Texas license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Texas
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Texas: when each expires, the renewal fee, the continuing education it needs, and what to do if you renew late or the license has lapsed. Every answer comes from TDLR's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 4 hours per renewal | $50 | Every 2 years | $75 |
| Barber | 4 hours per renewal | $50 | Every 2 years | $75 |
| Nail technician | Not stated | $50 | Every 2 years | $75 |
| Esthetician | Not stated | $50 | Every 2 years | $75 |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
At $25 a year, renewing costs less than the $32.50 a year typical across the states; its continuing education works out to 2 hours a year of license.
Cosmetologist (Cosmetology Operator)
Texas cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsTwo years from the date of issue.
- Renewal fee
- $50 ($25 a year)
- Continuing education
- 4 hours per renewalFour hours of department-approved continuing education every two years, including one hour of sanitation, one hour of human trafficking awareness and two hours of your choice from approved topics; a Texas license held for at least 15 years requires only two hours.
- Late renewal
- $75Late renewals cost $75 if the license expired less than 18 months ago and $100 if it expired 18 months to 3 years ago.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license expired less than 18 months can be renewed for $75 and one expired 18 months to 3 years for $100; a license expired more than 3 years cannot be renewed and must meet the initial license requirements, including any applicable fees and examinations.
Barber (Class A Barber)
Texas barber license renewal
Renewed through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsTwo years from the date of issue.
- Renewal fee
- $50 ($25 a year)
- Continuing education
- 4 hours per renewalFour hours of department-approved continuing education every two years, including one hour of sanitation, one hour of human trafficking awareness and two hours of your choice from approved topics; a Texas license held for at least 15 years requires only two hours.
- Late renewal
- $75Late renewals cost $75 if the license expired less than 18 months ago and $100 if it expired 18 months to 3 years ago.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license expired less than 18 months can be renewed for $75 and one expired 18 months to 3 years for $100; a license expired more than 3 years cannot be renewed and must meet the initial license requirements, including any applicable fees and examinations.
Nail technician (Manicurist)
Texas nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsTwo years from the date of issue.
- Renewal fee
- $50 ($25 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask TDLR before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $75Late renewals cost $75 if the license expired less than 18 months ago and $100 if it expired 18 months to 3 years ago.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license expired more than 3 years cannot be renewed, so the holder must meet the initial license requirements, including any applicable fees and examinations.
Esthetician
Texas esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsTwo years from the date of issue.
- Renewal fee
- $50 ($25 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask TDLR before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $75Late renewals cost $75 if the license expired less than 18 months ago and $100 if it expired 18 months to 3 years ago.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license expired more than 3 years cannot be renewed, so the holder must meet the initial license requirements, including any applicable fees and examinations.
Good to know
What else Texas says about renewing
- Barbers and cosmetologists who have held a Texas license for at least 15 years need only two hours of continuing education to renew.
- TDLR's renewal page links directly to the online renewal application.
- Renewal of a license that expired while serving on active duty is covered on TDLR's Military Outreach page.
Sources
What Texas's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of TDLR's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026. Fees and deadlines change: confirm with the board before you renew.
- Cosmetologist: renewal period
“Cosmetology Operator licenses are valid for two years from the date of issue.”
tdlr.texas.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“$50 for On-time Renewals”
tdlr.texas.gov - Cosmetologist: continuing education
“You must complete a total of 4 hours of department-approved continuing education courses every two years to renew your license, including:”
tdlr.texas.gov “One hour in sanitation”
tdlr.texas.gov “One hour in human trafficking awareness”
tdlr.texas.gov “Two hours of your choice in any of the following topics:”
tdlr.texas.gov “If you have held a Texas license for at least 15 years, you will now only need to complete two hours of continuing education.”
tdlr.texas.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“$75 for Late Renewals (expired less than 18 months)”
tdlr.texas.gov “$100 for Late Renewals (expired 18 months to 3 years)”
tdlr.texas.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“Licenses expired for more than 3 years cannot be renewed. The requirements for an initial license must be met, including any applicable fees and examinations.”
tdlr.texas.gov - Barber: renewal period
“Class A Barber licenses are valid for two years from the date of issue.”
tdlr.texas.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“$50 for On-time Renewals”
tdlr.texas.gov - Barber: continuing education
“You must complete a total of 4 hours of department-approved continuing education courses every two years to renew your license, including:”
tdlr.texas.gov “One hour in sanitation”
tdlr.texas.gov “One hour in human trafficking awareness”
tdlr.texas.gov “Two hours of your choice in any of the following topics:”
tdlr.texas.gov “If you have held a Texas license for at least 15 years, you will now only need to complete two hours of continuing education.”
tdlr.texas.gov - Barber: late renewal
“$75 for Late Renewals (expired less than 18 months)”
tdlr.texas.gov “$100 for Late Renewals (expired 18 months to 3 years)”
tdlr.texas.gov - Barber: expired license
“Licenses expired for more than 3 years cannot be renewed. The requirements for an initial license must be met, including any applicable fees and examinations.”
tdlr.texas.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“Manicurist and Manicurist/Esthetician licenses are valid for two years from the date of issue.”
tdlr.texas.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“Practitioners (Class A Barbers, Cosmetology Operators & Specialty license holders)”
tdlr.texas.gov “$50 for On-time Renewals”
tdlr.texas.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“$75 for Late Renewals (expired less than 18 months)”
tdlr.texas.gov “$100 for Late Renewals (expired 18 months to 3 years)”
tdlr.texas.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“Licenses expired for more than 3 years cannot be renewed. The requirements for an initial license must be met, including any applicable fees and examinations.”
tdlr.texas.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“Esthetician, Manicurist/Esthetician, and Hair Weaving Specialist/Esthetician licenses are valid for two years from the date of issue.”
tdlr.texas.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“Practitioners (Class A Barbers, Cosmetology Operators & Specialty license holders)”
tdlr.texas.gov “$50 for On-time Renewals”
tdlr.texas.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“$75 for Late Renewals (expired less than 18 months)”
tdlr.texas.gov “$100 for Late Renewals (expired 18 months to 3 years)”
tdlr.texas.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“Licenses expired for more than 3 years cannot be renewed. The requirements for an initial license must be met, including any applicable fees and examinations.”
tdlr.texas.gov - Also good to know
“If you have held a Texas license for at least 15 years, you will now only need to complete two hours of continuing education.”
tdlr.texas.gov - Also good to know
“If you want to jump straight to the online license renewal application”
tdlr.texas.gov - Also good to know
“For more information about obtaining a TDLR license or renewing a TDLR license that expired while serving on active duty, please see the Military Outreach page”
tdlr.texas.gov
Questions
Texas license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Texas?
The Texas Cosmetology Operator license renews every 2 years for $50, through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). When it expires: Two years from the date of issue. Continuing education (4 hours per renewal): Four hours of department-approved continuing education every two years, including one hour of sanitation, one hour of human trafficking awareness and two hours of your choice from approved topics; a Texas license held for at least 15 years requires only two hours. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Texas cosmetology license?
Continuing education (4 hours per renewal): Four hours of department-approved continuing education every two years, including one hour of sanitation, one hour of human trafficking awareness and two hours of your choice from approved topics; a Texas license held for at least 15 years requires only two hours.
What happens if my Texas cosmetology license expires?
A license expired less than 18 months can be renewed for $75 and one expired 18 months to 3 years for $100; a license expired more than 3 years cannot be renewed and must meet the initial license requirements, including any applicable fees and examinations.
How do I renew my barber license in Texas?
The Texas Class A Barber license renews every 2 years for $50, through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). When it expires: Two years from the date of issue. Continuing education (4 hours per renewal): Four hours of department-approved continuing education every two years, including one hour of sanitation, one hour of human trafficking awareness and two hours of your choice from approved topics; a Texas license held for at least 15 years requires only two hours. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Texas barber license?
Continuing education (4 hours per renewal): Four hours of department-approved continuing education every two years, including one hour of sanitation, one hour of human trafficking awareness and two hours of your choice from approved topics; a Texas license held for at least 15 years requires only two hours.
What happens if my Texas barber license expires?
A license expired less than 18 months can be renewed for $75 and one expired 18 months to 3 years for $100; a license expired more than 3 years cannot be renewed and must meet the initial license requirements, including any applicable fees and examinations.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Texas?
The Texas Manicurist license renews every 2 years for $50, through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). When it expires: Two years from the date of issue. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask TDLR before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Texas nail technician license expires?
Late renewals cost $75 if the license expired less than 18 months ago and $100 if it expired 18 months to 3 years ago. A license expired more than 3 years cannot be renewed, so the holder must meet the initial license requirements, including any applicable fees and examinations.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Texas?
The Texas Esthetician license renews every 2 years for $50, through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). When it expires: Two years from the date of issue. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask TDLR before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Texas esthetician license expires?
Late renewals cost $75 if the license expired less than 18 months ago and $100 if it expired 18 months to 3 years ago. A license expired more than 3 years cannot be renewed, so the holder must meet the initial license requirements, including any applicable fees and examinations.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Texas: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Texas
- Running your own salon in Texas: the salon license
- What Texas inspectors check in a salon
License renewal in other states
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