2023 CE Compliance Update: Texas, Florida, and Illinois Requirements
Continuing Education (CE) requirements for professional cosmetology licensure vary significantly across US states, and keeping track of current obligations is a persistent challenge for working stylists. Here is what professionals in three major states need to know for their current renewal cycles.
Texas (TDLR)
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) requires 4 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal period for licensed cosmetologists.
Required content areas include sanitation and disinfection, Texas cosmetology laws and rules, and elective topics approved by TDLR. The elective component is where stylists have flexibility — and where tool maintenance and scissors care can qualify as eligible content when offered through an approved provider.
Texas has a relatively streamlined system, with online completion accepted for most CE requirements. However, the provider must be TDLR-approved; self-study or unaccredited courses do not count.
Florida
Florida mandates 10 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal period, making it one of the more demanding states for CE compliance.
Required topics include: HIV/AIDS education (a longstanding Florida-specific requirement), sanitation and sterilisation procedures, Florida cosmetology laws and regulations, and elective content. The HIV/AIDS component must be completed through a Florida-approved provider and cannot be substituted.
The higher hour requirement in Florida means stylists have more room for elective topics, including advanced technical skills, business management, and — increasingly — tool maintenance and care education.
Illinois
Illinois requires 14 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal period, among the highest in the US.
The curriculum must cover technical skills development, sanitation and safety protocols, and notably, domestic violence awareness training. This last requirement, introduced as part of broader public health initiatives, is unique to Illinois among the states documented here.
The 14-hour requirement creates the most space for elective professional development, and Illinois has been progressive in approving diverse content areas as CE-eligible.
Tool Maintenance as CE Content
An emerging trend across multiple states is the acceptance of professional tool maintenance — including scissors care, sharpening awareness, and ergonomic tool selection — as CE-eligible elective content. While not universally accepted, the number of approved programs covering these topics is growing.
The rationale is sound: proper tool maintenance directly affects service quality and client safety. Dull scissors cause split ends and hair damage; poorly maintained tools harbour bacteria; ergonomically inappropriate scissors contribute to repetitive strain injuries.
ScissorPedia’s Education Hub
ScissorPedia’s education hub tracks CE-approved providers and programs across documented states. We are expanding coverage to additional states as we verify current requirements and approved provider lists. If your state is not yet covered, check your state board’s website directly for the most current requirements.