License Renewal

Information About Renewal for All Licenses

Licenses expire every two years as follows:

• Licenses that expire on March 31st of each even year (e.g., 2010, 2012) are:
• Barber
• Nail Technician
• Aesthetician
• Electrologist
• All types of Instructors

• Cosmetologist licenses expire on October 31st of each even year.

• Establishment (shop/salon) and School registrations expire on June 30th of each odd year (e.g., 2011, 2013).

Several weeks before your license expiration date, a renewal notice will be mailed to the address on your record. This notice will explain how to access the online renewal application. To complete the online renewal application, you must use a credit card to pay your renewal fee. The notice will also explain how to request a paper renewal application if you are unable to renew online.

Please keep your contact information in our records up-to-date so that notices we send will reach you.  To check and update your contact information online, click here.

How to Renew a Lapsed License or Registration

If you do not renew your license or registration before the expiration date, the license or registration will lapse.

• If you hold a license as a Cosmetologist, Barber, Instructor, Nail Technician, Aesthetician or Electrologist, it is illegal to practice in Delaware while your license is lapsed .
• If you hold a shop/salon or school registration, it is illegal to operate the shop/salon or school while the registration is lapsed.

A change in the law that goes into effect on June 26, 2010 reduces how long you have to file a late renewal application (24 Del. C. §5111).

Cosmetologist, Barber, Aesthetician, Electrologist, Nail Technician and Instructors

• For licenses that lapse October 31, 2010 or later, you may file a late renewal application for up to one year after the expiration date. A late renewal fee will be assessed. Even though you can file a late renewal application, it is illegal to practice until the license is actually renewed. This period is not a “grace period.”

• If you let your Cosmetologist, Barber, Aesthetician, Electrologist, Nail Technician or Instructor license lapse for more than one year, you must file an application to reinstate it and pay additional late fees.
• If you let the license lapse for more than four years, you must also meet additional reinstatement requirements, such as re-taking your exam, that are listed in 24 Del. C. § 5111(b).

Establishment (Shop/Salon) and School Registrations

A change in the law that goes into effect on June 26, 2010 reduces how long you have to file a late renewal application for a shop/salon or school (24 Del. C. §5111(b)(5).

A late fee will be assessed for all renewal applications filed after the registration’s expiration date. Even though you may file a late renewal application, it is illegal to operate a shop/salon or school until the registration is actually renewed. The late period is not a “grace period.” If you fail to file a renewal application by the end of the late period, you must reapply for a registration.