TEXAS STATE BOARD EXAM 2026 | Questions and Answers
2026/2027 | Verified Edition | Professional Licensure Prep |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Texas State Board Laws & Regulations (TDLR) (Questions 1-30)
Q1: A cosmetology salon in Houston is applying for an initial license before opening to
the public. According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR),
how many days before the planned opening date must the establishment application be
submitted?
A. 10 days
B. 30 days [CORRECT]
C. 60 days
D. 90 days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §83.120(a), an application for an
initial cosmetology salon license must be submitted to the department at least 30 days
prior to the planned opening date of the salon. Options A, C, and D do not align with the
statutory 30-day requirement.
Q2: A licensee fails to renew their cosmetology operator license by the expiration date.
According to TDLR rules, for how long after the expiration date can the license be
renewed without having to retake the examination?
A. 30 days
B. 90 days
C. 18 months [CORRECT]
D. 3 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: TAC §83.40(c) states that a license may be renewed within 18 months after
the expiration date without the requirement to re-examine, provided the renewal fee and
a late fee are paid. After 18 months, the license is expired and the individual must
reapply and retest.
Q3: An inspector visits a nail salon and finds that the salon's license is not publicly
displayed. Which section of the Texas Administrative Code has been violated?
A. §83.20
B. §83.71
C. §83.120 [CORRECT]
D. §83.100
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: TAC §83.120(b) requires that a current establishment license must be
displayed in a conspicuous place in the salon at all times. §83.20 covers individual
licensing, §83.71 defines barber scope, and §83.100 covers sanitation.
Q4: A manicurist who holds a Texas license wants to move to Louisiana and work there.
What must the manicurist provide to TDLR to obtain a certification of licensure for
reciprocity?
A. Proof of 10 years of continuous salon employment
B. A notarized letter from their salon owner
C. A written request and the required fee [CORRECT]
D. Proof of completion of an additional 500-hour advanced nail course
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under TAC §83.22, a licensee requesting a certification of licensure to be
sent to another state for reciprocity purposes must submit a written request along with
the required fee to the department. Extensive employment proof or additional hours are
not statutory requirements for a basic certification request.
Q5: What is the maximum administrative penalty that TDLR can assess against a
cosmetology salon for a single violation of the Texas Occupations Code or TAC rules?
A. $500 per violation
B. $1,000 per violation
C. $5,000 per violation [CORRECT]
D. $10,000 per violation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §160.201 and TAC §82.40 establish that the
maximum administrative penalty for a single violation of the Cosmetology Act or TDLR
rules is $5,000. Options A, B, and D underestimate the statutory maximum fine limits.
Q6: A student completes 1,000 hours of training at a licensed cosmetology school in
Texas but does not take the state board exam. Can this student legally shampoo hair in
a licensed salon?
A. Yes, because they completed the required educational hours
B. No, because a license is required to perform any cosmetology service for
compensation [CORRECT]
C. Yes, if they work under the direct supervision of a licensed instructor
D. No, because shampooing is considered a specialized service requiring a separate
shampoo license
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §1602.002 prohibits any person from practicing
cosmetology for compensation without holding a valid license. Completing educational
,hours does not grant the legal right to perform services; passing the examination and
obtaining the license is mandatory.
Q7: A salon owner is found guilty of allowing an unlicensed individual to perform
chemical hair relaxing services. Under the Texas Occupations Code, this specific act is
classified as what?
A. A misdemeanor punishable by fine only
B. A state jail felony [CORRECT]
C. A Class C misdemeanor
D. A civil infraction with no criminal liability
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §1602.102(a) classifies the practice of cosmetology
without a valid license, or aiding and abetting an unlicensed person to practice, as a
state jail felony when it involves the use of certain chemicals (like chemical hair
straightening/relaxing) or if the person has prior convictions. General unlicensed
practice without these aggravating factors is a Class A misdemeanor, making B the
most accurate for chemical services.
Q8: How often must a licensed cosmetologist in Texas complete continuing education
(CE) to renew their license?
A. Every year
B. Every two years [CORRECT]
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: TAC §83.41(a) mandates that licensees must complete the required hours of
continuing education (4 hours for operators, including 1 hour of sanitation) prior to each
biennial (two-year) renewal period.
Q9: Which of the following services is explicitly OUTSIDE the scope of practice for a
licensed esthetician in Texas, regardless of additional training?
A. Applying chemical peels with a pH below 3.0
B. Extractions of comedones using gloved fingers or sterile tools
C. Cutting or trimming the hair on the scalp [CORRECT]
D. Applying eyelash extensions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: TAC §83.74 defines the scope of an esthetician as including the cleansing,
stimulating, manipulating, exfoliating, and beautifying of the skin of the human body, but
explicitly excludes cutting hair or treating the scalp. Eyelash extensions and certain
peels are permitted or regulated separately, but hair cutting is strictly reserved for
barbers and cosmetologists.
, Q10: An individual wants to open a specialty salon that ONLY offers hair braiding.
According to Texas law, is a salon license required?
A. Yes, all establishments offering hair services must hold a cosmetology salon license
B. No, hair braiding is completely exempt from all TDLR regulation
C. Yes, but a specialty hair braiding salon license is required, not a full cosmetology
license [CORRECT]
D. No, only the individual braider needs a license, but the building itself is exempt
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §1602.251 exempts hair braiding from individual
cosmetologist licensing requirements, but TAC §83.120 requires any establishment
offering hair braiding for compensation to obtain a specialty license known as a "Hair
Braiding Salon" license.
Q11: A TDLR inspector arrives at a salon, but the salon owner refuses to allow the
inspector to enter the premises. What is the consequence of this action?
A. The inspector must leave and return with a local police escort
B. The inspector may seek an administrative or judicial warrant to inspect the premises,
and the owner faces disciplinary action [CORRECT]
C. The inspector must immediately revoke the salon license on the spot
D. The inspector is only authorized to inspect the exterior of the building if entry is
refused
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §1602.302 gives TDLR representatives the right to
enter and inspect a licensed establishment at any reasonable time. Refusing entry does
not stop the inspection process but triggers the inspector's authority to obtain a warrant,
and the licensee violates §83.120 and faces penalties.
Q12: A licensee is convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude in a court of law.
According to TDLR rules, what is the likely consequence for their cosmetology license?
A. No action, as long as the felony was not related to the salon
B. Automatic and permanent revocation of the license without a hearing
C. Suspension or revocation of the license after an administrative review and hearing
[CORRECT]
D. A requirement to complete 50 hours of additional ethics continuing education
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §1602.303 states that a license may be revoked,
suspended, or denied for a conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral
turpitude. Due process requires a hearing before the State Office of Administrative
Hearings (SOAH) before permanent revocation can occur.
2026/2027 | Verified Edition | Professional Licensure Prep |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Texas State Board Laws & Regulations (TDLR) (Questions 1-30)
Q1: A cosmetology salon in Houston is applying for an initial license before opening to
the public. According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR),
how many days before the planned opening date must the establishment application be
submitted?
A. 10 days
B. 30 days [CORRECT]
C. 60 days
D. 90 days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §83.120(a), an application for an
initial cosmetology salon license must be submitted to the department at least 30 days
prior to the planned opening date of the salon. Options A, C, and D do not align with the
statutory 30-day requirement.
Q2: A licensee fails to renew their cosmetology operator license by the expiration date.
According to TDLR rules, for how long after the expiration date can the license be
renewed without having to retake the examination?
A. 30 days
B. 90 days
C. 18 months [CORRECT]
D. 3 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: TAC §83.40(c) states that a license may be renewed within 18 months after
the expiration date without the requirement to re-examine, provided the renewal fee and
a late fee are paid. After 18 months, the license is expired and the individual must
reapply and retest.
Q3: An inspector visits a nail salon and finds that the salon's license is not publicly
displayed. Which section of the Texas Administrative Code has been violated?
A. §83.20
B. §83.71
C. §83.120 [CORRECT]
D. §83.100
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: TAC §83.120(b) requires that a current establishment license must be
displayed in a conspicuous place in the salon at all times. §83.20 covers individual
licensing, §83.71 defines barber scope, and §83.100 covers sanitation.
Q4: A manicurist who holds a Texas license wants to move to Louisiana and work there.
What must the manicurist provide to TDLR to obtain a certification of licensure for
reciprocity?
A. Proof of 10 years of continuous salon employment
B. A notarized letter from their salon owner
C. A written request and the required fee [CORRECT]
D. Proof of completion of an additional 500-hour advanced nail course
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under TAC §83.22, a licensee requesting a certification of licensure to be
sent to another state for reciprocity purposes must submit a written request along with
the required fee to the department. Extensive employment proof or additional hours are
not statutory requirements for a basic certification request.
Q5: What is the maximum administrative penalty that TDLR can assess against a
cosmetology salon for a single violation of the Texas Occupations Code or TAC rules?
A. $500 per violation
B. $1,000 per violation
C. $5,000 per violation [CORRECT]
D. $10,000 per violation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §160.201 and TAC §82.40 establish that the
maximum administrative penalty for a single violation of the Cosmetology Act or TDLR
rules is $5,000. Options A, B, and D underestimate the statutory maximum fine limits.
Q6: A student completes 1,000 hours of training at a licensed cosmetology school in
Texas but does not take the state board exam. Can this student legally shampoo hair in
a licensed salon?
A. Yes, because they completed the required educational hours
B. No, because a license is required to perform any cosmetology service for
compensation [CORRECT]
C. Yes, if they work under the direct supervision of a licensed instructor
D. No, because shampooing is considered a specialized service requiring a separate
shampoo license
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §1602.002 prohibits any person from practicing
cosmetology for compensation without holding a valid license. Completing educational
,hours does not grant the legal right to perform services; passing the examination and
obtaining the license is mandatory.
Q7: A salon owner is found guilty of allowing an unlicensed individual to perform
chemical hair relaxing services. Under the Texas Occupations Code, this specific act is
classified as what?
A. A misdemeanor punishable by fine only
B. A state jail felony [CORRECT]
C. A Class C misdemeanor
D. A civil infraction with no criminal liability
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §1602.102(a) classifies the practice of cosmetology
without a valid license, or aiding and abetting an unlicensed person to practice, as a
state jail felony when it involves the use of certain chemicals (like chemical hair
straightening/relaxing) or if the person has prior convictions. General unlicensed
practice without these aggravating factors is a Class A misdemeanor, making B the
most accurate for chemical services.
Q8: How often must a licensed cosmetologist in Texas complete continuing education
(CE) to renew their license?
A. Every year
B. Every two years [CORRECT]
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: TAC §83.41(a) mandates that licensees must complete the required hours of
continuing education (4 hours for operators, including 1 hour of sanitation) prior to each
biennial (two-year) renewal period.
Q9: Which of the following services is explicitly OUTSIDE the scope of practice for a
licensed esthetician in Texas, regardless of additional training?
A. Applying chemical peels with a pH below 3.0
B. Extractions of comedones using gloved fingers or sterile tools
C. Cutting or trimming the hair on the scalp [CORRECT]
D. Applying eyelash extensions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: TAC §83.74 defines the scope of an esthetician as including the cleansing,
stimulating, manipulating, exfoliating, and beautifying of the skin of the human body, but
explicitly excludes cutting hair or treating the scalp. Eyelash extensions and certain
peels are permitted or regulated separately, but hair cutting is strictly reserved for
barbers and cosmetologists.
, Q10: An individual wants to open a specialty salon that ONLY offers hair braiding.
According to Texas law, is a salon license required?
A. Yes, all establishments offering hair services must hold a cosmetology salon license
B. No, hair braiding is completely exempt from all TDLR regulation
C. Yes, but a specialty hair braiding salon license is required, not a full cosmetology
license [CORRECT]
D. No, only the individual braider needs a license, but the building itself is exempt
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §1602.251 exempts hair braiding from individual
cosmetologist licensing requirements, but TAC §83.120 requires any establishment
offering hair braiding for compensation to obtain a specialty license known as a "Hair
Braiding Salon" license.
Q11: A TDLR inspector arrives at a salon, but the salon owner refuses to allow the
inspector to enter the premises. What is the consequence of this action?
A. The inspector must leave and return with a local police escort
B. The inspector may seek an administrative or judicial warrant to inspect the premises,
and the owner faces disciplinary action [CORRECT]
C. The inspector must immediately revoke the salon license on the spot
D. The inspector is only authorized to inspect the exterior of the building if entry is
refused
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §1602.302 gives TDLR representatives the right to
enter and inspect a licensed establishment at any reasonable time. Refusing entry does
not stop the inspection process but triggers the inspector's authority to obtain a warrant,
and the licensee violates §83.120 and faces penalties.
Q12: A licensee is convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude in a court of law.
According to TDLR rules, what is the likely consequence for their cosmetology license?
A. No action, as long as the felony was not related to the salon
B. Automatic and permanent revocation of the license without a hearing
C. Suspension or revocation of the license after an administrative review and hearing
[CORRECT]
D. A requirement to complete 50 hours of additional ethics continuing education
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §1602.303 states that a license may be revoked,
suspended, or denied for a conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral
turpitude. Due process requires a hearing before the State Office of Administrative
Hearings (SOAH) before permanent revocation can occur.
