Late renewal moves the window. It doesn't remove it.
Short answer: Usually, yes. For a late renewal, TDLR's electrician, ACR, towing, water well and auctioneer rules require your CE to be completed within the one year immediately before the date you renew. CE older than that doesn't count. Hours you complete today always fall inside the window.
Decide in Three Questions
- Is the license still in its term? Then it's an on-time renewal, and CE has to fall within the current license term.
- Has it expired? Then it's a late renewal, and CE has to fall within the 12 months before the day you submit the renewal.
- Did you take CE more than a year ago? It no longer counts. Take new hours, and make sure it isn't a course you've already been credited for.
The Rule by Trade
| License | Late renewal: CE must be completed | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician (all types requiring CE) | Within 1 year before the date of renewal | 16 TAC §73.25(d) |
| ACR contractor | Within 1 year before the date of renewal | 16 TAC §75.25 |
| Tow operator | Within 1 year before the date of renewal | 16 TAC §86.250(c) |
| Water well driller / pump installer | Within 1 year before the late renewal date | 16 TAC §76.25(d) |
| Auctioneer | Within 1 year before the date of renewal | 16 TAC §67.25(c) |
| Cosmetology | TDLR's CE page doesn't publish a late-renewal window. Call TDLR before buying | — |
What Else Changes When You're Late
- You can't work on an expired license. Stop until the renewal goes through.
- It costs more. TDLR charges a higher fee for late renewals, and it rises the longer the license stays expired. For example, the ACR technician page lists 1.5× the renewal fee up to 90 days and 2× from 90 days to 18 months. Check your program's renewal page for its fees and cut-offs.
- Wait too long and you may not be able to renew at all. Past a program's late-renewal limit you may have to apply for a new license. Call TDLR at (512) 463-6599 if you're close to it.
Get Back to Work Fast
Every course we sell is self-paced and online, so you can finish as fast as you're able, and we report completions to TDLR three times a day, usually the same day you finish. Pick your trade:
- Electrical 4-hour - $24.99
- ACR contractor 8-hour - $34.99
- Towing 4-hour - $29.99
- Water well 8-hour - $79.99
- Auctioneer 6-hour - $39.99
Sources: 16 TAC §§73.25, 75.25, 86.250, 76.25, 67.25; TDLR CE pages for electricians, ACR and towing; TDLR ACR technician renewal (late fee example). Checked October 9, 2026.
Find Your Course
TDLR-approved CE for electricians, ACR contractors, tow operators, water well drillers and pump installers, cosmetologists, and auctioneers, plus TDA pesticide CEUs. All online, all reported for you.
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