No. This page is an independent guide for Texas barbering and cosmetology renewal users. Use the official Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation website for payment, legal license status, lawful-presence document submission, CE lookup, final rules and licensing decisions.

For practitioner licenses with an expiration date of September 1, 2023 or later, TDLR lists $50 for on-time renewals, $75 for late renewals expired less than 18 months, and $100 for late renewals expired 18 months to 3 years.

Most barbering and cosmetology licensees must complete 4 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education every two years: one hour in sanitation, one hour in human trafficking awareness, and two hours in approved elective topics.

TDLR states that licensees who have held a Texas license for at least 15 years now need only 2 hours of CE: one hour in sanitation and one hour in human trafficking awareness. The additional two elective hours are waived.

You should verify that your completed CE has been reported before renewal. TDLR says the CE provider is responsible for electronically reporting completion no later than seven days after the course completion date.

TDLR says the CE provider must issue a completion certificate within 15 days after the course ends, and the licensee must keep a copy for two years after completion because TDLR may request records during an inspection or investigation.

For practitioner licenses, the TDLR fee-change page lists a $75 late renewal fee for licenses expired less than 18 months. You still must complete renewal requirements before the license is current.

For practitioner licenses, the TDLR fee-change page lists a $100 late renewal fee for licenses expired 18 months to 3 years. Some expired-license situations may require additional approval or forms, so follow the official renewal instructions.

TDLR states that licenses expired for more than 3 years cannot be renewed. The applicant must meet initial license requirements, including applicable fees and examinations.

TDLR announced that, effective January 26, 2026, certain applicants for initial license or renewal may be required to submit documentation establishing lawful presence in the United States. Applications can remain pending until required documentation is submitted.

No. TDLR says documents should be submitted as clear, legible copies or images and that original documents should not be mailed or sent because they will not be returned.

TDLR lists options such as a REAL ID-compliant driver license or state ID that is not limited term, a U.S. passport, U.S. military ID, certain DHS/USCIS/Department of State immigration documents, or a qualifying state ID plus U.S. birth or birth-abroad document under the official Option B list. Always use the current TDLR lawful-presence page for final document choices.

TDLR says if you are changing your name before renewal, you should submit the name-change request with legal documents and a copy of your ID through the secure webform. Name changes can take multiple weeks, so complete the name-change process before renewing when possible.

TDLR states there is no fee required for the name change itself. If you request a new license with the new name at a time other than renewal, there is a $25 charge for issuing the new license.

Use TDLR’s online contact-information update service or the appropriate change form. Keeping contact information current matters because failure to receive a renewal notice does not excuse late fees.

TDLR online services include options to order a duplicate license and duplicate receipts for online renewal or application. Use the official TDLR online services page rather than a third-party shortcut.

Normally, an active renewal is a CE, fee, and documentation process, not a new exam. Exams become relevant for new applicants, certain reapplications, or licenses expired too long to renew.

TDLR states that barbering and cosmetology examinations are offered through PSI at locations throughout Texas. Applicants must take and pass both written and practical exams to obtain a license.

TDLR lists establishment renewal fees as $78 for full-service establishments, $78 for specialty establishments, and $70 for mini-establishments. Late-expired establishment renewals use percentage-based fee increases.

No. TDLR states that an establishment whose license has expired may not continue offering services to clients.

TDLR says an establishment expired 90 days or less renews at 1.5 times the normal renewal fee, more than 90 days but less than 18 months renews at 2 times the normal renewal fee, and at least 18 months but less than 3 years needs executive director approval and a 2-times fee.

Use TDLR’s official license search / verify-a-license tool. Verify the license type, current status, expiration date, and whether the person or establishment matches the service being offered.

Check whether CE has been reported, lawful-presence documents were requested, contact information is correct, payment cleared, name-change documents are pending, or the license status requires an expired-license process.

TDLR lists (800) 803-9202 for in-state calls, (512) 463-6599, and Relay Texas-TDD (800) 735-2989. The mailing address is P.O. Box 12157, Austin, TX 78711.

No. TDLR pages state that failure to receive a renewal notice does not excuse late fees. Keep your address and email current and track your own expiration date.

Complete and verify CE, check the license status and expiration date, update contact information, prepare lawful-presence documents if requested, resolve name-change issues first, and make sure you are using the official TDLR renewal page.