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Texas requires 750 training hours and both a written and practical exam through PSI. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) handles everything from school approval to your final license application.
750
Training Hours
PSI
Exam Provider
$50
Renewal Fee
4 hrs
CE per Renewal
Texas falls in the middle of the pack for esthetics training hours. At 750 hours, it requires more than Florida (260) but less than some states that push toward 1,000 hours. The TDLR regulates esthetics under the same umbrella as barbering and cosmetology, so the process is fairly streamlined once you know the steps.
One thing that sets Texas apart is the two-part exam. Most states only require a written test, but Texas also has a practical component administered by PSI. The practical runs almost three hours, so it's not something you can walk into unprepared. On the upside, the continuing education requirement after licensure is light: just 4 hours every two years.
You need to be at least 17 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Texas is one of the few states that requires a high school credential for esthetics licensure — not just enrollment in school. Make sure you have your diploma or official GED certificate ready when you apply.
Enroll in and complete 750 hours of esthetics training at a TDLR-licensed school. Full-time programs (roughly 35-40 hours per week) take about 5-6 months. The curriculum covers skin anatomy, facial techniques, chemical exfoliation, waxing, eyelash services, infection control, and Texas state laws. Verify your school is currently licensed by TDLR before you enroll.
Once your school submits your hours to TDLR, you can schedule your written exam through PSI. The written exam has 75 scored questions and 10 unscored pilot questions. The exam fee is $55. You must score 70% or higher to pass. Topics include skin science, treatment protocols, sanitation, and Texas regulations.
After passing the written exam (or sometimes both are scheduled together), you take the practical exam at a PSI testing location. The practical is 2 hours and 44 minutes and tests your hands-on performance of core esthetics procedures. The fee is $76. You must demonstrate proper technique, sanitation, and client safety throughout.
After passing both exams, submit your license application to TDLR with a $50 non-refundable application fee. Include your training completion documentation and exam results. TDLR processes your application and issues your esthetics operator license, which is valid for two years.
Texas uses PSI for both the written and practical esthetics exams. This is different from states that use the NIC (National-Interstate Council) exam. The PSI written exam is state-developed, so standard NIC prep materials are helpful for concepts but won't match the Texas format exactly.
Many candidates underestimate the practical component. At nearly 3 hours, it's a real performance evaluation — not a quick check. Your school's practical training is the most direct preparation. Review the TDLR practical exam candidate handbook before your test date to know exactly which procedures will be evaluated and how they're scored.
TDLR publishes a specific scope of practice guide for estheticians. Knowing what's in and out of scope matters — performing services outside your license can result in fines or license suspension.
Texas esthetics licenses renew every 2 years at a cost of $50 (late renewals cost $75). The CE requirement is light compared to most states: just 4 hours total per renewal cycle. That said, the content requirements got tighter in 2025.
Of the 4 required hours: 1 must cover sanitation, 2 must cover cosmetology-related topics, and 1 must cover human trafficking prevention (required as of September 1, 2025). TDLR maintains a list of approved CE providers on its website.
Texas estheticians who have held their license for 15 or more years only need 2 CE hours per renewal cycle instead of 4. The renewal fee stays the same at $50. This is a recent change that recognizes long-tenured practitioners.
The $50 renewal fee plus CE course costs (online 4-hour courses typically run $20-$40) puts your total renewal at around $70-$90 every 2 years. Renew through the TDLR online services portal. Late renewals jump to $75, so mark your expiration date.
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