To receive a cosmetology license in Texas or a license in one of the other beauty practitioner disciplines in this state you have to attend a licensed school and complete the minimum required training hours as specified by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) before you can take the exams.
Minimum Required Training Hours
- Cosmetology operator license: 1500 hours
- Barber (Class A): Cosmetology license + 300 hours at barber school
- Esthetician license: 750 hours
- Manicurist license: 600 hours
Examinations are already stressful, but a lack of information or misinformation only adds unnecessary stress. Therefore, we advise every applicant to read through examination information provided by the TDLR ahead of time and contact the Department if you have questions.
Contact Information Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Main Office – Austin
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
920 Colorado
Austin, Texas 78701
Mailing Address:
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
TDLR Cosmetology Program
P.O. Box 12088
Austin, Texas 78711
Telephone: (512) 463-6599
Toll-Free (in Texas): (800) 803-9202
Fax: (512) 463-9468
Relay Texas-TDD: (800) 735-2989
Satellite Office
San Antonio
321 Center Street, Room M104
San Antonio, Texas 78202
Fax: (210) 223-6604
Customer Service: CS.Cosmetologists@tdlr.texas.gov
Cosmetology License Renewal
In Texas, cosmetology licenses must be renewed every two years. The costs are $53 for the renewal. Currently, six (6) continuing education units (CEUs) are required for license renewal.
Out-of-state License
You may be eligible for a cosmetology license in Texas if your state’s examination and education requirements are substantially equivalent to Texas’. Your work experience from your state may also be credited toward the substantially equivalent requirement. The cost to transfer your license to Texas is $167.
1. States and Territories with Substantially Equivalent Requirements as Texas
If your state is listed for your current occupation below (section 1.) then you can apply using the reciprocity license application (TDLR Forms):
Texas Cosmetology Operator license: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Guam, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Texas Manicurist license: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kentucky, Nevada, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Washington.
Texas Esthetician license: Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, Tennessee.
2. States and Territories Which Require One Year of Experience to Be Eligible for a Texas License
If your state is listed for your current occupation below (section 2.)then you can apply using the reciprocity license application (TDLR Forms). Additionally, you need to provide proof for one year of experience in the letter of certification required from the state in which you are currently licensed (see #4 in the application instructions).
Texas Cosmetology: Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virgin Islands.
Texas Manicurist license: Alaska, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Texas Esthetician license: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah (Utah Master Esthetician requires 1-year experience), Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Note: Texas does not accept training by apprenticeship.
3. States and Territories Which Require Two Years of Experience to Be Eligible for a Texas License
If your state is listed for your current occupation below (section 3.) then you can apply using the reciprocity license application (TDLR Forms). Additionally, you need to provide proof for two years of experience by a letter of certification required from the state in which you are currently licensed (see #4 in the application instructions).
Texas Cosmetology: Florida, New York
Texas Manicurist license: Florida, New York
Texas Esthetician license: Florida, New York
Texas Cosmetology Instructor license: Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, New York
Note: Texas does not accept training by apprenticeship.
—
Disclaimer:We do not guarantee the accuracy of the above information. Ultimately the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation determines license requirements and will provide you with all needed information. We are not affiliated with the Department in any way. The information on this page was last updated on 9/23/2017.