All states · Texas
Licensing in Texas
Most professional licenses in Texas are issued by the TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation): beauty, barbers, massage, electricians and HVAC. Nurses are licensed by the Board of Nursing, plumbers by a separate state board, and tattoo studios by the Department of State Health Services.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology Operator | 1,000 hours | Written and practical | Every 2 years | 4 |
| Class A Barber | 1,000 hours | Written and practical | Every 2 years | 4 |
| Esthetician | 750 hours | Written and practical | Every 2 years | 4 |
| Manicurist | 600 hours | Written and practical | Every 2 years | 4 |
| Eyelash Extension Specialist | 320 hours | Written and practical | Every 2 years | 4 |
| Hair Weaving Specialist | 300 hours | Written and practical | Every 2 years | 4 |
- Licenses are issued by the TDLR. Since 2023, barbers and cosmetologists are regulated by one program.
- The 4 CE hours include 1 hour of sanitation, 1 hour of human trafficking awareness and 2 elective hours. With 15+ years licensed — 2 hours.
- Combination licenses exist: Esthetician/Manicurist and Hair Weaving/Esthetician — 800 hours each.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Massage Therapist | 500 hours | State-approved exam and Texas jurisprudence exam | Every 2 years | 12 |
- Licenses are issued by the TDLR. A background check is required.
- The 500 hours include a 50-hour internship and 45 hours of laws, business practices and ethics.
- Massage businesses are licensed by the TDLR — a Massage Establishment license and a fingerprint check are required.
| License | Issued by | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Texas Board of Nursing | NCLEX-RN | Every 2 years | 20 |
| Licensed Vocational NurseLVN | Texas Board of Nursing | NCLEX-PN | Every 2 years | 20 |
| Certified Nurse AideCNA | HHSC, Nurse Aide Registry | State exam | Every 2 years | 24 hours of in-service training |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification | — | — |
- Texas is in the Nurse Licensure Compact: a multistate nursing license is valid.
- Nurses with direct patient care need a human trafficking prevention course; every third period — 2 hours of jurisprudence and ethics.
- Nurse aides need an annual infection control course; the 24 hours include geriatric and dementia care training.
| Profession | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Master / Journeyman Electrician | TDLR | State license; documented experience and an exam, CE for renewal |
| Electrical Contractor | TDLR | Liability insurance, workers’ compensation and a licensed master electrician |
| Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor | TDLR | Experience, exam and insurance |
| Master / Journeyman Plumber | Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners | Master, Journeyman and Tradesman-Limited licenses |
| Locksmith | Department of Public Safety | The company gets a Class B Security Contractor license |
- Electricians and HVAC contractors are licensed by the TDLR, plumbers by a separate state board.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Salon or barbershop | TDLR | Establishment license: full-service, specialty, mini or mobile |
| Massage business | TDLR | Massage Establishment license and a fingerprint check |
| Tattoo, PMU, microblading | Department of State Health Services | The studio is licensed, not the artist |
| Beauty school | TDLR | School license and programs that follow state standards |
| LLC | Secretary of State | Registration — $300 |
| Franchise tax | Texas Comptroller | Annual report due May 15; no tax due below $2.65 million in revenue |
Your state requires an exam — we prepare you online
An exam-prep platform for Cosmetology, Barber, Esthetician and Nail Technician, as well as state law tests. Questions in the real exam format, a breakdown of every mistake, access from your phone and computer — study whenever it suits you.
Learn about the program- Tests in the real exam format
- An explanation for every answer
- Study materials in your personal account
- Study in Russian and English
Texas specifics
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate nursing license is valid here.
- One program for beauty. Since 2023, barbers and cosmetologists are regulated by one TDLR program.
- Short CE. Beauty license renewal needs 4 hours, or 2 hours with 15+ years licensed.
- Braiding and threading — no license. Natural hair braiding and eyebrow threading are not licensed by the state.
- Tattoo and PMU — at the state level. The studio is licensed by the Department of State Health Services.
- Plumbers — separately. Plumbers are licensed by their own state board, not the TDLR.
What professionals earn in Texas
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to take a practical exam?
Yes. Beauty licenses in Texas require both written and practical exams.
Do I need a license for hair braiding?
Not for natural braiding. If chemicals or adhesives are used, a license is required.
Which exam does a massage therapist take?
A state-approved exam and the Texas jurisprudence exam. You also need 500 training hours.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in Texas?
Yes. Texas is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate license is valid.
*Current as of September 30, 2026. The information on this page is not official and is for general reference only. Requirements are set by state and local authorities and may change — always check the official websites: TDLR, Texas Board of Nursing, Texas HHSC, Texas DSHS, Texas Secretary of State, Texas Comptroller. Wage data — BLS.