TEXAS COSMETOLOGY LICENSE EXAM 2026 |
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE | VERIFIED
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & DETAILED
RATIONALES | PSI EXAM PREP
1. Which state agency regulates cosmetology in Texas?
A) Texas Department of Health B) Texas Medical Board C) Texas Board of Cosmetology D)
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
RATIONALE: TDLR took over regulation of cosmetology from the Texas Cosmetology
Commission. It oversees licensing, inspections, and enforcement of cosmetology laws in Texas.
2. How many hours of training are required to obtain a Texas Cosmetologist operator
license?
A) 1,000 hours B) 1,200 hours C) 2,000 hours D) 1,500 hours
RATIONALE: Texas requires 1,500 hours of training at a licensed cosmetology school to be
eligible to sit for the operator license exam.
3. How often must a Texas cosmetology license be renewed?
A) Every year B) Every three years C) Every five years D) Every two years
RATIONALE: Texas cosmetology licenses are renewed on a biennial (every two years) basis.
License holders must meet continuing education requirements for renewal.
4. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a Texas cosmetology operator license?
A) 16 years old B) 18 years old C) 21 years old D) 17 years old
RATIONALE: In Texas, an applicant must be at least 17 years of age to qualify for a
cosmetologist operator license, though students can begin training earlier.
5. A cosmetologist is caught practicing on an expired license. What is the most likely
consequence?
A) Verbal warning only B) Mandatory retraining C) Automatic criminal charges D) Civil
penalty or fine
,RATIONALE: Practicing on an expired license in Texas can result in civil penalties including
fines issued by TDLR. Repeat offenses can escalate to more serious disciplinary action.
6. Which of the following is required to be posted in every Texas cosmetology salon?
A) Employee wage schedules B) Emergency evacuation plans only C) OSHA safety manual
D) The establishment license and each operator's license
RATIONALE: Texas law requires that the salon establishment license and the individual
cosmetologist licenses be conspicuously posted and visible to clients at all times.
7. A Texas cosmetology school must maintain student records for a minimum of how long?
A) 1 year B) 3 years C) 10 years D) 5 years
RATIONALE: Texas regulations require cosmetology schools to retain student records,
including hours and grades, for a minimum of five years to ensure verifiable training
documentation.
8. Which of the following services CANNOT be performed in a Texas licensed cosmetology
salon?
A) Hair coloring B) Eyebrow threading C) Scalp treatments D) Medical-grade chemical
peels
RATIONALE: Medical-grade chemical peels are considered a medical procedure and can
only be performed under the supervision of a licensed medical professional. They exceed the
scope of cosmetology practice in Texas.
9. What is the purpose of TDLR conducting salon inspections?
A) To collect tax revenue B) To promote product sales C) To certify continuing education credits
D) To ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation standards
RATIONALE: TDLR inspections are conducted to verify that salons comply with Texas
health, safety, and sanitation laws, protecting both clients and practitioners from harm.
,10. Under Texas law, which of the following is considered an unlawful discriminatory
practice in a salon?
A) Charging different prices for long vs. short hair B) Requiring appointments for all services C)
Offering senior citizen discounts D) Refusing service based on race, color, or national
origin
RATIONALE: Texas and federal anti-discrimination laws prohibit businesses, including
cosmetology salons, from refusing service based on protected characteristics such as race, color,
or national origin.
11. A cosmetologist wishes to operate their own salon. What must they obtain in addition to
their operator license?
A) A master cosmetologist certificate B) A health department permit only C) A business degree
D) A cosmetology establishment license from TDLR
RATIONALE: Anyone opening a cosmetology salon in Texas must obtain a separate
cosmetology establishment license from TDLR, in addition to holding a personal operator
license.
12. Which of the following actions could result in license revocation in Texas?
A) Changing salon locations B) Taking continuing education late C) Working part-time instead
of full-time D) Fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining a license
RATIONALE: Fraud or misrepresentation when applying for a cosmetology license is a
serious violation under Texas law and can result in license revocation, fines, and potential
criminal charges.
13. How many continuing education hours does a Texas cosmetologist need for license
renewal?
A) 8 hours B) No CE is required C) 4 hours (no specification) D) 4 hours (including 1 hour
of Texas laws and rules)
RATIONALE: Texas cosmetologists must complete 4 hours of continuing education per
renewal cycle, including at least 1 hour specifically covering Texas laws and rules related to
cosmetology.
, 14. Under Texas law, what must a salon do before a licensee can legally perform services?
A) File a tax return B) Purchase professional liability insurance C) Register with the Better
Business Bureau D) Ensure the salon holds a valid establishment license
RATIONALE: A salon must hold a current, valid establishment license issued by TDLR
before any cosmetology services can legally be performed on the premises.
15. A student cosmetologist in Texas may perform services on the public only:
A) After 500 hours of training B) At any time with instructor supervision C) After passing the
written exam D) Under the direct supervision of a licensed instructor in a school setting
RATIONALE: Student cosmetologists may only perform services on the public in a licensed
school clinic setting and must be under the direct supervision of a licensed cosmetology
instructor at all times.
16. What is the Texas law regarding chemical relaxer services on minors under 14?
A) No restrictions apply B) A doctor's note is required C) The service is completely prohibited
D) Written parental or guardian consent is required
RATIONALE: Texas cosmetology rules require written consent from a parent or legal
guardian before performing chemical services, including relaxers, on clients under the age of 14.
17. Which document must be completed before performing a chemical service in Texas?
A) OSHA incident report B) Tax identification form C) TDLR chemical notification form D)
Client consultation and release record
RATIONALE: A thorough client consultation and release record must be completed before
chemical services to document allergies, contraindications, and informed consent.
18. TDLR has the authority to issue which of the following penalties?
A) Jail sentences B) License suspensions only C) Mandatory community service D) Fines,
license suspension, and license revocation
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE | VERIFIED
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & DETAILED
RATIONALES | PSI EXAM PREP
1. Which state agency regulates cosmetology in Texas?
A) Texas Department of Health B) Texas Medical Board C) Texas Board of Cosmetology D)
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
RATIONALE: TDLR took over regulation of cosmetology from the Texas Cosmetology
Commission. It oversees licensing, inspections, and enforcement of cosmetology laws in Texas.
2. How many hours of training are required to obtain a Texas Cosmetologist operator
license?
A) 1,000 hours B) 1,200 hours C) 2,000 hours D) 1,500 hours
RATIONALE: Texas requires 1,500 hours of training at a licensed cosmetology school to be
eligible to sit for the operator license exam.
3. How often must a Texas cosmetology license be renewed?
A) Every year B) Every three years C) Every five years D) Every two years
RATIONALE: Texas cosmetology licenses are renewed on a biennial (every two years) basis.
License holders must meet continuing education requirements for renewal.
4. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a Texas cosmetology operator license?
A) 16 years old B) 18 years old C) 21 years old D) 17 years old
RATIONALE: In Texas, an applicant must be at least 17 years of age to qualify for a
cosmetologist operator license, though students can begin training earlier.
5. A cosmetologist is caught practicing on an expired license. What is the most likely
consequence?
A) Verbal warning only B) Mandatory retraining C) Automatic criminal charges D) Civil
penalty or fine
,RATIONALE: Practicing on an expired license in Texas can result in civil penalties including
fines issued by TDLR. Repeat offenses can escalate to more serious disciplinary action.
6. Which of the following is required to be posted in every Texas cosmetology salon?
A) Employee wage schedules B) Emergency evacuation plans only C) OSHA safety manual
D) The establishment license and each operator's license
RATIONALE: Texas law requires that the salon establishment license and the individual
cosmetologist licenses be conspicuously posted and visible to clients at all times.
7. A Texas cosmetology school must maintain student records for a minimum of how long?
A) 1 year B) 3 years C) 10 years D) 5 years
RATIONALE: Texas regulations require cosmetology schools to retain student records,
including hours and grades, for a minimum of five years to ensure verifiable training
documentation.
8. Which of the following services CANNOT be performed in a Texas licensed cosmetology
salon?
A) Hair coloring B) Eyebrow threading C) Scalp treatments D) Medical-grade chemical
peels
RATIONALE: Medical-grade chemical peels are considered a medical procedure and can
only be performed under the supervision of a licensed medical professional. They exceed the
scope of cosmetology practice in Texas.
9. What is the purpose of TDLR conducting salon inspections?
A) To collect tax revenue B) To promote product sales C) To certify continuing education credits
D) To ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation standards
RATIONALE: TDLR inspections are conducted to verify that salons comply with Texas
health, safety, and sanitation laws, protecting both clients and practitioners from harm.
,10. Under Texas law, which of the following is considered an unlawful discriminatory
practice in a salon?
A) Charging different prices for long vs. short hair B) Requiring appointments for all services C)
Offering senior citizen discounts D) Refusing service based on race, color, or national
origin
RATIONALE: Texas and federal anti-discrimination laws prohibit businesses, including
cosmetology salons, from refusing service based on protected characteristics such as race, color,
or national origin.
11. A cosmetologist wishes to operate their own salon. What must they obtain in addition to
their operator license?
A) A master cosmetologist certificate B) A health department permit only C) A business degree
D) A cosmetology establishment license from TDLR
RATIONALE: Anyone opening a cosmetology salon in Texas must obtain a separate
cosmetology establishment license from TDLR, in addition to holding a personal operator
license.
12. Which of the following actions could result in license revocation in Texas?
A) Changing salon locations B) Taking continuing education late C) Working part-time instead
of full-time D) Fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining a license
RATIONALE: Fraud or misrepresentation when applying for a cosmetology license is a
serious violation under Texas law and can result in license revocation, fines, and potential
criminal charges.
13. How many continuing education hours does a Texas cosmetologist need for license
renewal?
A) 8 hours B) No CE is required C) 4 hours (no specification) D) 4 hours (including 1 hour
of Texas laws and rules)
RATIONALE: Texas cosmetologists must complete 4 hours of continuing education per
renewal cycle, including at least 1 hour specifically covering Texas laws and rules related to
cosmetology.
, 14. Under Texas law, what must a salon do before a licensee can legally perform services?
A) File a tax return B) Purchase professional liability insurance C) Register with the Better
Business Bureau D) Ensure the salon holds a valid establishment license
RATIONALE: A salon must hold a current, valid establishment license issued by TDLR
before any cosmetology services can legally be performed on the premises.
15. A student cosmetologist in Texas may perform services on the public only:
A) After 500 hours of training B) At any time with instructor supervision C) After passing the
written exam D) Under the direct supervision of a licensed instructor in a school setting
RATIONALE: Student cosmetologists may only perform services on the public in a licensed
school clinic setting and must be under the direct supervision of a licensed cosmetology
instructor at all times.
16. What is the Texas law regarding chemical relaxer services on minors under 14?
A) No restrictions apply B) A doctor's note is required C) The service is completely prohibited
D) Written parental or guardian consent is required
RATIONALE: Texas cosmetology rules require written consent from a parent or legal
guardian before performing chemical services, including relaxers, on clients under the age of 14.
17. Which document must be completed before performing a chemical service in Texas?
A) OSHA incident report B) Tax identification form C) TDLR chemical notification form D)
Client consultation and release record
RATIONALE: A thorough client consultation and release record must be completed before
chemical services to document allergies, contraindications, and informed consent.
18. TDLR has the authority to issue which of the following penalties?
A) Jail sentences B) License suspensions only C) Mandatory community service D) Fines,
license suspension, and license revocation
