License Guide · Texas 2026
Whether you need to confirm your CE hours are posted before renewing, check your expiration date, or verify another artist's license — here's exactly how to use the TDLR lookup tools, what each one shows, and what to do when your hours aren't appearing.
Your Texas Eyelash Extension Specialist License expires every two years. Renewing it isn't complicated — but there's one step that trips up more lash artists than any other: logging in to TDLR to verify that CE hours have actually been posted before hitting the renewal button. If you skip that check, the portal blocks you from proceeding, and you're suddenly chasing your CE provider the week your license expires.
This guide covers every TDLR lookup tool available to Texas lash artists — the portal URLs, what each one shows, the exact steps to confirm your CE hours, and a clear resolution path for when hours aren't showing up. It also covers how to check a colleague's or employee's license status, and the pre-renewal checklist that keeps everything on track.
Every URL and fact in this guide has been verified directly against TDLR.texas.gov and DFW Lash University's own CE renewal guidance. Nothing here is estimated.
Your license status, expiration date, and CE hours on file are all visible from a single dashboard at tdlr.texas.gov/tools/ once you're logged in. The most common mistake is using the public search — which doesn't show CE hours — and assuming everything is fine when only the status is confirmed. Log in to the full portal before every renewal, not just the public tool.
TDLR gives Texas lash artists two separate lookup tools. They serve different purposes and show different information. Using the wrong one for renewal prep is one of the most common sources of confusion:
TDLR Online Portal (Login Required)
Public License Search (No Login)
There is also a third, lesser-known tool: the CE hours lookup at tdlr.texas.gov/continuingeducation/coursesearch.aspx. This page lets you search by license number to see what CE hours have been reported to TDLR — without logging in to the full portal. Use it as a quick check before you go through the full portal login.
This is the portal you use for renewal prep. Log in here to confirm CE hours, check your expiration date, and — once hours are confirmed — complete your renewal and pay the fee. Here's the exact sequence:
The public license search at tdlr.texas.gov/verify.htm requires no TDLR account and no login. Anyone can run it. Lash salon owners use it to confirm that artists working on their floor are currently licensed. Clients use it to verify that their artist is legally operating. Lash artists use it to quickly double-check their own status without logging in.
Enter a name, license number, or business name into the search fields at tdlr.texas.gov/verify.htm. Results display: license type, current status, and expiration date. For an Eyelash Extension Specialist, the license type will appear as "Eyelash Extension Specialist" and the status will be one of the following:
TDLR License Status Definitions
| Status | What It Means | Can They Legally Lash? |
|---|---|---|
| Active | License is current and in good standing with TDLR | Yes — fully cleared to perform and charge for lash services |
| Expired | License passed its expiration date and has not been renewed | No — performing services on an expired license is a violation |
| Inactive | License has been voluntarily or administratively placed on inactive status | No — must reactivate before practicing |
| Revoked | License has been permanently revoked by TDLR action | No — cannot be reinstated |
Only an Active status means a lash artist is legally cleared to perform eyelash extension services for compensation in Texas. Salon owners should verify staff status regularly — not just at hire — because licenses expire every two years and a previously compliant artist may not renew on time.
Confirming your CE hours are on file is the single most important step before you start the renewal process. The TDLR portal won't let you proceed to payment if your hours aren't posted — so checking first saves you from finding out mid-renewal that you're blocked. Here's the fastest way to do it:
CE Hours Verification · Two Methods
| Method | URL | Login Required | Shows CE Hours | Use When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quick CE check | tdlr.texas.gov/continuingeducation/coursesearch.aspx | No | Yes | Fast first check — search by license number |
| Full portal | tdlr.texas.gov/tools/ | Yes | Yes | Renewal prep — confirms eligibility and allows payment |
Check the CE lookup first, then log in to the full portal to confirm renewal eligibility and complete payment. Never attempt to renew without confirming hours in the portal first.
How many hours do you need? Texas Eyelash Extension Specialists need 4 hours of TDLR-approved CE per 2-year renewal cycle if licensed for under 15 years, or 2 hours if licensed for 15 or more years. The 4-hour requirement breaks down as: 1 hour of sanitation and disease control, 1 hour of human trafficking awareness, and 2 hours of cosmetology-related electives (such as Texas cosmetology law, professional development, safety, or salon hazards).
Finding that your CE hours aren't in the TDLR portal is stressful — especially when your renewal deadline is close. The fix is almost always straightforward once you understand one key fact: you do not submit CE hours to TDLR yourself. Your CE provider does.
After you complete a TDLR-approved CE course, the provider is legally required to report your completion directly to TDLR within 7 days of your course completion date. Most providers submit within 24 to 48 hours. That means the first thing to do when hours are missing is wait the full 7-day window — not immediately contact TDLR.
Run through this list before you open the TDLR renewal portal. Everything here takes a few minutes to confirm and prevents the most common hold-ups that push lash artists past their expiration date:
TDLR Lash License Pre-Renewal Checklist · 2026
| # | Item to Confirm | Where to Check | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CE hours are posted in TDLR | tdlr.texas.gov/tools/ or the CE lookup page | 4 hours if licensed under 15 years · 2 hours if 15+ years · Must appear before renewal starts |
| 2 | License expiration date confirmed | tdlr.texas.gov/tools/ or tdlr.texas.gov/verify.htm | TDLR sends a reminder 60 days before expiration — but only if your address on file is current |
| 3 | Contact information is up to date | Your TDLR portal account settings | Review and update your address and email before renewing — renewal reminders go to the address on file |
| 4 | Payment method ready | Prepare before opening the portal | Portal accepts credit cards and electronic checks · On-time fee: $50 · Late (under 90 days): $75 · Late (91 days–18 months): $100 |
| 5 | Lawful presence documentation prepared (if applicable) | TDLR.texas.gov — see 2026 lawful presence rule | Required starting May 1, 2026. U.S. citizens typically satisfy this through SSN already on file. Non-citizens may need to renew by mail with documentation. |
Once all five items are confirmed, the renewal itself takes approximately 10 minutes online. Your renewed license downloads immediately after payment — no waiting for a card in the mail. Texas Eyelash Extension Specialist Licenses are valid for 2 years from the date of issue.
None of the renewal steps above work until your CE hours are actually completed and posted. DFW Lash University offers a TDLR-approved Cosmetology Continuing Education course built specifically for Eyelash Extension Specialists — covering all required topics so you can check every CE box in one sitting.
DFW Lash University · TDLR-Approved CE Course
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Hours | 4 hours (satisfies the full requirement for licensees under 15 years) |
| Curriculum | 2 hours sanitation & disease control · 2 hours cosmetology-related topics (TX law, professional development, safety, salon hazards) |
| Format | 100% online — complete on phone, tablet, or computer at your own pace |
| TDLR Approved | Yes — meets all TDLR continuing education requirements for Eyelash Extension Specialists |
| Hours Reported | Credits reported to TDLR promptly upon completion — confirm in portal before renewing |
| Price | $29 |
If you also hold a Cosmetology Operator, Esthetician, or Manicurist license, completing this CE course satisfies the requirement for all your TDLR cosmetology licenses simultaneously. You do not need a separate course for each license.
Not licensed yet? Your Eyelash Extension Specialist License is what makes all of this relevant — the CE renewal requirement, the portal access, the renewal fee. Here's the path to getting that license through DFW Lash University:
DFW Lash University · Licensing Programs · Carrollton, TX · TDLR Approved
| Program | Duration | Schedule | Best For | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-Week Flexible | 8 Weeks | Self-paced online + 3 model days | Certified Artists | $3,000 |
| 12-Week Flexible | 12 Weeks | Self-paced online + 3 model days | Beginners | $3,500 |
| 8-Week Hybrid | 8 Weeks | Online + Tue/Wed/Thu 5:30–9:30pm | Certified Artists | $3,000 |
| 12-Week Hybrid | 12 Weeks | Online + Tue/Wed/Thu 5:30–9:30pm | Beginners | $3,500 |
| 12-Week In-Person | 12 Weeks | Tue/Wed/Thu 10am – 2pm | Full Classroom | $5,500 |
All programs cover the complete 320 hours required for your TDLR Eyelash Extension Specialist License. Pay-in-full saves $500 on Flexible and Hybrid programs. TDLR application fee ($50) and PSI exam fees are additional. Virtual orientations every Monday at 7:00 PM.
Book a free admissions call — no pressure, just real answers about programs, scheduling, and whether now is the right time to get licensed.
Book a Free Admissions CallLog in to the TDLR Online Services portal at tdlr.texas.gov/tools/ to see your full license record — status, expiration date, and CE hours on file. For a quick public status check without logging in, use the public license search at tdlr.texas.gov/verify.htm. Note: the public search shows status and expiration date but does not display CE hours. For renewal prep, you must use the portal login.
TDLR-approved CE providers are required to report your completed hours within 7 days of course completion. Most providers submit within 24 to 48 hours. If your hours aren't showing after the full 7-day window, contact your CE provider directly — they are responsible for the submission to TDLR, not you. Most missing-hours issues resolve at the provider level within 24 to 48 hours of a follow-up.
Texas Eyelash Extension Specialists licensed for under 15 years need 4 hours of TDLR-approved CE per 2-year renewal cycle: 1 hour sanitation and disease control, 1 hour human trafficking awareness, and 2 hours of cosmetology-related electives. Those licensed for 15 or more years need only 2 mandatory hours (1 sanitation + 1 human trafficking). The 15-year threshold is based on when your first Texas cosmetology license was issued, not your current renewal cycle.
The on-time renewal fee is $50 for all TDLR Barbering and Cosmetology licenses, including the Eyelash Extension Specialist License. Late fees start at $75 if you renew within 90 days after expiration, and rise to $100 for renewals between 91 days and 18 months late. Licenses expired more than 3 years require a full re-application and cannot be renewed through the standard process.
First, confirm it has been at least 7 days since you completed the course. Then check the CE hours lookup at tdlr.texas.gov/continuingeducation/coursesearch.aspx by license number — hours sometimes appear there before the main portal dashboard updates. If still not showing, contact your CE provider directly and ask them to confirm their submission was made to TDLR. Most cases resolve at the provider level within 24 to 48 hours. Only contact TDLR directly at (800) 803-9202 if the provider confirms they submitted and hours still aren't appearing.
No. The TDLR portal requires your CE hours to be posted in your account before it will allow you to proceed with renewal. The system blocks the renewal step if your required hours aren't on file. Always confirm your CE hours appear in your TDLR account before starting the renewal process — attempting to proceed without them confirmed wastes time and doesn't work.
Yes. If you hold multiple TDLR cosmetology licenses — for example, both an Eyelash Extension Specialist License and a Cosmetology Operator License — completing one set of CE hours satisfies the CE requirement for all of them simultaneously. You do not need to take a separate course for each license type. You'll see the same CE hours reflected across every cosmetology license on your TDLR account.
Checking your TDLR lash license status takes about two minutes once you know which tool to use. Log in to tdlr.texas.gov/tools/ for your own renewal prep — this is the only place that shows CE hours and renewal eligibility. Use tdlr.texas.gov/verify.htm for a quick public status check on yourself or someone else. And use the CE hours lookup at tdlr.texas.gov/continuingeducation/coursesearch.aspx as a fast first check before logging in to the full portal.
The most important thing to do is check early — not the week before your license expires. CE providers typically report within 24 to 48 hours, but you want buffer time in case something needs to be resolved. Complete your CE at least two to three weeks before your expiration date, confirm the hours appear in TDLR, and then renew. That sequence, done in the right order, keeps you legal and working without interruption.
DFW Lash University · Carrollton, TX · TDLR Approved
Whether you need CE to renew or a full program to get licensed — we cover both.
TDLR-approved CE course online for $29 · Virtual orientations every Monday at 7:00 PM · 1,000+ graduates · 10+ years training Texas lash artists.
Book Your Free Admissions Call →