How often do I renew a cosmetologist license in Michigan?
Renewal Cycle: 2 years
How to Get a Cosmetologist License in Michigan (2026)
Quick answer
Combined application and two-year license fee: $63 by examination or reciprocity. Renewal application fee: $48.
Required hours
At least 1,500 hours in a licensed cosmetology school or at least two years as an apprentice in a licensed establishment offering hair, skin and manicuring services.
Exam
Pass practical and theory examinations; passing scores must be earned within one year of each other.
Renewal
Renewal Cycle: 2 years
Minimum age
17 years old
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How do I get this license?
Check the licensing authority
Board
Michigan Board of Cosmetology
Official agency page
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
to license and regulate the practice of cosmetology in Michigan.
Official sourceCheck your qualifications
Age
17 years old
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Must not be less than 17 years of age.
Official sourceEducation
Education equivalent to completion of ninth grade.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Has had an education equivalent to the completion of the ninth grade.
Official sourceRequired hours
At least 1,500 hours in a licensed cosmetology school or at least two years as an apprentice in a licensed establishment offering hair, skin and manicuring services.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Has completed either not less than a 1,500-hour course of study in a licensed school of cosmetology or has served as an apprentice for not less than 2 years in a licensed cosmetology establishment in which hair care services, skin care services, and manicuring services are offered.
Official sourceExam
Pass practical and theory examinations; passing scores must be earned within one year of each other.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Take and pass the practical and theory exam. Passing scores on both the practical and theory exam must be obtained within 1 year of each other.
Official sourcePrepare your application
Apply with the agency
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Online applications can be completed by visiting www.michigan.gov/miplus
Official sourceReciprocity
Provide official license verification from every state where licensed. If not actively licensed elsewhere or standards are not substantially equal, practical and/or theory examinations are required.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Verification of licensure must be sent directly to our office by the licensing agency of each state of the United States in which you hold or have ever held a cosmetologist license. If not actively licensed in another state or the licensure or registration requirements of the state in which you are authorized to perform cosmetology services are not substantially equal to the requirements for licensure in Michigan, taking and passing the practical and/or theory exam will be required.
Official sourceConfirm your next step with the agency
Review the official instructions for your situation before applying.
Open the official agency page
What else should I know?
Agency guidance
Combined application and two-year license fee: $63 by examination or reciprocity. Renewal application fee: $48.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Application Fee + 2 year license fee: Cosmetologist by Exam or Reciprocity: $63.00 Cosmetologist Renewal Application Fee: $48.00Official source
Agency guidance
The license authorizes performing or offering one or more cosmetology services.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The cosmetologist license type allows a licensee to perform or offer to perform 1 or more cosmetology services.Official source
When do I renew, and is CE required?
Renewal
Renewal Cycle: 2 years
License term in years
2 years
Have a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.
What does it cost?
Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.
What are the common questions?
Which official sources support this guide?
Official sources and verification (12)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Board
Michigan Board of Cosmetology
Michigan Board of Cosmetology
Michigan Board of CosmetologyOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Official agency page
https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/occ/prof/cosmetology
to license and regulate the practice of cosmetology in Michigan.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Apply with the agency
https://www.michigan.gov/miplus
Online applications can be completed by visiting www.michigan.gov/miplusOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Age
17 years old
17
Must not be less than 17 years of age.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Education
Education equivalent to completion of ninth grade.
Education equivalent to completion of ninth grade.
Has had an education equivalent to the completion of the ninth grade.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Required hours
At least 1,500 hours in a licensed cosmetology school or at least two years as an apprentice in a licensed establishment offering hair, skin and manicuring services.
At least 1,500 hours in a licensed cosmetology school or at least two years as an apprentice in a licensed establishment offering hair, skin and manicuring services.
Has completed either not less than a 1,500-hour course of study in a licensed school of cosmetology or has served as an apprentice for not less than 2 years in a licensed cosmetology establishment in which hair care services, skin care services, and manicuring services are offered.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Exam
Pass practical and theory examinations; passing scores must be earned within one year of each other.
Pass practical and theory examinations; passing scores must be earned within one year of each other.
Take and pass the practical and theory exam. Passing scores on both the practical and theory exam must be obtained within 1 year of each other.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Renewal
Renewal Cycle: 2 years
Renewal Cycle: 2 years Applies to: Cosmetologist license
Renewal Cycle: 2 yearsOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Reciprocity
Provide official license verification from every state where licensed. If not actively licensed elsewhere or standards are not substantially equal, practical and/or theory examinations are required.
Provide official license verification from every state where licensed. If not actively licensed elsewhere or standards are not substantially equal, practical and/or theory examinations are required.
Verification of licensure must be sent directly to our office by the licensing agency of each state of the United States in which you hold or have ever held a cosmetologist license. If not actively licensed in another state or the licensure or registration requirements of the state in which you are authorized to perform cosmetology services are not substantially equal to the requirements for licensure in Michigan, taking and passing the practical and/or theory exam will be required.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidance
Combined application and two-year license fee: $63 by examination or reciprocity. Renewal application fee: $48.
Combined application and two-year license fee: $63 by examination or reciprocity. Renewal application fee: $48.
Application Fee + 2 year license fee: Cosmetologist by Exam or Reciprocity: $63.00 Cosmetologist Renewal Application Fee: $48.00Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidance
The license authorizes performing or offering one or more cosmetology services.
The license authorizes performing or offering one or more cosmetology services.
The cosmetologist license type allows a licensee to perform or offer to perform 1 or more cosmetology services.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Not yet verified: license fee, continuing education — see the official agency.
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Following: How to Get a Cosmetologist License in Michigan (2026)
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What should I explore next?
Cosmetologist in neighboring states
Neighboring states use Census adjacency data, including water and point boundaries.
Related licenses in Michigan
Last verified Oct 25, 2026.
Official sources (2)
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.