Cosmetology Continuing Education

List of registered Continuing Education providers and courses for Cosmetologists

On January 25, 2012, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to Chapter 83, Cosmetology Administrative Rules, which were effective February 17, 2012. In these amendments the required continuing education hours for a license expiring on or after September 1, 2012 were changed from six to four hours.

Hours required prior to September 1, 2012

To renew an operator license or an esthetician, manicurist, esthetician/manicurist or hair weaving, hair braiding, wig or shampoo/conditioning specialty certificate that expires prior to September 1, 2012, a total of 6 hours of continuing education through department-approved courses must be completed. The continuing education hours must include:

2 hours in sanitation required under Texas Occupations Code 1602, 1603 and Chapter 83;
2 hours in Texas Occupations Code 1602, 1603 and Chapter 83 addressing topics other than sanitation; and
2 hours of any topics listed in Chapter 83, Section 83.120 of the Cosmetology Administrative Rules.

To renew an instructor, esthetician instructor, manicure instructor, or esthetician/manicure instructor license that expires prior to September 1, 2012, a total of 6 hours continuing education through department-approved courses must be completed. The continuing education must include:

2 hours in sanitation Texas Occupations Code 1602, 1603 and Chapter 83;
2 hours in Texas Occupations Code 1602, 1603 and Chapter 83 addressing topics other than sanitation; and
2 hours in methods of teaching in accordance with Chapter 83, Section 83.120 of the Cosmetology Administrative Rules.

Hours required on or after September 1, 2012

To renew an operator license or an esthetician, manicurist, esthetician/manicurist or eyelash extension specialty license, or a hair weaving, hair braiding, wig, or shampoo/conditioning specialty certificate that expires on or after September 1, 2012, a total of 4 hours of continuing education through department-approved courses must be completed. The continuing education hours must include:

1 hour in sanitation required under Texas Occupations Code 1602, 1603 and Chapter 83; and
3 hours in any topic listed in Chapter 83, Section 83.120 of the Cosmetology Administrative Rules.

To renew an instructor license, or an esthetician instructor, manicure instructor, esthetician/manicure instructor or eyelash extension instructor specialty license that expires on or after September 1, 2012, a total of 4 hours of continuing education through department-approved courses must be completed. The continuing education hours must include:

1 hour in sanitation, required under Texas Occupations Code 1602, 1603 and Chapter 83; and
3 hours in methods of teaching in accordance with Chapter 83, Section 83.120 of the Cosmetology Administrative Rules.

A licensee who is at least 65 years old and has held a cosmetology license for at least 15 years is required to complete 1 hour of continuing education in sanitation. Courses must be TDLR-approved courses.

For a late renewal, the continuing education courses must have been completed within the two year period immediately prior to the date of renewal.

Licensees may not receive continuing education credit for attending the same course more than once for one renewal period. Further, licensees must retain a copy of the certificate of completion for a course for two years after the date of completion. In conducting any inspection or investigation of the licensee, the Department may examine the licensee’s records to determine compliance.

Please note that the reporting of continuing education hours is the responsibility of the continuing education provider. Licensees may check their hours on TDLR's web site. If the hours have not been reported, the licensee should contact the provider first to ensure that the hours are reported. If the reporting issue is not resolved, the licensee has the option of filing a complaint.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding continuing education

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