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If you have enjoyed a career as a cosmetologist, esthetician, or manicurist, you may decide to give back to your professional community by becoming an instructor in your preferred beauty field.

Once you've obtained your instructor license from the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology, you can begin offering instruction services, but you will have to renew your license periodically.

Renewal Requirements for Instructor Licenses

If you want to continue actively practicing as a cosmetologist, esthetician, manicurist, or instructor in Louisiana, state law requires you to renew your certificate of registration annually on your date of birth. However, before you can renew your license, you must complete state-approved continuing education (CE).

For instructors, specifically, this means completing 16 hours of CE every two years. Whether you focus on training cosmetologists, estheticians, or manicurists, suitable CE courses cover similar topics, including:

• Teaching methodologies
• Skin anatomy and physiology
• Chemical makeup of hair, skin, and nails

Depending on your specific license, your courses may also cover topics like diseases and disorders of the scalp, assessment techniques, sustainable beauty, and more.

The CE course or seminar you choose must be board-approved and consist of content directly related to cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring, and related teaching methodology. It must demonstrate clear educational value for licensed instructors.

Upon completion of your CE hours, your state-approved program sponsor must provide an instant certificate of completion. This should include the program title, date and hours completed, and the sponsor name and board approval number. You will need this document to complete your renewal application.

Sponsors must maintain attendance records for at least three years and provide them to the board upon request.

What Happens if Your License Expires?

You should receive a notification of renewal before your license expires. The board sends these notices to your last known address 60 days before expiration. Even if you do not receive a notification, it is still your responsibility to renew your license before it expires.

Louisiana prohibits cosmetology instructors from working with an expired license, but you have a 30-day grace period from the date of expiration (your birth date) to submit your application and proof of CE, along with applicable fees and any additional late fees.

Thirty days after expiration, your license is deemed to have lapsed and is no longer valid. To reinstate your license, you must contact the board to obtain a renewal application, submit proof of CE completion, and pay applicable renewal and delinquency fees.

Licenses that are allowed to lapse for an extended period may require additional education and testing to reinstate.

Signing Up for the Right CE Program

You must find a state-approved sponsor for your CE, as other sources will not be accepted. From there, you'll likely want to choose a program that caters to working professionals, with 24/7 online access to materials for your convenience.

Is it time to complete your CE for a beauty instructor license in Louisiana? Contact RocketCert today to learn more.