Maine Board of Cosmetology: License, Renewal, Lookup & Official Services
If you are searching for the “Maine Board of Cosmetology,” the current official authority you need is Maine’s Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program, administered through the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.
Quick Answer: Maine Uses a Licensing Program, Not the Former Board Name
Maine’s current regulatory structure is important because older pages and searches may still use “Maine Board of Cosmetology.” The Maine Secretary of State lists the former Board of Barbering and Cosmetology rule unit as repealed, with the current Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program rules housed under the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
The Program licenses and regulates cosmetology, barber hair styling, hair design, aesthetics and nail technology. It also handles trainees, instructors, Level 1 and Level 2 establishments, schools, public license verification, renewals, complaints, disciplinary matters and safety and sanitation enforcement.
Who Regulates Cosmetology in Maine?
The official regulator is the Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program within Maine’s Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, commonly shortened to OPOR. OPOR is part of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.
The Program’s stated purpose is public protection. It qualifies applicants for licenses, regulates licensed practices, investigates noncompliance, disciplines licensees when warranted, establishes safety and sanitation requirements, inspects licensed establishments and regulates qualifying schools.
Which Beauty Licenses Does Maine Regulate?
Cosmetologist
Broad professional practice credential covering cosmetology services within the scope allowed by Maine law.
Barber Hair Stylist
Maine uses the Barber Hair Stylist credential rather than relying on older “barber” terminology for the current individual license category.
Hair Designer
A separate Maine credential with a defined scope that is not identical to full cosmetology.
Aesthetician
For regulated aesthetics and skin-care services within the licensed scope of practice.
Nail Technician
Maine separately licenses nail technology rather than treating it as an unlicensed add-on to salon work.
Instructor & Trainee
The state also uses instructor and trainee credentials, with separate requirements and renewal terms.
Maine Cosmetologist License Requirements
For the standard cosmetologist route, Maine law requires the applicant to complete the applicable training and pass an approved examination. The current statute provides two principal training paths.
| Route | Current Maine requirement | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed school | 1,500 hours of cosmetology instruction completed over at least 9 months | Complete the prescribed training through a school licensed by the Maine regulator. |
| Trainee route | 2,500 hours of cosmetology practice as a trainee over at least 18 months | Use the state trainee pathway under the applicable supervision and registration requirements. |
| Examination | Pass an approved examination | Training completion alone is not the same as license issuance. |
Applicants should use Maine’s current online application service rather than relying on old downloadable forms unless the Program specifically directs them to a form for their situation.
Maine Cosmetology Examination Provider
Maine directs applicants to Prov, Inc. for current examination information, including testing details, dates and registration deadlines. Because exam schedules and candidate instructions can change, use the current Maine examination page and Prov candidate information rather than an old exam calendar.
Prov, Inc.
Call or text: 801-733-4455
Toll-free: 877-228-3926
Email: support@provexam.com
Before scheduling
- Confirm the exact Maine credential.
- Check whether state approval is required first.
- Use the current candidate information.
- Confirm the exam format and required identification.
Maine Cosmetology License Lookup and Verification
Maine provides online public licensing tools for finding and verifying licensees. The Program states that license verification is available online at no charge and that OPOR does not issue paper license verifications.
Verify before relying on a credential
- Search the professional’s state record.
- Confirm the correct credential type.
- Check current license status.
- Review available expiration information.
- Search the establishment separately when relevant.
Public tools available
Maine’s online-services page provides routes to find a licensee, verify a license, download licensee lists and search licensee discipline.
Maine Cosmetology License Renewal
Aesthetician, Barber Hair Stylist, Cosmetologist, Hair Designer and Nail Technician licenses currently renew annually on October 31. The published annual renewal fee for these individual credentials is $20.
Renewal reminders are emailed to the address on file at least 30 days before expiration. Maine says the reminder contains the access code needed with the license number for online renewal. The licensee remains responsible for timely renewal even if the reminder is not received.
Annual fee
$20 for the standard individual practice licenses listed above.
Expiration
October 31 each year for standard practitioner credentials and instructors.
Reminder
Maine emails renewal information to the address in the licensing record.
Late or Lapsed Maine Cosmetology License
| Status | Current state guidance | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| After expiration | A $50 late fee applies. | Renew promptly through the official state system and verify the resulting status. |
| More than 90 days expired | A new application is required, with the appropriate fee, $50 late fee and $25 penalty fee. | Do not assume the normal renewal transaction still applies. |
| Lapsed 4 years or more | The state says the required fee must be paid and the examination retaken. | Contact the Program and confirm the current examination/reapplication route. |
Maine Salon and Establishment Licensing
Maine uses Level 1 and Level 2 Establishment licenses. These are different from the individual practitioner credential, so salon owners and professionals should verify both records when the business arrangement requires both.
Level 1 Establishment
Generally relates to the owner/operator establishment structure defined under Maine’s current licensing framework.
Level 2 Establishment
Used for the separate establishment structure that replaced older booth-license terminology.
The current annual renewal fee for Level 1 and Level 2 establishments is $20, and these licenses renew annually on October 31. Late-renewal and over-90-day provisions also apply.
Maine Cosmetology School Licensing
The Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program also licenses qualifying beauty schools. School licensing should not be confused with an individual cosmetologist or salon license.
Current school renewal
Maine currently publishes a $500 annual school renewal fee. Renewal applications must include required financial documentation and a bond. The exact requirements depend on matters such as participation in federal or state financial-aid programs.
The state’s school materials identify course-hour structures that include 1,500 hours for cosmetology, 600 hours for aesthetics, 1,200 hours for Hair Designer, 200 hours for Nail Technology and separate requirements for other programs.
How to File a Maine Cosmetology Complaint
Complaints involving licensed cosmetology professionals and regulated establishments are handled through Maine’s Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation complaint process. The Program can investigate allegations of noncompliance and impose discipline when warranted.
File online
Use OPOR’s official complaint form when the issue involves a licensee or regulated professional activity.
Complaint Office
Phone: 207-624-8660
Email: OPORcomplaints.PFR@maine.gov
Mail: 35 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0035
A public license lookup and disciplinary search answer different questions. Check the current license record for status, then use Maine’s discipline-search option when you specifically need publicly available enforcement history.
Changed Your Name or Email Before Renewal?
Maine specifically instructs licensees whose email address or name has changed to contact the Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program before renewing online.
The Program also advises licensees to keep contact information current because future correspondence is sent by email. Do not wait until the renewal deadline to resolve an outdated email address or legal-name mismatch.
Active Military, Veterans and Military Spouses
Maine provides a separate temporary-license resource for qualifying active-duty service members, recently separated veterans and qualifying spouses or domestic partners. Do not assume the standard initial-license route is the only available path if military provisions apply to you.
Official Maine Cosmetology Online Services
Maine Barbering & Cosmetology Licensing Contact
Licensing Program
Mailing address:
Barbering & Cosmetology Licensing Program
35 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0035
Licensing phone: 207-624-8579
Fax: 207-624-8637
TTY: Maine Relay 711
Email: barbercosm.lic@maine.gov
OPOR Physical Office
Gardiner Annex
76 Northern Avenue
Gardiner, ME 04345
The mailing address and physical office are different. Use the address specified by the state for the transaction you are completing rather than mailing documents to the physical location automatically.
Related Licensing Guides
For a broader explanation of how cosmetology credentials differ from state to state, use our U.S. cosmetology license guide. If you are trying to identify the correct state agency rather than a specific Maine transaction, see our Board of Barbering and Cosmetology guide.
Maine Board of Cosmetology FAQs
What is the Maine Board of Cosmetology officially called?
The current official entity is the Maine Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program within the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation. The former Board of Barbering and Cosmetology rule unit is listed as repealed.
What is the Maine cosmetology licensing phone number?
The Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program lists 207-624-8579 for licensing inquiries.
How much is a Maine cosmetologist license renewal?
The current annual renewal fee for Aesthetician, Barber Hair Stylist, Cosmetologist, Hair Designer and Nail Technician credentials is $20.
When does a Maine cosmetology license expire?
Standard Aesthetician, Barber Hair Stylist, Cosmetologist, Hair Designer, Nail Technician and Instructor credentials currently renew annually on October 31. Trainee credentials use different terms based on their issue date.
Can I verify a Maine cosmetology license online for free?
Yes. Maine states that license verification is available online at no charge. OPOR no longer issues paper license verifications.
What happens if a Maine cosmetology license is renewed late?
A renewal submitted after expiration is subject to a $50 late fee. More than 90 days after expiration, the state requires a new application with the appropriate fee, the $50 late fee and a $25 penalty fee.
How many hours are required for a Maine cosmetologist license?
Maine law provides a 1,500-hour licensed-school route completed over at least nine months, or a 2,500-hour trainee route completed over at least 18 months, followed by an approved examination.
Who handles complaints about Maine cosmetology licensees?
Complaints can be filed through the Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation. The OPOR Complaint Office provides support for the complaint process.
Before You Apply, Renew or Rely on a Maine License
- Use the current Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program rather than an outdated “Board” page.
- Choose the exact Maine credential before comparing training or renewal requirements.
- Verify both the practitioner and establishment when both licenses matter.
- Use the current public record rather than a photo or old wall certificate.
- Keep your email and legal-name information current before renewal.
- Remember that ordinary practitioner licenses renew annually on October 31.
- Check the late-renewal route immediately if the license has expired.
- Use OPOR’s official complaint system for licensing or professional-conduct complaints.
Independent guide: Board-of-Cosmetology.org is not the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, OPOR or the Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program. Official Maine records, statutes, rules and agency decisions control licensing requirements and status.