Short answer. A Texas cosmetology operator, esthetician, manicurist, eyelash extension specialist or Class A barber license renews every two years for a $50 on-time fee, and the renewal application asks whether you have completed your required continuing education. Finish the CE hours first, then file and pay.
What it costs and how long it lasts
TDLR groups these licenses together as practitioner licenses. Its published fee schedule states “$50 for On-time Renewals” for Class A Barbers, Cosmetology Operators and specialty license holders, which includes esthetician, manicurist and eyelash extension specialist licenses (TDLR — barbering and cosmetology fee schedule).
The term is two years. TDLR's continuing education page states the hours must be completed “every two years to renew your license” (TDLR — Barbering and Cosmetology Continuing Education).
- Cosmetology Operator — $50, two years
- Esthetician — $50, two years
- Manicurist — $50, two years
- Eyelash Extension Specialist — $50, two years
- Class A Barber — $50, two years
- Laser Hair Removal Technician certificate — $70, two years (TDLR — renew a laser hair removal certificate)
The order of operations
People get this backwards and it costs them time. The hours come first, because the renewal application itself asks the question.
- Check which hour count applies to you. Four hours if you have been licensed fewer than 15 years, two hours if you have been licensed 15 years or more (TDLR — new CE requirements effective September 1, 2025).
- Complete the hours with an approved provider before your expiration date.
- Let the provider report them. Reporting is the provider's job, filed electronically within seven days of completion (TDLR — Barbering and Cosmetology Continuing Education).
- Confirm the hours posted on TDLR's continuing education look-up before you file.
- File the renewal and pay the $50. The application asks “Have you completed the required continuing education?” (TDLR — renew your barbering or cosmetology license).
What the four hours have to be
You cannot pick any four hours you like. TDLR fixes two of them and lets you choose the other two.
- 1 hour — sanitation
- 1 hour — human trafficking prevention
- 2 hours — barbering or cosmetology related elective content
At 15 years or more licensed, only the sanitation hour and the human trafficking hour are required (TDLR — new CE requirements effective September 1, 2025).
Common questions
How much does it cost to renew a Texas cosmetology license?
The on-time renewal fee is $50 for a two-year term, and it is the same $50 for Class A barber, esthetician, manicurist and eyelash extension specialist licenses. A Laser Hair Removal Technician certificate is a separate certificate and renews at $70.
Do I have to finish continuing education before I renew?
Yes. The renewal application asks whether you have completed your required continuing education, so the hours should be done and reported before you file. Reporting is the provider's responsibility and must be filed electronically within seven days of your completion date.
How many CE hours do I need to renew?
Four hours if you have been licensed fewer than 15 years: 1 hour sanitation, 1 hour human trafficking prevention and 2 elective hours. Two hours if you have held the license 15 years or more. A laser hair removal certificate carries a separate 8 hours.
Can I renew a Texas cosmetology license online?
Yes. TDLR operates an online renewal application for individual barbering and cosmetology licenses and links to it directly from its renewal instructions page. Applying online routes straight to the Licensing Division rather than through mail handling.
Our course tracks
Course numbers and tuition will be published here once TDLR issues them. Nothing is for sale before then.
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Last updated: July 2026 · Written and reviewed by Rozmin Shirazee, Laser Hair Removal Technician (License No. ZP11290) and Cosmetology Operator (License No. 1404280).