Missouri State Board of Cosmetology

Missouri regulates barbering under Chapter 328, RSMo and cosmetology under Chapter 329, RSMo, but one board — the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners — administers both. The board licenses and disciplines cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, barbers, instructors, and establishments and schools in each field, plus a crossover license for people who qualify in both barbering and cosmetology.

The board's office is at 3605 Missouri Boulevard in Jefferson City, with a separate mailing address of PO Box 1062, Jefferson City, MO 65102, for correspondence and paper applications. As of January 2025, Missouri moved licensing statewide to a new online system called MOPRO, and every licensee — even those with an account under the old system — must register a new MOPRO account to apply, renew, change contact information, or check a license.

Phone support is available at 573-751-1052 (or toll-free at 866-762-9432) during the Division of Professional Registration's standard business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, closed on state holidays. Licensees and consumers can also reach the board by email at cosbar@pr.mo.gov.

Missouri recognizes four cosmetology license classes — Class CA (hairdressing and manicuring), Class CH (hairdressing only), Class E (esthetics), and Class MO (manicuring only) — along with a separate Barber license, Instructor licenses for both fields, and a Crossover license. All personal licenses run on the same two-year cycle, expiring September 30 of every odd-numbered year, and Missouri does not require continuing education for renewal except for cosmetology instructors, who must complete a teacher-training seminar every two years.

Every license issued by the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners — cosmetologist, hairdresser, esthetician, manicurist, barber, and instructor — renews on the same statewide biennial cycle. Rather than a rolling birthday date, all personal licenses expire on September 30 of each odd-numbered year, regardless of when the license was originally issued.

Renewals are processed through MOPRO, the state's online licensing portal that launched in January 2025. Licensees log in, or register a new account using the email address on file with the board, to submit their renewal and pay online; paper renewals are also accepted by mail but take longer, with the board citing a 3–5 business day processing window from the date an application reaches the COSBAR office, in addition to mail time. Most personal licenses — cosmetologist, hairdresser, esthetician, manicurist, barber, and instructor — renew for $60.

Licensees who miss the September 30 deadline can typically still renew but owe a reinstatement fee on top of the regular renewal fee once a grace period passes — barbers, for example, pay a higher reinstatement rate after November 30. Under Missouri law, a lapsed license can be restored without retaking the exam within two years of its expiration date; after two years the license is no longer eligible for reinstatement, and the holder must reapply and test again.

Practicing on an expired license is a violation of state law. The board has publicly reminded licensees that anyone whose license has lapsed is not authorized to work or represent themselves as licensed until renewal is complete.

The Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners investigates written complaints alleging a violation of Chapters 328 or 329, RSMo — the state's barbering and cosmetology practice acts — against any licensee, registrant, or unlicensed person or business. Complaints must be submitted in writing and signed; the board may require the complaint be sworn before a notary. Oral, phone, or unsigned complaints cannot be processed as formal complaints, though a caller can be sent a form to complete and return.

Complaint forms are available on the board's website or by calling 866-762-9432, and completed forms are mailed to the board office. A complaint should identify the licensee involved, the date of the incident, and any supporting documentation or witnesses. The board cannot pursue monetary compensation, order a refund, or resolve billing disputes — its authority is limited to violations of the licensing law.

The board reviews complaints at its regular meetings, held about six times a year, and investigations are completed in about 120 days on average, though the full review and decision process can take up to six months. Investigation reports are closed records under Missouri law and are not released to the public, but complainants are notified in writing once the board decides whether to investigate and, later, whether the case is dismissed or results in discipline.