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The Texas Class A Barber written exam is administered by PSI on behalf of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). You must complete 1,500 hours of training at a TDLR-approved barber school before sitting for the exam. The written exam must be passed before you are eligible for the practical exam. The exam covers four content areas: hair and scalp science, infection control and safety, Texas laws and regulations, and shaving, beard, and razor services. The statewide pass rate for first-time test takers is approximately 50% — meaning thorough preparation across all four areas is essential. The exam is closed-book, administered at PSI testing centers across Texas.
Exam details
The Texas Class A Barber written exam is a multiple-choice test administered at PSI testing centers. You must be approved by TDLR before scheduling with PSI. After your school submits your 1,500 training hours and TDLR approves your application, an eligibility record is sent to PSI and you can schedule your written exam. You must pass the written exam before TDLR will authorize you to take the practical exam. Results are given at the testing center. The written exam fee is $55. The practical exam fee is $78. Both exams must be passed to receive your Class A Barber license. Your license must be renewed every two years with 4 hours of continuing education.
This link downloads a pre-generated PDF when available for this certification.
Two areas generate the most missed questions on the Texas Barber written exam. First, infection control — particularly knowing the exact disinfection sequence (clean before disinfect), minimum contact times, which client conditions require refusal of service (tinea capitis, pediculosis, open sores), and the difference between sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization. Many candidates know the procedures in practice but confuse the terminology on paper. Second, shaving and razor services — specifically the correct razor angle (30 degrees), proper use of a strop vs. a whetstone (stropping realigns; honing removes metal), safe disposal of used blades (sharps container), the three-pass shave sequence, and recognizing contraindications like pseudofolliculitis barbae and active acne. These are barber-specific questions that cosmetology prep materials do not cover and require dedicated study.
You must complete 1,500 hours of training at a TDLR-approved barbering school. After completing the required hours, your school submits your records to TDLR. Once TDLR approves your application and sends your eligibility to PSI, you can schedule the written exam.
You need a score of 70% or higher to pass.
The exam covers four areas: Hair and Scalp Science (35%), Infection Control and Safety (28%), Texas Laws and Regulations (20%), and Shaving, Beard and Razor Services (17%).
The written exam fee is $55, paid to PSI. The practical exam fee is $78. If you fail either exam, you pay the fee again to retake it.
Yes. You must pass the written exam first. TDLR will not release your practical exam eligibility to PSI until you have passed the written portion.
Yes. TDLR and PSI offer the Class A Barber written exam in Spanish. Contact PSI when registering to request the Spanish-language version.
Two years. Your license must be renewed every two years with TDLR. Renewal requires 4 hours of continuing education.
Approximately 50% of first-time test takers pass the written exam. Candidates who study all four content areas — particularly infection control and shaving/razor services — significantly improve their chances.
Yes. Under HB 1560 (2021), Texas allows cosmetologists to earn a Class A Barber license (and vice versa) via a 300-hour crossover program plus passing the barber written and practical exams.
Focus on infection control procedures (disinfection sequence, contact times, conditions requiring refusal), shaving and razor technique (razor angle, passes, strop vs. hone, sharps disposal), hair science (growth cycles, bonds, scalp conditions), and TDLR rules. Practice questions timed to 120 minutes are the most effective preparation format.
Topics and blueprint percentages come from our topic bank; practice sessions allocate questions using those shares when set.
Start practicing free — no account required. The first questions in each topic are unlocked. Our 97 practice questions are built from the official PSI exam blueprint across all four content areas, with full explanations for every answer.