In a rush and just need your credits? You can skip the reading and get your 4-hour Texas cosmetology CE course here.
Renewing your Texas cosmetology license is a simple process once you know the steps. This guide covers everything from completing your continuing education hours to submitting your renewal application with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
This guide is specifically for Texas cosmetologist (operator) license holders. If you hold a different Texas license type, select your guide below:
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Find the relevant guide for your Texas license type from the menu below:
Table of Contents
Renewal Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | Every 2 years |
| Renewal deadline | 2 years from your license issuance date |
| CE hours required | 4 hours (2 hours if licensed 15+ years) |
| Renewal fee | $50 |
| Late renewal fee (expired 90 days or less) | $75 |
| Late renewal fee (expired 91 days–18 months) | $100 |
| Earliest you can renew | 60 days before your license expiration date |
| Where to renew | TDLR Online Renewal |
Step 1: Understand Your CE Requirements
Each renewal cycle, you must complete 4 hours of approved Texas cosmetology continuing education before you can renew your license.
Your 4 CE hours must cover the following topics:
| Subject | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Sanitation, health, and safety | 1 hour |
| Human trafficking prevention | 1 hour |
| Cosmetology or barber-related topics | 2 hours |
Your continuing education can be completed at any point during your 2-year renewal cycle. There is no waiting period. You can complete them as soon as your current cycle begins.
There is no first-renewal exemption in Texas. You must complete continuing education before every renewal, including your first.
Licensed for 15 or more years?
If you have held a Texas cosmetology license for at least 15 years, you only need to complete 2 CE hours: 1 hour of sanitation and 1 hour of human trafficking prevention. Only years licensed in Texas count toward this threshold.
Our 2-Hour Texas Sanitation and Trafficking Course covers both required topics.
Step 2: Complete Your Continuing Education
The fastest way to complete your 4 CE hours is with an online, TDLR-approved course. Our 4-Hour Texas Continuing Education Course covers all required topics and can be completed on any device at your own pace.
The course is 100% online and self-paced. Your progress is saved if you need to take a break. Once you finish, your certificate of completion is available immediately, and we report your hours to the TDLR the next business day.
Complete your Texas Cosmetology CE hours here →
How does the TDLR know I completed my CE? Texas CE providers are required to electronically report your completed hours to the TDLR within 7 days of course completion. You do not need to upload a certificate or submit proof when you renew. The TDLR will already have your hours on file.
You should still keep your certificate of completion for 2 years in case of an audit by the TDLR.
Step 3: Submit Your Renewal Application
Once your continuing education is complete and reported to the TDLR, you are ready to renew.
Your license is eligible for renewal 60 days before your expiration date. The TDLR sends renewal notices at least 30 days before expiration, but you don’t need to wait for the notice to submit your renewal.
- Go to the TDLR cosmetology renewal page. This page will ask you to confirm your license type and status before directing you to the renewal application. If you already know your license is active and your CE is complete, you can go directly to the TDLR online renewal portal.
- Select “Operator” as your license type. (This is the TDLR’s official name for a cosmetologist license.)
- Follow the on-screen prompts to verify your information and complete the application.
- Pay the renewal fee. There is no additional processing fee.
- After submitting, you can check your renewal status through the TDLR License Search.
Allow 3–10 business days for the TDLR to process your renewal. If your license status has not updated after that time, contact the TDLR directly.
What if My License Is Expired?
If your renewal deadline has passed, the process and cost depend on how long your license has been expired. The TDLR considers the time between your expiration date and your late renewal date as an unlicensed period. You are legally not allowed to practice during that gap.
| Timeframe | Fee | Process |
|---|---|---|
| Expired 90 days or less | $75 | Renew online, same process as a standard renewal. |
| Expired 91 days–18 months | $100 | Renew online, same process as a standard renewal. |
| Expired 18 months–3 years | $100 | Must petition the TDLR’s Executive Director. Submit the Request to Executive Director form. |
| Expired more than 3 years | N/A | Renewal is not possible. You must apply for a new license and retake the required exams. |
Expired 90 days or less
You can still renew online, but the renewal fee increases to $75 (1.5 times the standard fee). The process is the same as a standard renewal. Go to the TDLR cosmetology renewal page and follow the steps. You must have your CE hours completed before renewing.
Expired more than 90 days but less than 18 months
You can still renew online. The renewal fee increases to $100 (2 times the standard fee). You must have your CE hours completed before renewing.
Expired 18 months or more but less than 3 years
You may petition the TDLR’s Executive Director to allow you to renew your license. To do this:
- Complete and submit the Request to Executive Director for Expired License Renewal Form (PDF).
- Pay the renewal fee of $100 (2 times the standard fee).
- When you complete your online renewal application, you can attach the completed form.
Expired 3 years or more
Renewal is no longer possible. You must apply for a new license and take the required exams again. You will need to apply by mail using the Expired Cosmetology License Application (PDF).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to renew my cosmetology license in Texas?
The standard renewal fee is $50. If your license has been expired for 90 days or less, the fee is $75. If it has been expired for more than 90 days, the fee is $100.
How many CE hours do I need to renew?
You need 4 hours of approved continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle. If you have held your license for 15 or more years, you only need 2 hours.
When is my Texas cosmetology license renewal deadline?
Your renewal deadline is exactly 2 years from your license issuance date. You can check your specific deadline through the TDLR License Search.
Can I renew my Texas cosmetology license online?
Yes. The TDLR offers online renewal through their cosmetology renewal page. Most licensees can complete the entire process online.
Do I need to upload proof of my CE hours when I renew?
No. CE providers in Texas are required to report your completed hours directly to the TDLR. When you renew, the TDLR will already have your hours on file. We report your completed hours the next business day after you finish your course.
How do I check my CE hours after I complete the course?
Right after you finish, you can download your certificate of completion from your Cosmo Credits account. We submit your hours to the TDLR within 1 business day. Once they’re posted, you can verify them through the TDLR Continuing Education Course Lookup.
Do I need CE for my first license renewal?
Yes. Texas does not offer a first-renewal exemption. You must complete 4 CE hours before every renewal, including your first.
What happens if I don’t renew my cosmetology license?
If your license expires, you are not legally allowed to practice cosmetology in Texas until you renew. Depending on how long your license has been expired, you may face higher fees or additional requirements to reinstate it. If your license has been expired for 3 years or more, you must reapply and retake the licensing exams.
How long does a cosmetology license last in Texas?
A Texas cosmetology license is valid for 2 years from the date it was issued.
TDLR Contact Information
| Agency | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711 |
| Physical address | 920 Colorado St., Austin, Texas 78701 |
| Phone | (512) 463-6599 |
| Toll-free (in Texas) | (800) 803-9202 |
| Fax | (512) 463-9468 |
| Relay Texas-TDD | (800) 735-2989 |
| Phone hours | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) |
| Website | tdlr.texas.gov/barbering-and-cosmetology |
| License lookup | TDLR License Search |