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Texas Barber — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Class A Barber License

Individual practitioner license authorizing all barbering services. Teaching is a capacity of an appropriately licensed practitioner. The rule definition expressly excludes student permits. Separately named cosmetology and specialty professions are outside this Barber credential scope.

Licensing authority: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation · Application information

Renew after release or discharge from active duty
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Exam exception
No examination is imposed by the renewal provisions; the five-year previous-Texas-license military route separately carries §60.514’s express exemption.
Fee
Pay the normal renewal fee; qualifying active-duty lateness is exempt from increased penalties.
Military status
Held the license while serving on active duty; provide service documentation.
Timing
§1603.3004 requires renewal on application and payment not later than 90 days after release or discharge. §55.003 grants two additional years to satisfy renewal requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Class A Barber licensure for a licensed Cosmetology Operator

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and fee; the ordinary Class A Barber application fee is $50.
Application method
TDLR instructs these applicants to use the printable application by mail.
Background check
Pass the required criminal-history review; disclose convictions and guilty or no-contest pleas other than minor traffic violations as TDLR requires.
Exam eligibility period
The PSI bulletin states that examination eligibility is good for five years, with a separate fee for each attempt.
Exam sequence
Pass the written examination before the practical examination. Passage is a leaf requirement even if completed before the license application.
Existing license
Hold a current, active Cosmetology Operator license in good standing.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Training
Complete the 300-hour Class A Barber specialty-practice course before examination eligibility.
Conversion after successful completion of a criminal conviction provisional term
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Conduct
No new offense, conduct causing revocation of supervision or parole, or violation of practice laws or rules.
Issuance
§53.0211(e) requires issuance of the originally requested license on term expiration if the prohibited conduct did not occur.
Provisional status
Complete the twelve-month term.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New licensure after the late renewal deadline

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and fee; the ordinary Class A Barber application fee is $50.
Background check
Pass the required criminal-history review; disclose convictions and guilty or no-contest pleas other than minor traffic violations as TDLR requires.
Eligibility
Comply with original-license requirements and procedures.
Exam eligibility period
The PSI bulletin states that examination eligibility is good for five years, with a separate fee for each attempt.
Exam results
§60.31(h) requires retaking required licensing examinations and does not accept previous examination results.
Exam sequence
Pass the written examination before the practical examination. Passage is a leaf requirement even if completed before the license application.
Expired license
Beyond the applicable late-renewal deadline; after 18 months renewal requires director approval and remains available only before three years.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Renew an inactive Class A Barber license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Renew under §83.26 with the application and fee.
Continuing education
Continuing education is not required for inactive renewal.
Practice
No practice while inactive.
Status
License is already inactive.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Place the Class A Barber license on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed application and fee.
Practice
No barbering practice while inactive.
Timing
Apply no later than expiration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure while incarcerated after qualifying education

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and fee; the ordinary Class A Barber application fee is $50.
Background check
Pass the required criminal-history review; disclose convictions and guilty or no-contest pleas other than minor traffic violations as TDLR requires.
Criminal review
Statutory disqualifications and individualized criminal-history review continue to apply.
Discretion
TDLR may accept the application and issue before release under the statutory exception; otherwise issuance waits until release.
Education
§51.4014(a-1) permits issuance before release when the inmate is enrolled in or completed a §53.0211(b-1)(2) educational program offered by Windham School District or an institution of higher education.
Exam eligibility period
The PSI bulletin states that examination eligibility is good for five years, with a separate fee for each attempt.
Exam sequence
Pass the written examination before the practical examination. Passage is a leaf requirement even if completed before the license application.
Lower ranked rule
§60.40(d)(2) describes applications within 90 days of scheduled release for a former license holder or person completing a qualifying course. The May 27, 2025 statute additionally permits qualifying issuance before release.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Initial licensure by examination

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and fee; the ordinary Class A Barber application fee is $50.
Background check
Pass the required criminal-history review; disclose convictions and guilty or no-contest pleas other than minor traffic violations as TDLR requires.
Exam eligibility period
The PSI bulletin states that examination eligibility is good for five years, with a separate fee for each attempt.
Exam sequence
Pass the written examination before the practical examination. Passage is a leaf requirement even if completed before the license application.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Student permit
Texas school students receive student permits during training; these are expressly excluded from the rule definition of license.
Training
Complete the 1,000-hour Class A Barber course or equivalent credit hours at a licensed school; written eligibility begins after 900 hours and practical eligibility after all hours and written passage.
Late renewal: 90 days or less
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed renewal application and fee.
Background check
Renewal remains subject to applicable criminal-history review.
Continuing education
Complete four approved continuing-education hours, including one sanitation and one human-trafficking-prevention hour, during the two years before renewal; a practitioner licensed in Texas for at least 15 years needs only those two specified hours.
Expired period
90 days or less
Late fee
1.5 times the normal renewal fee
Practice
No practice during an expired or inactive period.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal: at least 18 months but less than three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed renewal application and fee.
Background check
Renewal remains subject to applicable criminal-history review.
Continuing education
Complete four approved continuing-education hours, including one sanitation and one human-trafficking-prevention hour, during the two years before renewal; a practitioner licensed in Texas for at least 15 years needs only those two specified hours.
Expired period
at least 18 months but less than three years
Late fee
twice the normal renewal fee, with executive-director approval
Practice
No practice during an expired or inactive period.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal: more than 90 days but less than 18 months
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed renewal application and fee.
Background check
Renewal remains subject to applicable criminal-history review.
Continuing education
Complete four approved continuing-education hours, including one sanitation and one human-trafficking-prevention hour, during the two years before renewal; a practitioner licensed in Texas for at least 15 years needs only those two specified hours.
Expired period
more than 90 days but less than 18 months
Late fee
twice the normal renewal fee
Practice
No practice during an expired or inactive period.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure using approved alternative demonstrations of competency

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and fee; the ordinary Class A Barber application fee is $50.
Background check
Pass the required criminal-history review; disclose convictions and guilty or no-contest pleas other than minor traffic violations as TDLR requires.
Discretion
TDLR may replace standard licensing examinations, education, or experience with any approved combination of education, continuing education, written or practical examinations, letters, work experience, or other methods. Whether this applicant must take either identified Texas licensing examination is an individual determination.
Documentation
Submit the license and supplemental applications, military status evidence, and the competency documents TDLR specifies.
Exam eligibility period
The PSI bulletin states that examination eligibility is good for five years, with a separate fee for each attempt.
Exam sequence
Pass the written examination before the practical examination. Passage is a leaf requirement even if completed before the license application.
Military status
Military service member, veteran, or spouse.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Unidentified assessment
A different unnamed assessment selected by TDLR remains an applicant condition, not an invented exam leaf.
Expedited alternative licensure after holding the Texas license within five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background check
Pass the required background check.
Documentation
Submit the prescribed application, military supplemental application, status evidence, and marital documentation for spouses.
Exam exception
§60.514(e) expressly excuses applicable licensing examinations.
Lower ranked board instruction
TDLR’s military-renewal page states: "If your license did not expire while you were on active duty, and your license is expired more than 3 years, you must meet the initial requirements for a new license, including taking any required examination(s)." Qualifying applicants receive the current §60.514 examination exemption.
Military status
Military service member, veteran, or spouse.
Previous license
Held the same Texas license within the five years preceding application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Expedited alternative licensure with a similar out of state license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background check
Pass the criminal-history background check.
Documentation
Submit the license and supplemental applications, status and spouse marital documents, the out-of-state license, and good-standing evidence.
Exam exception
§60.512(e) expressly excuses applicable licensing examinations.
Existing license
Hold a current, similar-scope out-of-state license in good standing under §55.0042; TDLR determines similarity.
Lower ranked board instruction
The TDLR military-transfer page states: "You may be required to successfully complete any exams that are part of the license requirements." The specific current §60.512(e) governs qualifying similar-scope applicants and excuses those examinations.
Military status
Military service member, veteran, or spouse.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure for a military spouse

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and fee; the ordinary Class A Barber application fee is $50.
Background check
Pass the required criminal-history review; disclose convictions and guilty or no-contest pleas other than minor traffic violations as TDLR requires.
Exam eligibility period
The PSI bulletin states that examination eligibility is good for five years, with a separate fee for each attempt.
Exam sequence
Pass the written examination before the practical examination. Passage is a leaf requirement even if completed before the license application.
Fee benefit
The application is expedited and state application and examination fees are waived under §55.009.
Military status
Spouse of an active-duty service member; provide military and marital documentation.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Training
Meet ordinary Texas training and eligibility requirements.
Initial licensure using military training or experience

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and fee; the ordinary Class A Barber application fee is $50.
Background check
Pass the required criminal-history review; disclose convictions and guilty or no-contest pleas other than minor traffic violations as TDLR requires.
Documentation
Submit the license and military supplemental applications, status documents, and evidence of relevant training or experience.
Exam eligibility period
The PSI bulletin states that examination eligibility is good for five years, with a separate fee for each attempt.
Exam sequence
Pass the written examination before the practical examination. Passage is a leaf requirement even if completed before the license application.
Fee benefit
State license application and examination fees are waived under §55.009.
Military status
Military service member or military veteran.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Training credit
Verified military service, training, or education is credited toward requirements other than examinations, limited to applicable duties and time under §§60.502 and 60.35.
Licensure without documentation of equivalent standards

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and fee; the ordinary Class A Barber application fee is $50.
Background check
Pass the required criminal-history review; disclose convictions and guilty or no-contest pleas other than minor traffic violations as TDLR requires.
Documents
Provide a certified transcript of hours and equivalent-standards documentation; territorial and foreign credentials require TDLR or certified-agency verification.
Equivalence deficiency
Cannot document equivalent licensing standards; §83.28(b) requires the applicable written and practical Texas examinations.
Exam eligibility period
The PSI bulletin states that examination eligibility is good for five years, with a separate fee for each attempt.
Exam sequence
Pass the written examination before the practical examination. Passage is a leaf requirement even if completed before the license application.
Existing license
Hold an active, valid license in good standing from another jurisdiction or foreign country with substantially equivalent barbering standards.
Foreign documents
Provide translations and credential evaluation as §60.30 and §83.28 require.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Other jurisdiction examinations
Examinations used to obtain the other jurisdiction license are applicant qualification evidence; another state or country examination is not a Texas leaf.
Training deficiency
Resolve any remaining training deficiency using §83.28(k).
Waiver
Any individual waiver granted by TDLR remains an applicant condition.
Work experience credit
Under §83.28(k), work in the jurisdiction of licensure may replace deficient training at 25 hours per month, up to 300 hours; otherwise complete the balance in an approved Texas school.
New licensure after revocation

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and fee; the ordinary Class A Barber application fee is $50.
Background check
Pass the required criminal-history review; disclose convictions and guilty or no-contest pleas other than minor traffic violations as TDLR requires.
Exam eligibility period
The PSI bulletin states that examination eligibility is good for five years, with a separate fee for each attempt.
Exam sequence
Pass the written examination before the practical examination. Passage is a leaf requirement even if completed before the license application.
Lower ranked rule
§60.36(b) also mentions insufficient-funds fees; the statutory §51.355(b) exception is specifically for administrative-penalty nonpayment.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Payment plan
For early eligibility on a payment plan, be current with timely payments during the preceding two months.
Revocation condition
Wait at least one year after revocation before applying for a new license.
New licensure after revocation

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and fee; the ordinary Class A Barber application fee is $50.
Background check
Pass the required criminal-history review; disclose convictions and guilty or no-contest pleas other than minor traffic violations as TDLR requires.
Exam eligibility period
The PSI bulletin states that examination eligibility is good for five years, with a separate fee for each attempt.
Exam sequence
Pass the written examination before the practical examination. Passage is a leaf requirement even if completed before the license application.
Lower ranked rule
§60.36(b) also mentions insufficient-funds fees; the statutory §51.355(b) exception is specifically for administrative-penalty nonpayment.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Payment plan
For early eligibility on a payment plan, be current with timely payments during the preceding two months.
Revocation condition
Revocation was solely for failure to pay an administrative penalty; pay in full or maintain a compliant payment plan to apply before the first anniversary.
Convert an eligible provisional substantial equivalence license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed application and substantial-equivalence and license fees.
Documents
Provide a certified transcript of hours and equivalent-standards documentation; territorial and foreign credentials require TDLR or certified-agency verification.
Existing license
Hold an active, valid license in good standing from another jurisdiction or foreign country with substantially equivalent barbering standards.
Foreign documents
Provide translations and credential evaluation as §60.30 and §83.28 require.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Other jurisdiction examinations
Examinations used to obtain the other jurisdiction license are applicant qualification evidence; another state or country examination is not a Texas leaf.
Provisional status
Hold the provisional license and establish eligibility under §1603.203(b)(1) and §83.28(i); this is the substantially equivalent eligibility branch, separate from the unresolved law-part examination branch.
Waiver
TDLR may waive any license requirement for substantially equivalent license holders.
Work experience credit
Under §83.28(k), work in the jurisdiction of licensure may replace deficient training at 25 hours per month, up to 300 hours; otherwise complete the balance in an approved Texas school.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Return an inactive license to active status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed application and fee.
Continuing education
Complete the continuing education otherwise required for the preceding active license period; these hours cannot be reused for a future renewal.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New licensure using qualifying prison training or work

All of the following:

Alternative qualification
TDLR may credit relevant prison education, training, or work toward eligibility; the provision does not identify a different Texas licensing examination.
Application
Submit the prescribed application and fee; the ordinary Class A Barber application fee is $50.
Background check
Pass the required criminal-history review; disclose convictions and guilty or no-contest pleas other than minor traffic violations as TDLR requires.
Conduct and training
Maintain good behavior and complete an acceptable reentry program or regularly perform work in the occupation while imprisoned.
Criminal eligibility
The specified serious, sexually violent, and Penal Code Chapter 21 or 43 offenses exclude applicants under §51.4041(a-1)(2).
Exam eligibility period
The PSI bulletin states that examination eligibility is good for five years, with a separate fee for each attempt.
Exam sequence
Pass the written examination before the practical examination. Passage is a leaf requirement even if completed before the license application.
Former license
Previously held the same license, revoked under §53.021(b).
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
New license for a former Texas licensee practicing elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Current practice
Currently licensed and in practice in that state for the two years immediately before application.
Exam exception
§51.401(e) and §60.31(i) expressly permit issuance without reexamination.
Fee
Pay twice the normal renewal fee.
Previous license
Previously held the Texas license and moved to another state.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial Class A Barber licensure after simultaneous training

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and fee; the ordinary Class A Barber application fee is $50.
Background check
Pass the required criminal-history review; disclose convictions and guilty or no-contest pleas other than minor traffic violations as TDLR requires.
Exam eligibility period
The PSI bulletin states that examination eligibility is good for five years, with a separate fee for each attempt.
Exam sequence
Pass the written examination before the practical examination. Passage is a leaf requirement even if completed before the license application.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Other profession
The separate Cosmetology Operator license and its examinations are outside this Barber survey.
Training
Complete the shared core and both specialty-practice curricula under §83.202(a)(1)–(3) when simultaneously enrolled in barber and cosmetology courses.
Licensure by substantial equivalence
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed application and substantial-equivalence and license fees.
Documents
Provide a certified transcript of hours and equivalent-standards documentation; territorial and foreign credentials require TDLR or certified-agency verification.
Existing license
Hold an active, valid license in good standing from another jurisdiction or foreign country with substantially equivalent barbering standards.
Foreign documents
Provide translations and credential evaluation as §60.30 and §83.28 require.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Other jurisdiction examinations
Examinations used to obtain the other jurisdiction license are applicant qualification evidence; another state or country examination is not a Texas leaf.
Waiver
TDLR may waive any license requirement for substantially equivalent license holders.
Work experience credit
Under §83.28(k), work in the jurisdiction of licensure may replace deficient training at 25 hours per month, up to 300 hours; otherwise complete the balance in an approved Texas school.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Timely renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed renewal application and fee.
Background check
Renewal remains subject to applicable criminal-history review.
Continuing education
Complete four approved continuing-education hours, including one sanitation and one human-trafficking-prevention hour, during the two years before renewal; a practitioner licensed in Texas for at least 15 years needs only those two specified hours.
Practice
No practice during an expired or inactive period.
Timing
Renew before the two-year license expiration date.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Emergency Class A Barber License

Discretionary emergency barber licensure during a declared disaster and recovery period, subject to program eligibility and the designated disaster area.

Licensing authority: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation · Application information

Emergency issuance using substantial equivalence eligibility
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Discretion
The executive director may issue the emergency license under §51.408(a)(1).
Duration
Expires on the stated date within 90 days unless the extended-disaster provision applies.
Eligibility
Meet the program’s equivalent-license eligibility under §1603.204 and §1603.2104.
Practice boundary
Practice only during a declared disaster and recovery period in the designated area.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Emergency issuance using ordinary examination eligibility

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and fee; the ordinary Class A Barber application fee is $50.
Background check
Pass the required criminal-history review; disclose convictions and guilty or no-contest pleas other than minor traffic violations as TDLR requires.
Discretion
Issuance is at the executive director’s discretion.
Duration
Expires on the director’s stated date, within 90 days unless the statutory extended-disaster provision applies.
Eligibility
Meet the barber program eligibility requirements under §51.408(a)(1); this route uses the ordinary examination qualifications.
Exam eligibility period
The PSI bulletin states that examination eligibility is good for five years, with a separate fee for each attempt.
Exam sequence
Pass the written examination before the practical examination. Passage is a leaf requirement even if completed before the license application.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Practice boundary
Practice only during the declared disaster and recovery period and in the designated disaster area.

Provisional Class A Barber License

Provisional barber licensure under substantial-equivalence, military, or qualifying criminal-conviction provisions; route conditions control eligibility and duration.

Licensing authority: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation · Application information

Provisional licensure for an otherwise qualified applicant with a prior conviction

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application and fee; the ordinary Class A Barber application fee is $50.
Background check
Pass the required criminal-history review; disclose convictions and guilty or no-contest pleas other than minor traffic violations as TDLR requires.
Criminal eligibility
Meet §53.0211 eligibility and exclusions; TDLR may issue the twelve-month provisional form to an otherwise qualified applicant with a prior conviction.
Education
Qualifying inmate or parole/mandatory-supervision applicants may be enrolled in or completed the specified Windham School District or higher-education program.
Exam eligibility period
The PSI bulletin states that examination eligibility is good for five years, with a separate fee for each attempt.
Exam sequence
Pass the written examination before the practical examination. Passage is a leaf requirement even if completed before the license application.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.
Revocation
A new offense, revocation of supervision, or violation of occupational law triggers statutory revocation and disqualification.
Supervision
Provide probation or parole department contact information when applicable.
Term
Twelve months; the term for an inmate begins on release.
Prompt provisional issuance for a military licensing or recognition applicant
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the qualifying license or recognition application and status documents. Provisional issuance is triggered by receipt of that application.
Duration
Expires on approval or denial of the underlying application, or the 180th day after provisional issuance, whichever occurs first.
Military status
Member, veteran, or spouse for licensing; member or spouse for recognition.
Underlying route
The eventual license or recognition carries its own eligibility and examination conditions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Class A Barber License

Temporary issuance after all initial-license requirements have been met; expires on receipt of the initial license or within 21 days, and is not renewable.

Licensing authority: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation · Application information

Temporary issuance after no examination initial qualifications
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the temporary application and initial-license application fees.
Duration
Expires on receipt of the initial license or within 21 days; not renewable.
Eligibility
Already meet all requirements of an examination-exempt substantial-equivalence route.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary issuance after initial examination qualifications

All of the following:

Application
Submit the temporary application and initial-license application fees.
Background check
Pass the required criminal-history review; disclose convictions and guilty or no-contest pleas other than minor traffic violations as TDLR requires.
Duration
Expires on receipt of the initial license or within 21 days; not renewable.
Eligibility
Already meet every initial examination-route requirement, including passage of both currently offered Texas licensing examinations.
Exam eligibility period
The PSI bulletin states that examination eligibility is good for five years, with a separate fee for each attempt.
Exam sequence
Pass the written examination before the practical examination. Passage is a leaf requirement even if completed before the license application.
Minimum age
At least 17 years old.

Texas Class A Barber Practical Examination

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Examination sources

Texas Class A Barber Written Examination

Examination outline
  • Licensing and Regulation
    • Health and Safety
    • Responsibilities of the Practitioner
  • Infection Control
    • Cleaning and Disinfecting of Implements, Equipment, and Work Environment
    • Sanitary and Safety Procedures
    • Pathogens and Bacteria
    • Hair, Skin, and Scalp Disorders
    • Exposure Incidents
  • Hair and Scalp Care
    • Chemical Processing and Procedures
    • Product Knowledge
    • Hair and Scalp Physiology
  • Haircutting and Hairstyling
    • Consultation and Analysis
    • Cutting Hair
    • Styling Hair
  • Haircoloring
    • Consultation and Analysis
    • Haircoloring Procedures
    • Haircoloring Products
  • Chemical Texture Services
    • Consultation and Analysis
    • Permanent Waving
    • Relaxing
    • Chemical Texture Products
  • Nail and Skin Care
    • Nail and Skin Physiology
    • Manicure
    • Facial Treatments
  • Shaving
    • Preparation
    • Shaving Areas
    • Techniques
    • Client Protection
    • Razor Safety
Examination sources