Texas estheticians must complete 4 hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew their TDLR-issued license. Our TDLR-approved course (Provider #2273) covers all required topics — including sanitation and human trafficking prevention — so you can satisfy your CE requirement entirely online with no final exam.
Esthetician CE — At a Glance
CE Hours
4
hours
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years (biennial)
Renewal Fee
$50
Course Price
$22.95
What Texas Estheticians Need to Know
An esthetician license issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) authorizes you to perform skin care services including facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, hair removal (waxing, threading, sugaring), and makeup application. The license requires 750 hours of initial training and falls under the unified Barbering and Cosmetology program governed by Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1603.
Whether you work in a day spa, medical aesthetics office, or salon suite, you must keep your license current. Practicing on an expired license is a Class B violation that carries fines from $1,000 to $3,500 — plus potential license suspension of up to one year.
Esthetician CE Requirements
Under 16 TAC §83.25 (TDLR's 2025 CE rule change, effective for licenses expiring on or after September 1, 2025), TDLR restructured the CE hour requirements for all barbering and cosmetology license holders:
- Standard (licensed less than 15 years): 4 hours total
- 1 hour — Sanitation (health and safety)
- 1 hour — Human trafficking prevention
- 2 hours — Elective topics from the TDLR-approved list
- Experienced (licensed 15+ years): 2 hours total
- 1 hour — Sanitation
- 1 hour — Human trafficking prevention
- The 2 elective hours are waived
One CE credit hour equals 50 minutes of instruction time. All CE hours must be completed before you submit your renewal application. You must retain your completion certificate for at least 2 years. Your TDLR-approved provider reports your completion directly to TDLR, and TDLR keeps general authority to inspect or investigate licensee records.
What's Covered in the Course
Our 4-hour course is designed to be directly relevant to working estheticians. Topics include:
- Sanitation and infection control — proper disinfection of facial tools, extraction implements, wax pots, and treatment beds; prevention of cross-contamination during skin care services
- Human trafficking recognition — TDLR-required training on identifying potential victims in service-industry settings and how to report suspected trafficking
- Skin diseases and disorders — recognition of conditions that require medical referral, contraindications for common esthetic procedures
- Chemical safety — safe handling of chemical peels, exfoliants, and depilatory agents
- Texas law and rules — updates to 16 TAC Chapter 83 and TDLR regulations affecting estheticians
- Professional ethics and client communication
All cosmetology sub-types — operators, estheticians, manicurists, barbers, eyelash extension specialists, and hair weaving specialists — take the same TDLR-approved 4-hour course. There is no separate esthetician-only course required.
No final exam is required. You answer only short in-lesson knowledge or attendance checks as you go, depending on the approved course design — complete the hours and receive your certificate.
How to Renew Your Texas Esthetician License
Follow these steps to renew your esthetician license with TDLR:
- Step 1: Complete your 4 hours of CE through a TDLR-approved provider (like OnlineTexasCE)
- Step 2: Log in to TDLR Online Services at tdlr.texas.gov
- Step 3: Select your esthetician license and click "Renew"
- Step 4: Attest that you have completed the required CE hours
- Step 5: Pay the $50 renewal fee
TDLR sends a reminder email approximately 60 days before your license expires. We recommend starting the renewal process at least 30 days before your expiration date. Your license renews every 2 years on the anniversary of your issuance date.
If your license has already expired, you may still renew with late fees: $75 if you are 90 days or less past expiration, or $100 if you are more than 90 days past expiration. From 18 months to less than 3 years expired, renewal also requires TDLR executive director approval. After 3 years or more you cannot renew — you must meet the current requirements for a new applicant, which may include any applicable examinations.
Late Renewal Fees
| Time After Expiration | Fee |
|---|---|
| 90 days or less expired | $75 (1.5x) |
| More than 90 days, less than 18 months expired | $100 (2x) |
| 18 months to less than 3 years expired | $100 (2x) — executive director approval required |
| 3 years or more expired | Cannot renew — must meet current new-applicant requirements |
Important: Practicing with an expired license can result in fines of $1,000–$5,000 per violation. Complete your CE before your license expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.01How many CE hours do Texas estheticians need?
Texas estheticians need 4 hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew their license. If you have been licensed for 15 or more years, you only need 2 hours (the 2 elective hours are waived). The requirement includes 1 hour of sanitation and 1 hour of human trafficking prevention.
Q.02Is there a test for Texas esthetician CE?
No. There is no final exam. You complete the required hours of instruction, answering short in-lesson knowledge or attendance checks as you go, depending on the approved course design. Finish the material and receive your certificate.
Q.03How much does the Texas esthetician CE course cost?
Our TDLR-approved 4-hour course costs $22.95 and covers everything you need for esthetician license renewal. You also pay a separate $50 renewal fee directly to TDLR when you renew your license.
Q.04How long does it take to complete the esthetician CE course?
The course requires 4 CE credit hours, which equals a minimum of 200 minutes (50 minutes per credit hour) of instruction time. You can complete it in a single sitting. The course is self-paced and available 24/7, so you can work through it on your own schedule.
Q.05Does TDLR report my esthetician CE hours automatically?
Yes. As a TDLR-approved provider (Provider #2273), we report your completion directly to TDLR. You should also keep your completion certificate for at least 2 years for your own records.
Q.06Can I take my Texas esthetician CE on my phone?
Yes. Our course is fully mobile-friendly and works on any device — phone, tablet, or computer. You can start on one device and continue on another.
Q.07What happens if my Texas esthetician license expires?
You cannot legally practice esthetics with an expired license. Practicing on an expired license is a Class B violation with fines from $1,000 to $3,500. If you are 90 days or less past expiration, you can still renew with a $75 late fee. More than 90 days past expiration, the fee is $100, and from 18 months to less than 3 years renewal also requires TDLR executive director approval. After 3 years or more you cannot renew — you must meet the current requirements for a new applicant, which may include any applicable examinations.
Q.08Do estheticians take the same CE course as cosmetology operators?
Yes. All cosmetology sub-types — operators, estheticians, manicurists, barbers, eyelash extension specialists, and hair weaving specialists — take the same TDLR-approved 4-hour continuing education course. A single course satisfies the requirement for all of these license types.
Q.09I hold both an esthetician and a cosmetology operator license. Do I need CE for each?
No. Under the 2025 CE restructuring (16 TAC §83.25), CE hours completed for one barbering or cosmetology license satisfy the requirement for your other barbering or cosmetology licenses. However, each license must still be renewed separately with its own $50 renewal fee.