Texas Cosmetology State Board Exam — Everything You Need to Know in 2026

The Texas cosmetology state board exam is administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) through PSI testing centers. Unlike California and Florida, Texas requires both a written exam and a separate practical skills evaluation. You must pass both to receive your license.

The written exam has 100 questions and a 90-minute time limit. You need 75% to pass. It covers infection control and safety, hair care services, chemical services, skin and nail care, and Texas-specific laws and professional practices.

In Texas, cosmetology, esthetics (called "facial specialist"), and manicuring are separate licenses. A cosmetology license covers the full range of services. Dual licenses are common — many Texas cosmetologists also hold a specialty license to serve niche clienteles.

You need 75% to pass — that's at least 83 correct out of 110 scored questions.

Apply through the TDLR online portal at tdlr.texas.gov. The written exam fee is $55 and the practical exam fee is $76. Both exams are delivered by PSI. After completing your 1,500 school hours, your school verifies your hours with TDLR.

You schedule your written and practical exams separately through PSI. Most candidates take the written first. After passing both, apply for your Texas cosmetology license through the TDLR portal.

Texas requires 1,500 hours at a TDLR-licensed cosmetology school. Programs typically run 12 to 24 months depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time.

Texas also allows an apprenticeship path in limited circumstances, though most candidates complete the traditional school route. Your school must be TDLR-licensed and must submit your hour completion records directly.

Cosmetologists in Texas earn between $27,000 and $55,000 annually, with higher earnings in Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. Texas has no state income tax, which effectively increases take-home pay relative to higher-tax states.

Texas has one of the largest populations of licensed cosmetologists in the country. The market is competitive, particularly in major metros, but strong specialization (color, extensions, or a specific clientele) helps differentiate.

The candidates who fail typically do one of three things: they cram at the last minute, they study everything equally instead of targeting their weak areas, or they read passively without testing themselves. All three are fixable.

The most effective approach: take a practice test first, before you've studied anything. Your score tells you exactly which of the 5 topics need the most attention. Then focus your flashcard sessions on those weak areas using spaced repetition — reviewing at increasing intervals so the information actually sticks.

As your exam date gets closer, switch to full timed practice tests under realistic conditions. You want to be scoring comfortably above the passing threshold before you walk in.

Once you know your weak areas, flashcards are the fastest way to close the gaps. Prepdex builds your study sessions around the topics where you're losing points — not a generic review of everything.

Each session takes about 10-15 minutes. You study the topics that matter most for your score, in the order the exam weights them. The spaced repetition scheduling makes sure you see things again before you forget them.