Colorado Cosmetology License: Apply, Verify, Renew & Transfer
Colorado regulates cosmetologists through DORA’s Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure. This guide covers the current 1,500-hour education route, PSI exams, license verification, April 30 renewal, 60-day grace period, endorsement, reinstatement, shop registration and the August 2026 law update.
Colorado Cosmetology License: 2026 Quick Answer
A first-time Colorado cosmetologist applicant completes the qualifying 50 credit hours or 1,500 contact hours, then uses PSI’s license-by-examination process. The practical examination must be passed before the theory examination can be scheduled. The current PSI guide lists a first-attempt fee of $69 for practical and $62 for theory.
Colorado cosmetologist licenses expire on April 30, with the exact expiration year depending on issuance timing. Current rules provide a 60-day grace period after expiration. Routine active renewal does not list a standard continuing-education-hour requirement.
Independent-site notice: board-of-cosmetology.org is not Colorado DORA or PSI. Use the current DPO record, application instructions and PSI account as the authority for legal status and live fees.
Choose the Correct Colorado License Route
Never held the license
Use PSI’s Colorado license-by-examination route after completing qualifying training.
Colorado license is active
Use DPO Online Services for renewal and account tasks when the renewal transaction opens.
Verify a professional or shop
Use Colorado DPO License Verification. Search an individual credential and shop registration separately.
Active out-of-state license
Use licensure by endorsement and arrange official verification from jurisdictions where you have been licensed.
Old Colorado license expired
Use reinstatement rather than creating a new first-time PSI application or assuming endorsement applies.
Open a salon or shop
Use Colorado’s shop-registration route. A personal cosmetologist license does not replace the registered-place-of-business requirement.
Colorado License Route Helper
This helper does not access DORA or PSI records. It only points you to the official route that normally fits your situation.
Colorado Cosmetology License Requirements
Colorado distinguishes cosmetologist from barber, hairstylist, esthetician and nail technician credentials. Use the credential that actually matches the services you plan to perform.
| Credential | Credit hours | Contact hours | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 50 | 1,500 | Broad hair, skin and nail curriculum. |
| Barber | 50 | 1,500 | Separate barber credential and curriculum. |
| Hairstylist | 40 | 1,200 | Hair-focused limited credential. |
| Esthetician | 20 | 600 | Skin-care focused credential. |
| Nail Technician | 20 | 600 | Nail-service focused credential. |
Qualifying education can include approved school training and approved work-based/apprenticeship routes that satisfy Colorado’s current requirements. Out-of-state training must be documented and meet or exceed Colorado’s applicable minimum training level.
What Makes Up Colorado’s 1,500 Cosmetology Hours?
| Required subject | Credit hours | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scalp care: shampooing, rinsing and conditioning | 1.3 | 50 |
| Hair coloring, tinting and bleaching | 6.6 | 200 |
| Haircutting | 6.5 | 200 |
| Hairstyling | 5.8 | 175 |
| Chemical texture services | 3.5 | 100 |
| Manicuring and pedicuring | 5.8 | 175 |
| Artificial nails | 4.2 | 125 |
| Facials and skin care | 5.8 | 175 |
| Facial makeup | 1 | 25 |
| Hair removal | 2.5 | 75 |
| Laws, rules and regulations | 1 | 25 |
| Management, ethics, interpersonal skills and salesmanship | 1 | 25 |
| Disinfection, cleaning and safe work practices | 5 | 150 |
| Total | 50 | 1,500 |
How to Get a Colorado Cosmetology License for the First Time
Choose the correct credential
Make sure full cosmetology—not hairstylist, esthetician or nail technician—is the credential needed for your intended work.
Complete qualifying education
Finish at least 50 credits or 1,500 contact hours through an accepted Colorado route.
Collect your training records
Prepare the required Record of Completion, transcript and other eligibility documentation before starting the PSI application.
Submit the PSI application online
Colorado’s current PSI process is online. PSI stopped processing initial applications by mail, fax or email effective January 30, 2026.
Pass the practical examination
The practical must be passed before you can pay for and schedule the theory examination.
Pass the theory examination
The current Colorado cosmetology theory exam requires a passing score of at least 70%.
Verify license issuance
Check Colorado’s public License Verification record before beginning regulated practice.
Colorado Cosmetology Exam: Practical First, Theory Second
| Exam item | Practical | Theory |
|---|---|---|
| Order | Must be passed first | Scheduled after practical pass |
| Passing score | 70% | 70% |
| Current first-attempt fee | $69 | $62 |
| Current retake fee | $67 | $60 |
| Current theory duration | — | 120 minutes |
One-year eligibility period
The PSI application remains valid for one year. Both required exams must be completed within that eligibility period.
Retest waiting periods
Current PSI guidance lists 14 days between practical attempts and 30 days between theory attempts.
Do not create duplicate PSI accounts
PSI specifically warns applicants not to create another account to bypass login problems because duplicate files can prevent proper access.
PSI says fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable. If the one-year eligibility period expires before both exams are passed, a new application and fee may be required and previously passed testing may need to be repeated.
Colorado Cosmetology License Lookup
Colorado’s DPO License Verification system is the primary public source for an issued cosmetologist, specialty license or shop registration.
Start with the least information needed
DPO recommends beginning with first and last name only unless you already have the exact license number.
Confirm the license type
Colorado uses separate credential types for cosmetologist, barber, esthetician, hairstylist, nail technician and shop registration.
Open the detailed record
Check status, issue information, expiration date and any public Board/Program Actions displayed.
Search the business separately
An individual professional license and a shop registration are different records.
Open Colorado DPO License Verification or see the dedicated Colorado cosmetology license lookup guide.
Colorado Cosmetology Renewal: April 30 and a 60-Day Grace Period
DORA states that cosmetologist licenses expire on April 30, with the exact year depending on the issuance date. Colorado’s current rule also provides a 60-day grace period after expiration during which a licensee may continue providing services.
Check the exact expiration year
Use your public DPO record or Online Services account rather than assuming every cosmetologist renews in the same year.
Use DPO Online Services
DORA generally opens renewal several weeks before expiration.
Update contact information
Confirm your email, address and phone before submitting renewal so licensing notices reach you.
Complete the renewal and pay the live fee
Use the amount displayed in the current DPO transaction rather than an old third-party fee table.
Verify the renewed record
Confirm the new expiration date in public License Verification after processing.
Does Colorado Require Continuing Education for Cosmetology Renewal?
Current ordinary DORA renewal guidance does not list a standard continuing-education-hour requirement for routine active cosmetologist renewal.
| Situation | Current CE treatment |
|---|---|
| Routine active renewal | No standard routine CE-hour requirement listed. |
| Expired more than 2 but less than 5 years | 16 approved CE hours is one competency option. |
| Expired more than 5 years | 24 approved CE hours is one competency option. |
Reinstating an Expired Colorado Cosmetology License
If you previously held the Colorado credential and it expired, DORA directs you to reinstatement. Do not automatically submit a first-time PSI application or an endorsement application just because you also hold another state license.
Expired more than 2 but less than 5 years
Colorado allows several competency routes; current guidance includes 16 approved CE hours as one option.
Expired more than 5 years
Current guidance includes 24 approved CE hours as one competency option. Testing can also be used in applicable reinstatement cases.
If you choose examination as the competency route, PSI directs reinstatement candidates to complete the DORA reinstatement application as well as the required testing process.
Transfer an Out-of-State Cosmetology License to Colorado
Colorado calls the ordinary out-of-state route licensure by endorsement. An active license from another state or territory does not automatically become a Colorado license.
Use the DPO endorsement application
Apply online through Colorado DORA rather than PSI’s first-time examination route.
Request official verification from each jurisdiction
Prepare verification from every state or territory where you have been licensed, as required by the current application.
Document training when needed
Colorado evaluates whether education and licensing qualifications satisfy the applicable endorsement requirements.
Complete additional testing if DORA requires it
PSI states that applicants who do not fully meet endorsement requirements may be required to take one or both Colorado examinations.
Verify the Colorado credential before working
Do not rely on the out-of-state license alone after moving to Colorado.
Colorado Cosmetology Shop Registration
A professional cosmetologist license belongs to the individual. Colorado separately regulates registered places of business for barbering and cosmetology services.
Individual license
Confirms the practitioner’s professional credential and scope.
Shop registration
Confirms the regulated business/place registration. Verify it separately in DPO License Verification.
Before applying, confirm the current DPO shop-registration requirements for ownership, business name, location and professional credentials. If the business changes ownership, name or location, use the exact current DPO transaction instead of assuming the old registration automatically follows the business.
Colorado Cosmetology Law Changed on August 12, 2026
Colorado’s HB26-1181 became law and took effect on August 12, 2026. The act continues the Barber and Cosmetologist Act through 2033, repeals the former advisory committee, updates statutory definitions and terminology, revises certain exemptions and replaces gendered language.
Colorado DORA and PSI Contact Information
| Contact | Current information | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Program | Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure | Rules, program requirements and profession-specific questions |
| DPO phone | 303-894-7800 | Licensing, renewal, endorsement and reinstatement support |
| DPO email | dora_dpo_licensing@state.co.us | General licensing support |
| Program email | dora_barber-cosmetology@state.co.us | Barber/cosmetology program questions |
| DPO address | 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202 | Division office |
| PSI phone | 855-744-0312 | PSI account, scheduling and testing help |
Official Colorado Cosmetology Links
Colorado Cosmetology License FAQs
How many hours do I need for a Colorado cosmetology license?
Do I take the Colorado practical or theory exam first?
How much are the Colorado cosmetology exams?
What score do I need to pass the Colorado cosmetology exams?
When does a Colorado cosmetology license expire?
Does Colorado have a cosmetology renewal grace period?
Does Colorado require continuing education for normal cosmetology renewal?
How do I verify a Colorado cosmetology license?
Can I transfer my out-of-state cosmetology license to Colorado?
What if my old Colorado cosmetology license expired?
Colorado Cosmetology License Checklist
- Use the current 1,500-hour / 50-credit cosmetologist training requirement, not older 1,800-hour charts.
- Choose the correct route before paying: examination, renewal, reinstatement, endorsement or shop registration.
- For a first license, complete PSI’s online application and keep one PSI account.
- Pass the practical exam before scheduling the theory exam.
- Use the current first-attempt PSI fees of $69 practical and $62 theory unless PSI publishes a change.
- Verify final license issuance in DPO License Verification before relying on an exam pass or payment receipt.
- Check the exact April 30 expiration year shown on your credential.
- Renew before expiration rather than depending on the 60-day grace period.
- Do not buy routine CE solely because an old guide says it is required.
- Use reinstatement for an expired Colorado credential and endorsement for a qualifying active out-of-state license.
- Verify a salon/shop registration separately from the individual practitioner license.
- Use current DORA terminology after the August 12, 2026 HB26-1181 law changes.