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Texas requires 1,000 hours of training and both a written and practical exam through PSI. The TDLR licenses all Texas barbers, and up to 250 theory hours can be completed online. Here is the full Class A Barber license guide for 2026.
1,000
Training Hours
PSI
Written + Practical
$50
Renewal Fee
4 hrs
CE per Renewal
Texas licenses barbers through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The Class A Barber license is the standard credential that lets you perform the full range of barbering services, including haircutting, shaving, scalp treatments, and chemical services on hair.
One thing that sets Texas apart from many states is the two-part exam requirement. You can take the written exam after completing 900 of the 1,000 required hours, which means you can get the written exam out of the way before you finish school. The practical exam comes after you complete all 1,000 hours and pass the written portion. Texas also allows up to 250 online theory hours, which gives students some flexibility in how they complete their training.
You must be at least 17 years old to apply for a Texas Class A Barber license. This is slightly older than some states (Florida allows 16). You don't need a high school diploma to enroll in barber school, but individual schools may have their own policies.
Enroll in a TDLR-licensed barber or cosmetology school and complete all 1,000 required hours. Up to 250 of those hours can be theory instruction completed online — the remaining 750+ hours must be done in person. The curriculum covers haircutting, shaving, scalp care, sanitation, and Texas regulations.
Once you complete 900 hours, your school notifies TDLR of your eligibility. You can then schedule and sit for the written licensing exam through PSI. Passing the written exam early is strategic — you can focus entirely on the practical exam after finishing your remaining hours.
After you pass the written exam and complete all 1,000 hours, TDLR notifies you of your eligibility for the practical exam. The practical exam through PSI tests your hands-on barbering skills. You need to demonstrate competency in haircut execution, shaving technique, and sanitation procedures.
Submit your license application to TDLR with the $50 application fee. You will need documentation of your completed training hours and your exam results. TDLR processes your application and issues your Class A Barber license, which is valid for 2 years from the date of issue.
Texas uses PSI as its testing vendor for both barber exams. PSI has multiple testing locations throughout the state. The written and practical exams are taken separately and at different stages of your training — you can sit for written after 900 hours, but you won't be eligible for the practical until all 1,000 hours are done and the written is passed.
The PSI written exam covers barbering theory, infection control and sanitation, hair and scalp science, and Texas TDLR regulations. You can take it before finishing school, which many students use strategically to reduce exam stress. PSI administers this at testing centers across Texas.
The PSI practical exam tests hands-on skills. You'll demonstrate haircutting, shaving or beard work, sanitation setup, and proper tool handling. Texas is one of the states that still maintains a practical exam requirement for barbers — it's a real assessment of your barbering ability.
The written and practical exams test different things. Start studying written content (theory, sanitation, Texas law) early in your program so you're ready after 900 hours. Then shift your focus to the practical — clean technique, precise execution, and following sanitation protocols under observation. Don't treat them as one prep task.
Texas allows up to 250 of the 1,000 required hours to be completed online through approved providers. This is a meaningful accommodation for students who have work or family commitments during the week. The online hours count only toward theory instruction — you can't substitute online coursework for hands-on practical training hours.
Theory subjects eligible for online delivery include hair and scalp science, skin anatomy, barbering chemistry, infection control principles, and Texas state law. Your school can help you understand which portions of their curriculum qualify for online delivery. Not all schools offer online theory — confirm before enrolling if flexibility matters to you.
Texas Class A Barber licenses are valid for 2 years from the issue date. Renewal costs $50 (or $75 if late). Starting September 1, 2025, TDLR updated its CE requirements for barbers. The new rules create two tiers based on how long you've been licensed.
You need 4 hours per renewal cycle: 1 hour sanitation, 2 hours barbering-related topics, and 1 hour human trafficking prevention. This applies to most working barbers who obtained their license in the last 15 years.
Experienced barbers with 15 or more years of licensure only need 2 hours: 1 hour sanitation and 1 hour human trafficking prevention. The 2 barbering-related hours are waived for veteran licensees.
The $50 renewal fee plus CE courses (typically $20-$50 online) puts total renewal at around $70-$100 every 2 years. Texas is one of the most affordable states for barber license maintenance. Renew on time — the late fee jumps the cost to $75 for the license fee alone.