How to Get Your Texas Cosmetology, Nail, Esthetician, or Eyelash License After Beauty School

Completing beauty school is a major accomplishment, but graduation is not the final step toward becoming a licensed beauty professional in Texas.

After completing your required training, you must become eligible for your state examinations, pass the required exams, and apply for your license through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, commonly known as TDLR.

The process may seem confusing at first, so we created this step-by-step guide to help Beauty Models School students understand what generally happens after beauty school.

Step 1: Complete the Required Training Hours

The number of hours you must complete depends on your chosen program and license type.

Texas currently requires:

• Cosmetology Operator: 1,000 hours

• Manicurist: 600 hours

• Esthetician: 750 hours

• Manicurist/Esthetician: 800 hours when completed as an approved combined program

• Eyelash Extension Specialist: 320 hours

Students must complete their required hours and other program requirements through a properly licensed school before qualifying for their applicable licensing examinations.

Cosmetology students may become eligible for the written examination after completing 900 of their required 1,000 hours. However, they must complete the entire program and pass the written examination before becoming eligible for the practical examination.

Students in the manicurist, esthetician, combined manicurist/esthetician, and eyelash extension programs generally become eligible for their written and practical examinations after completing all required training.

Step 2: Make Sure Your Personal Information Is Correct

Before completing school, verify that your school records contain your correct:

• Legal name

• Date of birth

• Mailing address

• Email address

• Telephone number

• Student permit information

Your name should match the identification documents you intend to present on examination day.

Incorrect or outdated information could delay your examination eligibility or prevent you from receiving important messages.

Inform the school office as soon as possible if your legal name, address, email, or telephone number changes.

Step 3: Wait for Your Examination Eligibility

After your qualifying hours have been reported, TDLR must process the information and send your examination eligibility to PSI, the company that administers Texas barbering and cosmetology licensing examinations.

TDLR advises students to allow approximately 24 to 48 hours after their hours have been reported for eligibility to be generated and received by PSI.

PSI should then send an eligibility email containing instructions for registering and scheduling the required examination.

Check your inbox, spam folder, and junk-mail folder regularly. The email will be sent to the address associated with your student information.

If you do not receive an email after a reasonable amount of time, confirm that:

1. Your required hours were properly completed and reported.

2. Your email address is correct.

3. The message was not sent to your spam or junk folder.

4. Your eligibility appears in TDLR’s Barber and Cosmetology Exam Data Search.

   
   

Step 4: Read the Candidate Information Bulletin

Do not schedule your examination without first reviewing the current Candidate Information Bulletin for your license type.

The bulletin contains important information such as:

• Examination fees

• Subjects covered

• Number of questions

• Time allowed

• Required passing score

• Testing locations

• Scheduling and cancellation procedures

• Identification requirements

• Practical examination supplies

• Prohibited items

• Instructions for examination day

Requirements are not necessarily the same for cosmetology, manicuring, esthetics, eyelash extensions, and combined licenses. Be sure you are reading the bulletin for the exact examination you need.

TDLR currently provides Candidate Information Bulletins for several examinations and languages. Available languages vary depending on the examination type.

Step 5: Schedule Your Written and Practical Examinations

Texas applicants in the programs offered by Beauty Models School must generally pass both a written examination and a practical examination.

The written examination

The written examination tests your knowledge of subjects such as:

• Health and safety

• Sanitation and disinfection

• Infection control

• Texas laws and rules

• Proper procedures

• Client protection

• Services included within your license type

Study your course materials, class notes, sanitation procedures, and the topics listed in your Candidate Information Bulletin.

The practical examination

The practical examination evaluates your ability to safely and correctly perform required procedures.

Depending on your license type, you may be asked to demonstrate skills involving:

• Preparing and disinfecting your work area

• Protecting the client

• Following proper sanitation procedures

• Organizing and labeling supplies

• Performing required technical services

• Handling contaminated materials

• Cleaning the work area after a service

The exact procedures and required supplies depend on the examination. Follow the current Candidate Information Bulletin rather than relying only on an old supply list or another student’s experience.

Step 6: Prepare Your Examination Kit Early

Do not wait until the night before your practical examination to prepare your kit.

Use the official supply list and carefully check every item. Supplies may need to be placed in sealed bags or containers and labeled exactly as directed.

Before leaving for the examination, confirm that you have:

• Acceptable identification

• Your examination confirmation

• All required supplies

• Correctly labeled containers and bags

• Mannequins or other permitted materials, when required

• Appropriate clothing or protective equipment

• Directions to the testing location

• Enough travel time to arrive early

Failure to bring proper identification or required supplies may prevent you from taking the examination.

Step 7: Pass the Required Examinations

TDLR currently requires a score of 70% or better to pass an examination.

Your written examination result is generally provided at the testing center after you finish. Practical examination results are handled according to the procedures explained by PSI and TDLR.

Do not become discouraged if you do not pass on your first attempt. Review your score report, identify the areas that need improvement, study those subjects, and follow PSI’s instructions for scheduling another attempt.

Passing the examination requires more than memorizing answers. Students should understand sanitation, safety, procedures, and the responsibilities of a licensed professional.

Step 8: Apply for Your TDLR License

Passing your examinations does not automatically mean that your physical license has been issued.

After passing both required examinations, you must complete the applicable license application through TDLR and pay the required fee.

TDLR currently lists a $50 nonrefundable application fee for the Cosmetology Operator, Manicurist, Esthetician, Manicurist/Esthetician, and Eyelash Extension Specialist licenses.

Applicants must generally be at least 17 years old. These licenses are normally valid for two years from their issue date.

Online applications are recommended when available because they are transmitted directly to TDLR for processing.

Before submitting your application, verify that all information is accurate. Errors involving your name, birth date, mailing address, or examination records could delay processing.

Step 9: Wait Until Your License Is Active

Passing an examination is not the same as having an active license.

Before providing regulated services professionally, confirm that TDLR has issued your license and that its status is active. You can check your license information through TDLR’s online license search.

You should also understand the scope of practice for your license. A license only authorizes you to perform the services permitted for that specific license type.

For example, an Eyelash Extension Specialist license does not authorize the holder to perform unrelated cosmetology, nail, or esthetician services.

Common Mistakes That Can Delay the Process

Students can avoid many licensing problems by watching for these common mistakes:

Using a different name on identification

Your identification and examination records should match. Address legal name discrepancies before examination day.

Ignoring emails from PSI

Check your inbox and spam folder frequently after completing your qualifying hours.

Studying from outdated information

Examination procedures, fees, and supply requirements may change. Always use the current Candidate Information Bulletin.

Bringing an incomplete practical kit

Prepare your kit early and compare every item against the official list.

Arriving late

Testing centers have strict admission procedures. Plan to arrive early and allow extra travel time.

Assuming the license is automatic

You must still complete the appropriate TDLR license application after passing your examinations.

Performing services before the license is active

Complete the licensing process and confirm your active status before performing services that require a Texas license.

After You Receive Your License

Receiving your license is the beginning of your professional career.

New license holders should:

• Keep their mailing and email addresses updated with TDLR.

• Display their license when required.

• Follow all sanitation and safety requirements.

• Work only within their authorized scope of practice.

• Keep track of their expiration date.

• Complete required continuing education before renewal.

• Maintain professional records and client information.

• Continue improving their technical and business skills.

Texas license holders generally must complete four hours of department-approved continuing education during each two-year renewal period, unless an exemption applies.

Start Your Beauty Career at Beauty Models School

Beauty Models School has helped students prepare for careers in the beauty industry for more than 20 years.

We offer training in:

• Cosmetology

• Manicuring

• Esthetics

• Manicurist and Esthetician

• Eyelash Extensions

Full-time and part-time schedules are available to help students work toward their education while balancing other responsibilities.

To learn more, schedule a tour or contact Beauty Models School:

Beauty Models School

919 W. Pioneer Parkway

Arlington, Texas 76013

Phone: 817-801-3286

Your future in the beauty industry begins with training, preparation, and a commitment to completing every step of the licensing process.

Licensing rules, fees, examination procedures, and eligibility requirements may change. This article is intended to provide general information and does not replace instructions from TDLR or PSI. Students should always review the current TDLR website and the Candidate Information Bulletin for their specific license type.