New Texas State Requirements for a Cosmetology License

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation governs the laws pertaining to cosmetology licensure. This regulatory board adopted a new set of guidelines for earning and keeping a Texas cosmetology license in September 2009. The Advisory Board on Cosmetology is charged with regulating, enforcing and reporting license infractions to state governing body. Texas considers cosmetology any practice or service relating to hair, facial or nails care for compensation.

Texas laws require training hours and background checks for cosmetologists.

Cosmetology Licensure

Any individual who qualifies for a license can perform any aspect of the cosmetology services. To be a candidate for licensure in Texas, a person must be at least 17 years old, possess a high school diploma or equivalent and pass a 1,500-hour training course and a certified cosmetology examination. The training hours can consist of 1,500 hours in a certified beauty school, or 1,500 hours in beauty-culture classes and 500 hours of high school vocational cosmetology courses.

Instructor Licensure

Instructors must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid cosmetology license and additional instructor training. The instructor training consists of 750 training hours in methods of teaching cosmetology, a minimum of two years of experience as a cosmetologist and an additional 250 hours in a commissioned certified training program for instructors.

Manicurist Licensure

A manicurist must be at least 17 years old, possess a high school diploma and successfully complete 600 instructional hours in a licensed manicure-training program. A facial specialty license allows the holder to perform services related to facial care only. Candidates for this type of licensure must be at least 17 years of age, possess a high school diploma and have completed 750 hours in a cosmetology commission-approved training program.

Student and Apprentice Permits

All cosmetology license candidates are required to pay a filing fee for each license application. A background check, at the potential cosmetologist's expense, is also a prerequisite for licensure. Felony convictions on a candidate's record will cause a denial of a license. A student cosmetology permit is issued to participants enrolled in good standing at either a high school vocational training program or adult learning center. A background check and application fee is charged for student permits. Shampoo apprentice permits are issued to students who are at least 16, training hours are not required for this type of licensure. The shampoo apprentice permit is valid for one year and cannot be renewed.

Salons and Training Facilities

A beauty shop license requires a successful inspection by the Advisory Board on Cosmetology, and a permit fee. A background check is required of the shop owners before a permit is issued. A private beauty-culture school license requires a permit fee, facility inspection, a minimum of 3,500 square feet of space, at least two divided areas of work, restrooms for male and female students and approved equipment for at least 50 students.

References

• State of Texas Webpage on cosmetology laws