psi exam day checklist
Your PSI Exam Day Checklist, Start to Finish
This PSI exam day checklist covers what to bring, what each exam actually tests, and what happens right after you pass.
Quick Answer
- Valid photo ID is required at every testing site, no exceptions.
- The written exam covers hair and scalp topics, infection control, Texas law, skin, and nails.
- The practical exam is a hands-on skills demo, with sanitation steps weighted heavily.
- A 70% score is required to pass each exam.
- Submit your TDLR application and fees beforehand to qualify for a temporary license after passing.
What to Bring on Exam Day
A PSI exam day checklist starts before you even leave home. A few basics matter most.
Valid photo ID is required. Every site, every time. No exceptions worth counting on.
Your confirmation details matter too. Know your exact appointment time and testing site address ahead of time.
If you're aiming for a temporary license after passing, your TDLR application and fees should already be submitted. That step happens before exam day, not after.
Bring a backup form of ID if you have one, and check that the name matches your registration exactly — a mismatch at check-in can cost you the whole appointment.
Valid photo ID is required at check-in for every PSI exam, at every location. Confirm you have it before you leave for the site.
What the Written Exam Actually Tests
Knowing what's on the test beats guessing. The breakdown is fairly specific.
Hair and scalp topics make up roughly 40% of the written exam. That's the single biggest chunk.
Infection control comes in around 28%. A close second, and worth serious review time.
The rest covers Texas law, skin, and nails. Broader, but still fair game on exam day.
Multiple-choice format throughout. No essays. No verbal component. Reviewing Texas law questions matters too. They trip up candidates who only studied technique.
- Hair and scalp: roughly 40% of the written exam
- Infection control: roughly 28%
- Texas law: a required section
- Skin and nails: rounding out the rest
After You Pass
Passing is the finish line for the exam, but not quite the finish line overall.
If your TDLR application and fees were already submitted, PSI issues a temporary license on the spot. Right after your practical exam.
That temporary license is valid for 21 days. It lets you start working while your permanent license makes its way to you by mail.
Without that paperwork submitted beforehand, you'll wait on the mail before starting. Getting it in early is worth the small effort.
Keep a copy of your temporary license with you while you work those 21 days. If your permanent license hasn't arrived by the time it expires, contact TDLR directly rather than assuming the mail is just running late.
A psi exam day checklist works best written down the night before, not recalled from memory that morning. ID. Confirmation details. Any required kit items. A short list removes one more thing to worry about on exam morning. Nerves already run high enough without hunting for a missing item. A calm morning starts the exam off on the right foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be on my PSI exam day checklist?
Valid photo ID, your exact appointment details, and your submitted TDLR application if you're aiming to qualify for a temporary license after passing.
What topics does the written cosmetology exam cover?
Roughly 40% hair and scalp topics, roughly 28% infection control, plus Texas law, skin, and nails covering the remainder.
What does the practical exam actually evaluate?
A hands-on skills demonstration where you perform real techniques, with sanitation steps weighted heavily throughout the evaluation.
What passing score do I need on each exam?
A 70% score is required to pass both the written exam and the practical exam.
How soon can I start working after passing the practical exam?
If your TDLR application and fees were submitted beforehand, PSI issues a 21-day temporary license on the spot, letting you start working immediately.