A TDLR license is expired the day after its expiration date passes without a renewal. An expired license has two consequences — one immediate, one recoverable:
- You cannot legally practice. Performing or offering to perform licensed work on an expired license is a Class B violation, carrying a $1,000–$3,500 administrative penalty and/or up to a 1-year license suspension — assessed per violation, so repeated work multiplies the exposure. Working with no license at all is the higher Class C tier ($2,000–$5,000), and for ACR work it can additionally be charged as a Class C misdemeanor.
- You can still late-renew within defined windows: online within the first 18 months after expiration (at escalating late fees), then by mail with TDLR executive-director approval from 18 months to 3 years.
Expiration is not a grace period — there is no window after the expiration date when practicing is allowed. But it is also not the end of your license: until the 3-year mark, renewal remains possible. After 3 years expired, the license cannot be renewed and you must start over as a new applicant.
What it means for your renewal
If your license just expired, stop working and renew — the late fee is a far smaller problem than an enforcement case for unlicensed practice. Complete your CE hours first (they're required for the renewal), then renew through TDLR Online Services.