How to Get a Cosmetology License in Texas

Education Requirements

Anyone applying for an operator license must hold a high school diploma or an equivalent. If you have none of these, you can opt for the ‘ability to benefit’ test, which gauges how much you will benefit from the training. Passing this test will count as meeting the operator license application requirements.

Application and Fee

You can only apply for your cosmetology license online or by mail after passing the written and practical exams. Please note that you must be at least 17 years old to apply. The application will cost you $50, and the license lasts two years from the issue date.

Applicants with Criminal Convictions

Criminal convictions can get in the way of acquiring an operator license. They can also result in your license being revoked or suspended. If you’ve ever been convicted of any criminal offense (felony, misdemeanor, federal) or pleaded guilty or no contest to such offenses, you must fill in the criminal history questionnaire. Submit this alongside your application to enable the TDLR to conduct a criminal check on you. You can always apply for a criminal history background check to gauge your suitability for the license even before joining beauty school to get ahead of the situation. That way, you can avoid getting rejected after passing your exams.

The TDLR will assess your history based on the nature of the conviction and how long ago you were convicted. To understand your chances of getting licensed, please go through the Criminal History Evaluation Letter page as well as the Guidelines to License Applicants With Criminal Convictions.

Education and Training

Examinations

To acquire a Texas cosmetology license, you must finish all your training requirements before taking written and practical exams administered by the PSI. The exam information page takes you through how you can book your exams and receive the scheduling details.

Application and Fee

If you pass both the written and practical exams, you can apply for your cosmetology license online or by mail. Please note that you must be at least 17 years to make the application which will cost you $50 (non-refundable). The license will last two years from the date of issue.

Current Cosmetology License

To acquire an instructor or specialty instructor license, you must hold a valid cosmetology operator license which must be in good standing.  The license must be in your chosen field of study. E.g., you must hold an esthetician license to apply for a specialty esthetician instructor license.

Instructor Qualification

You can acquire your instructor license using any of the three methods below:

Examinations

All Texas cosmetology instructor license applicants must first meet the qualification requirements set out in the section above. Following this, you pass the written and practical exams administered by the PSI. For details on examination booking and scheduling, please refer to the exam information page.

Application and Fee

You must be at least 17 years old to apply for the instructor license. Applicants using methods 1 and 2 can apply online or by mail. Those using method 3 should apply by mail. All applications must accompany a non-refundable fee of $60.

Education and Training

Examinations

All cosmetology applicants must take and pass written and practical examinations administered by the PSI. For more information on when you can take the test, please check the exam information page.

Application and Fee

You must be at least 17 years old to submit a license application, which you can do online or by mail at a non-refundable cost of $50. The license will remain valid for two years from the date of issue.

Training and Education

Anyone who wants to obtain a hair weaving specialty license must complete 300 hours of cosmetology training in a licensed beauty school in Texas.

Examinations

Once you have completed your training, the TDLR will assess your eligibility to take the written and practical licensing exams. If you are deemed eligible, the PSI will schedule an exam date and send you the details via email. The exam information page provides more details on exam scheduling.

Application and Fee

You must be at least 17 years old to apply for a cosmetology license. You can submit your application online or via mail at a non-refundable fee of $50. The license will remain valid for two years from the date of issue.

Name Changes

If you change your name, you must email the TDLR about this change. Include the following details in the email:

• Your current license number,
• The name change,
• For last name changes: You should include a copy of a government-issued ID or a legal document indicating the change. Examples include court petitions for name changes, marriage licenses, and state-issued IDs,
• For first name changes: You must provide legal documents indicating the name change, e.g., a copy of a court petition for a name change or a certificate of naturalization. You must also include a government-issued ID.

Update Your Contact Information

Suppose you have also changed your contact details since acquiring your last license. You will need to inform the TDLR about this.

Add Social Security Number

Are your social security details up to date? Please note that you must have a social security number to renew your license online. You can ensure this by emailing the TDLR about any recent changes. When doing so, do not forget to include:

• A copy of your social security card,
• Your current license number,
• A copy of a government-issued ID. Examples include passports and driver’s licenses.

Fee Schedule

The renewal fees depend on the type of license you hold as follows:

If you cannot renew your license online or prefer to do it via mail, you can always contact the TDLR for the way forward. Please note that the fees are not refundable or transferrable to other license holders.

Verify Your Renewal Is Complete

You have three checks to complete once you pay the renewal fees as follows:

• Check that your course provider updated your continuing education hours. They have a maximum of 7 days to do so after you complete your hours. If they are yet to do so, you should contact them for further information.
• Ensure that your renewal fee reflects in the system.
• Verify that the TDLR has issued you with a new license. You should receive it within 14 days from the date of application. If you still don’t have it after this time, you should contact the TDLR via email.

Renewal of Expired Licenses

Offering cosmetology services in Texas without a cosmetology license is illegal. Below, we take you through the preliminaries and fees associated with renewing expired licenses based on how long they’ve been expired:

Application and Fee

TDLR will send a renewal postcard to your registered mailing address about 60 days before your license expires. To ensure that you get your postcard, you should update your contact information. Suppose you do not receive your postcard approximately 60 days before your license expires. You should contact TDLR and inquire about the delay. Receiving your postcard late or not receiving it at all will not count as an excuse not to pay your renewal fee in time.

Once you have paid the license renewal fees, you should get a new license within 14 days. Should this not happen, feel free to contact customer service via email or call them at (800) 803-9202.

Renewal of Expired Licenses

You cannot train students in a salon whose license is not valid. Doing so would be against the TDLR requirements and can land you in legal trouble. Below is a table depicting the renewal requirements based on how long your license has been expired: