What Reinstatement Means and Who Needs It
Reinstatement is the process of restoring an esthetician license that has lapsed because you did not renew it before the expiration date. In Nevada, once your license expires, you cannot legally practice esthetics until the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology reinstates it. Reinstatement is different from renewal — renewal happens before expiration, while reinstatement happens after.
You need reinstatement if your license has been expired for any length of time, whether it expired last month or several years ago. Nevada does not have a grace period for expired licenses. The moment your license expires, you must stop performing esthetic services, including facials, waxing, makeup process, and any other services that require an active license.
The reinstatement process involves submitting a formal request to the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology, paying a reinstatement fee, and meeting any continuing education requirements that have accumulated during the time your license was expired. The timeline and cost depend on how long your license has been expired and whether you meet the board's current standards.
Key Takeaways
- You must submit a reinstatement request to the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology in writing; online reinstatement is not available for expired licenses.
- The reinstatement fee in Nevada is $150, plus you may owe late renewal fees depending on how long your license has been expired.
- If your license has been expired for more than one renewal cycle, you must complete continuing education hours to meet current board standards before reinstatement is granted.
- The board typically processes reinstatement requests within two to four weeks, but you cannot legally practice until your license is officially reinstated.
- If your license has been expired for more than five years, the board may require you to retake the esthetician exam instead of allowing straightforward reinstatement.
How Long Your License Has Been Expired Matters
Nevada esthetician licenses expire on a two-year cycle. The expiration date is printed on your license card. If your license expired less than one renewal cycle ago (within the last two years), reinstatement is straightforward: you pay the reinstatement fee and submit your request. The board will not require additional continuing education if you are within this window.
If your license has been expired for more than two years — meaning you missed one or more renewal cycles — the board requires you to complete continuing education hours before reinstatement. The number of hours depends on how many renewal cycles you missed. For each two-year cycle you were not licensed, you must complete the continuing education hours that would have been required during that period. Currently, Nevada requires 16 hours of continuing education per two-year renewal cycle for estheticians.
If your license has been expired for more than five years, the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology may require you to retake the esthetician licensing exam instead of allowing reinstatement. This is at the board's discretion and depends on how long you have been out of practice. Contact the board directly to find out whether your situation qualifies for reinstatement or whether you must test again.
Documents and Fees You Will Need
To request reinstatement, you need your original license number or a copy of your expired license card. If you no longer have either, the board can look up your license history using your name and date of birth. You will also need a current mailing address and a way to pay the reinstatement fee.
The reinstatement fee is $150. If your license expired more than two years ago and you owe continuing education, you will also need to pay for the continuing education courses themselves. These courses are offered by approved providers and typically cost between $50 and $150 per course, depending on the provider and whether you take them in person or online. Some providers bundle multiple hours into a single course.
If you are unsure whether you owe late renewal fees in addition to the reinstatement fee, contact the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology directly. The board's phone number is (702) 486-6400, and staff can tell you the exact total amount due before you submit your request.
Step-by-Step Reinstatement Process
Step 1: Contact the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology to confirm your license status and find out whether you owe continuing education. Call (702) 486-6400 or visit the board's office at 4600 Kietzke Lane, Building B, Suite 150, Reno, Nevada 89509. You can also mail or email your inquiry. The board will tell you the exact amount due and whether you must complete continuing education before reinstatement.
Step 2: Complete any required continuing education. If you owe continuing education hours, enroll in courses offered by Nevada-approved providers. The board maintains a list of approved continuing education providers on its website. Courses must be taken before you submit your reinstatement request, and you will need proof of completion (a certificate or transcript) to include with your process.
Step 3: Prepare your reinstatement request. Write a letter to the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology requesting reinstatement of your esthetician license. Include your full name, license number (if you have it), date of birth, current mailing address, and phone number. State the date your license expired and explain why you are requesting reinstatement now. Keep the letter brief and factual.
Step 4: Gather supporting documents. Include a copy of your expired license card if you have it, proof of continuing education completion (if required), and a check or money order for the reinstatement fee ($150) made payable to the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology. Do not send cash.
Step 5: Mail your request to the board. Send your letter, documents, and payment to the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology, 4600 Kietzke Lane, Building B, Suite 150, Reno, Nevada 89509. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records. The board typically responds within two to four weeks.
Step 6: Wait for board approval. The board will review your request and either approve reinstatement or ask for additional information. Once approved, your license will be reinstated and you will receive written confirmation. You cannot legally practice esthetics until you receive this confirmation.
What Happens If Your License Has Been Expired for More Than Five Years
If your license has been expired for more than five years, the board may determine that you have been out of practice too long to straightforward reinstate your license. In this case, you may be required to retake the Nevada esthetician licensing exam instead. The board makes this decision on a case-by-case basis.
To find out whether you must test again, contact the board before you submit a reinstatement request. Explain how long your license has been expired and ask whether you are may be able to access for reinstatement or whether you must retake the exam. If you must test, you will need to register with a testing provider, pay the exam fee (typically $100 to $150), and pass the exam before you can practice again.
Retaking the exam is often faster than waiting for reinstatement if the board requires additional documentation or verification. Some people in this situation choose to test rather than go through the reinstatement process, especially if they have kept their skills current through other work or study.
Common Mistakes That Delay Reinstatement
The most common mistake is submitting a reinstatement request without first checking whether you owe continuing education. If the board receives your request and you have not completed required hours, they will send your request back and ask you to finish the courses first. This adds two to four weeks to your timeline. Always call the board before you submit anything.
Another frequent error is sending cash or a personal check instead of a money order. The board will not process your request if the payment method is not acceptable. Use a money order or cashier's check made payable to the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology.
Some people also fail to include proof of continuing education completion when it is required. If you took courses but did not request a certificate or transcript from the provider, the board cannot verify that you completed them. Before you mail your reinstatement request, contact each course provider and ask them to send proof of completion directly to you or to the board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I practice esthetics while my reinstatement request is being reviewed?
No. You cannot legally perform any esthetic services until your license is officially reinstated by the board. Practicing with an expired license is a violation of Nevada law and can result in fines or other penalties. Wait for written confirmation from the board before you return to work.
How long does reinstatement usually take?
The board typically processes reinstatement requests within two to four weeks. If you are missing documents or owe continuing education, the timeline will be longer. Contact the board to ask about the current processing time, as it can vary depending on how many requests they are handling.
Do I have to retake the esthetician exam to get reinstated?
Not usually. Most people can reinstate without retesting. However, if your license has been expired for more than five years, the board may require you to retake the exam. Call the board to find out whether your situation requires testing.
What if I cannot find my original license number?
The board can look up your license history using your full name and date of birth. You do not need your license number to request reinstatement, but having it speeds up the process. If you have it, include it in your letter.
Can I renew my license online if it has expired?
No. Online renewal is only available for licenses that have not yet expired. Once a license expires, you must submit a reinstatement request in writing to the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology. You cannot reinstate online.