Texas manicurists and nail technicians must complete 4 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education every 2 years to renew their license. Our online CE course (Provider #2273) satisfies the full requirement — including mandatory sanitation and human trafficking prevention hours — with no final exam.
Manicurist / Nail Technician CE — At a Glance
CE Hours
4
hours
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years (biennial)
Renewal Fee
$50
Course Price
$22.95
What Texas Manicurists Need to Know
A manicurist license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) authorizes you to perform nail care services including manicures, pedicures, artificial nail application (acrylic, gel, dip powder), nail art, and basic hand and foot treatments. The license requires 600 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 nail salon, full-service spa, or mobile nail business, your license must remain current. Practicing on an expired license is a Class B violation carrying fines from $1,000 to $3,500 and potential license suspension of up to one year.
Manicurist CE Requirements
Under 16 TAC §83.25 (TDLR's 2025 CE rule change, effective for licenses expiring on or after September 1, 2025), the continuing education requirements for all barbering and cosmetology license holders are:
- 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 hours must be completed before submitting your renewal application. 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 covers topics directly relevant to nail professionals, including:
- Sanitation and infection control — proper disinfection of nail implements, foot baths, and work surfaces; updated TDLR disinfection protocols; preventing fungal and bacterial transmission between clients
- Human trafficking recognition — TDLR-required training on identifying potential victims in service-industry settings, including nail salons, and how to report suspected trafficking
- Nail diseases and disorders — recognizing conditions that require medical referral, contraindications for nail services
- Chemical safety — safe use of acrylic monomers, gel systems, and other nail products; awareness of prohibited substances such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) liquid monomer
- Texas law and rules — updates to 16 TAC Chapter 83 and current TDLR regulations affecting manicurists
- Ventilation and workplace safety — protecting yourself and your clients from chemical fumes and dust
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 manicurist-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 Manicurist License
Follow these steps to renew your manicurist 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 manicurist 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. Start the renewal process at least 30 days before your expiration date. Your license renews every 2 years on the anniversary of your issuance date.
Late renewals incur additional 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 manicurists need?
Texas manicurists need 4 hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew their license. If you have held your license 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 manicurist CE?
No. There is no final exam — just short in-lesson knowledge or attendance checks, depending on the approved course design. Our course is completion-based — finish the required hours and your certificate is issued immediately.
Q.03How much does the Texas manicurist CE course cost?
Our TDLR-approved 4-hour course costs $22.95 and includes everything you need for license renewal. You will also pay a separate $50 renewal fee directly to TDLR when you renew.
Q.04Can I renew my Texas nail technician license online?
Yes. Both the CE course and the license renewal itself can be completed entirely online. Take our course from any device, then renew through TDLR Online Services at tdlr.texas.gov.
Q.05How long does it take to complete the manicurist CE course?
The course requires 4 CE credit hours, which is a minimum of 200 minutes (50 minutes per credit hour) of instruction time. You can finish it in a single sitting. The course is self-paced and available 24/7.
Q.06Does TDLR automatically receive my CE completion?
Yes. As a TDLR-approved CE provider (Provider #2273), we report your completion directly to TDLR. Keep your certificate for at least 2 years for your own records.
Q.07Can I take this course on my phone?
Yes. The course is fully mobile-friendly and works on phones, tablets, and computers. You can start on one device and pick up where you left off on another.
Q.08What happens if my Texas manicurist license expires?
You cannot legally perform nail services with an expired license. Practicing on an expired license is a Class B violation with fines from $1,000 to $3,500. Late renewal fees apply: $75 if you are 90 days or less past expiration, $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 must meet the current requirements for a new applicant.
Q.09Is this the same CE course as the cosmetology operator course?
Yes. All cosmetology sub-types — operators, estheticians, manicurists, barbers, eyelash extension specialists, and hair weaving specialists — take the same TDLR-approved 4-hour course. One course covers all of these license types.
Q.10I also hold a cosmetology operator license. Do I need separate 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. Each license must still be renewed separately with its own $50 fee.