Texas requires every barbering and cosmetology licensee to complete 1 hour of TDLR-approved human trafficking prevention training each renewal cycle. The requirement dates to September 1, 2020 (HB 2059, 86th Legislature) and is codified in Texas Occupations Code Chapter 116; TDLR's 2025 rule change (16 TAC §83.25) explicitly made it a distinct CE hour for licenses expiring on or after September 1, 2025.
The training covers:
- Activities commonly associated with human trafficking
- Recognizing potential victims in service-industry settings like salons and barbershops
- How to assist victims and report suspected trafficking
The course must be TDLR-approved — generic training does not count. And this hour is never waived: licensees who qualify for the reduced 2-hour tier at 15+ years still complete it, alongside the sanitation hour.
The industry's role here is not symbolic. Salons and shops are settings where trafficking victims may be visible to professionals, which is why Texas law also requires every licensed establishment to display the TDLR human trafficking awareness sign with the National Human Trafficking Hotline number (1-888-373-7888).
What it means for your renewal
You cannot renew without this hour, regardless of how long you have been licensed. It is included in every TDLR-approved 4-hour cosmetology and barber course — there is nothing extra to buy. Just make sure the provider you choose is actually TDLR-approved, so the hour counts.
Authority: Texas Occupations Code Chapter 116