To get a Texas cosmetology license, you must finish 1,000 school hours, pass a written exam, pass a hands-on practical exam, and apply with the state. Estheticians need 750 hours and nail techs need 600 hours. A company called PSI runs both exams, and the license comes from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, also called TDLR. Exam and license fees add up to about $181. This guide walks you through every step in plain words.
Texas uses different names than many other states. Here is how they match the programs at Image Academy.
| Career | Texas license name | Hours needed | Image Academy program |
| Hair, skin, and nails | Cosmetology Operator | 1,000 | Cosmetology |
| Skin care | Esthetician | 750 | Esthetician |
| Nails | Manicurist | 600 | Nail Tech |
| Skin and nails | Esthetician plus Manicurist | 600 | Esthetician and Nail Tech |
Lash rules are different, so ask our team which license fits the lash track. Not sure which career to pick? Start with our program overview. You can also read our comparison of skin care and nail careers Esthetician Vs Nail Tech: Which Career Fits You Best?
The path is the same for every student. Follow the steps in order.
The order matters. The most common slip is waiting too long to apply for the license. That can delay your temporary license.
| Item | Who you pay | Cost |
| Written exam | PSI | About $55 |
| Practical exam | PSI | About $76 |
| License application | TDLR | About $50 |
| Total | About $181 |
If you do not pass one part, you pay the fee again to retake it. Fees can change, so confirm them on the TDLR cosmetology page before you pay. Want to see school costs too, not just exam fees? Read our beauty school cost guide.
The written exam is a computer test. You pick answers from a list of choices. It checks what you learned in class. Topics include Texas rules, safety, sanitation, and the services you practice in school, such as hair, skin, and nails. A passing score is about 70 percent. Check the PSI bulletin for the latest details.
Many students spend most of their time on hands-on skills and study theory less. A 2026 exam guide that used TDLR numbers reported that about 49 percent of cosmetology operator test takers passed the written exam in fiscal year 2025. About 89 percent passed the practical. Numbers change every year, so check TDLR for the newest. The lesson is simple. Give the written test real study time.
PSI offers written testing in many Texas cities, and Houston is one of them. Pick the site closest to you when you book.
You work on a mannequin, not a real person. You do timed services while an examiner watches and scores you with a pass or fail checklist. The esthetician practical runs around three hours, based on 2026 exam guides. The manicurist practical has several timed sections and takes about an hour and a half.
Sanitation is the top thing examiners watch. A clean station, clean hands, and safe handling of tools matter in every part of the test. A sanitation mistake can cause you to fail, even when your hair or nail work looks great. There is also a section on what to do if blood exposure happens. Practice it until it feels automatic.
PSI publishes a bulletin with the exact kit list. Always use the newest version. Common items include the ones below.
Your school kit may cover many of these items. Ask which ones you still need to buy. Pack everything neatly and label it the way PSI requires.
Not sure how to start? Try this plan. It works best when you begin a month before your test date.
The cosmetology practical covers more than one area, so practice all of them. Do not spend all your time on your favorite service. Time yourself on each one.
The esthetician practical takes longer, so build your stamina. Practice your skin care services from start to finish, with your station set up the way the examiner expects.
For the manicurist exam, check the mannequin hand rules and the product labels on your supplies. Small details can cost you points. Practice each timed section on its own, then together.
Examiners do not expect a perfect style. They want to see that you can work safely and follow the steps you were taught. In short, they watch for these things.
Notice that none of these are about being fancy. They are about habits. That is why regular practice at school matters so much.
It happens, and it is not the end of your career. You retake only the part you missed, and you pay that fee again. A Houston school’s exam FAQ says Texas does not set a limit on tries as long as you stay eligible. Ask your teacher what went wrong, fix it, and book again.
Your temporary license lets you start working right away. It lasts 21 days while TDLR mails your full license. Texas licenses last two years. To renew, you finish 4 hours of approved classes and pay about $50 to $53.
One more note. Based on 2026 guides, TDLR now asks new applicants to show proof of lawful U.S. presence. Check the TDLR site to see which papers count.
| Mistake | Simple fix |
| Waiting to apply for the license | Apply after the written exam notice and before you test |
| Skipping written exam study | Study a little every day |
| Using an old kit list | Check the newest PSI bulletin |
| Rushing sanitation | Practice each step until it is automatic |
| Using a marked mannequin | Bring a clean mannequin that follows PSI rules |
| Forgetting your ID | Pack it the night before |
Our programs are built to prepare you for the state exam. You learn from licensed instructors who guide you through each skill, one step at a time. You can meet the team on our about page and see what students create in our gallery.
You need 1,000 hours to earn the license. You can take the written exam after 900 hours.
For cosmetology, yes. You can take it after 900 hours. You must finish all 1,000 hours and pass the written exam before the practical exam.
About $181 in total. That is about $55 for the written exam, $76 for the practical, and $50 for the license application.
The written exam is harder for many people. The practical exam has a higher pass rate. Study both, and practice sanitation often.
Yes, if you applied on time. PSI can give you a temporary license that lasts 21 days.
Two years. You renew it with 4 hours of approved classes.
PSI has a Greater Houston testing site. Check PSI for the exact address and booking steps.
No. The practical exam is hands-on, and there is no fully online path to a Texas cosmetology license.
The exams feel much easier when you train with a plan. Book a tour at Image Academy or call (281) 692-4892 to talk about the program that fits you. We are at 14520 Memorial Dr #45, Houston, TX 77079. We are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
