Texas Licensing Cosmetology Exam FAQs

Preparing to take your Texas cosmetology exam? Congratulations, you’re one step closer to becoming a licensed cosmetologist or licensed barber! Understanding what to expect before test day can reduce stress and help you feel more confident going in.

Whether you’re finishing your hours at Houston Training School’s cosmetology program in Houston or another accredited Texas beauty school, this comprehensive guide answers all your questions about the state board licensing exam. For additional information, read the PSI cosmetology exam resources right from the test givers themselves.

Houston Training Schools has helped thousands of students obtain their cosmetology licenses for over 30 years in the Houston area. Our cosmetology program is well-known as a top pick for students looking not only to pass their cosmetology exam but also to thrive in their future careers. If your dream is to pursue a career in cosmetology, consider applying to Houston Training Schools for a well-rounded beauty education.

Note: The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) regulates both barbering and cosmetology licenses in Texas. While barbers and cosmetologists take separate exams with different requirements, the testing process through PSI is similar for both professions. This guide focuses specifically on the cosmetology licensing exam. If you’re pursuing a barbering license, check out our guide on how to become a barber for barbering-specific information.

What items are needed to take the cosmetology exam in Texas?

To take the cosmetology exam in Texas, you will need a valid government-issued photo ID, your TDLR student permit, your payment for the exam fees, and your prepared kit for the practical exam.

How do I get a TDLR student permit? If you have a valid Social Security number, your school can register you for a TDLR student permit for instant enrollment. If you don’t have a SSN, you will fill out a specific application to be mailed to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

For the written exam you will need:

To take the written portion of your exam, you’ll need to bring in one form of valid identification. Acceptable forms of ID include:

• Driver’s license or state ID
• Passport
• Current public high school ID
• Current college, community college, or junior college ID

Be sure that the ID you bring in has your printed name, photograph, signature (or fingerprint), your birthday, and an expiration date. Make sure it matches the name on your student permit.

For the practical exam you will need:

The practical exam (the hands-on portion) requires you to bring in a lot of supplies and equipment. Without it, you won’t be able to perform the required services to pass.

According to the PSI cosmetology exam candidate bulletin (page 17), here is what you need to bring to your practical exam:

• Mannequin heads with stands (with no markings or colorings anywhere)

• Mannequin hands prepped with nail tips

• All styling tools (shears, combs, brushes, blow dryer, curling iron)

• Permanent wave rods

• Foils

• Gloves, towels, drapes

• All labeled products (in English) (manufacturer’s labels are okay)

• First-aid kit

Your items must be clean, sanitary, and unstained before you step into the exam. The bulletin will go into detail about which items require labeling and which don’t. It’s very important to pay attention to this list because if you fail to label or mislabel items, you will lose points for that portion of the exam. Make sure you are also wearing closed-toed shoes, the same as you would in your cosmetology classes.

TIP: Some students recommend packing your full kit days in advance so you’re not scrambling to find your combs, cotton pads, or odorless products before your exam. If you make a checklist of everything you need (which we highly recommend), go over all of your materials one more time before heading to your test.

What is the passing score for the cosmetology exam state board?

In Texas, the passing score for both the written and practical cosmetology exams is 70%.

Written exam scoring

The written portion requires 70% of the 100 scored questions to be answered correctly. There will also be 10 additional questions that the TDLR uses for data collection and future test development, but these won’t count towards your final score.

Practical exam scoring

The 70% rule applies here too: for the practical portion, you must earn at least 84 points out of a possible 119 total points (70%). The practical test is divided into multiple sections which will test you on different services including:

• Monomer and polymer application

• Blood exposure incident procedures

• Facial services

• Waxing

• Haircutting

• Permanent wave

• Blow drying and thermal curling

• Chemical services

Each section of the exam has a specific procedure and safety criteria that evaluators use to score your performance.

How you receive your exam results

Your score is provided immediately. For the written exam, your score displays on screen at the end of the examination, and a score report is emailed to you. If you fail, the emailed score report includes a diagnostic report indicating your strengths and weaknesses by examination type. For the practical exam, you receive your results at the testing site from the evaluators.

How many times can you take the cosmetology exam in Texas?

You can retake the cosmetology exam in Texas as many times as you want during your 5-year eligibility period; however, you must wait 24 hours between attempts. Will I have to pay the exam fee each time I take it? Yes, you’re required to pay the exam fee with every attempt.

Texas doesn’t put a limit on how many times a student can take the cosmetology exam, as long as they are still eligible. Your examination eligibility is valid for 5 years from the date TDLR approves your application. This is great for students who may need to retake the written, practical, or both exams. Similar to a driving test, you can’t retake the exam on the same day as your failed attempt.

When should I take my cosmetology exam?

The PSI encourages students to sit for the exam as soon as possible after attending cosmetology school so that the material is still fresh. However, be sure to give yourself time to study and prepare. The quality of your preparation matters more than how quickly you take the test.

Where can I take the cosmetology exam in Texas?

Written exams are offered at PSI testing centers in 15 Texas cities, and the practical exam has 8 testing site locations. Full details about all testing locations can be found on the TDLR cosmetology practical exam page.

How many questions are on the cosmetology state board exam in Texas?

The Texas cosmetology written exam contains 100 scored questions plus 10 additional non-scored questions used for test development.

How long does the Texas cosmetology exam take?

Written exam:

You have 120 minutes to answer the 100 scored questions plus an additional 10 minutes for the non-scored questions, giving you a total of 130 minutes for the complete written exam.

If you need a visual breakdown:

• 120 minutes for 100 questions

• 10 minutes for 10 additional questions

• = 130 minutes total

Practical exam:

The practical exam spans 3 hours and 31 minutes total, but each service section has specific time limits ranging from 10 minutes for setup to 42 minutes for the haircut. You must complete all required tasks within each section’s time limit, or you won’t receive points for that portion.

What kind of questions are on the cosmetology exam?

According to PSI, here’s the distribution ratio of the written exam questions. The 100 scored questions are distributed across four main topic areas:

The 10 non-scored questions are dispersed throughout the exam but don’t count toward your final score. These questions help PSI and TDLR develop accurate future examinations by testing new questions on real candidates. You won’t know which questions are scored versus non-scored, so treat every question as if it counts.

What are the key differences between the written and practical exams?

The key differences between the written and practical exams are that the written exam has 100 multiple-choice questions that test your theoretical knowledge, whereas the practical exam requires you to physically demonstrate your skills by performing services on mannequins under timed conditions.

You must pass the written examination before you can sit for the practical examination. This order ensures you have the theoretical knowledge foundation before demonstrating practical skills.

• Written exam format:

The written examination is a closed-book, computer-based test administered at PSI testing centers throughout Texas or via remote online proctoring. The test will take 130 minutes total to complete the questions at your own pace.

• Practical exam format:

The practical examination requires hands-on demonstration of your actual skills. You must bring all your own supplies and perform real services on mannequins. The practical test is 3 hours and 31 minutes with specific time ranges for each service.

Here are the services you’ll be asked to complete:

• Nail services (monomer and polymer over tip)

• Blood exposure incident response

• Facial with massage manipulations

• Soft wax application

• Layered haircut using both razor and shears

• Permanent wave rod wrapping

• Blow drying and thermal curling

• Chemical services

You will be scored by evaluators based on how you follow proper procedures in the correct order and maintain safety and sanitation throughout each service. You can check the PSI bulletin for a full list of how the practical test will flow (page 18).

How much is the cosmetology practical exam in Texas?

The cosmetology practical exam in Texas costs $76, and the written exam costs $55, for a total of $131 in examination fees. These fees are paid directly to PSI and are non-refundable and non-transferable. You will spend a total of $181, which includes your license application to TDLR to be able to sit for the exam:

• Written exam: $55

• Practical exam: $76

• License application to TDLR: $50

Please note that this doesn’t include your beauty school tuition or the cost of supplies you’ll need for the practical exam.

Other important factors to note:

• Retake costs: If you fail an exam and need to retake it, you must pay the full examination fee again for each additional attempt.

• Non-refundable fees: Your examination and application fees are non-refundable. You will have to forfeit your exam fee if you…

  • Don’t reschedule at least 2 days before your scheduled appointment

  • Don’t appear for your examination

  • Arrive after the examination start time

  • Don’t present proper identification

  • Aren’t dressed appropriately for the practical exam (closed-toe shoes are required)

  • Don’t test within 1 year of the date PSI receives your payment

How long does it take to get your cosmetology license in the state of Texas?

After passing the written and practical cosmetology exam and submitting your $50 license application fee to TDLR, you should receive your two-year cosmetology license in the mail within a few weeks. You may be eligible for a temporary 21-day license immediately after passing the practical exam.

If you’re a planner, here’s a timeline breakdown of how long it can take to get your cosmetology license:

• School (~40 weeks): If you stay on the daytime class track, you can complete your required 1,000 hours of an accredited cosmetology curriculum in approximately 40 weeks (or 8–10 months). However, Houston Training Schools does offer flexible scheduling to help students finish their program in their own time.

• Exams: The approval process after submitting your license application can take up to a few weeks. While this might seem like a lot, it can be a great period for dedicated studying! Once you’re notified that you’re eligible, you can schedule your exam on the PSI website.

• Getting your license: After passing the practical exam, the temporary license is valid for 21 days while TDLR processes and mails your permanent two-year license (which can take up to a few weeks to arrive). Most students are fully licensed within one year of starting their program.

Can I take my cosmetology program online?

Some students wonder about taking cosmetology classes online to speed up the process. However, Texas requires you to complete your 1,000 hours in person at an accredited school, and you can only complete a maximum of 250 hours through online theory coursework. More importantly, you won’t get the hands-on learning experience needed to pass the practical exam and succeed in your career, so in-person training at a quality school like Houston Training Schools is strongly recommended.

Be confident and prepared for your cosmetology exam with Houston Training Schools

Okay, we just threw a lot of information at you, but luckily, you don’t have to memorize all of this information now. Once you’re ready to take your cosmetology exam, your instructors will ensure you are set up for success.

Whether you’re currently enrolled in a program or researching schools, choosing a quality cosmetology school in Houston that emphasizes comprehensive training, hands-on experience, and exam preparation makes all the difference. At Houston Training Schools, our mission is not only to prepare our students for their cosmetology exam, but to prepare them for their future. Because we prioritize diverse hair education and offer bilingual classes in English and Spanish, our students graduate with the ability to cater to a wide variety of clientele wherever they work.

Ready for your cosmetology license? The first step starts with the right education. Apply online today to enroll in our cosmetology program.

More Helpful Articles by Houston Training Schools:

• 6 Reasons to Enroll in Cosmetology Schools in Houston

• Best Houston Barber School: Why Choose Houston Training Schools

• Cosmetology Education: Beauty School vs. College

• Answering Cosmetology Schools in Houston FAQs

• What Is the Difference Between Barbering and Cosmetology?

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