Montana State Board of Cosmetology

The Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists sits within the Department of Labor & Industry's Employment Standards Division and licenses barbers, barbers who perform nonchemical services only, cosmetologists, electrologists, estheticians, manicurists, instructors, salons and shops (including mobile salons/shops), booth renters, and schools or courses across the state. The board does not regulate tattooing, body or ear piercing, permanent makeup, or microblading — those fall under the Department of Public Health and Human Services.

The board's physical office is on the 4th floor at 301 S. Park Avenue in Helena, with mail directed to PO Box 200513, Helena, MT 59620-0513. Professional Licensing Bureau customer service handles applications, renewals, and general account questions at (406) 444-6880 or dlibsdhelp@mt.gov, while scope-of-practice questions or comments for the board itself go to the executive officer at (406) 841-2394 or dlibsdcos@mt.gov. The board does not offer walk-in, same-day licensing service — nearly all applications, renewals, and account changes are handled through the state's online licensing portal.

Montana licenses six personal disciplines by examination, each with its own state-mandated training-hour minimum: Cosmetology (1,500 hours), Barbering (1,100 hours), Barbering Nonchemical (900 hours, no perms, relaxers, or other chemical services), Esthetics (650 hours), Electrology (600 hours), and Manicuring (400 hours). The board also issues Instructor licenses, which require an active license in the discipline being taught, along with Salon/Shop, Booth Renter, and School or Course licenses.

Barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, estheticians, manicurists, and instructors renew every two years on a fixed statewide calendar rather than a birthday-based cycle, with the regular window running January 2 through March 1. Salons, shops, booth renters, and schools renew annually instead. Montana does not require continuing education to renew a personal service license, though instructors must document 30 hours of continuing education per renewal period to keep an active instructor license.

Individual licenses — Barbering, Barbering Nonchemical, Cosmetology, Electrology, Esthetics, Manicuring, and Instructor — renew every two years on a fixed statewide schedule. The regular renewal window runs from January 2 through March 1, and licensees who miss it can still renew online for 45 days afterward, through April 15, with a late fee added. Salons, shops, and booth renters renew annually, with their regular window running roughly May 1 through June 30 and a similar late-renewal period into mid-August; schools also renew annually within the January 2–March 1 window.

All renewals are completed online by logging into the same Accela-based citizen portal (ebiz.mt.gov/POL) used for license applications — there is no paper renewal option for an active license. Because email is the department's primary form of communication, licensees are urged to keep their email and mailing address current; either can be updated at any time through the online account or the department's Change of Address form.

Renewal fees vary by license type: $80 for Cosmetology, Esthetics, Electrology, Barbering Nonchemical, and Manicuring; $100 for Barbering; $95 (active) or $85 (inactive) for Instructor; $125 for Salons and Shops; $95 for Booth Renters; and $220 for Schools, which also requires proof of a continuously renewed bond or insurance certificate. Montana does not require continuing education to renew a personal service license, with the exception of instructors, who must complete 30 hours of continuing education per two-year renewal period.

Montana's specific administrative rule governing lapsed licenses has been repealed, and the board's published materials do not spell out a standard reactivation path once the late-renewal period closes; practicing on an expired license is treated as unprofessional conduct. Licensees whose license has lapsed beyond the late-renewal deadline should contact the Professional Licensing Bureau directly at (406) 444-6880 to find out what is required to become licensed again.

The Department of Labor & Industry's Employment Standards Division, which includes the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists, investigates complaints of unprofessional conduct against licensed barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, estheticians, manicurists, instructors, salons, shops, booth renters, and schools, as well as complaints of unlicensed practice. Compliance, investigative, and legal staff act as impartial fact-finders and do not represent either the person filing the complaint or the licensee.

Complaints are filed through the department's online License Complaint Form, available on the "How to File a Complaint" page. A paper complaint form is also available and can be mailed, faxed, or emailed to the Compliance Unit at PO Box 200514, Helena, MT 59620-0514, or DLIBSDCOMPLAINTS@MT.GOV. Anonymous complaints are generally not accepted — the department needs a documented statement to prove a violation occurred, and a complainant's testimony may be required at a hearing — though anyone with knowledge of a serious risk of harm who is uncomfortable identifying themselves can call a Compliance Specialist at (406) 841-2357 to discuss the matter.

Once filed, staff determine whether the complaint falls within the board's legal authority, then may gather written responses, conduct interviews, or collect documents; review and investigation can take several months or longer. Findings go to a screening panel of board members, which can dismiss the case or find cause for formal disciplinary action ranging from a reprimand or fine to license restriction, suspension, or revocation. Complainants are notified in writing of the outcome but are not a formal party to the proceedings.