A cosmetology license is good for four years. Your license expiration date is printed on the license.
You are eligible to renew your license three months prior to the expiration date, all renewals must be done online.
Update Your License
You are able to update your existing license through an online account. Updates include:
Have a question regarding your license? First, see if your questions are answered in the FAQs above. Otherwise, the quickest way to get in touch with us is through email: Contact us here!
Mailing Information:
NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services
PO Box 22001
Albany NY 12201-2001
Please note: If you utilize express services or next day ground services such as UPS, Federal Express, DHL, etc. you should use the physical address of the building.
Albany Physical Address
Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
Phone Information:
General Information (518) 474-4429
Security Guard and Armored Car Guard Information (518) 474-7569
Call Center Representatives are available from 8:45am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday except on Legal Holidays.
Deaf, hard of hearing and speech-disabled callers, please use 7-1-1
For all other inquiries, email Licensing Services
Visitor & Customer Service Center Information:
Below is a listing of Licensing Customer Service Centers and the hours of operation. Please monitor this page for updates to office hours, guidelines and or any closures.
Albany: This office is open for all services.
NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
Customer Service hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Apostille Service hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am to 4:15pm
Albany Parking
Limited on street metered parking is available for 1 Commerce Plaza in Albany. The Office of General Services has various parking lots throughout downtown Albany which have limited visitor parking. To find out more information about the OGS lots , please visit their website .
New York City: This office is open for all services.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
123 William St. 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10038-3804
Customer Service hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Apostille Service hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm
Binghamton: Effective July 7, 2023, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
44 Hawley Street, Room 1506
Binghamton, NY 13901-4455
(518) 474-4429
Buffalo: Effective November 10, 2022, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
295 Main Street, 8th Floor, Suite 821
Buffalo, NY 14203
(518) 474-4429
Hauppauge: Effective June 21, 2023, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
250 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788-5519
(518) 474-4429
Utica: This office is open for all services.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
207 Genesee Street Utica, NY 13501-2812
Customer Service hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am-12:00pm & 12:45pm-4:00pm
