How to Renew Your Texas Cosmetology License (2026)

Most Texas cosmetology and specialty licensees must complete 4 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education every two years to renew their license: 1 hour of sanitation, 1 hour of human trafficking awareness, and 2 hours covering barbering and cosmetology related practice (16 TAC Chapter 83). Confirm current requirements with TDLR.

Texas cosmetology licenses are renewed every two years through TDLR. For a timely renewal, complete all 4 hours before your license expires. If you renew late, the hours must fall in the two-year period immediately before the date you renew (16 TAC §83.25(d)), and TDLR charges a late-renewal fee under Occupations Code §51.401.

A licensee who has held the relevant Texas license for at least 15 years may qualify for a reduced 2-hour path (sanitation and human trafficking awareness) under 16 TAC §83.25(k); confirm your specific requirement with TDLR before enrolling. This course is the full 4-hour course; a separate 2-hour reduced-path course is not yet offered by this provider.

No. TDLR's current cosmetology CE materials do not require a final exam. This course uses brief formative section checks to reinforce the material as a quality measure, not a state-mandated exam.

Yes. Once you finish the course and pay the one-time fee, your certificate is available to download right away and we report your completion directly to TDLR within 7 days (16 TAC §59.51(e)), usually much sooner, so your renewal isn't held up. Keep your certificate of completion for at least two years.

Yes. The course is fully online and mobile-friendly, and your progress saves automatically across phone, tablet, and computer.

Cosmetology Operator, Esthetician, Manicurist, Manicurist/Esthetician, Hair Weaving Specialist, Hair Weaving Specialist/Esthetician, and Eyelash Extension Specialist licensees renewing with TDLR must complete continuing education. Always confirm the requirement for your specific license with TDLR.

TDLR requires 1 hour of sanitation and 1 hour of human trafficking prevention; the remaining 2 hours may be any topic allowed under 16 TAC §83.25(h): sanitation, the Act and 16 TAC Chapter 83, the school curriculum topics in §83.120 or §83.202, mental health awareness, or human trafficking prevention. Client safety and professional practice sits within the Act and Chapter 83 under §83.25(h)(2). This course covers sanitation and infection control, human trafficking awareness, Texas law and scope of practice, and client safety and professional practice.

No. You can start and complete the course first and pay the one-time fee any time, before, during, or after. Your certificate downloads and your completion is reported to TDLR as soon as payment is made.

Complete it well before your TDLR license expiration date rather than waiting until the deadline, so your completion is on file with TDLR when you renew. The course is self-paced and most people finish it across a few sittings.

It's a single one-time fee for the full 4-hour course, no subscription and no hidden charges. The exact price is shown before checkout and the founding price is applied at checkout while spots remain. TDLR's state license renewal fee is separate and paid to TDLR (verify the current renewal fee at tdlr.texas.gov).