How to Become a Cosmetologist in Texas

Who can apply

• You must be at least 17 years old to apply for a Cosmetology Operator license.
• You must complete a 1,000-hour Cosmetology Operator course at a TDLR-licensed school.
• You must pass a written exam and a practical exam given by PSI.
• TDLR runs a criminal history background check on every applicant; convictions are reviewed case by case.

Step by step

1. Enroll in a TDLR-licensed school. You get a student permit while in training.
2. After 900 of the 1,000 hours, your school reports your eligibility for the written exam. PSI emails you scheduling instructions.
3. Apply for your license online (or by mail) and pay the $50 application fee. Applying before the written exam lets you get a temporary license the day you pass the practical.
4. Pass the PSI written exam.
5. Finish all 1,000 hours and pass the background check; TDLR then makes you eligible for the practical exam.
6. Pass the PSI practical exam. If you applied early, a 60-day temporary license prints with your score report and you can start work that day; the two-year license comes by mail.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: A 1,000-hour Cosmetology Operator course at a school licensed by TDLR. Students receive a student permit and schools report hours to TDLR. Schools may offer more than 1,000 hours, but TDLR does not evaluate or approve hours beyond the required curriculum. Training received outside Texas goes through TDLR's license-by-equivalence process.

Exam: PSI gives both exams; you must pass the written exam before the practical. Written: 100 scored items in 120 minutes, 70% to pass; remote online proctoring is available. Practical: about 3.5 hours, 70% to pass (84 of 119 points). Fees per attempt: written $55, practical $76 (PSI bulletin dated January 1, 2026). Exam eligibility lasts 5 years with unlimited attempts; after a failure you wait 24 hours to reschedule. Bulletins are offered in English, Spanish, Korean, Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese.

What it costs in Texas

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Keeping your license

Renewal: Licenses are valid for two years. The on-time renewal fee is $50 ($75 if expired under 18 months, $100 if expired 18 months to 3 years). A license expired more than 3 years cannot be renewed; you must meet the initial license requirements again, including fees and exams. You need 4 hours of TDLR-approved continuing education every two years: 1 hour of sanitation, 1 hour of human trafficking awareness, and 2 hours of your choice. If you have held a Texas license for 15 years or more, only the 2 required hours (sanitation and human trafficking) apply.

Good to know in Texas

Licensed in another state: TDLR offers license by equivalence: your out-of-state license can count as proof of training and experience. The requirements depend on your license type, its status, how you trained and how long you have held it.

Criminal history: If you have any conviction or deferred adjudication other than a minor traffic violation, submit TDLR's Criminal History Questionnaire with your application. Reviews can take one to six weeks. You can ask for a Criminal History Evaluation Letter before you enroll.

Other licenses: TDLR also issues manicurist, esthetician, eyelash extension, hair weaving and Class A Barber licenses under the same program.

Sources

• TDLR - Apply for a Cosmetology Operator License
• TDLR - Barbering and Cosmetology Examinations
• PSI - Texas Cosmetology Operator Candidate Information Bulletin (Jan 1, 2026)
• TDLR - Continuing Education for Barbers and Cosmetologists
• TDLR - Barbering and Cosmetology Fee Changes
• TDLR - License by Equivalence
• TDLR - License by Examination Application (BAC-LIC-002)
• TDLR – How to Renew Your Practitioner License (Barbering and Cosmetology)