Getting and keeping a Texas Class A Barber license means paying several separate fees to two different organizations: the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which issues the license, and PSI, which administers the exams on TDLR's behalf. Here's every real fee, sourced directly from TDLR's own published fee schedule, PSI's current Candidate Information Bulletin, and — for the late-renewal breakpoints, where TDLR's summary page and the underlying statute don't quite line up — the Texas Occupations Code itself.
Add those together and a candidate who passes both exams on the first attempt pays $181 total to go from application to licensed barber. Fail an exam and you'll pay that exam's fee again for each retake — PSI's bulletin is explicit that "a separate fee is required for each examination attempt," and exam eligibility itself is good for 5 years from your school-reported hours.
A Class A Barber license is valid for two years. The on-time renewal fee is $50. Past your expiration date, the exact fee is governed by Texas Occupations Code Section 51.401(b)-(c), which applies to every TDLR-regulated license, not just barbering:
Note on a real discrepancy: TDLR's own published fee-schedule page summarizes this more simply as "$75, expired less than 18 months" and "$100, expired 18 months to 3 years" — which doesn't reflect the statute's 90-day breakpoint for the first tier. The dollar amounts on TDLR's page match the statute exactly; only the day-count boundary for when $75 stops applying differs between TDLR's summary and Section 51.401(b)-(c) itself. Section 51.401 is the more precise, authoritative source for the exact breakpoint, so it's what we've used above — but budget for $100 (not $75) anywhere past 90 days late, to be safe either way. Continuing education is required before you can renew at any point in this window; see the license renewal & continuing education guide for the CE hours themselves, and the expired-license guide for the full breakdown of what happens once you lapse.
These are separate from your personal barber license and only apply if you're licensing a shop, not just working in one. As of a March 2024 TDLR reclassification, the license covering a standard barbershop is officially called a Full-Service Establishment license (see the establishment license guide for the full rename history). The same 1.5x/2x late-fee structure from Section 51.401 applies here too:
Applying from out of state instead of through a Texas school? That's a different fee — see the license reciprocity guide for the $100 reciprocity application fee.
Once you've paid for your seat at the written exam, FadeJunkie's free flashcards and timed practice quiz cover all 13 tested topics from the Milady curriculum — a free account required, with a one-time $15 lifetime pass for full multi-topic study and the complete question bank. New to the process entirely? Start with the state board exam guide.
How much does it cost to become a licensed barber in Texas?
$181 in TDLR/PSI fees alone if you pass both exams on the first try: $50 application, $55 written exam, $76 practical exam — not counting school tuition.
How much does it cost to renew a Texas barber license?
$50 on time. Late is $75 if expired 90 days or less, or $100 if expired more than 90 days up to 3 years (per Occupations Code §51.401(b)-(c); the 18-month-to-3-year portion needs executive director approval).
What happens if my license has been expired for more than 3 years?
TDLR won't renew it at all — you have to meet the requirements for a brand-new original license, fees and exams included.
Do I pay a separate fee to license my own barbershop?
Yes. A Full-Service Establishment license is $78 to start or renew on time, separate from your personal barber license.
Do I pay again if I fail an exam?
Yes — PSI charges its $55 written or $76 practical fee for every attempt.