A TABC license or permit in Texas is valid for two years from the date it was issued. That rule comes from Sections 11.09 and 61.03 of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, and it applies to both permits and licenses across the state’s licensing categories.1State of Texas. Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code 11.09 – Expiration or Suspension of Permit2State of Texas. Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code 61.03 – Expiration or Suspension of License The TABC’s own fee chart confirms the same two-year period.3Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. TABC License and Permit Fees Chart Any secondary authorization you hold, such as a Late Hours Certificate or Food and Beverage Certificate, expires on the same date as the primary permit it is attached to.
When the Term Is Shorter Than Two Years
Two years is the default, not a guarantee. The commission can issue a license for a shorter term in two situations.
The first is violation history. If you have a record of violations, the commission can reduce your term to one year instead of two, which means a renewal cycle twice as often and closer attention from the agency.1State of Texas. Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code 11.09 – Expiration or Suspension of Permit
The second is workload spreading. The commission can issue a license with an expiration date less than two years out so that renewals and fee collection are distributed more evenly across the calendar. When that happens, your fee is prorated by the month, so you pay only for the months your license is actually valid.2State of Texas. Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code 61.03 – Expiration or Suspension of License One catch: if a secondary permit ends up shorter than two years as a result, its fee is not prorated or refunded.1State of Texas. Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code 11.09 – Expiration or Suspension of Permit
How to Find Your Exact Expiration Date
Your expiration date is printed on the physical certificate the TABC issued, which Texas law requires you to display in a publicly visible place at the licensed location.4TABC. Sign Requirements If the certificate is missing or damaged, the TABC Public Inquiry System lets anyone search by trade name, license number, or location to pull up status information.5Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. TABC Public Inquiry
As the permit holder, you can also sign into the Alcohol Industry Management System (AIMS) for a fuller picture of your profile, deadlines, and any pending actions.6Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Alcohol Industry Management System (AIMS) AIMS is the most reliable source for your current status, particularly if any mid-term changes have been recorded on your account.
When to Renew
You can start a renewal in AIMS as early as 30 days before your expiration date.7Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Industry Notice – Renewals for September 2021-March 2022 License Expiration Dates Filing before expiration is the clean path: you keep operating while the TABC processes your application.
Miss the date and you still have a 30-day late window to renew by paying a late fee. The important detail is that you must stop all licensed activity the moment your license expires, unless a renewal application with fees is already pending.8Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. TABC License and Permit Renewals Filing on the day your license expires keeps you active. Letting the day pass without filing forces you to shut down alcohol sales until the renewal clears.
Wait more than 30 days past expiration and the TABC will no longer accept a renewal at all. At that point you have to submit a brand-new original application and pay the full original application fees to get licensed again.8Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. TABC License and Permit Renewals Starting over takes significantly longer than a renewal and can leave a business closed for weeks.
What You Need to File
Renewals go through the AIMS portal. Before you start, confirm that your local fees and taxes are current, because the system will not let you move forward otherwise. Your local tax assessor-collector can verify that any city or county fees have been paid; those are separate from the state fee.8Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. TABC License and Permit Renewals
The application asks for your Federal Employer Identification Number, though the TABC will accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or Social Security Number if an FEIN is not available.9Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Industry Notice – Impacts of the Federal Government Shutdown You verify your premise address, update ownership information for any changes in officers or partners, and certify that the rest of your business details are accurate. Once fields are populated, you review on the AIMS dashboard, submit with an electronic signature, and pay through the online payment gateway. Two-year fees vary widely by permit type and run from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.10Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. TABC Licensing Fees
Operating While the Renewal Is Pending
A business that files on time is considered active and can keep operating and receiving alcohol deliveries while the TABC works through the application. Your status in the Public Inquiry System will read as “active” or “renewal pending” during that interval.7Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Industry Notice – Renewals for September 2021-March 2022 License Expiration Dates
Print the renewal application receipt or the email confirmation and post it next to your displayed license. That receipt satisfies inspection requirements while the renewal is in process, and it is also what you show a distributor or wholesaler if they question whether you are still eligible to take delivery.7Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Industry Notice – Renewals for September 2021-March 2022 License Expiration Dates
Your Employees Are On the Same Clock
The two-year cycle is not only your license. A TABC-approved seller-server training certificate is also valid for two years from its issue date.11TABC. TABC Certification FAQs Every employee who sells or serves alcohol needs a current certificate, and lapsed certifications can hurt your business during an inspection or when you are defending against an administrative penalty under the Safe Harbor defense, which depends on documented training and responsible-service policies.