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Help, I Have an Expired Cosmetology License!

March 18, 2022 by Ivy Hultquist

Life happens! And so do expired cosmetology licenses.

I have heard it a million times. You had a baby, got married, felt burned out, changed careers, moved, or money was tight. Or, maybe you just forgot (panic mode!) to renew your cosmetology, nail tech, or esthetician license. 

The reason you let your cosmetology, nail, or skincare license expire really isn’t important right now. It is the steps you take now to get your license back in good standing that really matters now.

I promise you are not the first person to be in this position and you will definitely not be the last. As you contemplate the return, you are probably asking yourself lots of questions and not sure where to turn to for answers.

  • What do I do first?
  • Can I even get my license back?
  • How can I do this as quickly as possible?
Expired Cosmetology License Paperwork

Simple Steps to Renew Your Expired Cosmetology License

I have helped many cosmetology professionals get their licenses back in good standing. And nearly ever state is different. I cannot tell you exactly what you need to do, but I can give you an idea of what you probably need to do to navigate the reactivation or reinstatement process. The first thing we need to do is go to your cosmetology board’s websites to find out what you probably need to do in order to get you back in the salon with a clear and valid license as quickly as possible.

Hey, Florida Cosmetology Professionals!

Yes, you! If you happen to be looking getting your cosmetology license back in Florida, then I have an article just for you with step-by-step instructions for expired cosmetology licenses (hair, nails, and facial licenses). Yes, this is one of the states where I tell you exactly what needs to be done based on your situation. The below article is all about getting your license back in the sunshine state.

How to renew a expired cosmetology, nail specialist, facial specialist, or full specialist license in Florida

Everyone else, the rest of this article is for you.

Here are a few easy steps to help you get your expired cosmetology, nail, or esthetician license off of the delinquent or expired cosmetology license list and onto the active list.

Step 1: Research Yourself

Every state as a license lookup for the public to check and see if their cosmetology professional has a license, or an active license. You can check out your name in a public license database or license verification to see what the status of your license is here. You can search for your state’s license lookup using the below terms:

_________ (your state) cosmetologist/nail technician/esthetician license lookup. 

For instance, if you are wanting your Texas cosmetology or operator license back, go to the TDLR license verification.

  • Texas TDLR License Verification / License Lookup
  • Ohio license verification
  • Illinois IDFPR license verification

Once you look up your name or number, you should be able to see your license expiration date. 

Generally, your current status determines the requirements and fees you will be responsible for in order to get the license back to active status.

You know in The Princess Bride when Westley is with Miracle Max. And Miracle Max says Westley is just “mostly dead” and not “all dead”? Sometimes licenses are expired or delinquent (mostly dead) or null and void (all dead). Mostly dead licenses usually have a few requirements and late fees in order to get back to active. All dead licenses usually require more work, and some times will require you to go through the license application process again.

“There’s a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive. With all dead, well, with all dead there’s usually only one thing you can do.” – Miracle Max

Step 2: Do the work

Next, look up the renewal requirements for late licensees in your position. Again, there are likely different requirements based on how long your license has been expired. This step requires some reading and research on your part. Typically this can be found on the Board’s website. Below is the information for the Ohio Cosmetology Board. They have a few different terms they use for licenses that are “expired”. Ohio uses the term “lapsed status”.

Lapsed Cosmetology License- Ohio Cosmetology Board

For Texas Only

For renewing an expired Texas cosmetology license, you need to know if your license has been expired for before you complete any requirements. If your license shows up as expired less than 18 months, it can be renewed fairly easily by completing an approved 4 hour Texas continuing education course and paying your renewal fees (plus some late fees). Your license is only mostly dead 🙂

Texas Cosmetology Continuing Education

If your expired cosmetology license number doesn’t show up, then it probably has been delinquent over three years and you will need to apply for a new license according to the TDLR renewal page.

What I meant by “do the work” is that find out based on your status what needs to be done to get your license back to active status.

  • If you are required to complete continuing education, complete the continuing education. You may be able to complete that today. Yay!
  • If you are required to appear before the board to talk about why you left and why you want to come back, or what prevented you from renewing previously renewing- do that. I promise it isn’t as scary as it sounds.
  • If you need to call/email and ask the board about any questions you have about renewing your expired cosmetology license, make that call or write that email. I promise they have heard it all.

Is there a chance I won’t qualify for a license anymore? 

Unfortunately, yes., depending on your state requirements. But this is unlikely. When you let your license expire, you put yourself in the position that you may need to apply for a license again. And if the requirements have changed since you were originally licensed, there is a chance that you no longer qualify for a license. Again, this is rare and uncommon, but important to point out and hopefully some motivation not to let this happen again.

Step 3: Pay Your Fees

Next, you probably will need to log in to the state website and renew your license and pay your renewal fees. Expect some late fees too. Very few cosmetology boards send out paper renewal forms these days.

Most of the time you will answer some renewal questions and need to pay your regular renewal fee and late renewal fees.

Once this is done, chances are you will see your license in your email box or mailbox within a few days or weeks. 

Step 4: Get Back to Work & Consider This A Lesson Learned

I hope you learned something from this expired cosmetology license experience. Next time, I hope you will remember that renewing your cosmetology license each deadline is worth the trouble. So, make it a priority, even if you step away from the field. Think of it as a backup career if you need it. Really.

And I hope you enjoy your time in the salon with your clients. You probably will have a new appreciation for it after this process. There truly is nothing like this profession out there.

Category: Uncategorized

About Ivy Hultquist

Ivy Hultquist is continuing education and reciprocity expert in the massage and cosmetology fields. She has helped thousands of massage therapists and cosmetology professionals transfer their licenses to other states and renew their licenses.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Inga

    April 10, 2023 at 4:04 pm

    Thank you. Great article. Needed th8s advice .
    Looking to reestablish my license.

    Reply
  2. Connie S Gammon

    May 16, 2023 at 12:24 pm

    I let my cosmetology license expire in 2020. I would like to reinstate my license please. I’m retired but would like to get my products I use. Thank you

    Reply
  3. Cecilia Charlton

    September 21, 2023 at 10:41 am

    I need to talk to someone on the phone about renewing my cosmetology license also my enhancement license I don’t have a computer,I have been trying to talk to someone since COVID hopefully some one will contact me please thanks my phone is 315-393-3779 Thursday 9/21/2023 I’m also going to try a certified letter

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist

      February 21, 2024 at 3:38 pm

      Hi Cecilia! Which state?

      Just remember to send your letter to the board. I am not the board, just a CE provider. Best wishes!

      Reply
  4. Regina Sneor

    February 21, 2024 at 12:33 pm

    Hello!
    I was licensed in Illinois as a cosmetologist in my twenties…. I’m 60 now, but have had my makeup business for over 40 years. I would like to get reinstated as a cosmetologist or at least have an aesthetic license for Illinois. Is this possible and what do I have to do?

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist

      February 21, 2024 at 3:37 pm

      This might be a record for me hearing about a person wanting to return 🙂 But, welcome back! It is never too late. Here are some rules I found on restoration after it has been over 5 years. You may need to take a refresher course, an exam, and apply for a new license. https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/illinois/Ill-Admin-Code-tit-68-SS-1175.430

      Reply
  5. Rosa Gonzalez

    March 21, 2024 at 11:56 pm

    Hello! I am trying to figure out why I can’t renew my Esthetician license on the Illinois portal. It expired in September and I totally forgot. I know I have to take CE classes but I can’t even find the application on the portal to renew the license. Help

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist

      March 22, 2024 at 10:56 am

      Hi Rosa!

      Have you logged into your IDFPR account? https://online-dfpr.micropact.com/
      That is where you should be able to access your renewal questions and pay your renewal and late fee.

      Reply
  6. Corina L Cunningham

    December 1, 2024 at 6:43 pm

    I have an expired cosmetology license from Texas how do I renew them in Illinois

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist

      December 2, 2024 at 9:19 am

      I need a little more info. Are you wanting to renew your Texas license because trying to get an Illinois license? Or are you just living in IL and want to renew your TX license?

      Reply
  7. Linda Molin

    December 12, 2024 at 2:14 pm

    Hi , I was a retired cosmetologist and Salon owner .I let my license expire in NYS thinking I would never be working in this field again . Do to my husband having health issues ( Parkinson’s) I need to go back to work. I will do whatever I need to ,to get my license .It has been over the six year renewal period . I have called every number provided to me and every website to no avail. Please set me in the right direction to get my license renewal going . The My.Ny.Gov is a joke I can’t get past the 1st info they provided. I wish you could just pay a fee and get reinstated.I was a Salon owner a hairstylist for more than 30 years ! Thank you in advance for any help you have 💖

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist

      December 12, 2024 at 3:01 pm

      I found this: https://dos.ny.gov/frequently-asked-questions-cosmetology

      My License has expired, should I submit a new application?
      No. If your license status is ‘expired’ you should NOT submit a new application, you should renew your existing license. You should register for an account and claim your existing record. Once you have claimed your record, your license will be available to renew. Instructions for creating an account and claiming a record can be found here(link below). Do not submit a new application.

      https://dos.ny.gov/instructions-creating-account-and-claiming-record

      Then you can pay your fee and renew your license.

      Reply

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