MI LARA cosmetology renewal: Michigan 2026
Regulated by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (MI LARA)
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Michigan cosmetology licenses are valid for 2 years. There is no continuing education requirement. You renew through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (MI LARA). The current renewal fee is $48.
Michigan is one of the states where you do not need to take any continuing education to keep your cosmetology license active. Renewal is purely a paperwork-and-fee matter handled every two years through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The one date that matters is August 31, the biennial renewal deadline.
Continuing education is not required in Michigan. Practicing cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, electrologists, and instructors do not have to complete CE hours to renew. There is no annual or biennial class requirement, no online or self-study course to log, and no special-topic hour such as infection control or sanitation built into renewal.
- Renewal cycle: two years (biennial), with all licenses expiring on August 31 of the renewal year.
- CE hours required: zero, for every license type.
- Renewal fee: $48 (verify the current amount when you renew, as fees can change).
Because there are no hours to track, renewing in Michigan is mostly about timing and the fee. You renew online through the state's licensing system, confirm your information, and pay. If your license lapses, you may face a relicensure process or additional steps depending on how long it has been expired, so renewing on or before August 31 is the simplest path.
The state administrative rules that cover cosmetology in Michigan (Admin Code R 338.2101 through R 338.2195) deal with school standards and instructor qualifications rather than ongoing education for licensed professionals. That is the underlying reason there is no CE mandate for individual renewal.
If you plan to upgrade to a different license type, such as moving from manicurist to full cosmetologist, that involves separate training and examination requirements and is not the same as renewal. Renewal of an existing license stands on its own with no education component.
Does Michigan require CE for cosmetology renewal?
Michigan 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: $48
Michigan state board contact info
- Board: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (MI LARA)
- Website: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/occ/prof/cosmetology#bcScope
Other states with no CE requirement: Arizona, California, Massachusetts. See the full list of states with no CE requirement. Compare all 53 states.
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Frequently asked questions about Michigan cosmetology renewal
Does Michigan require CE for cosmetology or esthetician renewal?
Michigan 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 Michigan cosmetology CE online?
Michigan has no CE requirement, so there are no online CE hours to complete. Renewal is by application and fee only.
How often does a Michigan cosmetology license need to be renewed?
Michigan 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 Michigan cosmetology license lapses?
If you miss your Michigan 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.
Does Michigan require continuing education for cosmetologists?
No. Michigan does not require any continuing education hours to renew a cosmetology, esthetician, manicurist, electrologist, or instructor license. Renewal is a fee-and-paperwork process only.
How often do I renew my Michigan cosmetology license?
Every two years. Michigan uses a biennial cycle, and licenses expire on August 31 of the renewal year. Renew on or before that date to avoid a lapse.
How much does it cost to renew a cosmetology license in Michigan?
The renewal fee is $48. Fees can be adjusted, so confirm the current amount on the state's licensing system before you pay.
What happens if my Michigan cosmetology license expires?
If you miss the August 31 deadline, you may need to go through a relicensure or reinstatement process, and the steps depend on how long the license has been lapsed. The cleanest approach is to renew before it expires, since there are no CE hours to make up either way.
Do estheticians and nail technicians follow the same renewal rules?
Yes. All individual license types in Michigan, including esthetician, manicurist, and electrologist, share the same biennial renewal cycle and have no continuing education requirement.