The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) requires most licensed professionals — including cosmetologists, barbers, electricians, and HVAC/ACR contractors — to complete continuing education (CE) hours before renewing their license. The number of hours, topics, and renewal cycle vary by license type, and a few license types are exempt. Below is a breakdown for each profession.
Cosmetology & Barber
Operator, Esthetician, Manicurist, Barber, Eyelash, Hair Weaving
Topic Requirements
- 1 hour Sanitation / Health & Safety (mandatory)
- 1 hour Human Trafficking Prevention (mandatory)
- 2 hours Elective cosmetology/barber topics
Note: Under TDLR's 2025 rule change (16 TAC §83.25), which applies to licenses expiring on or after September 1, 2025, barbers need CE for the first time. Licensees who have held the license 15+ years only need 2 hours (sanitation + human trafficking). The same course satisfies both barber and cosmetology requirements.
License-Specific Pages:
Electrician
Journeyman, Master, Apprentice, Maintenance, Residential Wireman, Sign
Topic Requirements
- National Electrical Code (2023 NEC through August 31, 2026; 2026 NEC from September 1, 2026)
- Texas law and rules (Ch. 1305, 16 TAC 73) and NFPA 70E safety
Note: Individual electrician license holders need CE. Apprentices (electrical and sign) may satisfy the renewal condition through enrollment in a TDLR-registered apprenticeship training program instead of 4 CE hours, and electrical/sign contractors and residential appliance installers have no CE requirement at all. Holding several covered licenses still means 4 total hours, not 4 per license. Texas applies the 2023 NEC through August 31, 2026; on July 28, 2026 the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted the 2026 NEC, effective September 1, 2026.
License-Specific Pages:
HVAC / ACR
Class A & Class B Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors
Topic Requirements
- 1 hour Texas law & rules (mandatory)
- 7 hours flexible: mechanical codes, safety, refrigerants, energy efficiency
Note: Only ACR contractors (Class A and Class B) need CE. Registered and certified technicians do NOT have a CE requirement. EPA 608 is a separate federal credential.
License-Specific Pages:
What Happens If Your License Expires?
If you miss your renewal deadline, you can still renew your license — but it will cost more. The late-fee structure differs by trade:
| Trade | Late Fees |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology & Barber | $75 if expired 90 days or less; $100 if expired more than 90 days but less than 18 months; $100 plus TDLR executive-director approval from 18 months to less than 3 years; at 3 years or more you cannot renew and must meet current new-applicant requirements |
| Electrician | 1.5× the renewal fee up to 90 days expired; 2× from 91 days to 18 months; mail-in only from 18 months to 3 years; past 3 years, reapply |
| HVAC / ACR | $97.50 if expired 1–90 days; $130 past 90 days; from 18 months to 3 years renewal is still possible with TDLR executive-director approval and the 2× fee; past 3 years you must apply as a new applicant |
Important
All CE hours must be completed before you can renew. CE taken during a grace period does not extend your deadline — it simply allows you to renew late with additional fees.
How Are CE Hours Reported to the TDLR?
You do not need to mail a certificate to the state. As a TDLR-approved provider, OnlineTexasCE.com submits your completion electronically through TDLR's provider reporting system after you finish your course.
- CE taken from non-approved providers will NOT count toward your renewal.
- You can verify your CE records at the TDLR CE Records page — step-by-step instructions in how to check your TDLR CE hours.
- New to TDLR continuing education? Start with our complete TDLR CE guide.
How to Renew Your Texas License
- Complete your required TDLR-approved continuing education hours (which you can do right here on OnlineTexasCE.com).
- Visit the TDLR website and log in to your account.
- Confirm that your CE hours have been reported (within 24 hours after course completion).
- Pay the renewal fee and submit your application.
- TDLR emails your confirmation once the renewal is processed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.01How many CE hours do I need to renew my Texas cosmetology license?
You need 4 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education every 2 years: 1 hour of sanitation, 1 hour of human trafficking prevention, and 2 hours of elective topics. If you've held your license for 15+ years, you only need 2 hours (sanitation + human trafficking). This applies to cosmetology operators, estheticians, manicurists, barbers, eyelash extension specialists, and hair weaving specialists.
Q.02How many CE hours do Texas electricians need?
Individual Texas electrician license holders need 4 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education annually. Apprentices (electrical and sign) may instead satisfy the renewal condition by enrolling in a TDLR-registered apprenticeship training program, and electrical/sign contractors and residential appliance installers have no CE requirement. The hours must collectively cover NEC code updates, Texas law and rules, and NFPA 70E safety — they cannot be all NEC content. Holding several covered licenses still means 4 total hours, not 4 per license.
Q.03How many CE hours do Texas HVAC/ACR contractors need?
Texas HVAC/ACR contractors (Class A and Class B) need 8 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education annually. This includes 1 mandatory hour of Texas law and rules, plus 7 flexible hours covering mechanical codes, refrigerant handling, energy efficiency, and safety. Registered and certified technicians do NOT need CE.
Q.04What happens if my Texas license expires?
You can usually still renew, but late fees apply and they differ by trade. Cosmetology and barber licenses: $75 if expired 90 days or less, $100 if expired more than 90 days but less than 18 months, and $100 with TDLR executive-director approval from 18 months to less than 3 years. Electricians: 1.5x the renewal fee up to 90 days, 2x from 91 days to 18 months. HVAC/ACR contractors: $97.50 for 1-90 days, $130 past 90 days, and from 18 months to 3 years renewal is still possible with executive-director approval and the 2x fee. Once a license has been expired 3 years or more you can no longer renew it and must meet the current requirements for a new applicant — and you cannot legally work until the license is renewed.
Q.05How are CE hours reported to the TDLR?
You do not need to mail a certificate. As a TDLR-approved provider, OnlineTexasCE.com submits your completion electronically through TDLR's provider reporting system after you finish your course. CE from non-approved providers will NOT count toward renewal.
Q.06How do I renew my Texas professional license?
Complete your required CE hours with a TDLR-approved provider like OnlineTexasCE.com, then visit the TDLR website (tdlr.texas.gov) and log in. Confirm your CE hours have been reported (within 24 hours of completion), pay the renewal fee, and submit your application.
Last updated August 26, 2026