The written exam at a glance
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) sets the exam, and PSI delivers it. It is closed book, so you bring what you know and nothing else.
The 6 unscored questions are mixed in with the rest, and you won’t know which ones they are. Treat every question like it counts.
What the written exam covers
The outline splits the exam into four areas. Here is how much each one weighs.
Texas law, 20%. The state rules for your license and for the salon you work in.
Infection control, 34%. Cleaning and disinfecting your tools and station so every client stays safe.
Nail structure, 5%. The parts of the nail and the skin around it, like the ones in the drawing above.
Nail care, 41%. The hands-on services you’ll do, and the steps in each one.
How many people pass in Texas?
Here are TDLR’s results for fiscal year 2025. Of 9,591 written exam sittings, 6,529 passed and 3,062 did not.
| Exam | Sittings | Passed | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written | 9,591 | 6,529 | 68.07% |
| Practical | 7,031 | Not listed | 82.46% |
All sittings, including retakes. Past results do not predict any one person’s score. A dash means the figure is not in our notes yet.
Take it in your language
- English
- Spanish Español
- Vietnamese Tiếng Việt
- Korean 한국어
- Simplified Chinese 简体中文
You can take the written exam in any of these five languages at no extra cost, so pick the one you read most comfortably.
If you don’t pass the first time
It happens, and it’s fixable. You only have to wait 24 hours after a failed attempt before you can try again, and you get unlimited attempts within 5 years.
Use the wait to look back at the areas that felt shaky. With nail care and infection control making up three quarters of the exam, those are usually the best places to start.
The practical exam
Once you pass the written exam, you move on to the practical. You perform real services on a mannequin hand while an examiner scores your work.
A full practical exam guide, section by section, is planned for this page.
Nail Tech Made Simple is in the works
An illustrated guide written to the Texas outline, with a Texas law pack. Join the list and we’ll email you once, when it’s ready.
Made Simple guides are independent study aids. No guide can guarantee a passing score.
Other states
Every state runs its own license. We publish each state's guide once its facts are checked against that state's own sources.
Questions people ask
How long does it take to get a nail tech license in Texas?
It depends mostly on how quickly you finish the required 600-hour course, since full-time and part-time schedules differ. After that, add the time it takes to schedule and pass the written exam, and then the practical exam.
Can I take the Texas nail tech exam in Vietnamese?
Yes. The written exam is offered in Vietnamese at no extra cost, along with English, Spanish, Korean and Simplified Chinese.
How much does the Texas manicurist written exam cost?
The written exam fee is $55.
What happens if I fail?
You can retake the exam after a 24-hour wait. You get unlimited attempts within 5 years.
Our sources
- PSI Candidate Information Bulletin for TDLR (dated Jan 1, 2026) · checked Oct 15, 2026
- TDLR exam statistics, FY2025 · checked Oct 15, 2026
This page is not legal advice. Rules can change; confirm with TDLR before you apply.