Texas Cosmetology Laws and Rules
Regulatory frame
Texas cosmetology is regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1602 and TDLR rules in 16 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 83. Know license categories, scope of practice, salon and school licensing, sanitation standards, and renewal and continuing education obligations. A person may perform only services within their license. A salon must hold a current license and display required postings; licensees must keep licenses available. Booth renters and independent contractors still need individual licenses and must work in a licensed salon. Sanitation duties follow the rules regardless of pay structure.
Traps
Do not assume a chair-rental arrangement removes licensing. A salon license is not a personal license and is not freely transferable to a new owner or location. Performing outside scope, ignoring expiration, allowing unlicensed practice, or failing to post required notices are common violations. Rules and fees change, so verify current TDLR requirements rather than memorizing outdated numbers.
Worked example
A booth renter wants to take walk-ins in a friend’s shop. Check that the renter has a current license, the shop has a current salon license, the services are within scope, and sanitation supplies and postings are present. If any item is missing, do not perform the service.
Rule of thumb: check license, licensed salon, scope of practice, and sanitation before every service.