How to Renew Your
Esthetician License
in Texas
Texas estheticians must renew their license every two years through TDLR. This guide shows how to renew your esthetician license in Texas fully online, because missing a deadline or misunderstanding CE requirements can cost time, money, and the ability to work legally.
To renew your esthetician license in Texas, complete 4 hours of TDLR-approved CE every two years (1 hour of sanitation, 1 hour of human trafficking awareness and 2 elective hours), pay the $50 renewal fee, and submit the application online at tdlr.texas.gov, all before the license expiration date. CE must be completed before submitting the renewal.
What Is a Texas Esthetician License, and Who Needs to Renew?
In Texas, estheticians hold an Esthetician License issued by TDLR under the Barbering and Cosmetology program. This license authorizes the holder to perform skin care services including facials, exfoliation, hair removal, and other non-medical cosmetic treatments on clients.
Anyone holding a Texas esthetician license is required to renew it on a two-year cycle. The license expiration date is printed on the license itself and is also visible through the TDLR online portal; checking it is the first step to renew your esthetician license in Texas on time. Allowing a license to expire, even briefly, creates legal risk and can result in penalties for both the individual and any salon or spa employing them.
A Texas esthetician license is distinct from a full cosmetology operator license. Estheticians who also hold a cosmetology license must renew each license separately according to its own renewal schedule.
- All holders of an active Texas Esthetician License
- Estheticians whose license has expired within the last 3 years
- Dual-license holders (esthetician + cosmetology), each license renewed separately
- Anyone whose license period ends in the next 90 days
Requirements to Renew Your Esthetician License in Texas (2026)
Before submitting a renewal application, every Texas esthetician must meet these TDLR requirements, which cover everything needed to renew your esthetician license in Texas. The CE step is the one most commonly missed, and it must be completed before the renewal application is submitted.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | Every 2 years |
| Continuing education hours | 4 hours every two years (TDLR-approved) |
| Required CE topics | 1 hour sanitation + 1 hour human trafficking awareness + 2 elective hours |
| Licensed 15+ years | 2 hours: 1 hour sanitation + 1 hour human trafficking awareness |
| On-time renewal fee | $50 |
| Late renewal fee | $75 if expired 90 days or less · $100 if expired 91 days to 18 months · 18 months to 3 years requires an Executive Director petition |
| Expired more than 3 years | Cannot be renewed; initial license requirements apply |
| Renewal method | Online through TDLR's renewal application (paper forms are listed only for already-expired licenses) |
| CE must be completed | Before submitting renewal, not after |
How to Renew a Texas Esthetician License in 2026
Follow these five steps in order to renew your esthetician license in Texas. The most common mistake is starting with the TDLR portal before completing CE, since TDLR requires CE to be finished first.
Confirm License Status & Expiration Date
Verify current license status and expiration date through the TDLR license lookup tool before starting to renew your esthetician license in Texas. Check for any holds or flags on the account that could delay renewal.
- License is active or expired?
- Exact expiration date confirmed
- No holds or flags on the account
Complete Required Continuing Education
Texas estheticians must complete 4 hours of TDLR-approved CE every two years before submitting the renewal: 1 hour of sanitation, 1 hour of human trafficking awareness and 2 elective hours. Estheticians who have held a Texas license for 15 years or more complete 2 hours, 1 in sanitation and 1 in human trafficking awareness. The guide to Texas esthetician continuing education breaks down the sanitation, human trafficking and elective hours.
- Provider displays TDLR Provider Number (Provider #2512 for txcosmetologyce.com)
- Course is approved for estheticians specifically
- Certificate of completion issued upon finishing
- Sanitation and human trafficking awareness hours included
Gather Required Information
Before logging into the TDLR portal, have everything ready. Missing any of these will interrupt the application mid-process.
- TDLR license number (printed on current license)
- CE completion certificate from approved provider
- Payment method (credit or debit card)
- Current mailing address (update before renewing if needed)
- Lawful presence documents, only if TDLR requests them (effective January 26, 2026, certain renewals may require them)
Renew Online Through the TDLR Portal
Renewals are processed online through TDLR's barbering and cosmetology renewal page. TDLR's forms page lists paper forms only for licenses that have already expired. The online process to renew your esthetician license in Texas typically takes 10 to 15 minutes once all documents and payment are ready.
- Log in or create a TDLR account
- Locate the license record
- Confirm personal information and mailing address
- Attest to completion of required CE hours
- Submit payment for the renewal fee
Save Confirmation & CE Documentation
After the steps to renew your esthetician license in Texas are complete, save all proof immediately. TDLR may ask to see CE records as part of an inspection or investigation, so the esthetician should be able to produce documentation quickly. TDLR requires keeping a copy of each CE certificate for two years after the completion date.
- TDLR renewal confirmation number
- CE certificate of completion
- Screenshot or PDF of renewed license status from TDLR portal
Renewal Fees: What to Expect in 2026
The standard on-time fee to renew your esthetician license in Texas is $50, paid directly to TDLR. Late renewals cost more: $75 if expired 90 days or less, $100 if expired 91 days to 18 months, and from 18 months to 3 years renewal requires a petition to TDLR's Executive Director. A license expired more than 3 years cannot be renewed.
TDLR Renewal Fee Tiers
Total Renewal Cost Estimate
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions about how to renew your esthetician license in Texas, answered directly.
