Applicants must take and pass both a written exam and a practical exam to obtain a license.
TDLR offers examinations through our third-party vendor, PSI, at their many locations throughout Texas.
Eligibility
After your completed license application has been reviewed and your application fee has been received, you will be notified that you are approved to sit for the licensing exams.
You may be notified either by email or by regular mail. Please ensure that your contact information is correct.
You will receive an eligibility postcard from PSI once you meet all eligibility requirements. The postcard contains instructions for registering and scheduling examinations.
Testing Locations
The written examination is offered in Abilene, Amarillo, Arlington, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Harlingen, Houston, Lubbock, Midland, San Antonio, Tyler and Waco.
The practical examination is offered in Austin, San Antonio, the DFW Metroplex, the Greater Houston area, McAllen, El Paso, Midland and Amarillo.
Scheduling an Exam
If you are eligible for examination, then you can visit the PSI website at or contact PSI by phone at (833) 333-4741 to schedule your exam date.
Your name must match exactly with the information TDLR has on file.
Every reasonable accommodation will be made in meeting a candidate's needs. Applicants with disabilities or those who would otherwise have difficulty taking the exam should make a request for alternative arrangements with PSI. Details for requesting special accommodations can be found in the Candidate Information Bulletin.
Candidate Information Bulletin
Please read the candidate information bulletin completely and thoroughly before you attempt to take the exam.
If you have any questions about the exam, or if there are any parts of the Candidate Information Bulletin that you don’t understand, please contact PSI at (833) 333-4741.
You must provide a valid government-issued ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport), which includes your signature, photograph, and date of birth.
Your identification must match EXACTLY with the information TDLR has on file. We will not allow anyone other than the person listed in our database to test with PSI.
A list of acceptable forms of identification can be found in the Candidate Information Bulletin. A public high school ID is a government ID and will be accepted if the ID bears your signature, photograph, and date of birth.
An expired driver’s license will be accepted only if accompanied by a VALID Texas Department of Public Safety temporary permit.
Study Materials
The Candidate Information Bulletin will include the number of questions on your specific exam, the time allotted to complete the exam, and a list of reference materials.
If you miss your exam date, or if you arrive late, you will not be able to take the scheduled examination and your examination fee will be forfeited.
Temporary Licenses
NOTE: This option does not currently apply to applicants for a Class A Barber license.
Students who pass the practical examination may now receive a temporary license at the PSI testing site. To obtain your temporary license you must follow these steps:
Apply for Your Temporary License You must apply for a temporary license and pay all fees AFTER you are eligible to sit for the written examination, but BEFORE you take the exam
Meet the Requirements for Licensure You must meet all the requirements to obtain a license BEFORE TDLR sends your practical examination eligibility record to PSI
Pass the Practical Exam After passing the exam, you may immediately begin work that day. The temporary license is good for 21 days while TDLR sends the two-year license in the mail.
Test Results
Your grade will be handed to you at the test center by the PSI proctor after you have completed the test.
A score of 70% or better is required to pass the exam. You may retake each exam as many times as needed until you successfully pass the examination, however you may be responsible for paying additional examination fees with each attempt.
Exam Pass/Fail Rates
See the exam statistics page for information on pass-fail rates for the past three fiscal years.
