Texas Barber License: Requirements, Hours, Exams & Cost (2026 Guide)
A Texas barber license is issued through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) under the state's Barbering and Cosmetology program. For a new applicant pursuing the Class A Barber credential, the current path includes 1,000 hours of approved training, written and practical examinations, a state license application, and the required application fee.
This is an important area where older online guides can create confusion. Some search results still reference former training-hour requirements, but current TDLR materials list 1,000 hours for the Class A Barber curriculum. Applicants researching a barber license in Texas should rely on current TDLR requirements rather than outdated training information.
A new Class A Barber applicant in Texas generally completes a 1,000-hour course at a TDLR-licensed barbering or cosmetology school, becomes eligible for the written exam after 900 hours, completes all 1,000 hours, passes the written and practical exams, and then applies for the license. The TDLR application fee is $50, and the license is valid for two years.
Pass the Texas Barber Written and Practical Exams
A Class A Barber applicant must pass both a written examination and a practical examination. TDLR uses PSI as its third-party examination vendor.
The sequence matters. A student can become eligible for the written exam after completing 900 of the 1,000 required training hours. After the school reports eligibility and TDLR verifies it, PSI provides scheduling information.
Practical-exam eligibility comes later. The applicant must complete the full Class A Barber course and pass the written examination before becoming eligible for the practical examination. TDLR notes that examination eligibility can take approximately 24 to 48 hours to generate after the appropriate training hours have been reported and transmitted to PSI.
Texas Barber Exam Pass Rates: The Written Test Is the Bigger Hurdle
TDLR's Fiscal Year 2025 examination data shows a substantial difference between the Class A Barber written and practical exams. Of 8,457 written examinations, 3,150 were passed, resulting in a 37.25% written pass rate. The practical exam recorded 2,669 passes from 2,972 attempts, producing an 89.80% pass rate.
| FY 2025 Class A Barber Exam | Passed | Failed | Total | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written | 3,150 | 5,307 | 8,457 | 37.25% |
| Practical | 2,669 | 303 | 2,972 | 89.80% |
Fiscal Year 2024 showed a similar pattern, with a 34.86% written pass rate and an 88.63% practical pass rate. The data suggests that candidates should devote substantial preparation time to written theory, laws, safety, sanitation, and the material identified in the current candidate bulletin—not only hands-on barbering skills.
Candidates can review current testing information on TDLR's barbering and cosmetology examination page .
Apply for the Class A Barber License Through TDLR
After the required examinations have been passed, the applicant can submit the Class A Barber license application. TDLR currently lists a $50 non-refundable application fee, requires the applicant to be at least 17 years old, and states that the license is valid for two years from the date it is issued.
TDLR encourages online applications because information submitted online is transmitted directly for processing.
Complete Eligibility
Finish the required training and successfully complete the written and practical licensing examinations.
Submit the Application
Apply through the current TDLR process and pay the $50 non-refundable practitioner application fee.
Maintain the License
The Class A Barber license is issued for a two-year term and must later be renewed under current TDLR requirements.
Criminal-history issues may also affect processing. TDLR reviews convictions on a case-by-case basis and provides a criminal-history evaluation process for applicants who want to evaluate potential eligibility concerns before committing to the complete licensing pathway.
What Can a Class A Barber Do in Texas?
The Class A Barber license has a broad scope of practice. TDLR's current scope guidance includes hair cutting, styling, coloring and chemical services; beard and mustache services; facial and cleansing treatments; body-hair removal; nail services; hair weaving; and shaving the face or neck with a razor.
One distinction is particularly important when comparing barbering and cosmetology. TDLR states that Class A Barbers may perform most cosmetology services except eyelash-extension services, while Cosmetology Operators may perform most barbering services except straight-razor shaving.
Professionals who plan to operate a salon or shop should also understand that an individual practitioner license and an establishment license are separate requirements. For more information, see Texas Hair Salon License: TDLR Requirements & How to Apply .
Crossover PathwayAlready a Texas Cosmetologist? The Barber Path Can Be Shorter
Texas provides a reduced training pathway for an active Cosmetology Operator who wants to obtain a Class A Barber license. Instead of completing the standard 1,000-hour program, a cosmetology operator whose license is current, active, and in good standing can complete a 300-hour Class A Barber course at a licensed school.
The applicant must still pass the required written and practical examinations and pay the $50 Class A Barber application fee.
This crossover route reflects the substantial overlap between the two scopes of practice. For an established cosmetologist who wants to add traditional barbering services—particularly straight-razor shaving—the 300-hour pathway may be substantially more efficient than beginning a full 1,000-hour program.