If you are in a rush and just need your credits, you can skip the reading and get your 4-hour Texas manicurist CE course here.
This guide walks you through the full process of renewing your Texas manicurist license with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Whether this is your first renewal or your tenth, we cover everything from continuing education requirements to submitting your application online.
This guide is specifically for Texas-licensed manicurists. If you hold a different license type, select your guide below:
Not a Texas Manicurist?
Find the relevant guide for your Texas license type from the menu below:
Table of Contents
Renewal Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Renewal deadline | 2 years from your license issuance date (varies per licensee) |
| Renewal cycle | Every 2 years |
| CE hours required | 4 hours (or 2 hours if licensed 15+ years in Texas) |
| Renewal fee | $50 |
| Late renewal fee | $75–$100 (depending on how long expired) |
| Earliest you can renew | 60 days before license expiration |
| Where to renew | TDLR Online Portal |
Step 1: Understand Your CE Requirements
Each renewal cycle, you must complete 4 hours of approved Texas manicurist 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 |
You can complete your CE hours at any point during your 2-year renewal cycle. Just make sure they are done before you submit your renewal application.
There is no first-renewal exemption in Texas. You must complete continuing education before every renewal, including your first.
Licensed in Texas for 15 or more years?
If you have held a Texas manicurist 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. The 2-hour elective requirement is waived. Only years licensed in Texas count toward this threshold.
Our 2-Hour Texas Sanitation and Trafficking Course is built specifically for licensees who meet this requirement.
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 CE renewal course covers all required topics and can be completed on any device at your own pace.
Once you finish your course, your certificate is available for immediate download. We report your completed hours to the TDLR within one business day (the TDLR requires providers to report within 7 days).
You do not need to submit CE proof with your renewal application. The TDLR receives your completion data directly from us. However, you are required to keep your certificate of completion for 2 years after the date of completion in the event of an audit by the TDLR.
Complete your Texas Manicurist CE hours here →
Step 3: Submit Your Renewal Application
Once your CE hours are complete, you can submit your renewal application online.
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 renewal page and answer the screening questions. Select “Manicurist” as your license type. The page will direct you to the correct application based on your answers.
- If you prefer to skip the screening questions, you can go directly to the TDLR online renewal portal.
- Log in with your TDLR credentials and follow the prompts to complete the application.
- Pay the $50 renewal fee. There are no additional processing fees.
- After you submit, allow 3–10 business days for the TDLR to process your renewal. You can check your license status at any time using the TDLR License Search.
It is your responsibility to renew on time. Not receiving a renewal notice does not excuse late renewal or waive late fees.
After you submit, allow 3–10 business days for the TDLR to process your renewal. You can check your license status at any time using the TDLR License Search.
What if My License Is Expired?
If your manicurist license has already passed its expiration date, don’t panic. The TDLR has a tiered process for late renewals depending on how long your license has been expired. One important rule: the TDLR considers the time between your expiration date and the date you renew as an “unlicensed period.” You are not legally 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 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 using the same process described above. The renewal fee increases to $75 (1.5 times the standard fee). No additional paperwork is required.
Expired 91 days to 18 months
You can still renew online. The renewal fee increases to $100 (2 times the standard fee). The process is otherwise the same as a standard renewal.
Expired 18 months to 3 years
At this point, you must petition the TDLR’s Executive Director for approval to renew. Download and complete the Request to Executive Director for Expired License Renewal form. You can attach this form to your online renewal application. The renewal fee is $100.
Expired 3 years or more
Renewal is no longer an option. You must apply for a new manicurist license and retake the required exams. Download the Expired Cosmetology License Application and submit it by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to renew my manicurist license in Texas?
The standard renewal fee is $50. If your license is expired, the fee increases to $75 (expired 90 days or less) or $100 (expired 91 days or more).
How many CE hours do I need to renew?
You need 4 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education per renewal cycle. If you have held your Texas license for 15 or more years, you only need 2 hours.
Do I need CE for my first license renewal?
Yes. The TDLR requires continuing education before every renewal, including your first. There is no first-renewal exemption for manicurists in Texas.
Can I renew my Texas manicurist license online?
Yes. Most renewals are completed online through the TDLR portal. The only exception is licenses expired 3 or more years, which require a new license application by mail.
How long does a manicurist license last in Texas?
A Texas manicurist license is valid for 2 years from the date it was issued or last renewed. Your specific expiration date is printed on your license and available through TDLR License Search.
What happens if I don’t renew my manicurist license?
If your license expires, you are not legally allowed to practice until it is renewed. The longer you wait, the more expensive it gets. Licenses expired more than 3 years cannot be renewed at all — you would need to apply for a new license and retake your exams.
Will Cosmo Credits report my CE hours to the TDLR?
Yes. We report your completed course to the TDLR within one business day. You do not need to submit proof of CE with your renewal application.
What if I hold multiple Texas cosmetology and barber licenses?
All Texas barbering and cosmetology license types — including Cosmetologist (Operator), Barber, Esthetician, Manicurist, Eyelash Extension, Hair Weaving, and Manicurist/Esthetician — require the same CE course. You only need to complete the CE hours once per renewal cycle, and the same course satisfies the requirement for all of your Texas cosmetology and barber licenses.
However, you do need to submit a separate renewal application for each license.
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 |