Texas manicurist (nail tech)
practice test & license requirements, 2026.

Texas calls this license "Manicurist" — the equivalent of what most other states call nail technician or nail tech. At 600 hours, it's more training than California's 400-hour requirement, and Texas still requires a practical exam (which California eliminated in 2022). If you're moving from a state that dropped its practical, the hands-on component is the main thing to prepare for differently.

Texas manicurist licensing is regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which contracts with PSI Services to administer both examinations. This guide covers training requirements, both exam components, fees, CE at renewal, the combined Manicurist/Esthetician license option, and reciprocity.

The basics: who qualifies

• Age 17 or older.
• High school diploma or GED.
• 600 hours of manicurist training at a TDLR-approved barbering or cosmetology school. Students receive a TDLR student permit during training, which allows supervised client work. Out-of-state training is handled through the License by Equivalence application.
• Social Security Number required for the application.

What a Texas manicurist license covers

Under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1603, a licensed manicurist may perform:

• Manicures and pedicures
• Massaging, cleansing, and treating the hands and feet
• Cutting, trimming, polishing, tinting, and coloring nails
• Attaching false nails — acrylics, gels, silk wraps, nail tips
• Nail art and design

A manicurist license does not cover facials or skin care beyond hands and feet, hair services, waxing beyond the hands/feet context, or eyelash extensions. Texas also offers a combined Manicurist/Esthetician license — see below.

The combined Manicurist/Esthetician license

Texas offers a combined Manicurist/Esthetician license that covers both nail services and skin care services. To qualify, you must either:

• Complete an 800-hour combined Manicurist/Esthetician course at a TDLR-licensed school, or
• Complete 600 hours of Manicurist training and 750 hours of Esthetician training separately

If you already hold both an active Manicurist license and an active Esthetician license, you can apply to upgrade to the combined license without additional training.

The Texas manicurist 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, non-refundable
• Must be passed before scheduling the practical exam

Written exam content areas

Per the TDLR/PSI content outline, the Texas manicurist written exam covers:

• Nail anatomy and physiology
• Nail disorders and diseases (contraindications — when not to perform a service)
• Manicure and pedicure procedures
• Nail enhancement techniques (acrylics, gels, wraps, tips)
• Product chemistry and safety (monomers, polymers, solvents)
• Infection control and safety (sanitation, disinfection, sterilization)
• Texas laws and rules
• Client consultation

Practical examination

• Hands-on demonstration before a PSI examiner
• Conducted in person at PSI practical sites in Texas
• Passing score: 70%
• Fee: $76, non-refundable
• Bring tools and supplies per the PSI candidate handbook

Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓

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

1. Complete 600 hours at a TDLR-approved school

   Verify your school's approval at tdlr.texas.gov. Students receive a TDLR student permit during training, allowing supervised client services at the school. Full-time programs typically run 3–5 months.

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

   Apply online at tdlr.texas.gov or by mail. TDLR conducts a criminal history background check. Processing takes 1–6 weeks.

3. 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 at (833) 333-4741. Pay the $55 written exam fee at scheduling.

4. 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.

5. Schedule and pass the practical examination

   Schedule the practical at a PSI site. Pay the $76 practical fee. Bring nail supplies and tools per the candidate handbook — review it closely before exam day. A temporary 21-day license may be issued at the site upon passing.

6. Receive your two-year manicurist license by mail

   TDLR mails your full license. You may legally begin working using your temporary license while waiting.

Continuing education at renewal

Texas requires CE to renew. Requirements effective September 1, 2025:

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

CE completed under any one TDLR cosmetology license satisfies the requirement for all TDLR cosmetology licenses you hold simultaneously. If you hold both a Manicurist and an Esthetician license, you only need one set of CE hours to cover both.

License renewal in Texas

Your Texas manicurist license is valid for two years. Renewal fee is $50 on time. Late fees escalate: $75 within 90 days late, $100 between 91 days and 18 months. Re-application required after 3 years lapsed. Renew at tdlr.texas.gov.

Reciprocity: if you're licensed in another state

Texas calls this "license by equivalence." Required for active nail tech/manicurist license holders from states with substantially equivalent requirements:

• Letter of certification from your original state's licensing agency (sealed envelope)
• Transcript of training hours or course certificate
• License by Equivalence application (BAC-LIC-003-E) with the $100 non-refundable fee

TDLR maintains an online equivalence checker. Active license required — expired licenses do 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 window from TDLR application approval. Wait 24 hours after a failed attempt before rescheduling. You only retake the component you failed, not both exams. Each retake requires paying the applicable fee.

Most candidates who don't pass the written exam miss on infection control (disinfection sequencing, contact times) and nail disorders (contraindications — recognizing when a service should not be performed). Both are predictable areas that respond well to targeted study.

Other Texas beauty licenses

Common questions

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

Texas requires 600 hours of manicurist training at a TDLR-approved barbering or cosmetology school. Students enrolled in a TDLR-licensed school receive a student permit allowing supervised client work during training.

Does the Texas manicurist exam include a practical component?

Yes. Texas requires both a written examination and a practical (hands-on) examination for the manicurist license. Both are administered by PSI. The written exam must be passed before the practical can be scheduled.

Does Texas use the NIC national nail technology exam?

Texas uses its own state-specific manicurist examination developed for TDLR by PSI, not the NIC National Nail Technology Theory Examination. Content coverage overlaps significantly — infection control, nail anatomy, nail disorders, manicure/pedicure procedures, product chemistry — but the item bank and domain weights are TDLR-specific.

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

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

Does Texas require continuing education to renew a manicurist license?

Yes. Texas requires 4 hours of TDLR-approved CE every two years for most licensees (2 hours for those licensed 15+ years). CE completed under any one TDLR cosmetology license satisfies the requirement for all TDLR cosmetology licenses held simultaneously — a manicurist and esthetician license together only require one set of CE hours.

Do you need a license to do nails in Texas?

Yes. Texas requires a manicurist license to perform nail services for pay, under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1603. The license covers manicures and pedicures; massaging, cleansing and treating the hands and feet; cutting, trimming, polishing, tinting and coloring nails; attaching false nails — acrylics, gels, silk wraps and nail tips; and nail art and design. It does not cover facials or skin care beyond the hands and feet, hair services, or eyelash extensions.

How long does a Texas manicurist license last?

Two years. On-time renewal is $50. Late fees escalate: $75 within 90 days late, and $100 between 91 days and 18 months. After three years lapsed you must re-apply rather than renew. Renewal is at tdlr.texas.gov.

How old do you have to be to get a Texas manicurist license?

17 or older, with a high school diploma or GED, plus 600 hours of manicurist training at a TDLR-approved barbering or cosmetology school. Students receive a TDLR student permit during training, which allows supervised client work.

Official Texas manicurist resources

• TDLR — Apply for a Manicurist License — official application page with current requirements and fees.
• PSI Exams — TDLR — schedule written and practical exams, access the Manicurist candidate handbook.
• TDLR Exam Information — official exam locations, scheduling, and 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.