StateLicensed

Cosmetologist License Requirements in Texas

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1000 hrs
Upfront cost
$181
Exam
PSI Written (Theory) Examination — Texas Operator, PSI Practical (Skills) Examination — Texas Operator
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 17 years old, High school diploma or GED equivalent, or a passing score on a Department-approved ability-to-benefit exam, pass a criminal background check. A criminal background check applies to all applicants; those with a felony or misdemeanor conviction must submit a Criminal History Questionnaire, which TDLR reviews case-by-case (roughly 1 to 6 weeks). [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1000 hours of training at a state-approved program. 1,000 hours of instruction at a TDLR-licensed cosmetology school, reduced in recent years from a former 1,500-hour requirement. A separate combined pathway exists for public-school vocational cosmetology students: 1,000 hours of beauty-culture coursework plus 500 hours of related career-and-technical high-school coursework. No general apprenticeship alternative to school-based training was found for the standard Cosmetology Operator license. [1]

  3. 3

    PSI Written (Theory) Examination — Texas Operator

    Pass the PSI Written (Theory) Examination — Texas Operator (fee: $55). 100 scored multiple-choice items in 120 minutes (plus 10 unscored pretest items in 10 additional minutes); closed-book; minimum passing score 70% correct. Topics: Licensing & Regulation 20%, Infection Control 28%, Hair & Scalp Care 40%, Nail Care 6%, Skin Care 6%. May be taken after completing 900 of the required 1,000 training hours. Exam eligibility is valid for 5 years with unlimited retake attempts (24-hour wait between attempts; no same-day retake after a failure); each attempt requires a separate fee. [2]

  4. 4

    PSI Practical (Skills) Examination — Texas Operator

    Pass the PSI Practical (Skills) Examination — Texas Operator (fee: $76). Hands-on, mannequin-based demonstration graded on safety, sanitation, and procedure order; closed-toe shoes required; aerosol products and cheat sheets/written notes are prohibited. Requires completion of all 1,000 training hours and a passing written-exam score first. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) with the $50 application fee. [1]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) issues your Cosmetology Operator License for Texas.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [1] $50
License fee [1] None specified
Renewal fee [1] $50
PSI Written (Theory) Examination — Texas Operator [2] $55
PSI Practical (Skills) Examination — Texas Operator [2] $76
License by Reciprocity/Equivalence application fee (out-of-state licensees) [1] $100
Late renewal fee (starting amount) [1] $75

The $50 application fee is paid once a candidate has passed both PSI exams and covers issuance of the initial 2-year license — TDLR does not itemize a further separate 'license' fee. PSI's exam fees ($55 written + $76 practical) are paid directly to PSI, not TDLR (see exams).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 4 continuing education hours required per cycle.

License is valid for 2 years from issue date. Standard continuing education is 4 hours per renewal period (1 hour sanitation, 1 hour human trafficking awareness, 2 elective hours). Licensees who have held a Texas cosmetology license for 15+ years need only the 2 required hours (sanitation + human trafficking), with the elective hours waived. One CE hour equals 50 minutes of instruction; the standard on-time renewal fee is $50, with late fees starting at $75.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Texas has introduced but not enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact (multiple bills tracked in the 2023 and 2025 sessions, e.g. HB 705/SB 1905) and does not appear as an 'Enacted' state on the Compact Commission's official Compact Map (cosmetologycompact.gov/compact-map/) as of 2026-07-10. Texas instead offers License by Reciprocity/Equivalence: a cosmetologist holding a current, active license from a state TDLR has determined has substantially equivalent education/exam requirements may apply via the License by Reciprocity Application (BAC-LIC-003-E) with a $100 non-refundable fee and a sealed letter of certification from the issuing state, without a new exam. Eyelash Extension, Hair Weaving, and Hair Weaving/Esthetician specialties are excluded from equivalence and must apply by examination instead.

120 state-approved training providers in Texas — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $50
  • $55
  • $76
Total$181

Frequently asked questions

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

1,000 hours of instruction at a TDLR-licensed school, down from a former 1,500-hour requirement.

Who administers Texas's cosmetology exam?

PSI Services LLC, under contract with TDLR. The written exam costs $55 (100 scored items, 70% to pass) and the practical exam costs $76.

What does it cost to get a Texas Cosmetology Operator license?

A $50 application fee once you pass both PSI exams, plus a $50 renewal fee every 2 years. PSI's exam fees are paid separately.

How much continuing education does Texas require?

4 hours per 2-year renewal (1 hour sanitation, 1 hour human trafficking awareness, 2 elective hours) — reduced to 2 required hours for licensees who have held a Texas license 15+ years.

Is Texas part of the Cosmetology Licensure Compact?

No — Texas has introduced but not enacted compact legislation. Out-of-state cosmetologists instead use Texas's own $100 License by Reciprocity/Equivalence process.

Sources

  1. [1] tdlr.texas.gov/barbering-and-cosmetology/individuals/apply-cosmetologist.htm — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/703 — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] tdlr.texas.gov/barbering-and-cosmetology/individuals/continuing-education.htm — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] tdlr.texas.gov/barbering-and-cosmetology/individuals/out-of-state/ — accessed 2026-07-10