Exemption

Ohio Continuing Education Exemptions

The Board waives CE for a long-held license, age 65, or a first Ohio license. The dates depend on whether the license is cosmetology or barber, and the renewal fee is still due.

Cosmetology, branches, and instructors (2025-2027)

The Board lists three reasons you would not need CE for this period. The renewal fee is still required to keep the license active.

  • 30 years. You have held an Ohio Board license for 30 or more years, and it was issued before October 2, 1996.
  • Age 65. You are 65 or older before October 2, 2026.
  • First Ohio license. This is your first Ohio license, for the renewal period ending January 31, 2027. An instructor license is not eligible for this exemption.

Boutique service registrations use the age-65 and first-registration exemptions for the same dates. The Board's boutique list does not include the 30-year exemption.

Barbers (current renewal on the Renew a License page)

  • 30 years. Original issuance on or before May 2, 1998.
  • Age 65. You are 65 or older before May 2, 2028. This covers every license you hold.
  • First Ohio license. The period ending August 31, 2028. A barber instructor license is not eligible for this exemption.

Inactive or lapsed

A license in escrow (inactive) does not need CE while it stays inactive. Restoring it to active requires the CE hours. If a renewal fee is missed for two consecutive renewal periods (4 years), the license lapses. Restoring a lapsed license requires the back fees and up to 24 hours of CE.

If you still need the 3-hour course, cosmetology requirements and barber requirements.

Source: Continuing Education and Renew a License.

Does an Ohio instructor get the first-license CE exemption?

No. The Board says an instructor license is not eligible for the first-time exemption. A barber instructor license is not eligible either.

Ohio Board: Continuing Education

If I am exempt from Ohio CE, do I still renew?

Yes. The Board says payment of the renewal fee is required to keep the license current and active, even when CE hours are not required.

Ohio Board: Renew a License

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