Reinstatement requires contacting the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology, paying a reinstatement fee, and meeting any continuing education requirements that accrued while your license was inactive
Your esthetician license in Nevada does not automatically disappear when it expires. The state holds your record, and you can restore it without starting the licensing process from the beginning — but you must act within the allowed timeframe and meet specific conditions. The Nevada State Board of Cosmetology handles all reinstatement requests, and the path depends on how long your license has been inactive.
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, reinstatement is straightforward: you pay the reinstatement fee, complete any continuing education hours you missed, and submit the paperwork. If your license has been inactive for five years or longer, Nevada treats it as a new process, which means you will need to pass the esthetician exam again. Understanding which category you fall into is the first step.
Key Takeaways
- Nevada allows reinstatement of expired esthetician licenses within five years of expiration without retaking the exam, but you must pay the reinstatement fee and complete any missed continuing education hours.
- If your license expired more than five years ago, you must submit a new process and pass the esthetician exam, as Nevada does not reinstate licenses that have been inactive that long.
- Contact the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology directly by phone or mail to confirm your license status and get the exact reinstatement fee amount, which varies based on your license type.
- Continuing education requirements accumulate during inactive periods, so you may owe multiple years of hours depending on how long your license has been expired.
Check how long your license has been inactive
The first thing you need to know is the expiration date of your license. Call the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology at 775-688-1911 or visit their office in person at 1755 East Plumb Lane, Reno, Nevada 89502. Have your license number ready — they can look up your record in seconds and tell you the exact expiration date and current status.
Count forward from that date. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you are within the reinstatement window. If it expired five years ago or longer, Nevada requires you to reapply as a new candidate, which includes retaking the exam. The board staff can tell you which path applies to you during that same call.
Gather your reinstatement paperwork
The Nevada State Board of Cosmetology will send you a reinstatement process form when you contact them. You will also need to provide proof of your current address — a utility bill, lease, or government-issued ID with your current address works. If you have moved since your license was issued, bring documentation of the address change.
You will also need to declare any criminal convictions, disciplinary actions, or other legal issues that occurred while your license was inactive. The board asks this on the reinstatement form itself. If you have nothing to report, you straightforward check the "no" box. If you do have something to report, be honest — the board reviews these disclosures, and omitting them can delay or deny your reinstatement.
Complete any continuing education hours you owe
Nevada requires estheticians to complete continuing education hours to keep their licenses current. The requirement is typically 16 hours per renewal period, though you should confirm the exact number with the board when you call. If your license has been inactive for multiple years, those hours accumulate — so a license inactive for three years might require 48 hours of continuing education.
You must take these courses through Nevada-approved providers. The board maintains a list of approved schools and online providers on their website. Courses must be completed before you submit your reinstatement paperwork, and you will need to provide proof of completion — usually a certificate or transcript from the school. Some providers send this directly to the board; others send it to you, and you attach it to your process.
Online continuing education is available and often faster than in-person classes. Verify with the provider that their courses are Nevada-approved before you enroll, because hours from unapproved providers will not count.
Pay the reinstatement fee and submit your process
The reinstatement fee varies depending on your license type and how long it has been inactive. Call the board to get the exact amount — fees change periodically, and the staff can tell you the current fee and accepted payment methods. You can typically pay by check, money order, or credit card.
Mail your completed reinstatement process, proof of continuing education, proof of address, and the reinstatement fee to the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology at 1755 East Plumb Lane, Reno, Nevada 89502. Include a cover letter with your name, license number, and a brief statement that you are requesting reinstatement. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records.
Some applicants prefer to hand-deliver their paperwork to the board office in person, which allows you to confirm that everything is received and complete. If you choose this route, call ahead to confirm office hours.
What happens after you submit your reinstatement request
The board typically processes reinstatement requests within two to four weeks, though this can vary depending on how busy they are. You will receive written confirmation once your license is reinstated. At that point, your license is active again, and you can legally work as an esthetician in Nevada.
Your new license will have a new expiration date, usually two years from the reinstatement date. You will need to renew it on that schedule going forward. The board will send you a renewal notice before your license expires, so you do not have to track the date yourself.
If the board needs additional information or documents from you, they will contact you by mail or phone. Respond promptly to any requests, because delays in providing information can slow down your reinstatement.
If your license expired more than five years ago
Nevada does not reinstate licenses that have been inactive for five years or longer. Instead, you must submit a new process and pass the esthetician exam. This is treated as a new license process, not a reinstatement, so you will go through the same process as someone obtaining a license for the first time.
You will need to provide proof of your esthetician training — either a diploma from a Nevada-approved school or proof of equivalent training from another state. You will also need to pass the Nevada esthetician exam, which covers state laws, sanitation, and practical esthetician skills. The board can provide you with study materials and exam dates.
Contact the board to request a new process packet and ask about upcoming exam dates. The process takes longer than reinstatement, but you do not need to repeat your original training hours — only pass the exam and meet the current process requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an esthetician while my reinstatement is being processed?
No. You cannot legally work as an esthetician in Nevada with an expired license. You must wait until your reinstatement is approved and your license is active again. Working with an expired license can result in fines and legal consequences.
What if I cannot find my original license number?
The Nevada State Board of Cosmetology can look up your license number using your full name and date of birth. Call them at 775-688-1911 and they will provide it. You will need this number for your reinstatement process.
Do I have to retake the esthetician exam to reinstate my license?
No, not if your license expired fewer than five years ago. You only need to pay the reinstatement fee and complete any continuing education hours you owe. If your license expired five years or longer ago, you must pass the exam as part of a new process.
Can I reinstate my license by mail, or do I have to go to the board office in person?
You can reinstate by mail. Send your completed process, continuing education proof, address documentation, and reinstatement fee to the board's Reno office. You do not need to appear in person, though some applicants choose to hand-deliver their paperwork to confirm receipt.
What if the board denies my reinstatement request?
The board will send you a written explanation of the denial. Common reasons include incomplete paperwork, unmet continuing education requirements, or undisclosed legal issues. You can reapply after addressing the reason for denial, or you can request a hearing to dispute the decision.