Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology

The Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology regulates, controls, and monitors the cosmetology industry to protect public health and welfare, ensuring that licensees meet the state's educational requirements and maintain sanitary, professional standards while serving the public. The LSBC licenses cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, teachers (instructors), managers, and a range of specialty permits, along with salons, booth renters, and cosmetology schools. Barbering is regulated by a separate agency, the Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners, so barbers do not hold licenses through the LSBC.

The board's office is at 11622 Sunbelt Court, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Licensees and the public can reach the office at (225) 756-3404, or toll-free at 866-257-7901; the fax line is (225) 756-3410. The board can also be reached by email at lsbc@la.gov. The LSBC does not publish standard walk-in office hours; most licensing, renewal, and complaint activity is handled by mail, fax, phone, or the board's online payment portal.

The board maintains a public license-lookup tool on its website so consumers can verify whether a cosmetologist, esthetician, manicurist, or salon holds an active Louisiana license. In accordance with state law, the LSBC also accepts written complaints against its licensees and, where warranted, opens an investigation that can lead to a fine, probation, suspension, revocation, or a cease-and-desist order.

Louisiana recognizes several personal license disciplines under the LSBC: Cosmetologist, Esthetician, Manicurist, and Teacher (Instructor), plus a Manager certificate for cosmetologists who run a shop in the owner's absence. The board also issues specialty permits — including Booth Rental, Shampoo Assistant, Alternative Hair Design, Threading, Microdermabrasion, and Temporary permits — and certificates for salons, specialty facilities, and schools. Personal licenses renew annually on the licensee's date of birth, while shops, booth renters, managers, and schools renew annually by a fixed calendar date. Louisiana does not require continuing education to renew a cosmetology, esthetics, or manicuring license; only teachers must complete continuing education to keep their teaching certificate current.

Louisiana personal licenses run on an annual cycle rather than a multi-year one. A cosmetologist, esthetician, manicurist, or teacher must renew their certificate of registration on or before their own date of birth each year; if it isn't renewed by then, the certificate expires 30 days after the birthday. Shop owners, booth renters, managers, and schools work on a separate calendar-year cycle: their certificates must be renewed by January 31 each year and expire on March 1 if renewal isn't completed in time.

Renewal is not automatic. Licensees can pay online through the board's PayStar payment portal, or renew by mail using the License Renewal Form, which asks for the licensee's name, address, date of birth, and certificate number, along with the required fee. The board accepts renewal payments by check, money order, or cashier's check for mail-in renewals. There is no published multi-week processing window comparable to some other states; the LSBC treats the license as active once a timely, complete renewal and payment are received.

Louisiana does not require continuing education to renew a cosmetologist, esthetician, or manicurist license. Teachers are the exception: under state law, a registered teacher must attend a board-approved continuing education seminar of at least 16 hours every two years to keep their teaching certificate active. Instructors who complete 16 hours of approved continuing education every year can also qualify for the board's "Gold Stamp" or Master Cosmetology Instructor recognition.

A license that has lapsed can generally be restored within three years of expiration by paying a restoration fee equal to twice the normal fee for each year the certificate was expired, capped at $300. Once a license or a period of active practice has lapsed for more than three years (36 months), the holder must pass a 25-question multiple-choice restoration exam, given at the board office on Mondays and Tuesdays between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., before the license can be reinstated.

The Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology investigates complaints against its licensees — cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, teachers, managers, salons, and schools — for issues such as sanitation violations, unlicensed practice, and other violations of Louisiana cosmetology law and the board's administrative rules. Complaints about barbers fall under the separate Louisiana Board of Barber Examiners rather than the LSBC.

To file a complaint, a consumer downloads and completes the board's Complaint Form, which asks for the respondent's name and employer, the complainant's contact information, the date and location of the alleged violation, and a written statement of facts, along with any supporting documentation. The complaint must be signed and mailed or otherwise submitted to the board office; it is not filed anonymously, though the board states a complainant's identity will remain confidential unless they are required to testify in a hearing.

Once received, a complaint is reviewed internally and either assigned for inspection, investigated further, or dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. Because of complaint volume, investigations can take time to complete, but the board notifies complainants of the final action taken. Outcomes can include a fine, probation, suspension, revocation, or an order to cease and desist. Complainants who are not satisfied with how the board handled a complaint about its own actions or procedures may also submit that concern to the Louisiana Legislature's House or Senate Governmental Affairs committees.