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The Texas Cosmetology Operator written exam is administered by PSI on behalf of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The exam consists of 100 scored multiple-choice questions (plus 10 unscored pilot questions) and must be completed in 120 minutes. A score of 70% or higher is required to pass. You must complete 1,000 hours of training at an approved cosmetology school before sitting for the exam. Hair and scalp care accounts for 40% of the exam — the single largest content area. Infection control and safety is the second heaviest at 28%, followed by Texas laws and regulations at 20%, and skin and nail care at 12%. The exam is closed-book and administered at PSI testing centers across Texas.
Exam details
The Texas Cosmetology Operator written exam is a 100-question (plus 10 pilot) multiple-choice test administered at PSI testing centers. You must be approved by TDLR before scheduling with PSI. After TDLR approves your application and receives confirmation of your 1,000 training hours from your school, an eligibility record is sent to PSI and you can schedule your exam. You must pass the written exam before you are eligible for 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 Cosmetology Operator license. The 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 Cosmetology written exam. First, chemical services within the Hair and Scalp section — specifically understanding the chemistry of permanent waves (ammonium thioglycolate breaks disulfide bonds; neutralizer reforms them), chemical relaxers (sodium hydroxide vs thio relaxers), and hair color theory (developer volume, the color wheel, toning). These questions require understanding the process at a chemical level, not just memorizing steps. Second, infection control — specifically the distinction between sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization, knowing which client conditions require refusal of service (tinea capitis, pediculosis, open sores, onychomycosis), and the correct disinfection sequence and contact time requirements. These two topics together account for 68% of the exam and reward candidates who study the underlying science rather than just memorizing procedures.
You must complete a minimum of 1,000 training hours at a TDLR-approved cosmetology school. After 900 hours, you may schedule the written exam. You must complete all 1,000 hours before taking the practical exam.
You need a score of 70% or higher on the 100 scored questions. The 10 pilot questions are unscored and do not affect your result.
The written exam fee is $55, paid to PSI when scheduling. The practical exam fee is $78. If you fail either exam, you must pay the fee again to retake it.
The exam covers four content areas: Hair and Scalp Care (40%), Infection Control and Safety (28%), Texas Laws and Regulations (20%), and Skin and Nail Care (12%).
You apply through TDLR online, pay the application fee, and your school submits your training hours. Once TDLR approves your application and sends your eligibility record to PSI, you can schedule at psiexams.com or by calling PSI at (833) 333-4741.
Two years. You must renew your license every two years with TDLR and complete 4 hours of continuing education per renewal period.
Yes. TDLR and PSI offer the Cosmetology Operator written exam in Spanish. Contact PSI directly when registering to request the Spanish-language exam.
Pass rates vary by testing cycle and are published annually by TDLR. First-time test takers generally pass at higher rates than repeat testers. Reviewing the exam blueprint and practicing all four content areas improves pass rates significantly.
Yes. You must pass the written exam before TDLR will send your practical exam eligibility to PSI. The exams must be completed in order: written first, then practical.
Focus on hair chemistry (perm and relaxer chemistry, color theory, developer volumes), infection control procedures (disinfection sequence, contact times, conditions requiring refusal), and Texas TDLR rules. These three areas account for the majority of questions. Practice tests that mimic the exam format and timing are the most effective preparation tool.
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.