Texas Cosmetology Licenses 101: How to quickly renew or transfer your license

In Texas, a person licensed to provide cosmetology services to the public is called an operator. In most other states, operators are licensed and referred to as cosmetologists, hairstylists, beauticians, or hairdressers. From here on out, if you see a Texas operator license, just know we are referring to a Texas cosmetology license. 

If you have questions about how to 

• renew your Texas operator license – even if it is expired
• get licensed as an operator in Texas if you are moving or “transfering” from another state
• find a school to go to school to become an operator in Texas – or decide if a career in cosmetology is right for you
• find a licensed operator in Texas 

Then you are where you should be right now.  Our goal is to always provide you with the advice and steps you need to take next.

At Cosmo Credits, we want to make the renewal and application process as simple and stress-free as possible for our cosmetology colleagues. We also aim to educate the public and future professionals about finding good schools and licensed professionals.

We are going to start out with Texas cosmetology license renewals, since that is what we get the most questions about.

How do I renew my Texas operator license? How do I renew my Texas cosmetology license?

Renewing a Texas operator license can be stressful. You may be asking yourself –

• Am I taking the right course? 
• Is my provider approved? 
• Will they report my course hours to the TDLR or Cosmetology Board?

Let’s make this easy and break down the process of renewing your operator license into 4 easy steps.

1. Complete 4 hours of TDLR/Cosmetology board-approved education that includes human trafficking training
   • Click here to buy and get started on our 4-hour Texas Cosmetology Continuing Education Course
     1. It includes the required human trafficking component
     2. It is approved by the Texas Cosmetology Board or TDLR
     3. It can be taken by Texas operators, manicurists, and estheticians
   • To avoid reporting and renewal delays or extra fees, make sure you provide the correct license number during the course
2. Wait for your continuing education provider to report your continuing education hours to the TDLR or Cosmetology Board
   • Approved providers are required to report your completed hours to the TDLR reporting system within 7 days. Some providers will charge an additional fee to expedite this process.
   • We offer 1 day reporting at no extra charge with our 4-hour course
3. Log in to your license account on the TDLR website and pay your renewal fee
   • Log In to your TDLR Account to renew your license online
   • To renew by mail, contact the TDLR
   • The renewal fee for an operator license is $50 (more if your license is expired)
4. Be sure to post/display your updated license in your salon or business with a current photograph
   • See the Rules for more information on this requirement 

You are done! See you again in a couple of years. Be sure to mark your calendar with your next expiration date or set a reminder on your phone. It always goes quicker than you think!

Here is the link to our course again: 4 Hour Texas Cosmetology Continuing Education Course for Operators

Can I take my continuing education for my Texas operator license online?

Yes! All of your required hours to renew your operator license can be completed online.

Here is a link to our self-paced 4-hour Texas package. You can log in and out as many times as needed. There is no exam. Simply complete the course reading and make sure you provide your license number. We report the course so you can renew your license quickly and easily.

Where can I take a board-approved 4-hour continuing education course for my Texas operator license renewal?

Our approved 4-hour Texas continuing education course for operators or cosmetologists can be purchased and started any time, right here: 4-hour Texas Operator Course.

At Cosmo Credits, we report your completed credits or hours to the Texas Board or TDLR within 24 hours so you can renew your operator license as quickly as possible.

My Texas operator license is expired. How do I get it active again?

Whether this was an accident, or you just took a break from the profession, getting your Texas cosmetology license active again may be easier than you think. 

If your license has been expired less than 18 months, then you should just need to 

1. Complete your continuing education
2. Pay the renewal fee and late fee
3. Get back to work

If your license has been expired over 18 months, but less than three years, refer to the request form to the Executive Director to learn more about getting your license back in good standing. You should also have your continuing education completed for this process.

Looking for a 4-hour course to get your expired Texas cosmetology license back in good standing, click below. 

4-hour Texas Cosmetology Continuing Education Course

If your operator license has been expired over three years, then you have some extra work to do  (like applications and exams) instead of continuing education. Refer to the Expired Texas Cosmetology License Application for more information and the steps to get your operator license active again.

I am a cosmetologist in another state and I am moving to Texas, How do I get a Texas operator license?

Welcome to Texas! “Transfering” your cosmetology license to another state is a big step, but Texas makes it easier than many other states. Whether you are moving back, planning to semi-retire, or looking for new opportunities in the Lone Star State- You can see if you qualify for an operator license in Texas based on your current state cosmetology license below.

Texas Cosmetology Requirements for Out of State Applicants

This page should give you an idea of if you qualify for an operator license and get you started on the process. It is an excellent starting point for all applicants.

To apply for a Texas Operator/Cosmetology License, try this link: Texas Cosmetology License Application

How much does a cosmetologist or operator in Texas make an hour? What is a Texas cosmetologist’s yearly salary?                                                                                                        

Zip Recruiter lists Texas as one of the lowest-paying states for Cosmetologists. The average yearly salary comes in around $21,000 or less than $11 dollars an hour. But this is not much lower than most other states.

How is this possible when we know how much some hair services cost?

Salaries, wages, and incomes vary quite drastically in this profession. Many in the cosmetology field work part-time, or just a couple of days a week, and this makes the salaries vary more than other professions.

Not only that, some salons pay minimally and others pay fair and appropriate salaries. You also have those entrepreneurs who have built extremely successful businesses, making $100,000+, and are outliers in that direction. 

There are many amazing opportunities in the cosmetology field, but it is best to be educated about the good and the bad before you choose a career path.

Is being a cosmetologist or an operator a good career?

For some people, it is a dream career. They spend their days socializing and making their clients achieve their ideal hair, nail, and skin care goals. It is not hard to find cosmetologists working happily in the field well into their retirement.

And in all honesty, for others, it is a disappointing and short career. They fail to find the right position, the right pay, and even the right clients. They may only stay in the field for a year or two before leaving for other professional opportunities.

Why are there these varying feelings among cosmetologists? A lot of it lies in realistic expectations, false information, and poor research.

Unfortunately, there are beauty schools that provide false information to prospective students, as they have a lot to gain from tuition dollars. They may entice interested students with inflated salaries and unrealistic career expectations.

But this is not only the school’s fault. Being a cosmetologist is hard work and some new cosmetologists really do not think ahead of what the first few years may look like, Or may not know how hard those first few years can be. while building a business or clientele

Being a cosmetologist can be physically demanding. Often days are spent standing up, with hands constantly working, and demanding schedules with little breaks. Plus you have to take the time to market your new business and skills. Businesses and clientele take time to build. You cannot expect to open a new business and hit your ideal salary in the first few years of business.

At the same time, there are endless opportunities in the field. If you work hard and put in the effort to deliver a service your clients love and have the patience to grow and develop as a professional – success usually follows.

Where can I find a school or program to become a licensed cosmetologist or operator in Texas? 

You can find TDLR-approved cosmetology schools and beauty school programs below.

Texas Approved Cosmetology, Operator, or Beauty Schools

How long is the training program for operators at a Texas beauty school? How many hours does a cosmetology license in Texas require to apply for a license?

To become a licensed Texas Operator, you must complete 1000 hours of instruction in a beauty school. This was recently reduced from 1500 hours.

There are written state and practical exams that all applicants must pass too.

But, with your operator license, you can provide many hair, nail, and skin care services.

In comparison, a Texas Manicurist must complete 600 hours of instruction in a beauty school to get licensed.

Texas Estheticians need to complete 750 hours of instruction in a beauty school to get licensed. 

It is also possible to hold both a barber and operator license in Texas. If you hold a Class A Barber Certificate and have completed 300 hours of instruction in cosmetology through an approved training program in a beauty school, you can apply for an operator license.

To apply for a cosmetology/operator license click here.

What can a licensed operator/cosmetologists do in Texas?

Again, operators can offer many hair, nail, and skin care services. But, often there are a few services that are not within the scope of an operator license. For instance, can an operator use a straight razor, microblade the eyebrows, dermablade the face? 

The TDLR FAQ page answers lots of questions about microblading, spa wraps, safety razors, dermablading, eyelashes, and hair braiding deregulation. It is a great place to start.

Texas TDLR FAQ on Cosmetology Services

Also, we encourage you to read what the laws and rules say in Texas about the definition and practice of cosmetology.

Sec. 1602.002. DEFINITION OF COSMETOLOGY.

How can I check to see if an operator (or cosmetologist) is licensed in Texas?

Cosmetologists / Operators are licensed because it is a matter of public health. They are trained to avoid contagious diseases or infections. Unlicensed activity puts the public at risk and should be reported. Always check a license before making an appointment.

You can verify an operator license number on the TDLR website here: Verify A License 

This is also the link where you can check a salon license.

Still have questions? Or want to share something about being a licensed operator in Texas?

Let us know!