Instructor Renewal Question

[RossA]

I have been an instructor for almost two years (this coming May). I know that my instructor's license runs out after two years, regardless of when my CHL expires, so I will need to renew before May.
When I am six months away from my regular CHL expiring, I get a notice in the mail to renew. I'm within six months of my instructor's license expiring, but I haven't received anything.
I emailed the DPS CHL office to ask them about renewing and they emailed back and said that DPS would "notify all instructors on when renewing will begin." Does that mean they will inform us of when actual classes will be held?
I was under the impression that instructors could renew online now. I know of one instructor who renewed online last year. Maybe it was just because he was on a third or fourth instructor renewal or something.
Somebody help me, as this will be my first instructor renewal.
Can we renew online?
Must we actually attend an in person class?
If we don't get notice from DPS about our license about to expire, what the heck do we do?
Thanks in advance.

[sjfcontrol]

Everybody's license expires 12/31/2013. You will hear more as time goes on. Presumably take a test online, but I don't remember if a shooting test is required this year or not. Wasn't very clear when it was explained, anyway.

[sjfcontrol]

And again, it doesn't expire until December 31st. No rush.

[howdy]

I renewed in 2011 and I only had to take an online written test. This time (I believe), I will have to take the written test AND get another Instructor to watch me do the shooting qualification course. I'm hoping I can find another Instructor that needs to requal too and we can requal each other. Any West Houston Instructors out there?

[RossA]

My friend who is an instructor had to renew last year, and I supervised his range qualification, and all he had to do was an online test. Again, don't know if that is because he has already renewed several times.
If they do require an in person class, I hope they offer some alternative dates. Some of us have day jobs that we will have to coordinate with travel to wherever the classes are held.

[Papacub]

Don't sweat it, there will be plenty of time to do whatever they have planned for us this year.

[RossA]

Hopefully so. I know they have been trying to streamline some processes, for which I am thankful. Just a little jumpy since this is my first renewal.