criminal history evaluation letter

$10 Fee to request an eligibility check before you enroll

Criminal History Evaluation Letter: Check Eligibility First

A criminal history evaluation letter tells you whether TDLR will license you before you spend a dollar on school or exam fees. Here is who needs one and how to request it.

Quick Answer

  • A criminal history evaluation letter lets you ask TDLR to review your record before you apply for a license.
  • TDLR reviews every applicant's criminal history case-by-case — a past conviction does not automatically disqualify you.
  • Requesting the letter costs a $10 fee, paid before you spend on school tuition or exam fees.
  • It applies to every Texas cosmetology license type: operator, esthetician, manicurist, and combo licenses.
  • Skipping this step means finding out about a disqualifying issue only after you have already paid for school.
TDLR, case-by-caseWho reviews your case
Before paying school tuition or exam feesWhen to request
All Texas cosmetology license typesApplies to
(800) 803-9202TDLR contact
$50TDLR application fee (separate from this check)
$10Letter request fee
criminal history evaluation letter — placeholder

What a Criminal History Evaluation Letter Tells You

A criminal history evaluation letter is a pre-application review. You send TDLR your record. TDLR tells you if it may affect your license. You do this before you pay for school or exams.

TDLR reviews each case on its own. A past conviction does not always block a license. Finding out early saves you from spending on training you cannot use. The request itself costs $10, far less than a semester of tuition you might not be able to use.

→ Texas cosmetology criminal background check

Who Should Request One

If you have any prior conviction, even an old or minor one, request this letter before you enroll in school. Do it before you register for PSI exams, too.

If your record is completely clean, you can skip this step. TDLR still runs a background check when you apply, but there is nothing case-specific to evaluate ahead of time.

→ Texas cosmetology license requirements

If you have any conviction on your record, request this letter before you pay a dollar toward school or exam fees.

How Long TDLR Takes to Respond

Plan for a real wait. TDLR must issue your letter within 90 days of a complete request. That is the outer limit, not a typical turnaround.

Request this letter well before you plan to enroll in school. Do not send it the week before classes start. A slow response can push back your whole timeline.

Pay the $10 fee and submit complete records up front. An incomplete request can add delay on top of the review itself.

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Request Early

TDLR has up to 90 days to issue your criminal history evaluation letter. Request it well before your planned enrollment date, not the week before.

→ Texas cosmetology license requirements

How TDLR Reviews Your Case

TDLR looks at the offense, how long ago it happened, and how it relates to cosmetology work. Two applicants with similar records can get different outcomes.

Submit your request to TDLR with full, accurate information. Leaving out details does not help you. TDLR runs its own background check later anyway.

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Be Complete

Submit your full criminal history, not just the parts you think matter. TDLR runs its own background check later, so an incomplete request does not help you.

→ cosmetology license application steps

criminal history evaluation letter — placeholder

What the Letter Does Not Cover

The letter reflects your case at the time you submit it. It is not a final decision. That comes later, when you apply. A new charge before then can change the outcome.

The letter skips your school hours, exam results, and fees. Those are separate steps with their own TDLR application fee and rules.

⚠️
Not a Final Decision

This letter reflects your record at the time you request it. A new charge before your formal application can change TDLR's final review.

→ cosmetology license fees breakdown

This letter is not a final decision — it reflects your record at the time you request it, and a new charge before you formally apply can change the outcome.

Before You Apply: Next Steps

Requesting a criminal history evaluation letter is a smart first move if you have any record at all. Work through these steps in order.

  1. Gather complete records of any prior conviction, including dates and outcomes
  2. Contact TDLR at (800) 803-9202 to request a criminal history evaluation
  3. Wait for TDLR's response before paying school tuition or registering for exams
  4. If cleared, enroll in your TDLR-licensed school and begin your required hours
  5. Submit your formal application through tdlr.texas.gov/verify.htm once your hours and exams are complete

→ PSI cosmetology exam details

One Thing to Remember for Later

Right now, an evaluation letter is the only step that matters. CE doesn't come into play until years from now, at your first renewal, after school and both exams. When that day comes, our TDLR-approved online course covers every required topic in one sitting — worth bookmarking, not buying today.

See the CE Course

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a criminal history evaluation letter?

A pre-application review where TDLR looks at your criminal history and tells you whether it is likely to affect your eligibility for a Texas cosmetology license, before you pay for school or exams.

Does a criminal history evaluation letter cost money?

Yes. Requesting the review costs a $10 fee for cosmetology applicants. It is still meant to save you from spending far more on school tuition or exam fees before you know your eligibility.

Will a past conviction automatically disqualify me from a cosmetology license?

No. TDLR reviews every case individually, weighing the offense, how long ago it occurred, and its relevance to cosmetology work. Outcomes vary by case.

Is the evaluation letter a final licensing decision?

No. It reflects TDLR's review of your record at the time you request it. Your final license decision happens when you formally apply, and new information can change the outcome.

Who should request a criminal history evaluation letter?

Anyone with a prior conviction, even an old or minor one, before enrolling in cosmetology school or registering for PSI exams. Applicants with a clean record can skip this step.

How long does TDLR take to issue a criminal history evaluation letter?

Up to 90 days from a complete request. Request the letter well before your planned school enrollment date so the wait does not delay your timeline.

Criminal History Evaluation Checklist

  1. Gather complete, accurate records of any prior conviction
  2. Contact TDLR at (800) 803-9202 to request a case-by-case evaluation
  3. Wait for TDLR's response before paying school tuition or exam fees
  4. Enroll in a TDLR-licensed school once your eligibility is confirmed
  5. Submit your formal license application after hours and exams are complete
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