Laser Hair Removal

TDLR does not regulate Laser Hair Removal performed in a licensed hospital, a clinic owned or operated by a licensed hospital, or a facility owned or operated by a physician for the practice of medicine. Please refer to the Department of State Health Services website on Radiation Control - Laser and Laser Device Services Registration.

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News and Updates

TDLR Health Monitor – June 2023 Edition

June 23, 2023

Articles in the June 2023 editionof The Health Monitor include updates on:

New Fingerprints May Be Required For Some Licensees
New Opioid CME Requirements For Prescribers
Laser Hair Removal Penalty Matrix Adopted
Texas Massage Therapist Exam Now Available In Simplified Chinese

TDLR Seeks Industry Input for Enforcement Plan

November 15, 2022

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) Enforcement division is developing an enforcement plan for the Laser Hair Removal industry and is seeking input from anyone involved in the industry.

The enforcement plan, which is required by Texas Occupations Code, §51.302(c), sets out the ranges of penalties and license sanctions that apply to alleged violations of the statutes and rules enforced by TDLR. The plan also presents the factors that the Department’s Enforcement staff consider when determining the amount of an administrative penalty to assess or the magnitude of a sanction to pursue. For more information about enforcement plans, please visit our website

If you are interested in participating in this process, please contact TDLR Enforcement Management Analyst Griselda Perezor Kim Ferreirono later than Wednesday, November 30, 2022.

Governor’s Executive Order Regarding Masks and Business Capacity

March 5, 2021

The Governor’s Executive Order removes state-imposed restrictions on business capacity and masks. Effective Wednesday, March 10, there are no COVID-19 related operating limits for any business or other establishment.

Individuals are strongly encouragedto wear masks over the nose and mouth wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person who does not live in the same household. (Please note that counties in trauma service regions with hospitalization rates above 15% for 7 days can implement other requirements.)

According to the Governor's executive order, nothing prevents businesses – including hair, esthetician and nail salons, lash salons, barber shops, barber or cosmetology schools, laser hair establishments or massage establishments – from requiring employees or customers to follow additional hygiene measures, including wearing a mask.

Driver Education schools may chooseto require employees or students to wear masks and to social distance.

The order also strongly encouragesall Texans to use good-faith efforts and available resources to follow the DSHS health recommendations.

More Laser Applications Available Online

January 20, 2021

The following applications are now enabled for online submission as of January 18, 2021:

Laser Upgrade from Apprentice to Technician
Laser Upgrade from Technician to Senior Technician
Laser Upgrade from Senior Technician to Professional

In case you missed it, the Initial Apprentice-In-Training Laser Hair Removal application was enabled for online submission on August 2, 2020.

Submitting an online application can cut your wait time by up to 75% compared to paper submissions. Don’t forget to attach the required documents to avoid additional delays.

Required Documents:

Laser Apprentice-In-Training– Proof of the 40 Hour Laser Hair Removal Training Certificate
Laser Upgrade from Apprentice to Technician – Log sheets of 100 Procedures supervised by a Senior Laser Hair Removal Technician or Laser Hair Removal Professional
Laser Upgrade from Technician to Senior Technician – Log sheets of direct supervision of 100 Procedures, as audited by a Professional
Laser Upgrade from Senior Technician to Professional – Submit proof of passing a department-approved examination through an approved certifying entity

To see all of the online services available from TDLR, visit our Online Services webpage.

Notice to prospective licensees, current licensees renewing their licenses, and stakeholders

December 4, 2020

Applicants can apply for new licenses and renew licenses online. TDLR strongly encourages you to take advantage of the opportunity to apply or renew online. The process is secure and easy to use – and faster than submitting paper-based applications and supporting documents, especially as TDLR deals with significant staffing issues related to COVID-19.

Applications submitted online can take 30 days to process once TDLR receives all required documents.
Applications submitted by mail may face significant delays, which may take up to 90 days once TDLR receives all required documents.

Access the online licensing system here. If you need to submit a document outside of the online application, please scan the document and send it to TDLR using our online customer service form.

If you need to submit a transcript, please ask your university to send electronic transcripts to TDLR at cs.transcript@tdlr.texas.govinstead of mailing in an original or certified copy of an original transcript. If your need to submit other documents, such as receipt of fingerprint submission, please scan the document and send it electronically to TDLR using our Customer Service form.

Thank you for helping us process your application or renewal more quickly.

Updates to Governor's Executive Order: Massage Establishments and Laser Hair Removal Establishments May Reopen Immediately Except in Deaf Smith, El Paso, Moore, Potter, and Randall Counties

May 18, 2020

Under the Executive Order GA-23 issued by Gov. Greg Abbott on May 18, laser hair removal establishments, massage therapy establishments, massage schools, and other places where massage therapists may practice their trade may reopen immediately, except in Deaf Smith, El Paso, Moore, Potter, and Randall counties. (These activities may resume in those counties on May 29.)

Re-opened laser hair removal establishments and places offering massage therapy must ensure at least six feet of social distancing between operating workstations. Please note that all massage therapists and laser hair removal technicians should follow these health guidelines (PDF).

Consumers should consult this document (PDF)for info.

Attorney General Issues Guidance Re: Barbershop, Cosmetology Salon, Nail Salon, Esthetician Salon, Massage Establishment and Laser Hair Establishments Closures

May 1, 2020

Yesterday, the Texas Attorney General's Office released a guidance letterto address questions relating to Governor Abbott's Executive Order GA-18. Barbershops, cosmetology salons (including nail and esthetician), massage establishments, and laser hair establishments must remain closed until further notice. The Governor's order overrides conflicting local and county orders.

Cosmetology Salons, Nail Salons, Estheticians, Mini-Salons, Barber Shops, Laser Hair Removal Establishments and Massage Therapy Establishments Remain Closed

April 28, 2020

Under Executive Order GA-18issued by Gov. Greg Abbott on April 27, all cosmetology salons (including nail salons, estheticians, and mini-salons), barber shops, laser hair removal establishments and massage establishments shall continue to remain closed. Executive Order GA-18 overrides all local and county orders.

Whether a salon or shop is a sole proprietorship or not, they are to remain closed until Executive Order GA-18 is amended or rescinded.

Thank you for continuing to do your part to keep Texas safe by remaining closed. To read more about the Governor's plan to reopen Texas, please go to https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/opentexas/OpenTexas-Report.pdf.

Changes to Laser Hair Removal Law(s)

April 26, 2020

House Bill 2847 passed by the 86th Texas Legislature, amended Health and Safety Code, Chapter 401, Sections 501-522, relating to the licensing and regulation of certain occupations, activities, and agreements; providing a civil penalty; authorizing fees; requiring an occupational registration and an occupational license. House Bill 2847 and the changes to Chapter 401, Sections 501-522 became effective September 1, 2019.

TDLR encourages all persons interested in the Laser Hair Removal Law program to review the updated Health and Safety Code, Chapter 401, Sections 501-522.

COVID-19: Continuing Education Waived

March 24, 2020

TDLR continuing education requirements are waived for all individual licenses expiring in March, April, and May 2020. Licensees still need to submit their renewal applications, pay the required fees, and TDLR will check their criminal histories, but they will not need to complete any TDLR-required continuing education this licensing cycle. (§51.405, Occupations Code)

Note: TDLR is not authorized to waive continuing education requirements imposed by a certifying or credentialing entity other than TDLR. If a certifying entity requires continuing education to maintain certification, and certification is required for Texas licensure, then that continuing education must be completed. If the certifying entity waives continuing education or allows it to be completed on a delayed basis due to COVID-19, then you may follow the certifying entity’s policy.

Please check the TDLR COVID-19 webpagefor the most up-to-date information.