Can You Take the Same CE Course Twice for TDLR Renewal?

The rule is short. Check the course number before you buy.

The Rule, Program by Program

• Electricians: "You may not receive continuing education credit for attending the same course more than once" (TDLR CE page; 16 TAC §73.25(e)).
• ACR contractors: a licensee may not receive credit for the same course more than once (16 TAC §75.25).
• Tow operators: "You will not receive continuing education hours for attending the same course more than once" (TDLR CE page; 16 TAC §86.250(d)).
• Water well, cosmetology, auctioneers: the same no-repeat language appears on each program's TDLR CE page.

The electrician rule has no time limit on it. It doesn't say "in the same year"; it says more than once.

Why This Bites Annual Renewals

Electrical, ACR, towing and auctioneer licenses renew every year. If you go back to the same provider every year and the provider sells the same approved course every year, you could complete a course TDLR has already credited to you. The hours then don't count toward the renewal you took them for.

How to Avoid It

1. Keep last year's certificate. It shows the course name and TDLR course number. TDLR requires you to keep it anyway (one year for electricians and ACR, two years for tow operators).
2. Compare course numbers before you pay. If the course number is the one on last year's certificate, ask the provider whether TDLR treats it as the same course.
3. Check your record. TDLR's CE Course Look Up shows which courses have been reported for your license.
4. When in doubt, call TDLR at (512) 463-6599 before the renewal, not after.

Coming Back to Us Every Year? You're Covered

All American Tradesman CE updates its courses and gets them re-approved by TDLR every year. The course you take this year is not the course you took last year, so there's no risk of repeating a course, and you can keep renewing with us every year.

Sources: TDLR CE pages for electricians, ACR and towing; 16 TAC §§73.25, 75.25, 86.250. Checked October 9, 2026.