Renewal, Reciprocity, & Other Resources

Cosmetology and Barber Examiners Board

Failure to complete all renewal requirements will result in your license expiring. Anyone who continues to act in any capacity in the cosmetology or barber field will be subject to disciplinary action. The ability to reinstate an expired license does not allow a person to continue to act as a licensee without a valid license. You must contact the Board office for specific reinstatement policy provisions.

Failure to remit fees by the expiration date will result in a penalty fee being assessed. All penalties are strictly enforced and are never waived.

Licenses expired more than three (3) years become invalid. To reinstate an invalid license, the licensee must take the reinstatement exams and complete the Application to Test form found on the Forms and Downloads page. There are no waivers to this provision.
 

Individuals, Shops, and Schools:

You can renew your license on our online licensing portal. You will see the option to renew in your CORE account once you are within sixty (60) days of your expiration date.

Cosmetology Schools: The grace period for your license is thirty (30) days. All schools expire on August 31 annually. A $25 late fee is charged if not renewed by September 30. After September 30, the license will become invalid, and you will have to reapply for a license.

Barber Schools: The grace period for your license is one (1) year. All schools expire one (1) year from the month they were originally licensed. A $25 late fee is charged if not renewed within one (1) year. After one (1) year of expiration, the license will become invalid, and you will have to reapply for a license.

  1. Renewal Application (CORE)
  2. Fees
    • Individuals, $60
    • Shops and Salons, $75
    • Schools, $150
       

Instructors:

You can renew your license on our online licensing portal. The following requirements will need to be met before the license is renewed.

  1. Renewal Application (CORE)
  2. Sixteen (16) Hours of Approved Continuing Education (CE)
  3. Fee, $70

States in which the licensee has substantially met the qualifications for licensing in Tennessee may be eligible to receive a reciprocal license. Reciprocal Cosmetology and Barber applicants will need to follow the steps below to obtain a Tennessee license.

You will be required to produce proof of identification at all times. Make sure your name on the license matches your identification documents.

1. Contact your state licensing board and request that they send us your current Certification of License. If you have been licensed in more than one state, please contact each state board that you are or were licensed in and have them send certification. Only one license needs to be current.

2. Complete the “Out of State” application for the specific license type you hold and are applying for online at core.tn.gov. A non-refundable application fee must be included to start the application process. Receipt of certifications from other state boards varies in time, so allow three to four weeks for processing once you have submitted your online application.

3. Once approved for licensure in Tennessee, a license will be mailed to the address you provided. Please make sure to update the Board if you have moved. Your license expires every two years, and by statute, you must inform the Board of a change in address within thirty (30) days or update it yourself through your online CORE account. You may not work until you receive your license or can confirm you are active by visiting: https://verify.tn.gov/.
 

Acceptable Proof of Work

You must submit work history if you complete fewer hours than the State of Tennessee requires.

Work history must show proof of either:

1. Practicing as a licensee for at least 1 of the last 3 years, or

2. Practicing as a licensee for at least 2 of the last 5 years.

Acceptable work experience documents include:

1. Copies of your tax returns, which show your occupation, or

2. Providing a letter(s) from previous employer(s) stating your occupation and dates of employment on their company letterhead.
 

Minimum Hour Requirement

Tennessee has a minimum hour requirement, as well as a theory and practical exam for all license types.

  • Cosmetologist: 1,500 hours
  • Master Barber: 1,500 hours
  • Manicurist: 600 hours
  • Aesthetician: 750 hours
  • Eyelash Specialist: 300 hours
  • Natural Hair Stylist: 300 hours
  • Barber Technician: 340 hours
  • Instructor: Applicants applying for instructor reciprocity must hold an active instructor license in their State.

Must hold a valid license for a minimum of three years

Must teach the discipline they are licensed in

Must have 300 hours of instructor training

Must be employed as a Jr. Instructor (for cosmetology) or a barber instructor assistant (for barbering) for a minimum of one year

Must have passed the theory and practical instructor exams

 

Active to Inactive (Instructor Only)

An email must be sent to cosmetology.board@tn.gov requesting to place the “instructor” designation on inactive status prior to your expiration date.

Active to Retired

You will need to submit a statement requesting to retire the license, include your full name and license number, your current mailing address, and a $50 fee. Upon receiving these items, the board will send you a retired license certificate. The holder of a retired certificate shall not practice in any of the areas for which the license was issued until the license has been reactivated.

Retired to Active

You will need to submit a statement requesting to reinstate the license, include your full name and license number. The board will inform you if you are required to pass the exams and the applicable reinstatement fee.

A request for a license certification/verification must be completed through your online CORE account. Submit the application, along with the completed License Certification form that can be found on the Forms and Downloads page. There is a $50 fee associated with this request.

Students who are not licensed with us but do have schooling hours can request certified proof of these hours by mailing or bringing in a completed Student Hours Certification form. This form can be found on the Forms and Downloads page. There is a $25 fee associated with this request.

If your shop is changing location, you will need to email or mail a completed Change of Location form. This form can be found on the Forms and Downloads page. Once this has been received, an inspector will contact you to schedule a time to complete your inspection before you can open for business.

If you need to update only your mailing address, email your shop name, license number, and request to cosmetology.board@tn.gov.

Change in Ownership

You will need to complete a Change in Ownership application through your online CORE account. Once signed into CORE, complete this application under "My Licenses and Permits."

The fee associated with this change is $150 for cosmetology and barber shops, and $200 for dually licensed shops.
 

Change in Manager

Email the change(s) to cosmetology.board@tn.gov.

Upgrade Shop

Those who already have a Cosmetology Shop or Barber Shop, and would like to upgrade to a Dual Shop, can do so through their online CORE account. Once signed into CORE, complete this request under "Update Licenses and Permits."

Close Shop

Write “CLOSED” across the shop license and include a note that states the date the shop is closing. Mail these documents to the Board.

Department of Commerce and Insurance
Attn: Cosmetology and Barbers Examiners Board
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243

This is completed through your CORE account. Once signed in, select the "My License or Permit" tile within the Quick Actions menu. A new screen will appear where you can select what information needs to be updated. Click "Select" and proceed with the online instructions. There is no fee associated with this request.