Short answer: about half of cosmetology candidates fail the written state board exam on any given attempt. In Texas, 49.05% of the 21,331 Cosmetology Operator written exam attempts passed in fiscal year 2025. In California, 54.8% of 11,904 written exam results for school-trained cosmetologist candidates were passes in 2025. Practical exams pass far more often: 89% in Texas. The written exam is the hard part.
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Texas written exam pass rates, 2023 to 2025
| License | FY2023 | FY2024 | FY2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology Operator | 49.92% | 52.04% | 49.05% |
| Class A Barber | 40.84% | 34.86% | 37.25% |
| Manicurist | 58.21% | 61.03% | 68.07% |
| Esthetician | 59.00% | 62.38% | 65.75% |
The cosmetology written pass rate has stayed close to 50% for three years, while the number of attempts rose from 18,104 in FY2024 to 21,331 in FY2025. Barber candidates have the lowest written pass rate, between 35% and 41%. FY2025 written attempts: 21,331 cosmetology, 8,457 barber, 9,591 manicurist and 8,544 esthetician.
For the format of each Texas written exam (number of questions, time limit and topic breakdown), see our Texas cosmetology exam guide.
Texas practical exam pass rates
| License | FY2023 | FY2024 | FY2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology Operator | 88.07% | 87.35% | 89.10% |
| Class A Barber | 92.55% | 88.63% | 89.80% |
| Manicurist | 87.85% | 82.05% | 82.46% |
| Esthetician | 97.37% | 97.42% | 98.17% |
California written exam pass rates, 2025
| License | Passed | Failed | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 6,524 | 5,380 | 54.8% |
| Barber | 2,878 | 3,062 | 48.5% |
| Esthetician | 5,593 | 2,705 | 67.4% |
| Manicurist | 4,458 | 2,044 | 68.6% |
Quarter by quarter, the California cosmetologist pass rate was 56.2%, 54.4%, 55.2% and 53.5%. California removed its practical exam on January 1, 2022, so the written exam is the only exam candidates take.
What these numbers mean for you
- The written exam is the bottleneck. In both states, cosmetology and barber candidates fail the written exam far more often than the practical.
- A failed attempt costs time and money. In California, for example, the reexamination application alone is $75, plus the wait for a new test date.
- You can check your school. California publishes written results by school every quarter on the Board’s Examination Results by School page.
How to prepare so you pass the first time
- Practice at real exam length. Know your state’s format first: California’s cosmetologist exam has 100 scored questions in 120 minutes, and Florida gives two 65-question written exams. Compare other states in our state board exam by state table.
- Read every explanation, including for questions you got right, so you can handle the same idea worded differently.
- Drill your weak topics, then take a full timed exam again before you book.
Start with 110 free practice questions, or try 10 questions in the full practice app for cosmetology, nail technician, esthetician or barber. If you already failed once, read the California retake guide. Spanish speakers can read our guides for Texas and California.
Teaching a class? Embed a free practice quiz on your class page or learning platform.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pass rate for the cosmetology state board exam?
For the written exam it is around 50%. Texas reported 49.05% for Cosmetology Operator written attempts in FY2025, and California school-trained cosmetologist candidates passed 54.8% of written exams in 2025.
Is the written or the practical exam harder?
The written exam. In Texas, the cosmetology practical pass rate was 89.10% in FY2025, compared with 49.05% for the written exam.
What is the barber exam pass rate?
Texas Class A Barber written attempts passed at 37.25% in FY2025. California barber written results for school-trained candidates passed at 48.5% in 2025.
What is the nail technician exam pass rate?
Texas manicurist written attempts passed at 68.07% in FY2025; California manicurist written results passed at 68.6% in 2025.
What is the esthetician exam pass rate?
Texas esthetician written attempts passed at 65.75% in FY2025; California esthetician written results passed at 67.4% in 2025.
How we calculated these figures
Texas figures are copied from TDLR’s annual exam statistics tables and count attempts, so one person who tests twice is counted twice. California figures add up the pass and fail counts in the Board’s four 2025 quarterly reports of written results by school, which cover candidates reported through a school. Neither source reports first-time pass rates. Checked on October 30, 2026.
Sources
- TDLR: Fiscal Year 2025 exam statistics
- TDLR: Fiscal Year 2024 exam statistics
- TDLR: Fiscal Year 2023 exam statistics
- California BBC: written results by school, January to March 2025
- California BBC: written results by school, April to June 2025
- California BBC: written results by school, July to September 2025
- California BBC: written results by school, October to December 2025
Cosmetology Exam Prep is an independent study site and is not affiliated with TDLR, the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, PSI or Pearson VUE.
