Excess Hours

May a barber and cosmetology school offer coursework beyond the required 1,000-hour Class A Barber or Cosmetology Operator curriculum?

Yes, a barber and cosmetology school may offer coursework beyond the required 1,000-hour Class A Barber or Cosmetology Operator curriculum. However, once a student completes the basic curriculum, any additional coursework is strictly voluntary.

Section 1603.351 of the Texas Occupations Code requires TDLR to prescribe by rule the minimum number of hours of instruction to be provided by a barber and cosmetology school. 16 Tex. Admin. Code §83.202 sets forth the subjects and the hour requirements that a student must accrue in order to become licensed in Texas.

Barber and cosmetology schools are required to follow the 1,000-hour Class A Barber and Cosmetology Operator curriculum prescribed by TDLR by rule in 16 Tex. Admin. Code §83.202. Upon determining that a school’s curriculum meets this standard, TDLR provides the school with a certificate of approval. However, because Section 1603.351 requires TDLR to prescribe the minimum curriculum requirements for barber and cosmetology schools but does not specify a maximum course length, TDLR does not evaluate or approve hours offered by the school beyond the required 1,000-hour curriculum.

Recognizing that some schools may, and do, offer coursework beyond the minimum requirements, schools are required to provide to each prospective student a course outline detailing the requirements for each course. Once an individual has completed the required 1,000 hours as prescribed by rule, TDLR sends the student a notice that they are eligible to take the required examinations and apply for a license.