TDLR-Licensed Barber Schools in Texas, Explained

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Every Class A Barber applicant in Texas has to complete 1,000 hours of instruction at a school licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). TDLR licenses barber schools the same way it licenses individual barbers — one school at a time, with its own license number and expiration date. Here's how that system actually works, and how to check a specific school yourself before you enroll.

How many barber schools does TDLR license?

TDLR doesn't publish a single headline number for "how many barber schools are currently licensed in Texas" on any page we could find. What it does publish is a live, searchable directory — the number changes as schools open, close, merge, or let a license lapse, so a static count would go stale almost immediately anyway. Qualitatively: the directory returns schools across the state, from small independent academies to larger multi-campus programs, in both major metro areas and smaller Texas cities. Treat any specific total you see quoted elsewhere as unverified unless it links back to TDLR's own search tool below — including the 129-record count in our own directory further down this page, which we counted directly from TDLR's public export as of the date noted there, not a figure TDLR itself headlines anywhere.

TDLR's official school search tool

The authoritative source is TDLR's own license search, linked from the department's Search / Verify Licenses page: Search for Individuals and Businesses. It covers every license type TDLR regulates, not just barbering — so the key step is setting the License Type dropdown correctly:

From there you can narrow results by city, county, or zip code, or search a specific school by name. Each result shows the school's license number, status, and expiration date — exactly what you need to confirm before enrolling anywhere.

Full TDLR barber-school license roster (Texas, pulled 2026-07-29)

This is fadejunkie's own copy of TDLR's public Barber School license export (source CSV), pulled directly on 2026-07-29 — 129 license records, 42 counties (111 private trade schools + 18 public high-school/ISD and community-college programs). Each entry shows the license number on file in that export. This is a reference snapshot, not a live feed — TDLR's own license search tool above is still the authoritative source for a school's current status; use this list to find schools by county, then verify the specific one you're considering there before enrolling or reaching out.

Private barber schools by county (111)

Angelina County

Bastrop County

Bell County

Bexar County

Brazoria County

Brazos County

Cameron County

Collin County

Coryell County

Dallas County

Denton County

Ector County

El Paso County

Fort Bend County

Gregg County

Hardin County

Harris County

Hays County

Hidalgo County

Hopkins County

Hunt County

Jefferson County

Kerr County

Lubbock County

Matagorda County

Montgomery County

Nueces County

Randall County

Smith County

Starr County

Tarrant County

Taylor County

Travis County

Victoria County

Walker County

Webb County

Wichita County

Public high-school / ISD and community-college programs (18)

These 18 hold barber-school licenses through a public institution rather than a private academy — Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs at independent school districts, and dedicated programs at public community colleges. Same TDLR licensing rules apply; ISD programs are typically only open to that district's enrolled students, so confirm eligibility directly with the school.

What to check before you enroll

Applying to open a school, not attend one?

TDLR also regulates the schools themselves. A new barber or cosmetology school has to file a full application, pass a TDLR inspection with all equipment installed and the facility ready to operate, and meet every requirement within 12 months of filing or the application is terminated — details are in TDLR's Apply for a New Barbering or Cosmetology School License page.

How fadejunkie helps

Once you're enrolled and logging hours at a verified school, fadejunkie's free flashcards and practice quiz get you ready for the exam covered in the state board exam guide — a free account required, with a one-time $15 lifetime pass for full multi-topic study and the complete question bank.

FAQ

How do I find TDLR-licensed barber schools near me?
Use TDLR's own license search tool, set License Type to "Barber Schools," and filter by city, county, or zip code.

How many barber schools does TDLR license in Texas?
TDLR doesn't publish one fixed number — the directory is live and changes as schools open or close. Search it directly rather than relying on a secondhand count.

Does a TDLR license mean a school is accredited?
No. TDLR licensing and accreditation (which affects federal financial aid eligibility) are separate. Confirm accreditation and Title IV participation directly with the school.

Is there a shorter or cheaper path than a full 1,000-hour school?
Only for people who already hold an active Texas Cosmetology Operator license — a 300-hour Class A Barber add-on course. Otherwise, Texas requires the full 1,000-hour school program; see the apprenticeship vs. school guide.

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