Here’s how to further your working education and meet your state’s renewal requirements with cosmetology continuing education classes.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide formal career advice regarding state licensing requirements for cosmetology continuing education classes. It offers general information that should be used to find official requirements where appropriate.

You’ve studied hard, finished your cosmetology courses, and set yourself up in the professional self-care sphere. Congratulations! However, depending on where you live, that might not be the end of your educational endeavors. In the United States, there are fourteen states (and one district) that require cosmetology continuing education hours every few years. If you want to keep working, you’ll need to keep learning.

Even if your state doesn’t require cosmetology continuing education classes, you might still consider taking some. These courses are a great way to:

• Sharpen your skills

• Learn the latest industry trends

• Build your professional network

In this blog, we’ll break down whether your state needs you to take continuing education courses. We’ll also cover ways that you can satisfy those requirements.

What Are Cosmetology Continuing Education Classes?

You already know that to work as a cosmetologist in the United States, you need to:

• Be officially licensed

• Renew your license periodically

• Pay fees and submit paperwork to the state authorities

It’s just like renewing your driver's license. On top of that, some states will want proof that you’re keeping your skills up to date. Rather than handing out written tests like at the DMV, these states require you to log a certain number of continuing education units or cosmetology CEU hours during every renewal period.

Depending on where you work, you can continue your education in cosmetology by:

• Attending classes accredited cosmetology schools

• Receiving free, state-sponsored instruction

• Learning one-on-one from coworkers and mentors

Before we get into that, let’s talk about what your state specifically mandates in terms of cosmetology continuing education classes.

What Cosmetology CEU Hours Are Required in Your State?

Each state has its own licensing body for cosmetologists, which determines what is required to seek and renew the licenses required for doing business as a cosmetologist within the state. With that in mind, here’s a handy guide to all 50 states (and Washington D.C.) listing what you need to know as you get started.

We’ve done our best to assemble the latest regulations across the country, but bear in mind that licensing requirements can change from year to year. Also, these continuing education requirements are listed solely for general cosmetologists — if you’re a student, master, or an instructor, your requirements will likely differ. When in doubt, reach out to your state’s cosmetology board to confirm what you need.

• Alabama: No continuing education required.

• Alaska: No continuing education required.

• Arizona: No continuing education required.

• Arkansas: No continuing education required.

• California: No continuing education required.

• Colorado: No continuing education required.

• Connecticut: No continuing education required.

• Delaware: No continuing education required.

• D.C. (Washington): 6 CEUs required for renewal every 2 years.

• Florida: 10 CEUs required for renewal every 2 years.

• Georgia: 5 CEUs required for renewal every 2 years.

• Hawai’i: No continuing education required.

• Idaho: No continuing education required.

• Illinois: 14 CEUs required for renewal every 2 years.

• Indiana: No continuing education required.

• Iowa: 6 CEUs required for renewal every 2 years.

• Kansas: No continuing education required.

• Kentucky: No continuing education required.

• Louisiana: No continuing education required.

• Maine: No continuing education required.

• Maryland: No continuing education required.

• Massachusetts: No continuing education required.

• Michigan: No continuing education required.

• Minnesota: 8 CEUs required for renewal every 3 years.

• Mississippi: No continuing education required.

• Missouri: No continuing education required.

• Montana: 30 CEUs required for renewal every 2 years (teachers only).

• Nebraska: 8 CEUs required for renewal every 2 years.

• Nevada: 4 CEUs for renewal every 2 years.

• New Hampshire: No continuing education required.

• New Jersey: No continuing education required.

• New Mexico: No continuing education required.

• New York: No continuing education required.

• North Carolina: 8 CEUs required for renewal every year.

• North Dakota: No continuing education required.

• Ohio: 4 CEUs for renewal every 2 years.

• Oklahoma: No continuing education required.

• Oregon: No continuing education required.

• Pennsylvania: No continuing education required.

• Rhode Island: No continuing education required.

• South Carolina: 12 CEUs required for renewal every 2 years.

• South Dakota: No continuing education required.

• Tennessee: No continuing education required.

• Texas: 4 CEUs required for renewal every 2 years.

• Utah: No continuing education required.

• Vermont: No continuing education required.

• Virginia: No continuing education required.

• Washington: No continuing education required.

• West Virginia: No continuing education required.

• Wisconsin: No continuing education required.

• Wyoming: No continuing education required.

What Qualifies as Cosmetology Advanced Education?

Your state may require:

• A flat number of continuing education classes for cosmetologists with no other stipulations, or 

• A certain number of hours per specific category

Your state may also:

• Recognize courses only from accredited schools, or 

• Let you select and self-report your own educational ventures 

Remember that your licensing board may perform audits to keep less-ethical folks from simply making up classes to save time.

Whatever your state's particulars may be, here are five common types of continuing education that include everything from sanitation skills to a professional hair styling course:

• Health and safety: These cosmetology continuing education classes focus on ensuring a healthy working environment for both clients and employees

• Legal requirements: These classes are meant to keep you up to date on what you need to do to remain in good standing with your state’s cosmetology licensing body

• Professional skills: As long as they meet your state’s requirements, you can put pursue cosmetology advanced education in new hair styling techniques, emerging tech in the field, or anything else toward your renewal

• Trade shows: Cosmetology trade shows are a great place to network and pick up skills. Some states even let you put the presentations and demonstrations you attend down as cosmetology continuing education classes

• One-on-one mentorship: If your state allows it, and you document it properly, you may be able to count mentorship opportunities at your salon toward your cosmetology continuing education hours

FAQs About Cosmetology Continuing Education Classes

1. What Are My State’s Requirements for Cosmetology Continuing Education Classes?

Every state in the United States (as well as Washington, D.C.) has its own set of requirements for continuing education in cosmetology. Check the “What Cosmetology CEU Hours Are Required in Your State?” section of this blog, or consult your state’s professional licensing website. You can start your search at your state’s official website.

2. Where Can I Take Cosmetology Continuing Education Classes?

Satisfying your cosmetology continuing education requirements varies based on your location. Some states require you to attend an accredited school. Others let you choose your own institutions, as long as you can prove that you’ve studied a relevant topic. You may even be able to work one-on-one with your mentor or attend trade shows. Check your state’s government website or a local cosmetology association for more specific information.

3. Can I Complete My Cosmetology Continuing Education Courses Online?

While you should always double-check the latest requirements in your state, you can generally complete cosmetology continuing education courses online. Some organizations may offer in-person classes or hands-on sessions, but for the most part, you can earn your CEU hours remotely. Before you sign up for online courses, make sure that they meet your state’s accreditation requirements (if any), and that they have good reviews from other professionals in the field.

If you prefer to spend your time going hands-on with clients, taking cosmetology continuing education classes may sound like a whole lot of trouble just to check a few bureaucratic boxes. But think of it this way: Getting ahead of your state’s requirements will save you from last-minute stress, not to mention potential late fees or even worse, licensing troubles. You might pick up a few handy new techniques along the way, too.