1) What jobs are allowed and what’s regulated

In the U.S., beauty professions are almost always licensed at the state level. In Texas, everything is overseen by the TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation) under the unified Barbering & Cosmetology program. Core personal licenses in Texas:

• Cosmetology Operator (generalist: hair, skin, nails within the cosmetology scope) — 1,000 training hours. Texas Licensing & Regulation
• Esthetician (skin care/esthetician) — 750 hours. Texas Licensing & Regulation+1
• Manicurist (nail services) — 600 hours. Texas Licensing & Regulation+1
• Eyelash Extension Specialist (eyelash extensions) — 320 hours. Texas Licensing & Regulation+1

Each personal license requires exams (theory + practical) with the vendor PSI, with testing sites across the state. Texas Licensing & Regulation

2) Path to a license in Texas: steps, timing, costs

Steps

1. Schooling at a licensed school for the required number of hours (see above). The student receives a student permit during training. Texas Licensing & Regulation+1
2. PSI exams: written (after reaching the hour threshold) and practical (after completing the program). Minimum passing score — 70%. There’s an option for a temporary license for 21 days after passing the practical (except Class A Barber) — you can start working the same day. Texas Licensing & Regulation
3. Apply online to TDLR for the license: $50 (non-refundable), valid for 2 years. Texas Licensing & Regulation+1
4. Maintain the license: renew every 2 years; typically requires 4 hours of approved continuing education (CE). Cosmetology License Renewal

How much school costs

Pricing depends on the school/city. Texas ballparks:

• Esthetics 750 hours — programs usually 6–9.5 months; many schools list $10k–$14k (check locally). Collin College+2Lashing Out lnk Academy+2
• Manicuring 600 hours — programs around ~$6k–$8k are common (example from a school catalog). Central Texas Beauty College

Exam fees

TDLR officially refers you to the Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) for your exam type — that’s where current PSI fees and payment rules are. (Historically they’ve been in the range of several dozen dollars per exam, but rely only on the CIB.) Texas Licensing & Regulation

3) Where you can work in Texas: employee/self-employed/own salon/mobile/home

Employment formats and venues:

• Employee in a licensed Establishment salon. You hold a personal license; the salon holds an Establishment License ($78 for 2 years). Texas Licensing & Regulation
• Chair/room rental (independent contractor). Texas has “salon suites” and Mini-Establishment (mini-salon) — a separate room with its own mini license $70 (for 2 years). This is specifically a license for the space, not a “booth rental license.” Texas Licensing & Regulation+2Texas Licensing & Regulation+2
• Your own fixed salon. Requires an Establishment License ($78) + compliance with sanitation/operational rules (separate entrance from living area, restroom, waste disposal, disinfection, etc.). Texas Licensing & Regulation
• Mobile salon (van/trailer). Requires a Mobile Establishment License ($78), self-sufficiency for water/electricity, business name and license number displayed outside, and maintaining and pre-submitting a weekly route to TDLR. Living/sleeping inside is not allowed. Texas Licensing & Regulation+2Texas Licensing & Regulation+2
• Home studio. Allowed only if registered as a licensed Establishment/mini-establishment and all requirements are met (restroom, separation from living space, etc.). Otherwise, it’s not considered legal “working from home.” Texas Licensing & Regulation
• Remote/off-site services. Texas allows digitally prearranged remote services (booked via a digital platform) and narrow exceptions (clients with limited mobility, special events), but violations are Class C. Check rules §83.77/1603.2109 and TDLR’s Remote/Mobile guidance. Texas Licensing & Regulation+1

In all cases, you may work only through a licensed establishment (or within the permitted exceptions/mobile salon). Otherwise you risk “working outside a licensed establishment,” which carries Class C fines. Texas Licensing & Regulation

4) Sanitation and prohibitions

TDLR details sanitation standards in 16 TAC Chapter 83: disinfection, tool storage, prohibitions. For example, MMA (methyl methacrylate) and callus shavers/credo are banned; such violations are Class D (the highest sanction range). Texas Licensing & Regulation

5) Liability for unlicensed work (or working “out of scope”)

TDLR publishes an official sanctions schedule:

• Class C for “performed/offered services without a personal license,” “worked in an unlicensed establishment,” “used the terms ‘cosmetologist/barber’ without a license,” etc.: $2,000–$5,000 per violation and/or revocation. Owners who allow unlicensed work are also fined. Texas Licensing & Regulation
• Class D — for severe violations (document falsification, serious infectious breaches, etc.): $3,500–$5,000 and/or revocation. Texas Licensing & Regulation

Fines may be imposed per day and in parallel on individuals and the establishment (see the general sanctions page and links to statutes/rules). Texas Licensing & Regulation

6) How laws differ by state (briefly)

• All states license the field, but training hours, exams, and categories differ. National exams are often developed by NIC (many states use them). For moving/transferring a license, look for reciprocity/endorsement with your current/receiving state. NIC Testing+1
• Requirements vary widely across the U.S. (state comparisons, reference guides). Always check your state’s official board. Institute for Justice

7) Employment vs. business (law and taxes in Texas)

If you’re an employee (W-2)

You work for a salon as an employee; the employer withholds taxes. Workers’ compensation in Texas for private employers is not mandatory (the only state where it’s optional), but if the employer is a non-subscriber, they must notify employees. Texas Department of Insurance+1

If you’re an independent contractor/owner

• Business form: most commonly an LLC (or sole proprietorship). Register via SOSDirect with the Texas Secretary of State. Texas Secretary of State+1
• TDLR licenses for the venue: Establishment/Mini-Establishment/Mobile (see above). Texas Licensing & Regulation+1
• Taxes on services: in Texas, barbering/cosmetology services are generally not subject to sales tax, but retail product sales are taxable (seller’s permit required with the Comptroller). See tax department guidance. Texas Licensing & Regulation
• Workers’ comp: optional; if you don’t carry it, notification rules apply (DWC-005/posters). Texas Department of Insurance+1

8) How to get hired by a salon (practical)

1. While studying, build a portfolio (before/after, models, sanitation routine, service speed).
2. Pass PSI, apply for the $50 license — get your number and plastic card/digital display. Texas Licensing & Regulation+1
3. Verify the salon holds a valid Establishment License — otherwise everyone is at risk. Texas Licensing & Regulation
4. Clarify the offer type: employee or independent contractor (hourly/percentage, who buys supplies, who books clients, who keeps sanitation logs and handles inspections).

9) How to be self-employed (all legal options)

• Mini-salon in a salon suite (often the fastest start): personal license + Mini-Establishment License ($70), lease agreement, your sanitation plan and records for disinfectants/laundry. Texas Licensing & Regulation+1
• Home studio: register as an Establishment/Mini-Establishment; maintain separation from living areas and meet all 16 TAC 83 requirements. Texas Licensing & Regulation
• Mobile: obtain a Mobile Establishment License ($78), keep a weekly route (submit at least 7 days in advance), display license number on the vehicle, keep water/boiler, etc. Texas Licensing & Regulation+2Texas Licensing & Regulation+2
• “House calls”: only within remote-services (digital bookings, permitted services/conditions), otherwise — Class C. Texas Licensing & Regulation+1

10) What happens if you work without a license

TDLR states explicitly:

• No personal license / outside a licensed location / using protected titles — Class C, fine $2,000–$5,000 per case/day and possible revocation/ban. Texas Licensing & Regulation
• Owners who allow unlicensed workers are fined too; repeat/severe violations and major sanitation breaches — Class D. Texas Licensing & Regulation+1

Quick links (Texas)

• Personal licenses and hours: Operator (1,000 hrs), Esthetician (750 hrs), Manicurist (600 hrs), Eyelash (320 hrs), combined paths. Texas Licensing & Regulation+3Texas Licensing & Regulation+3Texas Licensing & Regulation+3
• PSI exams, CIB, temporary license. Texas Licensing & Regulation
• Fees (since 09/01/2023): $50 personal, $70 mini-establishment, $78 establishment/mobile; renewal every 2 years. Texas Licensing & Regulation
• Apply for a personal license online (Operator) — fee $50. Texas Licensing & Regulation
• Establishment/mini/mobile licenses — process and fees. Texas Licensing & Regulation+1
• Remote/mobile services — rules and FAQ. Texas Licensing & Regulation+1
• Sanctions and violation classes (including Unlicensed). Texas Licensing & Regulation+1
• Taxes on services/retail (Comptroller) — services are generally not taxed, products are taxed. Texas Licensing & Regulation
• Starting a business (SOSDirect), forms and structure. Texas Secretary of State+1
• Workers’ comp: optional (notification required if a non-subscriber). Texas Department of Insurance+1

Mini start-plan in Texas (example for Esthetician 750 hrs)

1. Choose a school (750 hrs; 6–9.5 months). Confirm the school is TDLR-licensed. Collin College
2. Sign your enrollment/financing, complete training; track your hours.
3. Register with PSI → pass the theory and practical (see CIB). Texas Licensing & Regulation
4. Apply online for the license $50 (2 years). Texas Licensing & Regulation
5. Pick your work model: employment / mini-salon ($70) / own salon ($78) / mobile ($78). Texas Licensing & Regulation+1
6. If self-employed — set up a sole prop/LLC via SOSDirect, account for taxes (sales tax on products only). Texas Secretary of State+1
7. Prepare sanitation and logs, pass the inspection (for Establishment). Texas Licensing & Regulation
8. Continuing education (typically 4 hours) and renewal every 2 years. Cosmetology License Renewal