MA BORCB cosmetology renewal: Massachusetts 2026
Regulated by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering (MA BORCB)
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Massachusetts cosmetology licenses are valid for 2 years. There is no continuing education requirement. You renew through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering (MA BORCB). The current renewal fee is $68.
Massachusetts is one of the states where you do not need any continuing education to keep your cosmetology license active. The Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering renews licenses on a two-year cycle tied to your birthday, and 239 CMR 5.00 lists no CE hours as a condition of renewal. Your main task is paying the renewal fee on time and confirming your information is current.
There is no continuing education requirement for cosmetologists in Massachusetts. The renewal rules under 239 CMR 5.00 do not list any CE hours, classroom training, or self-study as a condition of keeping your license. You will not be asked to upload certificates or log course hours.
Here is how renewal works in practice:
- Cycle length: Licenses renew every 2 years (biennial).
- Deadline: Renewal is tied to your birthday, so your expiration date follows your own birth date rather than a fixed statewide date.
- Renewal fee: $68 per two-year cycle for a cosmetology license, per the state licensing fee schedule.
- License types covered: The same no-CE rule applies across the board's license categories, including cosmetologist, esthetician (aesthetician), manicurist, electrologist, and instructor.
Because there is no CE mandate, the most common reasons a Massachusetts license lapses are a missed renewal deadline or an unpaid fee, not a shortfall of training hours. Set a reminder for the month of your birthday so you renew before the license expires.
Keep in mind that no-CE is a renewal rule, not an exemption from board standards. You are still expected to practice safely and follow the sanitation and conduct rules in 239 CMR. The board can also update its regulations, so it is worth confirming the current rules at renewal time.
Does Massachusetts require CE for cosmetology renewal?
Massachusetts does not require continuing education for license renewal. You renew every 2 years by paying the fee and submitting any required documentation. Add your renewal date below and we'll email you 90, 60, and 30 days before your deadline.
Fees
- Renewal: $68
Massachusetts state board contact info
- Board: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering (MA BORCB)
- Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-of-cosmetology-and-barbering
Other states with no CE requirement: Arizona, California, Michigan. See the full list of states with no CE requirement. Compare all 53 states.
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Frequently asked questions about Massachusetts cosmetology renewal
Does Massachusetts require CE for cosmetology or esthetician renewal?
Massachusetts does not require continuing education for cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, electrologists, and instructors. You renew every 2 years by application and fee only. No CE hours or courses are required.
Can I complete Massachusetts cosmetology CE online?
Massachusetts has no CE requirement, so there are no online CE hours to complete. Renewal is by application and fee only.
How often does a Massachusetts cosmetology license need to be renewed?
Massachusetts cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, electrologists, and instructors licenses renew every 2 years. No CE is required; renewal is by application and fee.
What happens if my Massachusetts cosmetology license lapses?
If you miss your Massachusetts 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.
Do I need continuing education to renew my cosmetology license in Massachusetts?
No. Massachusetts does not require any continuing education hours to renew a cosmetology, esthetician, manicurist, electrologist, or instructor license. 239 CMR 5.00 does not list CE as a renewal condition.
How often do I renew my Massachusetts cosmetology license?
Every two years. Massachusetts uses a biennial cycle, and renewal is tied to your birthday, so your expiration date is based on your own birth date.
How much does it cost to renew?
The cosmetology renewal fee is $68 for the two-year cycle, according to the state licensing fee schedule. Confirm the current amount when you renew, since fees can change.
Is the no-CE rule the same for estheticians and manicurists?
Yes. The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering does not impose CE on any of its license categories, so estheticians, manicurists, electrologists, and instructors renew without continuing education hours as well.
What happens if I miss my renewal date?
Your license can lapse, which may stop you from working legally until you renew. Because there is no CE component, late renewal is usually about catching up on the fee and any reinstatement steps, so renew before your birthday-based expiration to avoid a gap. Contact the board for the current reinstatement process.