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Estheticians and cosmetologists both provide unique services that pair technical knowledge and interpersonal abilities with a dose of artistry. If you’ve spent some time offering these services, you may feel ready to take on a new challenge by becoming an instructor and helping other professionals enter the fields of cosmetology or esthetics.

In Nebraska, instructors must have a license from the Nebraska Board of Cosmetology and Esthetics, under the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Once you have obtained your instructor license, you’ll need to renew it periodically. So when do these licenses expire, and how can you renew them?

License Expiration

There are several types of instructor licenses for cosmetology-related fields in Nebraska, including cosmetology, esthetics, electrology, and nail technology. These licenses are valid for two years, but the expiration dates differ.

If you hold a cosmetology instructor license, it will expire on December 31 of even-numbered years, while an esthetic instructor license expires on September 30 of even-numbered years. Electrology instructor licenses expire on July 31 of odd-numbered years, and nail technology instructor licenses expire on December 31 of odd-numbered years.

If you obtain your license during an off-year for your renewal period, you will not be required to complete your first renewal. In other words, your license will be valid for three years instead of two. You will then have to renew at typical two-year periods after the initial renewal period.

Requirements for License Renewal

While practicing cosmetologists and estheticians must complete only eight hours of approved continuing education (CE) for license renewal, instructors are required to complete 12 hours of CE. This should include at least four hours pertaining to performing the skills or services of the specific trades, although up to eight hours could fall into this category.

You can spend an additional four hours in courses covering topics like:

• CPR/first aid
• Industry equipment use
• Industry ethics, statutes, or regulations
• Product knowledge
• People skills
• Marketing

The final four hours of CE must be devoted to teaching methodology.

Acceptable courses for this category may include topics like:

• Teaching styles
• Learning styles
• Personality types
• Presentation methods
• Lesson planning
• Test development
• Teaching difficult students
• Language class
• Record keeping
• Motivation
• Multimedia technology/computer training
• Resume writing
• English grammar

In-person and online training programs must provide one hour of instruction to count for one credit/hour of required CE, along with attendance verification or a certificate of completion. The state also offers a free, open-book, online jurisprudence exam, consisting of 50 questions, that counts for two hours of CE requirements.

How to Find the Right CE Program for Your Needs

The best CE programs for working professionals account for your busy lifestyle by offering 24/7 online access for self-paced learning at your leisure. You’ll want to look for courses developed by industry experts and educators to ensure the knowledge you gain helps you complete required CE hours and contributes to career improvement.

If it’s time to renew your Nebraska cosmetology, esthetics, electrology, or nail technician instructor license, contact RocketCert now to get started.