Texas license lookup / Exam guides / Cosmetology operator
The Texas cosmetology operator exam
The cosmetology operator license takes two PSI exams: a closed-book written test and a hands-on practical on a mannequin. The practical is passed by nearly nine in ten candidates. The written is where half of them fall.
Based on PSI's candidate bulletin dated 1 January 2026 · Reviewed 9 October 2026
The exam at a glance
| Exam | Questions | Time | To pass | Fee | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written | 100 scored + 10 unscored | 120 min + 10 | 70% | $55 | Closed book |
| Practical | 13 sections, 119 points | 3 h 31 min | 84 points (70%) | $76 | Mannequin, own kit |
"+ N" is extra time or questions for unscored items, which PSI includes to trial new questions. Exam fees are paid to PSI, separately from TDLR's license application fee.
How many people pass
| Pass rate | Taken | Passed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written | 49.1% | 21,331 | 10,463 |
| Practical | 89.1% | 10,630 | 9,471 |
Fiscal year 2025 (September 2024 to August 2025). Counts are exams taken, not people, and exclude no-shows. Source: TDLR examination statistics.
What is on it: written exam (100 scored items)
| Topic | Items | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Hair and scalp care | 40 | 40% |
| Infection control | 28 | 28% |
| Licensing and regulation | 20 | 20% |
| Nail care | 6 | 6% |
| Skin care | 6 | 6% |
The practical, section by section
Sections are done in this order, each with its own time limit. Points are only awarded for steps done in the listed order.
| # | Section | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pre-exam set-up and disinfection | 10 min | 4 |
| 2 | Monomer and polymer over tip, one nail | 32 min | 14 |
| 3 | Blood exposure incident | 12 min | 11 |
| 4 | Facial with massage manipulations | 17 min | 19 |
| 5 | Soft wax, one eyebrow | 14 min | 13 |
| 6 | Haircut, layered | 42 min | 15 |
| 7 | Permanent wave, at least six rods | 22 min | 12 |
| 8 | Blow drying and thermal curling | 22 min | 12 |
| 9 | Mannequin preparation for foils and relaxer | 10 min | 5 |
| 10 | Foil highlights | Untimed | 2 |
| 11 | Hydroxide virgin relaxer | 10 min | 2 |
| 12 | Hydroxide relaxer retouch | 10 min | 7 |
| 13 | End of exam disinfection | 10 min | 3 |
| Total | 119 |
Where people lose points
Infection control and licensing rules make up 48 of the 100 written questions, almost as many as hair and scalp care. Candidates who study only technique tend to fail here: the two "rules" domains are memorization, and they are nearly half the test.
On the practical, 57 of the 119 points are safety points, not technique: disinfection, glove use, closed containers, draping. Tasks must be done in the listed order to score, and nothing can be fetched once you have signed in, so the kit check matters as much as the haircut.
Kit rules worth reading twice
- All procedures are on mannequins. Marks around the hairline, hands or fingers cost the points for that section.
- Some items must carry a label and others must not: labelling a comb or a towel can cost points, while products such as disinfectant and lotions must be labeled. Numbering items is not allowed.
- Only nail liquids marked "odorless" by the manufacturer, no aerosols, and closed-toe shoes.
Languages
The written exam is offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean and Simplified Chinese at no extra cost; choose the language when you schedule. PSI also publishes a Spanish-language bulletin.
Scheduling and exam day
- Eligibility first. TDLR reviews your application, then PSI emails you that you are eligible and how to book. You cannot book before that.
- Booking. Online through your PSI account, or by phone; your name must match your government ID exactly.
- On the day. PSI's TDLR bulletins ask you to arrive 30 minutes early with one valid government photo ID; late arrivals are turned away and lose the fee.
- Cancelling. Cancel or reschedule at least two days ahead through PSI, or the fee is forfeited.
- Results. Scores are given at the test center. PSI gives failing candidates a diagnostic report by topic, which is the best study guide for a retake.
Before and after the exam
- How to get a cosmetology license in Texas: hours, application and fees
- License statistics and renewal for this trade
- Renewal calculator for once you are licensed
- All exam guides and pass rates
For context: Texas has 177,997 active licenses of this type in the public TDLR file dated 20 September 2026.
Questions
How many questions are on the Texas cosmetology written exam?
100 scored questions plus 10 unscored ones, in 120 minutes plus 10. You need 70% to pass.
What is the pass rate for the Texas cosmetology exam?
In fiscal year 2025, 49% of written exams and 89% of practical exams taken were passed, according to TDLR.
Can I take the Texas cosmetology exam in Spanish?
Yes. The written exam is available in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean and Simplified Chinese at no extra cost.
Sources
PSI Services, candidate information bulletin dated 1 January 2026. Pass rates: TDLR examination statistics. Exam fees, formats and outlines change when PSI reissues a bulletin: the bulletin sent with your eligibility notice is the one that applies to you.
Independent site, not affiliated with TDLR or PSI. We do not sell courses or practice tests.
Cite this page
PermitPulled (2026). The Texas cosmetology operator exam. Retrieved from https://permitpulled.com/exams/cosmetology-operator-exam-texas
Figures compiled from the public TDLR license file and published under CC BY 4.0. Attribution required.