Texas barbering and cosmetology were consolidated under TDLR in 2021, but the two licenses remain distinct. The practical difference that matters most: Class A barbers can perform straight-razor shaving; cosmetology operators cannot. Everything else — haircutting, chemical services, coloring, most facial services — overlaps substantially between the two license types.
Texas Class A barber licensing is regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which contracts with PSI Services to administer both the written and practical examinations. This guide covers training requirements, both exam components, fees, CE, the cosmetologist-to-barber crossover pathway, and reciprocity.
The basics: who qualifies
- Age 17 or older.
- High school diploma or GED.
- 1,000 hours of barber training at a TDLR-approved barber school. At 900 hours, students become eligible to sit for the written exam.
- Social Security Number required for the application.
What a Texas Class A barber license covers
- Haircutting, trimming, and styling (including clipper work)
- Straight-razor shaving and facial hair grooming — exclusive to Class A barbers
- Hair coloring and chemical services (perms, relaxers)
- Scalp treatments and shampooing
- Facial treatments within the scope of barbering
- Hair removal from the face and neck
What a barber cannot do without separate licensure: eyelash extensions (requires an Eyelash Extension Specialist license). Barbers who also hold a cosmetology operator license can perform cosmetology services under that license.
Barber vs. cosmetology operator in Texas
The two licenses overlap heavily. The practical distinctions: barbers perform straight-razor shaving; cosmetology operators do not. Cosmetology operators perform eyelash extensions; barbers need a separate specialist license for that. Both licenses require 1,000 training hours and both written and practical exams. Texas also offers a crossover pathway for each to obtain the other license — see below.
The Texas barber examination
Written examination
- Multiple choice, computer-based
- Available at PSI test centers statewide and via remote proctoring (E-Exam)
- Available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
- Passing score: 70%
- Fee: $55 (same written fee as every TDLR modality)
- Must be passed before scheduling the practical exam
Written exam content areas
Per the TDLR/PSI content outline, the Texas barber written exam covers:
- Haircutting, clipper work, and styling
- Shaving and facial hair design
- Chemical services (color, perms)
- Scalp and skin analysis
- Infection control and safety
- Texas laws and rules for barbering
- Chemistry of barber products
- Anatomy and physiology (scalp, skin, muscles of the head and neck)
Practical examination
- Hands-on demonstration before a PSI examiner — conducted in person at PSI barber practical sites
- Passing score: 70%
- Fee: $76, non-refundable
- Bring tools and supplies as specified in the PSI Class A Barber candidate handbook
- Must complete all 1,000 hours and pass the written exam before scheduling the practical
Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓
Step-by-step: how to get licensed in Texas
-
Complete 1,000 hours at a TDLR-approved barber school
Verify your school's approval at tdlr.texas.gov. At 900 hours, you become eligible to schedule the written exam. Full-time programs typically run 7–10 months.
-
Submit your TDLR license application and pay the $50 fee
Apply online at tdlr.texas.gov. TDLR conducts a criminal history background check. Processing takes 1–6 weeks. You must complete all 1,000 hours before becoming eligible for the practical exam.
-
Receive PSI eligibility and schedule the written exam
PSI sends scheduling instructions by email after TDLR approval. Schedule online at test-takers.psiexams.com/tdlr or by phone. Pay the written exam fee at scheduling.
-
Pass the written examination
Computer-based multiple choice. You receive your score from the PSI proctor at the test center. 70% or higher is required to advance to the practical.
-
Complete 1,000 hours and schedule the practical examination
After passing the written and finishing all 1,000 training hours, schedule the practical at a PSI barber practical site. Pay the $76 practical fee. Bring a full tool kit as specified in the candidate handbook.
-
Receive your two-year Class A barber license
A temporary 21-day license is issued at the practical site upon passing. Your two-year license arrives by mail. You may legally begin working the day you pass your practical.
The cosmetologist-to-barber crossover pathway
Texas cosmetology operators who hold an active cosmetology license may apply for a Class A barber license through a crossover pathway. The crossover may require additional training hours and passing the barber written and practical exams. Contact TDLR directly at tdlr.texas.gov for current crossover requirements, as terms and any additional hour requirements are subject to change.
The reverse is also available: Class A barbers may obtain a cosmetology operator license through a crossover. Note that barbers cannot perform cosmetology services (such as eyelash extensions) without holding a separate cosmetology license.
Continuing education at renewal
Effective September 1, 2025, Texas barber CE requirements:
- Licensed under 15 years: 4 hours — 1 hour sanitation, 2 hours barbering-related, 1 hour human trafficking prevention.
- Licensed 15+ years: 2 hours — confirm current requirements with TDLR, as barber CE is administered separately from cosmetology CE.
Note: Barber CE is tracked separately from cosmetology CE. The "one set of CE satisfies all licenses" rule that applies to cosmetology licenses does not extend to barber licenses.
License renewal in Texas
Your Texas Class A barber license is valid for two years from the date of issue. Renewal fee is $50 on time. Late fees escalate similarly to cosmetology license renewals. Renew through the TDLR online portal at tdlr.texas.gov.
Reciprocity: if you're licensed in another state
Texas offers license by equivalence for barbers from states with substantially equivalent requirements. Required documents:
- Letter of certification from your original state's licensing agency (sealed envelope)
- Transcript of training hours
- License by Equivalence application with the $100 non-refundable fee
Active license required — Texas does not accept expired licenses for the equivalence pathway. TDLR maintains an online tool to check if your state qualifies.
Other Texas beauty licenses
Other Texas licensing guides
Common questions
How many hours of training does Texas require for a barber license?
Texas requires 1,000 hours of barber training at a TDLR-approved barber school. Students may schedule the written exam after completing 900 of those hours.
Does the Texas barber exam include a practical component?
Yes. Texas requires both a written examination and a practical (hands-on) examination for the Class A barber license. You must pass the written exam before you can schedule the practical. Both are administered by PSI.
Does Texas use the NIC national barber exam?
Texas uses its own state-specific barber examination developed for TDLR by PSI, not the NIC National Barber Theory Examination. Content coverage overlaps — haircutting, shaving, scalp anatomy, infection control, chemistry — but the item bank and domain weights are TDLR-specific.
Can a Texas cosmetologist get a barber license?
Yes. Texas offers a crossover pathway for licensed cosmetology operators to obtain a Class A barber license. The crossover may require additional training hours and passing the barber written and practical exams. Contact TDLR directly for current crossover requirements.
What is the difference between a Texas barber license and a cosmetology license?
The primary practical difference is straight-razor shaving. Class A barbers can perform straight-razor shaving; cosmetology operators cannot. Cosmetology operators can perform eyelash extensions; barbers cannot without a separate license. Both licenses cover most hair cutting, styling, and chemical services.
Official Texas barber resources
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation — Barbering and Cosmetology — official licensing authority for Class A barbers.
- PSI Exams — TDLR — schedule written and practical exams, access the Class A Barber candidate handbook.
- TDLR Exam Information — official exam locations, scheduling, and structure.
Last verified May 2026 against the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and PSI Candidate Information Bulletins. Fees and requirements change — always confirm current information with TDLR before applying. NICPrep is an independent prep resource and is not affiliated with TDLR, PSI, or the State of Texas.
🇪🇸 NICPrep's Texas Class A Barber prep is also available in Español.
Texas Class A Barber Prep
$59 one-time · lifetime access10 practice tests and 8 flashcard decks built to the TDLR/PSI outline, with Texas laws and rules as its own domain — in English and Español.
- ✓All 10 practice tests (930 questions)
- ✓8 flashcard decks (228 terminology cards)
- ✓Study & timed modes · English and Español