First Renewal for Incident Management Tow Operators: What CE Do You Need?

First IM renewal: 8 hours in person. Every renewal after: 4 hours, online is fine.

What the 8-Hour Course Must Include

Under 16 TAC §86.250(j), the first-renewal professional development course must be:

• At least 8 hours long
• At least 2 hours of live demonstration and hands-on training and at least 2 hours of classroom training
• Focused on topics like light-duty tow trucks, wheel lifts, tow slings, tow dollies, car carriers, vehicle recovery, field procedures, vehicle maintenance, and safety
• Offered by or through a TDLR-approved provider, which can include a community college, college, or university

TDLR's towing CE page states these courses must be completed in person. An online course can't satisfy it.

Why We're Telling You We Don't Offer It

The hands-on requirement means you need a yard and equipment, not a browser. If you take our online 4-hour course for your first IM renewal, it won't satisfy the requirement. Look for an approved in-person provider, often a community college or a towing association training day.

Every Renewal After That

From your second IM renewal on, you're back to the standard requirement every tow operator has:

• 4 hours per annual renewal
• 1 hour roadway safety
• 1 hour Texas towing law and rules
• 2 hours from approved towing topics: driver safety, towing techniques, equipment operation and safety, or customer service and documentation

Those 4 hours can be taken online. Consent and private property operators never have the 8-hour step; they take the 4 hours at every renewal.

Keep Your Certificates for Two Years

Tow operators must keep a copy of each completion certificate for two years, which is longer than most trades. That includes your 8-hour certificate.

Sources: TDLR, Towing Operator Continuing Education; 16 TAC §86.250(b), (f), (j). Checked October 9, 2026.