GBBC cosmetology renewal: Guam 2026
Regulated by the Guam Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (GBBC)
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Guam cosmetology licenses are valid for each renewal cycle. Renewal requires 6 hours of continuing education within each renewal cycle. You renew through the Guam Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (GBBC). Online CE is accepted. The current renewal fee is $4. Late renewal incurs a $20 penalty.
Guam stands out for how it breaks down its small continuing-education total: of the 6 hours required, 4 must cover hands-on craft and exactly 2 must cover health and safety. The Guam Board of Barbering and Cosmetology also caps how many hours you can earn from any single activity type, so you cannot satisfy the whole requirement one way. Renewal here is unusually low-cost, with a $4 certificate fee.
Under the Barbering and Cosmetology Act of 2010 (P.L. 30-152, §18128.4), licensees on Guam must complete 6 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle to renew. The hours are split into two fixed buckets:
- 4 hours in cosmetology, barbering, barber-styling, manicuring, esthetics, or electrology skills.
- 2 hours in health and safety topics: sanitation, sterilization of equipment, and client protection.
This breakdown applies to all licensed disciplines the Board oversees, including esthetician, cosmetologist, manicurist, barber, electrologist, and instructor.
How you can earn the hours. The Board recognizes several activity types, each with its own ceiling so no single source covers everything:
- Association membership: up to 2 hours per cycle.
- Webinars: up to 2 hours per cycle.
- Conferences: up to 3 hours per cycle.
- Teaching, workshops, or in-salon training: up to 3 hours per cycle, and the Board must pre-approve these before they count.
- Sanitation, sterilization, and client-protection training: up to 2 hours per cycle (this is how you cover the required health-and-safety portion).
Online study. Online and webinar-based learning is accepted, though webinars are capped at 2 hours per cycle, so you cannot complete all 6 hours by webinar alone.
Senior exemption. A licensee who is 65 or older and has held a cosmetology or instructor license for at least 15 years only needs to complete the 2 health-and-safety hours, not the full 6 (P.L. 30-152 §18128.4(f)).
Fees. The certificate renewal fee is $4. Renewing late adds a $20 late fee. Keep your CE documentation, as the Board requires proof of the six hours at renewal.
The exact length of the renewal cycle is not stated in the Board's renewal application. Confirm your personal cycle and due date directly with the GBBC, since CE totals reset each cycle.
How many CE hours does Guam require?
| License types | CE hours | Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| esthetician, cosmetologist, manicurist, barber, electrologist, instructor | 6 hours | check board for cycle |
CE topic breakdown
- Cosmetology Barbering Esthetic Manicuring Electrology: 4 hours
- Health Safety Sanitation Sterilization Client Protection: 2 hours
Fees
- Renewal: $4
- Late fee: $20
Exemptions
Licensees age 65+ who have held a cosmetology or instructor license for at least 15 years only need 2 CE hours in health and safety (P.L. 30-152 §18128.4(f)).
Guam state board contact info
- Board: Guam Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (GBBC)
- Website: https://guamhplo.org/gbbc
States with the same 6-hour CE requirement: District of Columbia, Iowa, Maryland. See the full list of states that require CE for cosmetology renewal. Compare all 53 states.
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Frequently asked questions about Guam cosmetology renewal
How many CE hours does Guam require for cosmetology renewal?
Guam requires 6 CE hours per renewal cycle for estheticians, cosmetologists, manicurists, barbers, electrologists, and instructors. Online CE is accepted. Check the GBBC for the current list of approved CE providers.
Can I complete Guam cosmetology CE online?
Yes. Guam accepts online CE. You must use a board-approved provider. Verify the current approved-provider list directly with the GBBC.
How often does a Guam cosmetology license need to be renewed?
Check the GBBC page for the current renewal cycle length.
What happens if my Guam cosmetology license lapses?
If you miss your Guam renewal deadline, your license enters expired or inactive status. You may face late fees, a reinstatement application, and in some cases additional CE hours or re-examination. Set a free reminder on CEFinder so your deadline is never a surprise.
How many CE hours do I need to renew my Guam cosmetology license?
Six hours total per renewal cycle: 4 hours in cosmetology, barbering, manicuring, esthetics, or electrology skills, plus 2 hours in health and safety covering sanitation, sterilization, and client protection.
Can I do all my Guam CE hours online?
Not entirely. Online learning is allowed and webinars count, but webinars are capped at 2 hours per cycle. You will need to mix in another approved activity, such as a conference or sanitation training, to reach the full 6 hours.
Is there a senior exemption from CE in Guam?
Yes. If you are 65 or older and have held a cosmetology or instructor license for at least 15 years, you only need the 2 health-and-safety hours instead of the full 6, under P.L. 30-152 section 18128.4(f).
What does it cost to renew, and what if I'm late?
The certificate renewal fee is $4. If you renew late, an additional $20 late fee applies. Renew on time and have your CE proof ready to avoid the penalty.
Do teaching or in-salon training hours count toward my CE?
They can, up to 3 hours per cycle, but the Guam Board of Barbering and Cosmetology must pre-approve the teaching, workshop, or in-salon training before those hours will be credited.