Texas cosmetology license
requirements, 2026.

Texas licenses more cosmetologists than nearly any other state, and the path is more demanding than some candidates expect — both a written exam and a practical exam are required, and the state mandates continuing education at renewal. If you're coming from California or another state that eliminated its practical exam, that's the first thing to recalibrate.

Texas cosmetology licensing is regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). In 2021, Texas consolidated barbering and cosmetology under TDLR under HB 1560, ending the previous split-agency structure. TDLR contracts with PSI Services to administer both the written and practical examinations. This guide covers everything in the order you'll need it: requirements, both exams, fees and timeline, CE at renewal, and reciprocity.

The basics: who qualifies

To apply for a Texas cosmetology operator license, you must meet these baseline requirements:

• Age 17 or older.
• High school diploma or GED. Texas requires proof of secondary education completion — unlike some states, a diploma or equivalent is mandatory before you can enroll.
• 1,000 hours of training at a TDLR-approved cosmetology school. Up to 250 of those hours may be completed online for theory subjects; the remaining must be in-person. Out-of-state training is handled through a License by Equivalence application.
• Social Security Number required for the application.

The Texas cosmetology examination

Texas requires two separate exams, both administered by PSI. You must pass the written exam before you can schedule the practical. You may schedule the written exam after completing 900 of your 1,000 required hours — you don't have to wait until graduation.

Written examination

• 100 scored questions + 10 unscored pilot questions (110 total)
• 130 minutes to complete (120 min for scored + 10 min for pilot questions)
• Multiple choice, computer-based; available in person at PSI test centers or via remote proctoring (E-Exam)
• Available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
• Passing score: 70% (70 correct out of 100 scored questions)
• Fee: $55, non-refundable

Written exam content areas

Per the TDLR Cosmetology Operator candidate information bulletin (PSI bulletin 704, 1 January 2026), the 100 scored questions fall into five domains:

• Hair and Scalp Care — 40% (40 questions; chemical theory and physiology are sub-topics here)
• Infection Control — 28% (28)
• Licensing and Regulation — 20% (20) — the Texas law block a national bank does not carry
• Nail Care — 6% (6)
• Skin Care — 6% (6)

Practical examination

The practical exam is a hands-on skills assessment conducted in person at PSI practical examination sites. Cosmetology Operator practical sites are located in Amarillo, Austin, the DFW metroplex, El Paso, Houston, McAllen, Midland, and San Antonio.

• Passing score: 70%
• Fee: $76, non-refundable
• Bring a full tool kit and mannequin as specified in the PSI candidate handbook — review the handbook before exam day for the exact tool and model requirements
• Must pass the written exam before scheduling the practical

After passing the practical exam, a temporary 21-day license is issued on site. Your two-year license arrives by mail while the temporary license remains valid.

Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓

Step-by-step: how to get licensed in Texas

1. Complete 1,000 hours at a TDLR-approved cosmetology school

   Verify your school's approval at tdlr.texas.gov. At 900 hours, you become eligible to schedule the written exam — you don't have to wait until you've finished. Full-time students typically complete the program in 7–10 months.

2. Submit your TDLR license application and pay the $50 fee

   Apply online at tdlr.texas.gov or by mail. Include your transcript of training hours. A criminal history background check is conducted on all applicants. Processing typically takes 1–6 weeks.

3. Receive PSI eligibility notice and schedule the written exam

   Once TDLR approves your application, PSI sends an email with scheduling instructions. Schedule online at test-takers.psiexams.com/tdlr or by phone at (833) 333-4741. Pay the $55 written exam fee at scheduling.

4. Pass the written examination

   130 minutes, 110 multiple-choice questions. You'll receive your score on paper from the PSI proctor at the test center. A score of 70% or higher is required to advance to the practical exam.

5. Schedule and pass the practical examination

   After passing the written exam, schedule the practical at a PSI site near you. Pay the $76 practical exam fee. Bring tools, supplies, and mannequin per the PSI candidate handbook. A temporary 21-day license is issued on site upon passing.

6. Receive your two-year cosmetology operator license by mail

   TDLR mails your full license within a few weeks. You can legally begin working immediately using your temporary license.

Continuing education at renewal

Unlike California, Texas requires continuing education to renew a cosmetology license. Requirements changed September 1, 2025:

• Licensed under 15 years: 4 hours — 1 hour sanitation, 1 hour human trafficking prevention, 2 hours cosmetology-related topics.
• Licensed 15 or more years: 2 hours — 1 hour sanitation, 1 hour human trafficking prevention.

CE for one TDLR cosmetology license satisfies the requirement for all other TDLR cosmetology licenses you hold — you don't need separate CE for an esthetician or manicurist license held at the same time. CE must be completed before submitting your renewal.

License renewal in Texas

Your Texas cosmetology operator license is valid for two years from the date of issue. Renewal fee is $50 (on time). Late renewal fees escalate: $75 within 90 days late, $100 between 91 days and 18 months late, and re-application required after 3 years lapsed. Renew through the TDLR online portal at tdlr.texas.gov.

Reciprocity: if you're licensed in another state

Texas calls this "license by equivalence" rather than reciprocity. To apply, you must hold an active license from another state whose education and examination requirements are substantially equivalent to Texas's. You'll need:

• A letter of certification from your original state's licensing agency (must arrive in a sealed envelope directly from that agency)
• A transcript of training hours (or course certificate)
• The License by Equivalence application (BAC-LIC-003-E) with the $100 non-refundable fee

TDLR maintains an online tool to check if your state has substantially equivalent standards. States with different hour requirements or exam structures may not qualify. Texas does not accept training completed through apprenticeship programs.

If you don't pass on the first try

Retakes are unlimited within a 5-year eligibility period from when TDLR approves your application. You must wait 24 hours after a failed attempt before rescheduling. Each retake requires paying the exam fee again. If you fail only one component, you only retake that component — not both.

Most candidates who don't pass the written exam fall short on infection control (sequencing and contact times) and hair chemistry (pH, disulfide bonds, chemical service contraindications). For the practical, the most common scoring issues involve sanitation setup at the start of the service station — examiners weight early safety steps heavily.

Other Texas beauty licenses

A Texas cosmetology operator license covers hair, skin, and nail services. If you want to focus on one area, or expand your credentials, here are the other individual license types:

Common questions

How many hours of training does Texas require for a cosmetology license?

Texas requires 1,000 hours of training at a TDLR-approved cosmetology school. Students may schedule the written exam after completing 900 hours, but all 1,000 hours must be finished before sitting for the practical exam.

Does Texas use the NIC national cosmetology exam?

Texas uses its own state-specific cosmetology examination developed for the TDLR by PSI — it is not the NIC National Cosmetology Theory Examination used by some other states. The exam covers hair and scalp services, infection control, skin care, nail care, and Texas laws and rules, but the item bank and domain weights are TDLR-specific, not NIC-standard.

Does the Texas cosmetology exam include a practical component?

Yes. Texas requires both a written examination and a practical (hands-on) examination. You must pass the written exam before you can sit for the practical. Both are administered by PSI at authorized locations throughout Texas.

How much does it cost to get a Texas cosmetology license?

Total initial costs are approximately $181: $55 for the written exam, $76 for the practical exam (both paid to PSI), and $50 for the TDLR license application fee. All exam fees are non-refundable.

Does Texas require continuing education for cosmetology license renewal?

Yes. Texas requires 4 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education every two years to renew a cosmetology license — 1 hour sanitation, 1 hour human trafficking prevention, and 2 hours cosmetology-related topics. Licensees who have held their license for 15 or more years only need 2 hours (1 sanitation, 1 human trafficking prevention). This is effective September 1, 2025.

Official Texas cosmetology resources

• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation — Barbering and Cosmetology — official licensing authority, school listings, application forms, exam information, and CE requirements.
• PSI Exams — TDLR — schedule written and practical exams, access candidate handbooks.
• TDLR Exam Information page — official exam locations, scheduling instructions, and exam structure details.

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.