Cosmetology / Barber Continuing Education / Iowa
- Iowa
- Barber CE
- Barber
- Updated Oct 2026
Iowa Barber Continuing Education: Hours, Deadline and Approved Courses
Iowa barbers need 6 hours of approved CE every two years, including 2 hours on Iowa barbering and cosmetology law, rules and infection control, before their license expires on March 31.
Last updated October 28, 2026 from Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences requirements
Hours per cycle
6 hrs
4 in your discipline, 2 on Iowa law, rules and infection control
Cycle
2 years
April 1 to March 31, two years later
Deadline
Mar 31, every 2 years
Not required for your first renewal
Online allowed?
Yes
Live, virtual, online or prerecorded courses count
Who needs CE
Who needs continuing education for an Iowa barber license?
Iowa barbers need CE from their second renewal onward. You don’t need CE for the first renewal after you’re licensed. Renewal is handled by the state through the Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences, not by cities.
CE applies to
- Licensed Iowa barbers renewing for the second time or later
- Licensees holding more than one barbering and cosmetology arts and sciences license
- Barbering and cosmetology instructors (extra teaching hours)
Exemptions
- Newly licensed barbers at their first renewal
- Licensees living and practicing only in a state with no CE requirement (fees still due)
- Active duty military and military spouses, who can meet the CE rules of the state where they practice
Licensed as a barber before July 1, 2024?
When you renew, you’ll receive a barbering and cosmetology license from the board.
Iowa barber CE at a glance
Iowa barber renewal, one box
| Renewed with | Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences |
| CE required? | Yes, from your second renewal on |
| Hours per cycle | 6 hrs (10 with two licenses, 14 with three) |
| Cycle | 2 years (April 1 to March 31) |
| Required topics | 2 hrs Iowa barbering and cosmetology law, rules and infection control; 4 hrs in your discipline |
| Online allowed? | Yes |
| Deadline | March 31, every 2 years |
| Who reports | You, by uploading certificates at renewal |
| Carryover | Up to 3 discipline hours |
| Grace period | 30 days, with a $60 late fee |
| Renewal fee | $60 |
| Last updated | October 28, 2026 |
Hours
How many CE hours does an Iowa barber license need?
You need 6 hours of approved CE every two years. At least 4 hours must be in your practice discipline and 2 hours must cover Iowa barbering and cosmetology law, rules and infection control. Live, virtual, online and prerecorded courses all count.
| Class | Total | Required topics | Electives | Delivery limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barber (one license) | 6 hrs | 2 hrs Iowa law, rules and infection control | 4 hrs in your discipline | Live, virtual, online or prerecorded |
| Two active licenses | 10 hrs | 2 hrs Iowa law, rules and infection control | 4 hrs in each discipline | Live, virtual, online or prerecorded |
| Instructor | 12 hrs | 6 hrs teaching methodology, plus 2 hrs Iowa law and rules | 4 hrs in your discipline | Live, virtual, online or prerecorded |
Each hour is at least 50 minutes. You can carry up to 50% of the required hours, and no more than 3 discipline hours, into the next period. Law, rules and infection control hours don’t carry over.
Deadline
When is the Iowa barber license renewal deadline?
Iowa barbering licenses renew every two years. The CE and renewal period runs April 1 to March 31 two years later, so finish your 6 hours and renew by March 31. A 30-day grace period follows with a $60 late fee.
| Deadline rule | March 31, every 2 years |
| Cycle | 2 years, April 1 to March 31 |
| Grace period | 30 days after expiration |
| Late penalty | $60 late fee; after the grace period the license becomes inactive |
| CE completion deadline | By March 31 of your renewal year |
Steps
How to renew an Iowa barber license, step by step
- Take approved CEBefore March 31
Complete 6 hours of approved CE, including 2 hours on Iowa barbering and cosmetology law, rules and infection control. - Get your certificateSame day
Save the certificate of completion for each course. - Confirm it’s reportedAt renewal
You report your own hours by uploading your certificates of completion with your online renewal. - Pay the renewal fee$60 fee
Renew online through the DIAL license portal and pay the $60 fee to the Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences before March 31. - Check your license statusAfter renewal
Confirm your license shows a new expiration date two years out.
Providers
Approved Iowa barber license CE providers
We haven’t compared CE providers for this license yet. Use the board’s approved provider list to confirm a course counts before you pay.
Approval
How to check an Iowa barber CE course is approved
Courses must be offered by or sponsored in advance by a barbering and cosmetology association, school or textbook publisher, or a university, college or community college. The board sets the topics: 4 hours in your discipline plus 2 hours on Iowa law, rules and infection control.
- Check that the certificate clearly shows an authorized sponsor or provider.
- Make sure 2 hours cover Iowa barbering and cosmetology law, rules and infection control.
- Check that your other 4 hours relate directly to barbering.
Reporting
How Iowa barber CE is reported, and what happens in an audit
You report your own CE. Upload your certificates of completion when you submit your online renewal, before your license expires.
- Keep a certificate for every course showing the date, title, presenter, sponsor and hours.
- Upload your certificates with your online renewal.
- The board can audit licensees to verify CE.
- If you get a CE extension or exemption, keep a copy of the decision.
Cost
How much does Iowa barber license renewal cost?
| Item | Fee | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| License renewal fee | $60 per license | Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences |
| Late renewal fee | $60 | Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences |
| Reactivation fee (inactive license) | $120 | Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences |
| CE courses (6 hours) | Varies by provider | CE provider |
Fees from 481 IAC chapter 507 and the DIAL barbering and cosmetology renewal page, checked October 2026.
Late or lapsed
Late, expired or inactive Iowa barber license
You have a 30-day grace period after your license expires, with a $60 late fee. If you don’t renew by the end of it, your license becomes inactive and you can’t practice until it’s reactivated.
Grace period
30 days after expiration. Renew with the $60 late fee and your CE.
Inactive license
A license not renewed by the end of the grace period becomes inactive. Practicing on it can lead to discipline.
Reactivation
Apply, pay the $120 reactivation fee and show 6 hours of CE from the past two years (12 hours if inactive more than five years).
Makeup CE
You still need all 6 hours, including the law, rules and infection control hours, before you can renew.
Who controls
Who controls Iowa barber license renewal?
Renewal authority
Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences
Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing, 6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50321
Responsibilities
- Issues and renews Iowa barbering and cosmetology licenses
- Sets the CE hours and required topics
- Audits CE and reactivates inactive licenses
Getting licensed
Getting licensed
We haven’t published a Iowa license guide for this profession yet. Tell us if you need one.
FAQ
Iowa barber license CE FAQs
How many CE hours does an Iowa barber need?
6 hours every two years: 4 hours in your discipline and 2 hours on Iowa barbering and cosmetology law, rules and infection control.
When is the deadline?
Licenses expire March 31 every two years. The renewal period runs April 1 to March 31, and a 30-day grace period follows with a $60 late fee.
Is CE required for my first renewal?
No. You don’t need CE during the first renewal period after you’re licensed. CE starts with your second renewal.
Can I take CE online?
Yes. Live, virtual, online and prerecorded courses count, including webinars.
Who reports my hours?
You do. Upload your certificates of completion with your online renewal.
Do hours carry over?
Some do. You can carry up to 3 discipline hours into the next period, but law, rules and infection control hours don’t carry over.
Sources
Official sources for Iowa barber CE rules
- Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences, barbering license renewal
- Iowa barbering laws and administrative rules
- Renew a barbering & cosmetology license (DIAL)
- 481 IAC chapter 944, continuing education
- 481 IAC chapter 940, licensure
- 481 IAC chapter 507, fees
Last updated October 28, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences.