RI DOH cosmetology renewal: Rhode Island 2026
Regulated by the Rhode Island Department of Health Cosmetology (RI DOH)
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Rhode Island cosmetology licenses are valid for 2 years. There is no continuing education requirement. You renew through the Rhode Island Department of Health Cosmetology (RI DOH). The current renewal fee is $25.
Rhode Island is one of the simpler states for license renewal: there is no continuing education at all. What makes it unusual is the fixed calendar. Every hairdresser/cosmetician, barber, esthetician, and manicurist license expires on September 30 on a two-year cycle, no matter what day you were first licensed, so the whole field renews on the same statewide deadline.
Rhode Island does not require any continuing education hours for hairdressers/cosmeticians, barbers, estheticians, or manicurists. There are no classroom hours, no online courses, and no special required topics such as bloodborne pathogens or sanitation to complete before you renew. Renewal is simply an application plus the fee.
The piece worth circling on your calendar is the deadline. Under 216-RICR-40-05-4, section 4.6, every license expires on the 30th day of September on a biennial (two-year) basis, determined on an odd/even year schedule rather than from your original issue date. When you renew, the Department of Health grants the new license effective October 1, expiring two years later on September 30.
- CE hours required: 0
- Renewal cycle: every 2 years
- Expiration date: September 30 (fixed, same for everyone)
- Renewal fee: $25
The same zero-CE rule and $25 fee apply across all the licensed roles the state issues: hairdresser/cosmetician, barber, esthetician, manicurist, and instructor. None of them carry an hours requirement.
If you miss September 30: you can still renew late. You pay the $25 current renewal fee plus a $25 reinstatement add-on for each renewal cycle that lapsed, up to a maximum total of $100. Rhode Island does not charge a separate flat late fee; the cost is built from the per-cycle reinstatement amount under the Department of Health Fee Structure (216-RICR-10-05-2).
Because the expiration is a fixed statewide date and not tied to when you started, a license issued partway through a cycle still expires on the next September 30 boundary. It is worth confirming your exact expiration year directly with the Department of Health if you were recently licensed.
Does Rhode Island require CE for cosmetology renewal?
Rhode Island 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.
When does my Rhode Island license expire?
All Rhode Island hairdresser/cosmetician, barber, esthetician, and manicurist licenses expire on the thirtieth (30th) day of September on a fixed biennial cycle, regardless of when you were first licensed. The Department of Health grants the renewed license effective October 1 and expiring September 30 two years later (216-RICR-40-05-4, section 4.6).
Fees
- Renewal: $25
- Reinstatement: up to $100
What if my Rhode Island license is already expired?
If you miss the September 30 deadline, you may renew late by paying the $25 current renewal fee plus an additional reinstatement fee of $25 for each renewal cycle lapsed, up to a maximum total of $100. There is no separate late fee, only the per-cycle reinstatement add-on under the Rhode Island Department of Health Fee Structure for Licensing (216-RICR-10-05-2).
Rhode Island state board contact info
- Board: Rhode Island Department of Health, Office of Health Professionals Licensing (RI DOH)
- Website: https://health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=225
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 Rhode Island cosmetology renewal
Does Rhode Island require CE for cosmetology or esthetician renewal?
Rhode Island does not require continuing education for hairdresser/cosmeticians, barbers, estheticians, manicurists, and instructors. You renew every 2 years by application and fee only. No CE hours or courses are required.
Can I complete Rhode Island cosmetology CE online?
Rhode Island has no CE requirement, so there are no online CE hours to complete. Renewal is by application and fee only.
How often does a Rhode Island cosmetology license need to be renewed?
Rhode Island hairdresser/cosmeticians, barbers, estheticians, manicurists, and instructors licenses renew every 2 years. No CE is required; renewal is by application and fee.
What happens if my Rhode Island cosmetology license lapses?
If you miss your Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island require continuing education to renew a cosmetology license?
No. Rhode Island requires zero continuing education hours for hairdressers/cosmeticians, barbers, estheticians, and manicurists. You renew by submitting the application and paying the $25 fee on or before September 30 of your renewal year (216-RICR-40-05-4, section 4.6).
When does my Rhode Island cosmetology license expire?
On September 30, on a fixed two-year cycle, regardless of your original issue date. The Department of Health renews the license effective October 1 and it expires again on September 30 two years later. Everyone renews on the same statewide schedule.
How much does it cost to renew in 2026, and what if I'm late?
The renewal fee is $25 every two years. If you miss the September 30 deadline, you pay the $25 renewal fee plus a $25 reinstatement add-on for each cycle that lapsed, capped at a $100 total (216-RICR-10-05-2). There is no separate flat late fee.
Who issues and regulates my license in Rhode Island?
The Rhode Island Department of Health, Office of Health Professionals Licensing, issues hairdresser/cosmetician, barber, esthetician, manicurist, and instructor licenses under 216-RICR-40-05-4. Current forms and renewal instructions are at health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=225.
Do estheticians, manicurists, and barbers have different CE rules?
No. The zero-CE requirement and the $25 biennial renewal apply the same way to every licensed role: hairdresser/cosmetician, barber, esthetician, manicurist, and instructor. None of them has a continuing education obligation.
When does my Rhode Island cosmetology license expire?
Every Rhode Island hairdresser/cosmetician, barber, esthetician, and manicurist license expires on September 30 on a fixed two-year cycle, regardless of your original issue date (216-RICR-40-05-4). The Department of Health then grants a renewed license effective October 1, expiring two years later on September 30.
How much does it cost to renew a Rhode Island cosmetology license in 2026?
The Rhode Island Department of Health charges a $25 renewal fee every two years for hairdressers/cosmeticians, barbers, estheticians, and manicurists (216-RICR-10-05-2). If you renew late, there is a $25 reinstatement add-on per renewal cycle lapsed, up to a maximum total of $100.
Who issues a Rhode Island cosmetology and hairdressing license?
The Rhode Island Department of Health, Office of Health Professionals Licensing, issues hairdresser/cosmetician, barber, esthetician, manicurist, and instructor licenses under 216-RICR-40-05-4. The cosmetology and barber licensing page is health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=225, which lists current renewal instructions and forms.
Does Rhode Island require continuing education for cosmetology license renewal?
No. Rhode Island does not require any continuing education hours for hairdressers/cosmeticians, barbers, estheticians, or manicurists. Renewal is by application and the $25 fee, due on or before September 30 of each renewal year (216-RICR-40-05-4 section 4.6).