It is imperative to note that you cannot get a barber’s license in Texas without first going to school. One of the initial steps to becoming a licensed barber in Texas is to attend a licensed school or program. There are two types of schools: cosmetology school and barber school.
At a barbering school, you learn how to cut, color, and style men’s hair, including facial hair. While cosmetology programs tend to focus on more comprehensive services catered to men and women, such as hair, nails, makeup, and skin care.
Barbering is a social profession that gives room for you to travel and meet new people. If you are in search of an exciting job where no day is ever the same, then you should consider this field. In Texas, barbers are known to make more than the average annual salary of barbers in the country.
Have it in mind that their rates are quite higher in urban areas such as Austin, and you can grow and expand by setting up a chain of barbershops. However, before you can start attending to clients, you need to get your license according to state requirements.
Note that you just don’t walk into the state licensing department and request a barber license. You are expected to first prove you have the necessary skills to take on such a task. Owing to that, the initial step is to attend a licensed school, and you can either go to a cosmetology school or straight to the barber school.
With 1,500 education hours, you can get your barbering license in Texas. Have it in mind that most schools in Texas run their courses over nine months. This period allows the tutors adequate time to impact students with the basics before covering the critical aspects of hairdressing.
Requirements for Getting a Barber’s License in Texas
To obtain a barber’s license in the state of Texas, you have to be at least 16 years of age. To become a barber instructor or specialty barber, you will have to be at least 18 years. However, note that not all licenses in the state of Texas are the same. Owing to that, it is imperative you keep an eye on the minimum hours that are stipulated as follows:
- Class A Barber: Requires the completion of 1,000 hours
- Barber Instructor: You are expected to have at least 750 hours of instruction in barbering courses or have worked as a class A barber and completed 500 hours of instruction in barbering courses
- Barber Technician Specialty: Requires 300 hours
- Barber Manicure Specialty: Requires 600 hours
- Barber Hair Weaving Specialty: Requires 300 hours
- Barber Technician/ Manicurist Certificate: Requires 900 hours
- Barber Technician/ Hair Weaver Certificate: Requires 600 hours
In the state of Texas, you can only obtain a license based on the program hours you must have completed.
Steps to Obtain a Barber’s License in Texas
To obtain a barber’s license in the state of Texas, here are the necessary steps to take;
Table of Content
Graduate from a 1500-Hour Texas Barber Training Program
The first step toward obtaining a barber’s license in Texas is completing 1500 hours of barber training. To do this, you will have to fill out the Barber Student Permit Application and submit it to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
They will then provide you with a permit you can use to enroll in a barber training program. All licensed schools and programs under the Texas State Board of Barber Examiners are meant to offer the following required courses:
- Texas Barber Laws and Rules
- Hygienic Bacteriology
- Science of Barbering
- Histology of the Hair, Skin, Muscles, and Nerves
- Skin and Hair Disorders
- Facial Treatments
- Hair Weaving
- Servicing of Wigs
- Structure of the Head, Neck, and Face
- Elementary Chemistry
Immediately after you complete the necessary hours, your barber training school will forward your notification of completion to PSI Services, the Texas licensing exam testing vendor.
Pass the Texas Practical and Theory Licensing Examinations
PSI Services is more or less the testing vendor for the barber licensing exams in the state of Texas. Note that you will be sent a PSI eligibility postcard once you have met all of the Texas licensing eligibility requirements. On this postcard, you can find instructions detailing how you can register for and schedule your exams with PSI Services.
However, before you complete the registration process, it is imperative you go through the Texas Barber Candidate Information Bulletin. After that, you can register for and take two exams to be licensed as a barber in Texas: the written exam and the practical exam.
Written Exam
Note that the written exam for your barber license in Texas is a 100-minute, computer-based exam that costs $55.00 to schedule. This exam is meant to evaluate your knowledge of barber service subjects, including the following:
- Sanitation, Disinfection, Sterilization
- Shampooing and Conditioning
- Hair Coloring
- Nail Care/Skin Care
- Texas License Requirements
- Chemical Waving
- Haircutting and Hairstyling
Practical Exam
This exam is 180 minutes long, and it will cost $78.00 to schedule. You will be expected to come with your own supply kit, model, and mannequin to this exam. The exam is mainly to evaluate your ability to carry out the following barber services:
- Shampoo
- Blow Dry
- Hair Shaping
- Shaving Service
- Facial Service
- Chemical Service
- Permanent Waving
If you scale through both of these exams, PSI Services will report your passing scores to the Texas State Board of Barber Examiners.
Obtain an Initial Barber License
As long as you have completed the education and exam requirements, the next step will be to reach out to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to obtain your initial barber license application, which is not available online. You can reach out to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation by calling (800) 803-9202, visiting www.tdlr.texas.gov, or emailing cs.barbers@tdlr.texas.gov.
You will have to return this application, along with a $55 application fee to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Note that when they process and accept your application, they will issue you your Texas barber license. You may return the application to the following address:
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
PO Box 12157
Austin, Texas 78711-2157
Reciprocity Filing
For individuals who already hold a barber license from another state, note that you may be eligible for a Texas barber license via reciprocity. However, you will have to verify that the licensing requirements for your previous license align or supersede the Texas licensing requirements.
Once it does, you can apply for a reciprocity license without the need to take the Texas examinations by completing these steps:
- Submit Barber License by Reciprocity Application
- Attach a Copy of your Out-of-State License
- Submit a Letter of Certification from an Out-of-State Licensing Agency
- Submit a $110.00 Reciprocity Licensing Fee
You will be expected to submit all reciprocity application materials to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation at the above mailing address.
Renew your Texas Barber License Biannually
Even after you have obtained your barber’s license, it is imperative you renew it every two years. Note that the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation will most often forward you a renewal packet in the mail; however, if you fail to get one, you may renew your barber license and submit the $55 renewal fee online.
Although the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation doesn’t really mandate license holders to complete continuing education credits to renew their license, note that taking advanced barber courses is a wonderful and viable way to bolster their barbering ability. These courses are known to keep you updated on the latest in men’s styling services and styling products.
Conclusion
Just as was noted above, you cannot get a barber’s license in Texas without first going to school. The state of Texas requires that you complete a course in barbering before taking a written and practical test. To become a licensed barber, you are expected to have completed at least 1,500 hours of practical work.
Note that attending barber school and apprenticing under an experienced barber provides you with the detailed education necessary to pass the test and earn a state license.