Who regulates Texas cosmetology, and how the written exam fits in.
TDLR is the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the state agency that licenses cosmetology operators in Texas under its Barbering and Cosmetology program. TDLR publishes the rules and handles licenses; the exams themselves are delivered by PSI, a testing vendor. This page separates what each one does and links the official sources, so you spend your energy studying instead of untangling agencies.
TDLR owns the license: applications, eligibility, the published laws and rules, renewals, and enforcement. Its official pages are tdlr.texas.gov/barbering-and-cosmetology for the program and the laws and rules page for the actual rules the exam's law questions come from.
PSI owns exam day: scheduling, test centers, and delivering the written exam at a computer. When you are approved to test, you book through PSI, and PSI's candidate information bulletin describes the exam day rules for your license type. If a question is about your license or eligibility, ask TDLR; if it is about booking or the testing room, ask PSI.
The Texas cosmetology operator written exam runs 100 questions in 120 minutes with a 70 percent pass mark, and it includes Texas law and rules alongside the sciences: infection control, hair and scalp, skin, and nails. Texas also requires a separate practical exam; this page and the app cover the written test only.
The law questions reward reading the actual rules, not summaries. The app's Texas section is grounded in TDLR's published rules and cites them, so when you miss a question you can read the rule it came from. The details of the format are on the Texas exam page.
The fastest preparation is answering exam style questions and reading why each answer is right. The free 25 question practice test runs in your browser with an explanation after every answer. The app it samples carries 827 Texas questions, including a dedicated Texas law and rules section, and 8 full length timed mock exams built to the Texas format.
Is this site affiliated with TDLR?
No. This is an independent study aid. It is not a government entity and does not represent TDLR, PSI, or any state licensing board. Official license information lives at tdlr.texas.gov.
Where do I apply for a Texas cosmetology license?
At TDLR directly: tdlr.texas.gov/barbering-and-cosmetology. TDLR handles applications and eligibility; PSI only schedules and delivers the exams once TDLR approves you to test.
Does the TDLR written exam include law questions?
Yes. The Texas written exam includes Texas law and rules questions drawn from TDLR's published rules, alongside the core sciences. That is why practicing with questions that cite the actual rules beats rereading a summary.
The app is an independent study aid. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any licensing board or exam provider. Practice content is aligned to publicly available exam outlines and standard cosmetology science.