Texas Cosmetology License Renewal
Everything a Texas cosmetology operator — and esthetician, manicurist, and eyelash specialist — needs to renew on time: the fee, the 2-year cycle, your required CE hours, and the exact step-by-step process through TDLR.
21,296
Renewals due in the next 90 days
$50
On-Time Renewal Fee
2 Years
Renewal Cycle
4 hrs
CE Required (2 if 15+ yrs)
196,229 active Cosmetology licenses in Texas · renewal counts are live from the TDLR licensee registry.
Need your cosmetology CE hours?
Complete all 4 (or 2) required hours online, self-paced, reported to TDLR fast.
How to Renew — Step by Step
TDLR renews online. Start about 60 days before your expiration date so your CE hours are reported and documents are ready before the deadline.
- 1
Complete your required CE hours
4 hours (or 2 if you've held your cosmetology license 15+ years) from a TDLR-approved provider. Get them at our Texas Barber & Cosmetology CE portal.
- 2
Confirm your hours were reported
Approved providers report completed CE to TDLR electronically, usually within 1 business day. Verify it posted using TDLR's License Search before you renew.
- 3
Log in to TDLR Online Services
Open your account at tdlr.texas.gov and start the renewal application for your cosmetology license.
- 4
Provide lawful-presence documents and pay
From May 1, 2026, upload proof of lawful presence, then pay your $50 on-time renewal fee.
- 5
Submit and save your license
Submit the application and download your updated cosmetology license once it's issued.
Timing: online renewals typically process in about 7–10 business days; renewing by mail takes roughly 4–6 weeks. Don't wait until your expiration date — a lapse means late fees, and past 3 years no renewal at all.
Continuing Education (effective Sept 1, 2025)
Since September 1, 2025, every cosmetologist must complete continuing education to renew. The requirement scales down the longer you've been licensed:
Licensed fewer than 15 years
4 hours
1 hour sanitation, 1 hour human trafficking prevention, 2 hours cosmetology law, rules & related topics.
Licensed 15 years or more
2 hours
1 hour sanitation, 1 hour human trafficking prevention.
Only TDLR-approved courses count, and hours are timed — each requires 50 minutes of seat time. Approved providers report your completed hours to TDLR electronically, usually within one business day. A licensee who is 65 or older and has held a license 15+ years only needs the single 1-hour sanitation course.
Renewal Fees
$50
On time
$75
Expired under 18 months
$100
Expired 18 months – 3 years
That's TDLR's fee only — separate from the roughly $25 you'll pay a TDLR-approved provider for your CE hours. Own a shop? Establishment licenses renew on the same cycle at higher fees ($70–$78 on time) — see the full requirements guide for the establishment fee table, plus reciprocity, lawful-presence, and military-spouse rules.
Getting licensed or preparing for the exam?
Requirements are set by TDLR and updated periodically. Confirm your exact cycle and fee in your TDLR online account at tdlr.texas.gov before your renewal date.
Common Questions
How much does it cost to renew a Texas cosmetology license?
The TDLR renewal fee for a Cosmetology Operator is $50 on time. If your license has expired, it rises to $75 (under 18 months late) or $100 (18 months to 3 years late). Past 3 years you generally can't renew and must re-establish eligibility. The fee is separate from the ~$25 you pay a provider for your CE hours.
How many CE hours do I need to renew my Texas cosmetology license?
4 hours from a TDLR-approved provider — 1 hour sanitation, 1 hour human trafficking prevention, and 2 hours of cosmetology law, rules and related topics. If you've held your license 15 or more years, it drops to 2 hours (sanitation + human trafficking). Cosmetologists who are 65+ and licensed 15+ years need only the 1-hour sanitation course.
Does this apply to estheticians and manicurists too?
Yes. The same 2-year cycle, $50 fee, and CE structure apply to cosmetology operators, estheticians, manicurists, and eyelash extension specialists — each renews their own specialty license through TDLR.
How long does cosmetology license renewal take to process?
Online renewals through TDLR typically process in about 7-10 business days; renewing by mail takes roughly 4-6 weeks. CE hours from an approved provider are reported to TDLR within about 1 business day.
What if my Texas cosmetology license already expired?
You can still renew late — $75 if expired under 18 months, $100 if 18 months to 3 years. Beyond 3 years, TDLR requires meeting the requirements for an initial license again, including exams and fees.