TDLR License Renewal Online: How to Renew Without Visiting an Office

If you are wondering whether you can renew your TDLR license without going to an office, the answer is yes. TDLR has fully digitized the renewal process for all license types. Whether you hold a cosmetology, barber, electrician, or HVAC/ACR contractor license, you can complete the entire renewal from your phone, tablet, or computer.

The process has two parts:

1. Complete your continuing education (CE) through a TDLR-approved online provider
2. Submit your renewal through the TDLR Online Services portal

Both steps can be done from anywhere with an internet connection. No paper forms, no office visits, no appointments. OnlineTexasCE.com is a TDLR-approved CE provider (Provider #2273) — you can complete your CE and be ready to renew in a single sitting.

Before you can submit your renewal, you must complete your required continuing education hours. TDLR will ask you to attest that your CE is complete when you renew — submitting a false attestation is a violation.

OnlineTexasCE.com offers TDLR-approved courses for all three professions:

• Cosmetology & Barber: 4-hour course — $22.95
• Electrician: 4-hour course — $22.95
• HVAC/ACR Contractor: 8-hour course — $22.95

All courses are:

• 100% online — no classroom attendance required
• Self-paced — work through the material at your own speed
• Available 24/7 — complete it at midnight or during your lunch break
• Mobile-friendly — works on any device
• No final exam — completion-based, with short in-lesson knowledge or attendance checks depending on the approved course design

As Provider #2273, we submit your completion to TDLR within 24 hours of when you finish the course.

After completing your CE, go to TDLR Online Services at tdlr.texas.gov. If you have used the portal before, log in with your existing credentials. If this is your first time:

1. Click "Online Services" on the TDLR website
2. Select "Create Account" or "Register"
3. Enter your TDLR license number
4. Provide your personal information (name, SSN, email)
5. Create a username and password

Once logged in, you will see a list of all licenses associated with your account. If you hold multiple licenses (for example, both a cosmetology operator and esthetician license), each one will appear separately.

Tip: If you cannot find your license number, check your original license certificate, any previous renewal confirmation emails from TDLR, or call TDLR at (512) 463-6599.

With your CE complete and the TDLR portal open, the renewal itself takes just a few minutes:

1. Select your license from the list in your account
2. Click "Renew" — this option appears when your license is within its renewal window
3. Update any personal information if prompted (address, email, etc.)
4. Attest to CE completion — confirm that you have completed the required hours
5. Pay the renewal fee via credit card or electronic check
6. Submit and save your confirmation number

TDLR emails your confirmation once the renewal is processed. A timely and sufficient renewal application may keep your existing license in effect while TDLR processes it — complete every requirement (CE, information, fees) before your expiration date, and verify your status with TDLR.

Total time from start to finish: Most people complete their CE and submit their renewal in the same day. The CE course takes the bulk of the time (2-4 hours depending on your profession); the actual TDLR portal renewal takes about 10 minutes.

Here is a quick reference for each profession's online renewal process:

Cosmetology & Barber

• CE: 4 hours every 2 years (2 hours if licensed 15+ years)
• Renewal fee: $50
• Renewal cycle: Biennial (every 2 years)
• Course cost: $22.95 at OnlineTexasCE.com

Electrician

• CE: 4 hours every year
• Renewal fee: $20-$45 depending on license type
• Renewal cycle: Annual
• Course cost: $22.95 at OnlineTexasCE.com

HVAC/ACR Contractor

• CE: 8 hours every year (contractors only)
• Renewal fee: $65
• Renewal cycle: Annual
• Course cost: $22.95 at OnlineTexasCE.com

Regardless of your profession, the TDLR portal process is the same: log in, select your license, click "Renew," attest, and pay. For trade-specific deadlines and late fees, see the per-trade guides: cosmetology, barber, electrician, and HVAC.

If you run into problems during the online renewal process, here are solutions to the most common issues:

• "My license does not appear in the portal" — Make sure you are logged in with the correct account. If you created multiple accounts, your license may be associated with a different one. Contact TDLR to consolidate accounts.
• "The 'Renew' button is not available" — The renewal option typically appears 60-90 days before your expiration date. If your license is not yet within the renewal window, you may need to wait.
• "I forgot my TDLR portal password" — Use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. If that does not work, contact TDLR at (512) 463-6599.
• "My CE hours are not showing up" — Providers report completions on their own schedules (OnlineTexasCE.com reports to TDLR within 24 hours), and TDLR may take a few business days to reflect the hours in its system. If hours still do not appear, contact your CE provider. OnlineTexasCE.com reports directly to TDLR — if you completed your course with us, contact our support team.
• "My license is expired — can I still renew online?" — Yes, for most situations. Licenses expired up to 18 months can typically be renewed online with a late fee. From 18 months to 3 years, renewal requires TDLR executive director approval and may have to be submitted on paper. Past 3 years you cannot renew — you must reapply under the current requirements for new applicants.

For any TDLR portal issues, you can contact TDLR directly at (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202.