Renew Your Cosmetology License
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License renewal may take up to several weeks, depending on your status.
You can begin your renewal 60 days before your license expires, and continuing education may be completed at any time during the two years before your license expires.
You may not legally provide cosmetology services in Texas with an expired license.
Update Your Personal Information
If you need to make any changes to your personal information, please do so before renewing your license.
Name Changes
Did you change your name? If so, please email us with a written notification of the change. Be sure to include:
- The changes to your name
- Your license number
- A copy of a government-issued ID (driver’s license or state issued ID) or a legal document approving/indicating your last name change, such as a marriage license, court petition for name change, or certificate of naturalization.
For changes to your first name, attach a copy of a court petition for name change or certificate of naturalization in addition to a government issued ID.
Update Your Contact Information
If your address, phone number, or email has changed, you will need to update your contact information.
Add Social Security Number
Do you need to add a social security number to your license?
If so, please notify us by email.
Be sure to include the following:
- Your license number
- A copy of your social security card
- A copy of a government-issued ID (driver’s license, state issued ID, passport or certificate of naturalization)
Note: You must have a social security number to renew online.
Continuing Education
You must complete the continuing education requirements as part of the license renewal.
You may complete your continuing education at any time during the two years before your license expires.
You may also use our online search tool to verify your continuing education hours that have been reported to TDLR. Note that continuing education providers have seven days to report completed hours to TDLR. If you do not see your continuing education credits and seven days have passed since you completed the course, please contact the course provider.
Note: If your license will expire before you have completed your continuing education requirements, you may be able to avoid a late renewal fee by submitting your renewal application before your license expires.
Renewal Application
NOTICE: HB 1560 (87th Texas Legislature regular session) eliminated all barber and cosmetology instructor licenses as of Sept. 1, 2021. A Class A Barber, Operator or Specialty license allows the holder to provide instruction in any service, within the scope of the license, at a licensed barber or cosmetology school.
If you attended an instructor course in Texas, please apply online. If you are unable to apply online, please contact us to resend your application coupon.
When you are ready to renew, you may login to the online licensing system to complete your renewal application and pay the associated fees, as listed below.
You will need the last four digits of your social security number to renew online. If you do not have a social security number, please contact us to request a renewal form by mail.
Fee Schedule
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Operator License | $50 |
| Specialty License--Esthetician, Manicurist, Esthetician/Manicurist, Eyelash Extension | $50 |
| Specialty Certificate--Hair Weaving | $50 |
| Instructor License | $50 |
| Instructor Specialty License--Esthetician, Manicurist, Esthetician/Manicure, Eyelash Extension | $50 |
If you prefer to renew by mail, please contact us to request a renewal form by mail.
Once you pay the renewal fees, you will have one year to complete your renewal, including meeting all continuing education requirements. Fees are not refundable or transferrable.
Verify Your Renewal Is Complete
To verify that your license renewal has been completed:
- Verify TDLR received your continuing education hours
- Verify you paid your renewal fee
- Verify TDLR issued your new license
Continuing education providers have seven days to report completed hours to TDLR. If you do not see your continuing education credit listed seven days after you have completed the course, please contact the course provider.
If you have not received your license within 14 days, and you have verified your renewal on our website, please contact us by email.
Applicants with Criminal Convictions
If you have ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor (other than a minor traffic violation) or pleaded guilty or no contest (resulting in a deferred adjudication) to any in-state, out-of-state or federal criminal offense, you must provide a completed Criminal History Questionnaire (PDF) along with your application materials.
The department will conduct a criminal history background check on all persons who apply for a license. Criminal convictions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Licenses may be denied based on the nature of the conviction and how long prior to the application the conviction occurred. Depending on your criminal history, a review can take from one to six weeks to complete.
Individuals may request TDLR review their criminal background before actually applying for a license. TDLR uses the same process for this pre-application evaluation as the process described below. See the Criminal History Evaluation Letter page for more information.
Please see the Guidelines for License Applicants with Criminal Convictions, which describe the process that TDLR uses to determine whether a criminal conviction renders an applicant an unsuitable candidate for the license, or whether a conviction warrants revocation or suspension of a license previously granted.
Renewal of Expired Licenses
A person whose license has expired may not legally offer cosmetology services in Texas.
If a license has been expired for 90 days or less, you may renew the license by paying to the department a renewal fee that is equal to 1-1/2 times the normally required renewal fee.
A license that has been expired for more than 90 days but less than 18 months may be renewed by paying the department a renewal fee that is equal to two times the normally required renewal fee.
On approval by the executive director (see Request to Executive Director for Expired License Renewal Form - PDF), a license that has been expired for at least 18 months but less than three years may be renewed by paying to the department a renewal fee equal to two times the normally required renewal fee.
If your license has been expired for three years or more, you must apply for a new license and take the required exams again. Use the Expired Cosmetology License Application (PDF) to start your application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. My license expires within the next five days. What should I do?
Please send an email with:
- name
- license number
- phone number
- Subject line, “Renewal within 5 days”
2. I accidentally answered the criminal history question incorrectly on my renewal. How do I change my answer?
Email customer service with your license number and the change to your criminal history answer.
3. What should I do if I have been incarcerated since my last renewal?
Your license is revoked automatically if you’re incarcerated following a felony conviction, felony community supervision revocation, revocation of parole, or revocation of mandatory supervision. See License Eligibility for Persons with Criminal Convictions. If eligible, you may be able to re-apply and retest to have your license reinstated.