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Does a cosmetology license renewal require continuing education?
It depends on your state. Some boards ask for CE at renewal and some do not. Maryland asks for six hours. Texas asks for four every two years, fewer after 15 years. California asks for none.
By State Cert GuideChecked against the sources listed below.
The steps, in order
Find your board
The state that licenses you
Read its renewal rule
Hours and topics, if any
Check each course
Ask if your board takes it
Keep your certificate
Proof of your hours
Steps: find your state board, read its renewal rule, check each course against it, and keep your certificate.
What the rule says
What does Maryland require?
Maryland says cosmetology licensees must complete six hours of approved CE to renew. That has applied since January 1, 2026.
labor.maryland.gov · checked Nov 13, 2026 (opens agency website)
What does Texas require?
Four hours of approved CE every two years. Among them are one hour in sanitation and one in human trafficking awareness.
www.tdlr.texas.gov · checked Nov 13, 2026 (opens agency website)
What about California?
The board says it does not require CE credits to keep a license. You may take classes if you wish.
www.barbercosmo.ca.gov · checked Nov 13, 2026 (opens agency website)
Where people go wrong
- You buy hours you do not need. California's board says it does not require CE credits to keep a license.
- You finish hours outside your term. Maryland says courses must be done before your renewal date and within your term.
- You take the same course twice in Texas. Texas gives no hours for attending the same course more than once.
Questions
How does Maryland split its six hours?
Into 2 hours of required topics and 4 hours of elective topics.
Which hours does Texas still require after 15 years?
Texas says you still take one hour in sanitation and one hour in human trafficking awareness. It waives the other two hours.
How long is one CE hour in Texas?
Texas says one hour equals 50 minutes of actual instruction time.
Your next step
Read your state board's rule, then check each course against it before you pay.
Sources we read
- www.barbercosmo.ca.gov › faqs · read Nov 13, 2026
- labor.maryland.gov › coscontinuingeducation · read Nov 13, 2026
- www.tdlr.texas.gov › continuing education · read Nov 13, 2026
Who publishes this guide
State Cert Guide is an independent guide to what each state requires. If a fact on this page is wrong, tell us and we fix it.