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Texas requires 600 training hours and two PSI exams (written and practical) for a manicurist license. It's one of the few states that tests both theory and hands-on skills. Here's everything you need to know for 2026.
600
Training Hours
PSI
Written + Practical
$50
Renewal Fee
70%
Passing Score
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) oversees all cosmetology and barbering licenses in the state, including the manicurist license. Texas calls it a "manicurist" license rather than a "nail technician" license, but they mean the same thing.
What sets Texas apart from most states is the dual-exam requirement. You don't just take a written test — you also take a practical exam where you demonstrate actual nail services on a model. Both are administered by PSI. You have to pass the written exam before PSI will let you schedule the practical, so you need to plan accordingly.
Texas offers several specialty beauty licenses. The manicurist license is the shortest path and covers only nail services.
600 hrs
Nail services only — manicures, pedicures, enhancements
750 hrs
Skin care, facials, waxing, makeup
1,500 hrs
Hair, skin, and nail services — full scope
You must be at least 17 years old and have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. If you don't have a diploma or GED, you can pass an ability-to-benefit test from a TDLR-approved testing agency to satisfy this requirement.
Enroll in a barbering or cosmetology school licensed by the TDLR and complete all 600 hours of the manicurist curriculum. Full-time students typically finish in 4 to 7 months. The program covers nail anatomy, manicure and pedicure techniques, nail enhancements, sanitation, Texas law, and client safety. Hours must be completed in person.
After finishing your program, apply to TDLR for exam eligibility. Once TDLR verifies your hours and eligibility, PSI will send you an email with instructions to schedule your exams. Do not try to schedule exams directly with PSI before TDLR approves your application.
Take and pass the written theory exam through PSI at a cost of $52. The passing score is 70%. The exam covers nail science, product knowledge, sanitation protocols, and Texas regulations. You must pass this before scheduling the practical.
After passing the written, schedule and complete the practical exam ($63). This is a hands-on test where you demonstrate nail services on a live model. The passing score is also 70%. Bring your own supplies per PSI's requirements.
Pay the $50 application fee and submit your manicurist license application to TDLR. TDLR will issue your license once all requirements are confirmed. You can then legally practice nail services in Texas.
Texas uses PSI for both the written and practical components of the manicurist exam. These are not the NIC exams used by many other states — they are Texas-specific PSI exams developed for TDLR. The format and content are tailored to Texas regulations and the state curriculum.
Multiple-choice theory exam covering nail anatomy, product chemistry, sanitation, and Texas TDLR regulations. Passing score is 70%.
Fee: $52
Hands-on demonstration of nail services on a live model. Must be scheduled only after passing the written. Passing score is 70%.
Fee: $63
Texas has a strict sequencing requirement: you can't schedule the practical until you've passed the written. Once TDLR approves your eligibility, PSI sends instructions by email. Don't wait too long after passing the written to schedule the practical — study and prep time for the hands-on portion is just as important as for the theory.
A Texas manicurist license covers a solid range of nail services for both hands and feet. It does not extend to skin care or hair services.
Texas manicurist licenses renew every 2 years at a cost of $50. The late renewal fee is $75, so it's worth setting a calendar reminder well before your expiration date. Continuing education is required but the hours are reasonable.
All renewals require 4 hours of CE, including at least 1 hour on sanitation and safety. Licensees with 15 or more years of continuous licensure only need 2 CE hours. CE can be completed through TDLR-approved online providers.
Renewal is done entirely through the TDLR online portal. You can renew up to 90 days before your expiration date. If your license lapses, you may be subject to additional reinstatement requirements depending on how long it has been expired.
The $50 renewal fee plus CE courses (typically $20-$40 for a 4-hour online manicurist CE) puts your total at roughly $70-$90 every 2 years. The 15-year discount brings it down further. Renew on time to avoid the $75 late fee.
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