Transferring Your Barber License From Another State
NOTICE: HB 1560 (87th Texas Legislature regular session) eliminated all barber and cosmetology instructor licenses as of Sept. 1, 2021. A Class A Barber, Cosmetology Operator or Specialty license allows the holder to provide instruction in any service, within the scope of the license, at a licensed barber or cosmetology school.
License holders from other states may be eligible for a Texas license if their state has education and examination requirements substantially equivalent to Texas license requirements. Your work experience in certain states may also be credited toward the substantially equivalent requirement.
If you are a Texas licensee moving to another state, please check with that state's licensing agency concerning your Texas license. The information on this page does not reflect whether other states recognize Texas licenses.
Barbers with School Training
If you hold the equivalent of a Texas Class A Barber license in another state, and you received your barber training by attending a barber school, please review the table and follow the instructions below to apply.
| Home State | Type of Texas License | Years of Experience Required for Texas License |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Alaska | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Arizona | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Arkansas | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| California (if licensed before 01/01/2022) |
Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| California (if licensed after 01/01/2022) |
Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| Colorado | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Connecticut | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| Delaware | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| District of Columbia | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Florida | Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| Georgia | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Hawaii | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| Idaho (Master) | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Idaho | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| Illinois | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| Indiana | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Iowa | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Kansas | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Kentucky | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Louisiana | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Maine | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Maryland | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Massachusetts | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Michigan | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Minnesota | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Mississippi | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Missouri | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Montana | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Nebraska | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Nevada | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| New Hampshire (Master) | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| New Hampshire | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| New Jersey (Cosmetologist-Hairstylist) | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| New Mexico | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| New York | Texas Class A Barber | Three Years |
| North Carolina | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| North Dakota | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Ohio | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Oklahoma | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Oregon | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Pennsylvania | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Rhode Island | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| South Carolina | Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| South Carolina (Master Hair Care) | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| South Dakota | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Tennessee | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Utah (Barber and Barber/Cosmetologist) | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Vermont | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Virginia | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Washinton | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| West Virginia | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Wisconsin | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Wyoming | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
Applying for a Barber License with School Training
To apply for a Texas Barber license using your out-of-state training and experience:
- Verify that you have the minimum level of experience required to qualify for a Texas license, using the table above
- Download and complete a Reciprocity Barber License Application (PDF)
- Include the following with your application materials:
- The non-refundable application fee of $110, in the form of a cashier's check or money order payable to "Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation"
- A copy of your current and active barber license issued by your home state
- A letter of certification, in a sealed envelope, from the state agency that issued your license
- An official transcript of hours, in a sealed envelope, from the school where you obtained your training
Submit the completed application materials to:
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
P.O. Box 12157
Austin, TX 78711-2157
We ask that you send all required documents together. If your state sends the letter of certification directly to TDLR, then please send your application and all other documents together.
Barbers with Apprenticeship Training
TDLR now accepts training or work experience obtained through an apprenticeship program. If your license from another state is active and you have met the required work experience, you may be eligible for a Texas Barber license. Please review the table and follow instructions below to apply.
| Home State | Type of Texas License | Years of Experience Required for Texas License |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| Alaska | Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| Arizona | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| Arkansas | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| California (if licensed before 01/01/2022) |
Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| California (if licensed after 01/01/2022) |
Texas Class A Barber | Three Years |
| Colorado | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| Connecticut | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| Delaware | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| District of Columbia | Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| Florida | Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| Georgia | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| Hawaii | Texas Class A Barber | Three Years |
| Idaho (Master) | Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| Idaho | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| Illinois | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| Indiana | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| Iowa | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| Kansas | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| Kentucky | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| Louisiana | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| Maine | Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| Maryland | Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| Massachusetts | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Michigan | Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| Minnesota | Texas Class A Barber | Three Years |
| Mississippi | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| Missouri | Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| Montana | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| Nebraska | Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| Nevada | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| New Hampshire (Master) | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| New Hampshire | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| New Jersey | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| New Mexico | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| New York (Apprentice) | Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| North Carolina | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| North Dakota | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| Ohio | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| Oklahoma | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| Oregon | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
| Pennsylvania | Texas Class A Barber | Three Years |
| Rhode Island | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| South Carolina | Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| South Dakota | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Tennessee | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Utah | Texas Class A Barber | Three Years |
| Vermont | Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| Virginia | Texas Class A Barber | One Year |
| Washington | Texas Class A Barber | Three Years |
| West Virginia | Texas Class A Barber | No Experience Requirement |
| Wisconsin | Texas Class A Barber | Two Years |
| Wyoming | Texas Class A Barber | License Transfer Not Available |
Applying for a Barber License with Apprenticeship Training
To apply for a Texas Barber license using your out-of-state apprenticeship training and experience:
- Verify that you have the minimum level of experience required to qualify for a Texas license, using the table above
- Download and complete a Reciprocity Barber License Application (PDF)
- Include the following with your application materials:
- The non-refundable application fee of $110, in the form of a cashier's check or money order payable to "Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation"
- A certificate of completion from the apprenticeship program where you received your training
- A copy of your current and active barber license issued by your home state
- A letter of certification, in a sealed envelope, from the state agency that issued your license
- An official transcript of hours, in a sealed envelope, from the school where you obtained your training
Submit the completed application materials to:
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
P.O. Box 12157
Austin, TX 78711-2157
We ask that you send all required documents together. If your state sends the letter of certification directly to TDLR, then please send your application and all other documents together.
Barber Instructors
NOTICE: HB 1560 (87th Texas Legislature regular session) eliminated all barber and cosmetology instructor licenses as of Sept. 1, 2021. A Class A Barber, Cosmetology Operator or Specialty license allows the holder to provide instruction in any service, within the scope of the license, at a licensed barber or cosmetology school.
If you are applying for a Texas license using out of state credentials, please visit:
- Barbers with School Training
- Barbers with Apprenticeship Training
- Cosmetology License From Another State
Select the scope of instruction being provided. If you qualify, complete the Out of State License Application for the scope of instruction to be provided.
Submit the completed application materials to:
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
P.O. Box 12157
Austin, TX 78711-2157
We ask that you send all required documents together. If your state sends the letter of certification directly to TDLR, then please send your application and all other documents together.