Running a cosmetology school keeps your calendar full, and with so much happening day to day, continuing education (CE) can slip off your radar until your renewal deadline is suddenly around the corner.
To keep your license active and your professional standing intact, you’ll want those hours finished before you renew. Minnesota requires every cosmetology school manager to complete a set number of CE hours in approved subject areas.
The good news is that the rules are straightforward. Here at Exam Insiders, we’ve broken down Minnesota’s CE requirements so you know exactly what to expect when renewal time comes.
How Often Do Minnesota School Managers Renew?
In Minnesota, a cosmetology school manager license runs on a three-year cycle. You need to complete your required CE hours within that window, and if you haven’t, your renewal application won’t be approved.
Renewal applications can be submitted as early as 10 weeks ahead of your license’s expiration date. Filing early is a smart move, because it gives you breathing room in case your application needs corrections or runs into delays. Submitting late may result in extra fees.
Your License Expiration Date
Every three years, your license expires on the final day of your birth month. So if your birthday falls in March, your renewal deadline would be March 31, recurring every three years after you first earn your license.
How Many CE Hours Do You Need?
The Minnesota Board of Cosmetology asks school managers to complete four hours of continuing education in each three-year renewal cycle. Those hours need to fall within the required subject categories to show ongoing competence.
Which Topics Count Toward Renewal?
All four of your CE hours must focus on either business practices or school management. Because these categories are fairly broad, you have room to pick programs or specialty areas that interest you, as long as the content relates to one of these two subjects in some way.
When Should You Finish Your CE Courses?
There are no separate deadlines to track beyond having your hours completed by the time you submit your renewal application. You’re free to work on them at any point during your three-year cycle.
Keep in mind that if the board can’t confirm which courses you took or what they covered, your application could be held up, which may lead to additional fees. Including complete documentation with your application is the best way to avoid unnecessary delays.
Do CE Courses Need Board Approval?
No pre-approval is required. The Minnesota Board of Cosmetology simply checks that your courses fall under the required categories of business practices or school management.
That said, the board does offer a selection of pre-approved courses, and some of these may count toward other license renewals too. Review the rules for each license you hold to find out whether your CE hours can satisfy more than one renewal.
Get Ahead of Your Renewal
Now is a great time to start planning your renewal as a Minnesota cosmetology school manager. Choose self-paced, high-quality courses in business practices or school management, keep thorough records, and submit your application early so your license stays in good standing.