15 business days to post; licensees are responsible for verifying their own CE status. A reactivation fee of $100 applies when moving from inactive status (inactive status itself is $0).

Cosmetology license renewal in South Carolina: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Cosmetology license in South Carolina?

South Carolina Cosmetology licenses renew every 24 months. Cosmetologist licenses renew biennially. The renewal period runs in odd-numbered years and the license expires on March 10 at 11:59 pm (e.g., the 2025/2027 cycle closed 3/10/2025). Licenses not renewed by the deadline require reinstatement.

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

Approximately 4 continuing-education hours per cycle. Four (4) contact hours of Board-approved continuing education are required each biennial licensing period for cosmetologists (also estheticians and nail technicians). CE must be specific to Board laws and regulations, client safety, and/or infection control including sanitation and disinfection. First-time SC renewers are exempt (CE required only if you hold an active SC license and it is not your first SC renewal). CE may be completed in person or online through Board-approved providers. (Instructors instead need 4 hours geared toward teaching.) Confirm the current requirement with the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology (South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation / LLR).

Can I renew my South Carolina Cosmetology license online?

Yes — South Carolina offers online renewal through the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology (South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation / LLR). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my South Carolina Cosmetology license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $152 may apply. Contact the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology (South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation / LLR) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Cosmetologist renewal