How to Renew Your Texas Esthetician License in 2026
Quick Answer
- What: Renew your Texas esthetician license every 2 years with 4 hours of TDLR-approved CE (2 hours if licensed 15+ years).
- Cost: $50 on-time / $75 late (≤90 days) / $100 late (91 days–18 months).
- Time: CE takes ~4 hours (or 2 hours); renewal takes ~10 minutes online.
- Action: Complete your CE online now →
Your Texas esthetician license expires every two years. Here’s exactly how to renew your Texas esthetician license in 2026 — step by step, with current fees, CE requirements, and what happens if you miss your deadline.
Table of Contents
- — Key Facts at a Glance
- — What Texas Estheticians Are Licensed to Do
- — Step-by-Step: How to Renew Your Esthetician License
- — CE Requirements for Texas Estheticians
- — Renewal Fees and Late Penalties
- — New 2026 Lawful Presence Requirement
- — What Happens If Your License Expires
- — Esthetician + Hair Weaving Combination License
- — Frequently Asked Questions
- — Ready to Renew?
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Renewal Frequency | Every 2 years |
| CE Hours Required | 4 hours (licensed <15 years) / 2 hours (licensed 15+ years) |
| On-Time Renewal Fee | $50 |
| Late Fee (≤90 days expired) | $75 |
| Late Fee (91 days–18 months) | $100 |
| Where to Renew | TDLR Online Services portal |
| Governing Agency | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) |
| Initial Training Required | 750 hours |
What Texas Estheticians Are Licensed to Do
Your Texas esthetician license authorizes a specific set of services. Knowing your scope of practice matters — performing services outside it puts your license at risk.
Licensed Texas estheticians can perform:
- Facial treatments (cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, masks)
- Body hair removal (waxing, threading, sugaring, and similar methods)
- Beautifying treatments of the face, neck, shoulders, and arms
- Scalp, neck, and face massage
That’s a meaningful scope — skin care, waxing, and facial massage are all included. What’s not included: hair cutting, nail services, or eyelash extension application. Those require separate licenses from TDLR.
If you want to offer the full range of cosmetology services, a Cosmetology Operator license (1,000 hours of training) covers everything — hair, skin, nails, lashes, and weaving. See our Texas cosmetology license renewal requirements guide for details on how that license works.
Step-by-Step: How to Renew Your Esthetician License
Renewing your license takes two parts: completing your CE and submitting the renewal application. Here’s the full process.
Step 1: Check Your Expiration Date
Log in to the TDLR license lookup tool to confirm your license number and exact expiration date. TDLR sends renewal notices to your address on file, but don’t rely on that — verify the date yourself.
Step 2: Complete Your Required CE Hours
Complete your TDLR-approved continuing education before you submit your renewal application. You need either 4 or 2 hours depending on how long you’ve been licensed (see the CE Requirements section below for the full breakdown).
Your CE provider will report your completed hours directly to TDLR. Our TDLR-approved online course covers all required topics — you can complete it at your own pace, any time.
Step 3: Log In to TDLR Online Services
Go to the TDLR Online Services portal and log in with your TDLR account. If you don’t have one, you’ll create it the first time. Select your esthetician license and choose “Renew.”
Step 4: Confirm Your CE Completion and Pay the $50 Fee
The system will show whether your CE hours have been reported. If they appear, proceed to payment. The on-time renewal fee is $50. Pay by credit card or electronic check.
⚠️ Important: Starting May 1, 2026, TDLR requires documentation of lawful presence in the United States as part of the renewal process. See the Lawful Presence section below.
Step 5: Download and Save Your Updated License
Once payment processes, your renewed license is available immediately through the TDLR portal. Download it and save a copy — you’re required to have your license available at your workstation while practicing.
For a deeper walkthrough of the TDLR portal itself, visit our Texas cosmetology license renewal process guide.
CE Requirements for Texas Estheticians
Texas changed its CE structure on September 1, 2025. The new rules split CE into distinct required topics, replacing the old single-hour combined requirement.
If You’ve Been Licensed Less Than 15 Years: 4 Hours Total
| Topic | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sanitation and safety | 1 hour |
| Human trafficking awareness | 1 hour |
| Elective (cosmetology-related topic) | 2 hours |
| Total | 4 hours |
If You’ve Been Licensed 15 or More Years: 2 Hours Total
| Topic | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sanitation and safety | 1 hour |
| Human trafficking awareness | 1 hour |
| Total | 2 hours |
The 15-year threshold is based on the date your first Texas esthetician license was issued — not your current license renewal date. Check your original license or TDLR records if you’re unsure.
What Counts as a TDLR-Approved CE Course?
Only courses approved by TDLR count toward your renewal. Certificates from non-approved providers won’t be accepted. TDLR-approved providers report your completion directly to the TDLR system, so you don’t need to submit anything yourself.
When shopping for CE, confirm the provider is listed in the TDLR CE provider database before you pay.
Multiple Licenses? One CE Satisfies All
If you hold more than one TDLR cosmetology license — say, an esthetician license and a manicurist license — CE hours completed for one license satisfy the requirement for your other license(s). You don’t need to take separate courses for each.
This also applies if you later add an eyelash extension specialist license.
Renewal Fees and Late Penalties
The $50 on-time fee is straightforward. But if your license lapses, the penalties escalate quickly.
| License Status | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| On-time renewal | $50 | Renew before expiration date |
| Expired ≤90 days | $75 | 1.5× the base fee |
| Expired 91 days–18 months | $100 | 2× the base fee |
| Expired 18 months–3 years | $100 + approval | Executive Director approval required |
| Expired 3+ years | Cannot renew | Must re-apply and re-test ($50 application fee) |
New 2026 Lawful Presence Requirement
Starting May 1, 2026, TDLR requires proof of lawful presence in the United States for all license renewals. This is a new requirement — it did not exist before January 2026. The Texas Commission formally adopted this rule on March 24, 2026. It affects an estimated 18,000 current license holders statewide.
What This Means for You
- If you are a U.S. citizen, you likely satisfy this requirement through your Social Security Number (SSN) on file with TDLR.
- If you are a lawful noncitizen, you can still qualify. Acceptable documents include a green card, immigrant visa, refugee travel document, and others. TDLR will post the full list of acceptable documents on its website.
- If you don’t have an SSN, you must renew by mail and submit your documentation directly to TDLR.
- Applications remain pending until documentation is reviewed. Insufficient documentation can result in denial.
What Happens If Your License Expires
Practicing as an esthetician with an expired license in Texas is a violation of the Texas Occupations Code. TDLR can issue fines and disciplinary action — don’t risk it.
Here’s what your options look like depending on how long your license has been expired:
- Expired under 90 days: Renew online through TDLR. Pay the $75 late fee. No special process needed.
- Expired 91 days to 18 months: Renew online. Pay the $100 late fee. No special approval needed, but you cannot practice until the renewal is complete.
- Expired 18 months to 3 years: You can still renew, but the Texas Executive Director must approve your application. This takes additional time. Pay the $100 late fee.
- Expired over 3 years: Your license cannot be renewed. You must submit a brand-new application ($50 fee), complete the required training verification, and pass the Texas state licensing exam again.
For more guidance on expired licenses and reinstatement, see our TDLR continuing education renewal guide.
Esthetician + Hair Weaving Combination License
Texas offers a combination Hair Weaving/Esthetician license for professionals who want to offer both services under a single license.
| Path | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Esthetician license only | 750 hours |
| Hair Weaving Specialist license only | 300 hours |
| Combination Hair Weaving/Esthetician (combo program) | 800 hours |
| Both licenses obtained separately | 300 + 750 = 1,050 hours |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need to renew my Texas esthetician license?
Every two years. TDLR issues esthetician licenses on a two-year renewal cycle. Your expiration date is printed on your license. You can also look it up anytime through the TDLR license search tool at tdlr.texas.gov.
How many CE hours do I need to renew my Texas esthetician license?
It depends on how long you've been licensed. If you've held your Texas esthetician license for less than 15 years, you need 4 hours of CE: 1 hour of sanitation, 1 hour of human trafficking awareness, and 2 elective hours. If you've been licensed for 15 years or more, you only need 2 hours: 1 hour of sanitation and 1 hour of human trafficking awareness. These rules took effect September 1, 2025.
What is the renewal fee for a Texas esthetician license?
The on-time renewal fee is $50. If your license has been expired for 90 days or less, the fee is $75. If it's been expired between 91 days and 18 months, the fee is $100. Licenses expired more than 3 years cannot be renewed — you'd need to apply and test again.
Can I renew my Texas esthetician license online?
Yes. Most estheticians renew through the TDLR Online Services portal at tdlr.texas.gov. The process takes about 10 minutes once your CE hours are on file. If you don't have a Social Security Number on file, you must renew by mail and include lawful presence documentation (required starting May 1, 2026).
Does my CE for one license count toward my other Texas cosmetology licenses?
Yes. If you hold multiple TDLR cosmetology licenses — such as an esthetician license and a manicurist license — completing CE for one license satisfies the CE requirement for your other license(s). You do not need to take separate courses for each license you hold.
What services can a Texas esthetician legally perform?
A Texas esthetician license covers: facial treatments, body hair removal, beautifying treatments of the face, neck, shoulders, and arms, and massaging the scalp, neck, and face. It does not cover hair cutting, nail services, or eyelash extension application — those require separate licenses from TDLR.
What is the new 2026 lawful presence requirement for TDLR license renewal?
Starting May 1, 2026, TDLR requires all license applicants and renewers to provide documentation of lawful presence in the United States. U.S. citizens typically satisfy this through their SSN on file. Lawful noncitizens can qualify with documents like a green card, immigrant visa, or refugee travel document. If you don't have an SSN, you must renew by mail and submit your documentation. Questions? Call TDLR at (800) 803-9202.
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