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Texas requires 1,000 hours of training, allows 250 of those hours online, and lets you sit for the exam early. Here is everything you need to know about getting your Texas cosmetology license in 2026.
1,000
Training Hours
250
Hours Online OK
$53
Renewal Fee
4 hrs
CE per Renewal
Texas is one of the more flexible states for cosmetology licensing. You need 1,000 hours of training, but up to 250 of those can be completed online through distance education. You can also take the written exam after just 900 hours, giving you a head start on the licensing process while you finish your remaining training.
Since 2021, all cosmetology licensing in Texas falls under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Previously, barbers had their own board, but the two professions were consolidated under TDLR. Cosmetology and barbering still have separate license types, but they share the same regulatory agency.
You must be at least 17 years old (or 16 with parental consent). A high school diploma or GED is not required to enroll in cosmetology school, but some schools set their own education requirements.
Attend a TDLR-approved cosmetology school and complete 1,000 hours. Up to 250 hours can be completed online through approved distance education courses. At full-time enrollment, this takes about 7-8 months.
You can schedule the PSI written exam after completing 900 hours. This lets you get the exam done while finishing your last 100 hours. You need a score of 70% or higher to pass.
After completing all 1,000 hours and passing the exam, submit your application to TDLR. Your school will provide proof of hour completion. The application fee is approximately $50.
TDLR processes your application and issues your license. You cannot legally perform cosmetology services in Texas until your license is active. Check your license status on the TDLR website.
Texas is one of the few states that lets you complete a significant chunk of your training hours online. Up to 250 of your 1,000 required hours can be done through TDLR-approved distance education. This covers theory-based topics like cosmetology science, sanitation, and Texas laws and rules.
The remaining 750 hours must be completed in person at a licensed cosmetology school. The hands-on skills like cutting, coloring, chemical texturing, and skin care cannot be learned through a screen. But having 250 hours online can make scheduling more flexible, especially if you are working while attending school.
The Texas cosmetology exam is a written, multiple-choice test administered by PSI. It covers cosmetology theory, sanitation procedures, and Texas-specific laws and regulations. The passing score is 70%.
One of the biggest advantages in Texas is that you can take the exam after completing just 900 of your 1,000 required hours. This means you do not have to wait until you finish school entirely. Taking the exam early lets you focus your final 100 hours on hands-on practice rather than worrying about an upcoming test.
The exam includes questions specific to Texas laws and TDLR regulations. These questions cover sanitation requirements, salon licensing rules, and practitioner conduct standards. Make sure to study the Texas-specific material, not just general cosmetology theory. Your school should cover this, but review it carefully before the exam.
Texas cosmetology licenses renew every 2 years at a cost of $53. Unlike California, Texas does require continuing education: 4 hours per renewal cycle. These are not difficult to complete, but you need to get them done before you can renew.
Required as part of your 4 CE hours. Covers current sanitation standards, disinfection procedures, and workplace safety protocols as mandated by TDLR.
Texas law requires all cosmetology licensees to complete a human trafficking prevention awareness course as part of their CE hours. This is available online through TDLR-approved providers.
The renewal fee is $53 every 2 years. CE courses typically cost $10-$30 total for the 4 required hours. If you let your license lapse, TDLR charges late fees and may require additional steps to reinstate. Renew on time to avoid the hassle.
In 2021, Texas consolidated barbering and cosmetology regulation under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Before that, the Texas Cosmetology Commission and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation handled them separately. The merger simplified the regulatory structure but did not change the core licensing requirements.
Cosmetology and barbering remain separate license types with different exams and training requirements. But all applications, renewals, and complaints now go through TDLR. If you see older resources referring to the Texas Cosmetology Commission, that entity no longer exists. TDLR is the correct agency for everything cosmetology-related in Texas.