Blog

A career in cosmetology is appealing on several levels. It not only requires a combination of creativity and science that allows you to showcase your artistic and technical talents alike, but it also allows for personal connections with your clients and the satisfaction of helping people look and feel their best. 

Whether you’re interested in becoming a cosmetologist, a manicurist, or an esthetician, you must first obtain a license from the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology. However, this is not a one-and-done undertaking. Once you have a license, you must renew it periodically or risk losing your ability to legally operate.  

How often do you have to renew your license, and what are the requirements for renewal? 

License Renewal Requirements

Your initial license will remain valid for two years from the date it was issued. Licensed cosmetologists, manicurists, and estheticians have the option to upgrade to a master practitioner license 12 months after obtaining their initial license by completing 16 hours of state-approved continuing education (CE). 

To renew your master cosmetologist, manicurist, or esthetician license (or an instructor license), you must complete board-approved CE courses and submit a certificate of completion to the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology. 

Professionals with a master practitioner license are required to complete 8 hours of CE for license renewal. Instructors must complete 24 hours of CE. The board sends renewal applications about 60 days before a license expires, but it is up to you to keep track of your expiration date and file your application for renewal in a timely manner. 

What Happens if Your License Expires?

If you fall behind and fail to complete your required CE before your license expires, you will not be permitted to continue working. However, it’s not too late to renew. Although your license is valid for only two years, you have until three years after the date it was issued to apply for a renewal. 

If you miss the two-year deadline, you will have to pay a delinquent renewal penalty in addition to meeting other requirements. If you fail to renew your license within three years, you’ll have to start at the beginning and obtain a new license. This means passing both the practical and theory exams administered by the state board. 

The practical exam tests your skills in your preferred specialization (hair, nails, skin), while the theory exam is a written test designed to assess your knowledge. The theory exam consists of 110 multiple-choice questions covering these topics: 

• Scientific concepts 
• Hair care 
• Skin care 
• Nail care 

You’ll have 90 minutes to complete the exam. You must answer at least 70 questions correctly to pass. 

Finding the Right CE Program

Continuing education is more than just a means of maintaining your license; it’s also a way to expand your knowledge and skills to provide the best possible services for clients. As a working professional, you’ll want to select a board-approved CE program that offers 24/7 online access for self-paced learning. 

Is it time to renew your cosmetologist, manicurist, esthetician, or instructor license in Mississippi? Contact RocketCert today to sign up for needed CE courses.