Texas Barber License Renewal – What You Need to Know

If you’re a Texas barber, you’ve probably heard about some changes—thanks to House Bill 1560 passed a couple of years ago. The state officially combined barbering and cosmetology boards under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

Starting this year, those changes are rolling out when you complete your Texas barber license renewal or renew your barbershop license. Many barbers and shop owners will see new license numbers and updated paperwork.

Here’s what you need to know so you don’t miss anything (and avoid last-minute panic or extra fees).

Wait—Barbers Have to Do Continuing Education Now?

That’s right. If you’ve been a barber in Texas for a while, this is new. Before the law changed, barbers didn’t have continuing education (CE) requirements like cosmetologists did. But now that the programs are combined, barbers must complete Texas Board-Approved CE hours every two years to renew their license.

This change officially starts September 2025, so if your license expires after that, you’ll need CE done before renewing.

Here’s what’s required for your Texas Barber License Renewal:

4 total CE hours every 2 years
- 1 Hour of Sanitation (required)
- 3 Hours covering topics like Texas laws and rules, human trafficking prevention, mental health awareness, and other industry updates

Licensed 15 years or more?

If you’ve held your Texas barber license for 15 years or longer, you only have to complete the 1-hour Sanitation course. The other three hours are waived.

How to Complete Your CE – Fast and Online

We’ve made this part simple, and you can do it all online:

Once you finish, we report your CE hours directly to TDLR. You’ll also get a completion certificate by email. Texas requires you to keep that certificate for two years in case of an audit.

How to Complete Your Texas Barber License Renewal

After your CE is done, you’re ready to renew online through the TDLR website.

Renew your license here: TDLR Barber Renewal
Renewal Fee: $50

FAQs for Barbers and Barbershop Owners

Q: Do I need CE hours to renew my shop license?

A: No, CE is only required for individual license renewals. Your barbershop license just needs the renewal fee and updated paperwork.

Q: Will my barbershop license number change?

A: Yes. Starting March 4, 2024, when you renew your barbershop, dual shop, mini-shop, or mobile barber business license, you’ll receive a new license number and updated establishment license.

This only happens when you renew, so don’t worry if your license still shows the old number until then.

Q: Do I have to hang the new license in the shop?

A: Yes. Your updated license must be posted where clients can see it—just like always.

Q: What happens if I miss my renewal deadline?

0-90 days late: Pay 1.5x the renewal fee
91 days to 18 months late: Pay 2x the renewal fee
18 months to 3 years: TDLR Director approval required
Over 3 years: You’ll have to reapply and possibly retake the exam

Q: What’s the difference between a barber and a cosmetologist now that licenses are combined?

A: Even though the programs are combined, your license type still matters. What you’re allowed to do depends on your license.

According to Texas Law – Sec. 1603.0011(b and c):

Barbers Can:

Shave a client’s face, neck, mustache, or beard using any type of razor

Cosmetologists, or Operators, Can:

Apply semi-permanent eyelash extensions (those single-fiber lash extensions)

Both professions have their own specialty areas, so it’s important to stick to your scope of practice.

Final Tip: Don’t Wait—Get Your CE Done Early

For many Texas barbers, this is the first time CE has ever been required. Don’t wait until the last minute—Texas law requires CE providers to track your time in the course, so it’s not something you can rush through in 15 minutes.

Get your hours done, complete your Texas barber license renewal, and stay in good standing.

Here are the courses you need:

We handle the reporting to TDLR for you, so you can focus on your business.!