Renew Your Michigan Cosmetology License Through the Correct MiPLUS Route
Check the expiration date on your own license, wait until the renewal window opens, renew the existing credential in MiPLUS, pay the current $48 cosmetologist fee, and confirm the new expiration date after processing.
If your license has already expired, the correct route changes after 60 days. Michigan’s Occupational Code also says you must not practice after the expiration date printed on the license.
Michigan Cosmetology Renewal: Fast Answer
Michigan’s current Cosmetologist Licensing Guide lists a $48 renewal fee, a 2-year renewal cycle, and online renewal through MiPLUS no sooner than 90 days before the current license expires. The guide does not list continuing-education hours in the standard cosmetologist renewal checklist.
Michigan Cosmetology Renewal Route Checker
Enter the expiration date printed on your cosmetologist license. This helper identifies the likely renewal route based on timing; MiPLUS and LARA control the actual transaction and status.
Before Opening MiPLUS, Check the Existing License
Do not start with a new-license application. Renewal works best when you first confirm the exact credential, expiration date and current status attached to your existing Michigan cosmetologist license.
Use your own date
Michigan’s occupational renewal-fee table marks cosmetology expiration dates as variable. Use the date printed on your license or shown in the official record instead of copying another licensee’s deadline.
Know whether it is active or expired
The route is different for an active license, a license 1–60 days past expiration, and a license that has lapsed beyond the late-renewal period.
Use the existing MiPLUS record
LARA says not to submit a new license application merely because your existing credential does not appear after login. Contact BPL so the account can be linked to the license.
How to Renew a Michigan Cosmetology License Online
LARA’s January 26, 2026 Cosmetologist Licensing Guide says the renewal application is completed through MiPLUS no sooner than 90 days before expiration.
Verify the current credential
Confirm your legal name, cosmetologist license number, status and exact expiration date before logging in.
Wait until the renewal window opens
If more than 90 days remain, the renewal action may not yet be available. Michigan says renewal cannot be completed earlier than that window.
Log into MiPLUS
Use the account connected to your current license. If registering for the first time, use your name exactly as it appears on the license.
Open your existing license
Go to the Licenses/My Records area and locate the cosmetologist credential you already hold.
Complete the renewal questions
Review the information shown, answer the renewal questions accurately and provide supporting documentation if MiPLUS requests it.
Accept the renewal attestation
The current guide requires the licensee to attest that the renewal requirements have been met and the information provided is true and complete.
Pay the $48 renewal fee
The current cosmetologist renewal fee is $48. MiPLUS accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover debit or credit cards.
Save confirmation and verify the result
LARA says renewals are generally completed within a few days. Keep your confirmation and check that the existing license record shows the renewed expiration date.
Michigan Cosmetology Renewal Cost: $48, $68 or $83?
Your planning amount depends on the license status when you act. A cosmetology shop has a separate license and fee, so do not use the shop-renewal amount for an individual cosmetologist.
| Timing | Correct route | Current planning amount | Practice status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before expiration, inside renewal window | Normal MiPLUS renewal | $48 | License remains valid through the printed expiration date. |
| 1–60 days after expiration | Late renewal | $68 total ($48 + $20 late fee) | Do not practice while expired. |
| 61 days through 3 years after expiration | Relicensure | $83 | Do not practice until active again. |
| More than 3 years after expiration | Relicensure plus additional qualification | $83 plus any separate exam cost if the examination route applies | Do not practice until relicensure is issued. |
Cosmetologist
$48 renewal fee, 2-year cycle.
Cosmetology shop
$50 renewal fee, 2-year cycle.
School
The current fee table lists $200 for the listed public/private cosmetology school and branch renewal categories.
Does Michigan Require Continuing Education for Cosmetology Renewal?
Do not copy continuing-education requirements from another Michigan profession onto a cosmetologist license. If MiPLUS shows a requirement specific to your credential or individual situation, follow the official instructions displayed for that record or confirm with the Bureau of Professional Licensing.
Find Your Actual Michigan Cosmetology Renewal Deadline
More than 90 days left
The renewal action may not be available yet. Keep your contact information current and wait until the allowed window opens.
Within 90 days
Use MiPLUS to complete the normal renewal before the exact expiration date shown on your license.
Expiration already passed
Stop practicing and use late renewal or relicensure according to the amount of time that has passed.
LARA says renewal notices are sent to the mailing and email addresses on record approximately 90 days before expiration. Not receiving the reminder does not remove the licensee’s responsibility to renew on time. Address changes can be submitted through MiPLUS Modification.
Michigan Cosmetology License 1–60 Days Expired
The first 60 days after expiration are a late-renewal period. Michigan’s current guide says a $20 late fee applies during this period, making the standard cosmetologist planning total $68.
- Stop providing regulated cosmetology services after the printed expiration date.
- Log into the existing MiPLUS account.
- Use the available renewal transaction for the existing license.
- Pay the $48 renewal fee plus the $20 late fee.
- Keep the payment confirmation.
- Confirm active status before returning to practice.
License Lapsed More Than 60 Days: Use Relicensure
After the 60-day late-renewal period, Michigan uses the relicensure process. LARA’s MiPLUS assistance page directs licensees to select Modification beside the existing license number and then choose Relicensure.
61 days through 3 years
The current cosmetologist guide lists an $83 relicensure application and fee. Use the existing license record and wait until the credential is active before practicing again.
More than 3 years
The 2026 guide requires an additional qualification: either pass the required cosmetology examinations within the 1-year period immediately before relicensure, or establish that you held an active cosmetology license in good standing in another state within the previous 3 years.
MiPLUS Renewal Problems and the Correct First Fix
| Problem | What Michigan says | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Existing license is missing | Do not submit a new-license application. | Contact BPL so the MiPLUS account can be linked to the existing credential. |
| No renewal option appears | Renewal does not open more than 90 days before expiration. | Check the expiration date first; contact BPL if you are already inside the window. |
| First-time MiPLUS registration | Use the name exactly as it appears on the current license. | Match the legal-name format before asking staff to link the account. |
| Password reset | BPL provides reset assistance. | Call 517-241-0199 or email BPLHelp@michigan.gov. |
| Browser/device trouble | LARA supports major browsers and recommends desktop or laptop for renewal. | Try a current Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari browser on a computer. |
| Name change during renewal | LARA says it can slow the renewal because staff must review documents. | When possible, renew first and then use Modification to change the name. |
Address, Name Changes and License Copies
Change an address
Log into MiPLUS and use Modification beside the license number. Keeping the address current matters because LARA sends renewal notices to the contact information on record.
Change a legal name
LARA recommends renewing first when possible, then using Modification for the name change. The agency says including the name change in renewal slows processing because documents require staff review.
Print the license
In MiPLUS, open the license number under My Records, then open Attachments under Record Info to access the license copy.
After Payment: Confirm the Renewal Actually Posted
A card charge or payment email is useful evidence of submission, but your safest completion check is the renewed license record.
- Keep the payment confirmation until the renewal is reflected in the license record.
- Return to the existing credential in MiPLUS rather than creating another application.
- Confirm that the record shows the renewed status and new expiration date.
- Use Michigan’s public license verification service when an employer or client needs an independent status check.
- If the fee was charged but the credential remains unchanged beyond the normal processing period, contact BPL with the license number and transaction details.
LARA’s MiPLUS assistance page says renewals are generally completed within a few days, although a transaction needing staff review can take longer.
Free License Lookup vs. Certified Verification
You do not need to buy formal verification just to check whether a renewal posted. Michigan provides a public license search for routine status checking.
Routine status check
Use Michigan’s public verification tools to check the existing license status and expiration information after renewal.
Certified verification
Use certified verification only when another board, employer or organization specifically requires an official certification rather than an ordinary public lookup.
Michigan Cosmetology Renewal Contact Information
Routine licensing, renewal, status and MiPLUS help comes from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing.
Bureau of Professional Licensing
Phone: 517-241-0199 — Press 3 for the group that includes cosmetology.
Email: BPLHelp@michigan.gov
U.S. Mail:
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Professional Licensing
PO Box 30670
Lansing, MI 48909
Overnight carrier address
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Mail Services – Attn: Bureau of Professional Licensing
2407 N. Grand River Avenue
Lansing, MI 48906
Use an address only when the official instructions for your task allow or require mailed material.
Avoid Fake LARA Renewal Notices and Payment Requests
Michigan currently displays a scam alert on LARA licensing pages. LARA says it will not ask you to provide credit-card numbers or other personal information over the phone, by text, email or letter.
- Open Michigan.gov/LARA or MiPLUS yourself instead of using an unexpected urgent-payment link.
- Do not send sensitive information in response to an unsolicited text or email.
- Verify your real license status through Michigan’s official systems.
- Use BPLHelp@michigan.gov or 517-241-0199 for ordinary renewal and licensing questions.
- Use LARA’s security-reporting address only for suspected LARA-related fraud, not for routine renewal status or payment help.
Official Michigan Renewal Resources
Read Michigan Code
Michigan Cosmetology License Renewal FAQ
How much is Michigan cosmetology license renewal?
Does Michigan require continuing education for cosmetology renewal?
When can I renew my Michigan cosmetology license?
Does every Michigan cosmetologist have the same expiration date?
Can I work during the 60-day late-renewal period?
What happens after my license is more than 60 days expired?
What if my Michigan cosmetology license has been expired for more than three years?
Why does my license not appear in MiPLUS?
What is the Michigan cosmetology renewal phone number?
How do I know renewal is complete?
Final Michigan Cosmetology Renewal Checklist
- Verify the expiration date on your own license.
- Renew no sooner than 90 days before expiration.
- Use MiPLUS and your existing cosmetologist record.
- Plan for the current $48 normal renewal fee.
- Do not buy CE solely because a third-party page says it is required; the current standard checklist does not list CE hours.
- During the first 60 days after expiration, plan for $48 plus the $20 late fee and do not practice while expired.
- After 60 days, use Modification → Relicensure.
- For relicensure, plan for the current $83 fee and check additional requirements if the license has been expired more than three years.
- Save the payment confirmation and verify the new expiration date.
- For unresolved MiPLUS or renewal problems, call 517-241-0199 and press 3.
Independent guide: board-of-cosmetology.org is not the Michigan Board of Cosmetology or LARA. Michigan’s official systems control licensing status, payments and final decisions.