SHEARS hours tracking
SHEARS Hours Tracking: How Your School Hours Get Logged
SHEARS hours tracking is how TDLR records every hour you complete in cosmetology school. Here's what the system does, and what you should check yourself.
Quick Answer
- SHEARS is TDLR's system for tracking your school clock hours. Your school enters them, not you.
- You get a TDLR student permit while enrolled, tied to your SHEARS record.
- Hour requirements vary by license: 1,000 for cosmetology operator, 750 for esthetician, 600 for manicurist.
- Check your SHEARS hours periodically in your TDLR account, don't wait until graduation to look.
- If you switch schools, your hours transfer as long as both schools report correctly.
What SHEARS Actually Does
SHEARS stands for School Hours and Enrollment Automated Reporting System. It's how TDLR tracks every clock hour you complete at a licensed cosmetology school. Your school enters your hours directly. You don't submit anything yourself.
While you're enrolled, TDLR issues you a student permit. This permit confirms your enrollment status. It's required before your school can start logging hours for you in the system.
Because SHEARS is the official record, your hours live in your TDLR student account. Not in a paper folder at your school. This matters if you ever switch schools or need to prove your progress.
You can check your own hour total anytime at tdlr.texas.gov/verify.htm. Do this regularly, not just once at the end.
Your school logs your hours in SHEARS. Your job is to check that record periodically, not to enter the hours yourself.
How Many Hours Your License Actually Needs
Required hours depend on which license you're working toward. Cosmetology operator needs the most hours: 1,000 clock hours total. Up to 250 of those can be theory work done online. The rest is in person.
Esthetician needs 750 hours, all at a TDLR-licensed school. Manicurist needs the fewest: 600 hours. A combined Manicurist/Esthetician license needs 800 hours through one combination course. Or you can complete both sets of hours on their own.
No license path is fully online. Some theory hours can be online, but only for cosmetology operators. Hands-on hours always mean being physically at a licensed school.
Check your own track's number through SHEARS hours tracking. Don't assume a number from a friend's different license path — the totals really do differ by type.
- Cosmetology operator: 1,000 hours (up to 250 online theory)
- Esthetician: 750 hours
- Manicurist: 600 hours
- Combined Manicurist/Esthetician: 800 hours combined
Switching Schools Without Losing Your Hours
Life changes plans sometimes, and switching cosmetology schools mid-program is more common than people expect. The good news: your hours don't disappear when you switch, as long as both schools report correctly.
Because SHEARS ties your hours to your TDLR student account, not to any one school, your new school can see what you've already completed. This lets you continue from where you left off, rather than starting over.
Before you switch, confirm your current hour total in your TDLR account, and get written confirmation of it if you can. This gives you a clean record to hand your new school and reduces the chance of an entry gap during the transition.
Once enrolled at the new school, check your SHEARS record again after your first few weeks to confirm the new school is logging your hours correctly and your prior total carried over.
What Happens After Your Hours Are Complete
Finishing your required hours isn't the last step. It's what unlocks the next one. For cosmetology operators, reaching 900 hours makes you eligible for the PSI written exam. You still need all 1,000 hours before the practical exam.
Other license tracks work the same way. Finish your full hour requirement, then move to your PSI exams. Your SHEARS record is what TDLR checks first, to confirm you're actually eligible to register.
Pass both exams and pay your application fee, and TDLR issues your license. PSI can even issue a 21-day temporary license on the spot, if your application and fees were already in before your practical exam. That lets you start working right away.
Watch your SHEARS total as you get close to these milestones. Good SHEARS hours tracking means an exam window never catches you off guard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SHEARS in Texas cosmetology licensing?
SHEARS stands for School Hours and Enrollment Automated Reporting System. It's TDLR's system for tracking the clock hours you complete at a licensed cosmetology school, entered by your school.
How do I check my SHEARS hours tracking record?
Log into your TDLR account at tdlr.texas.gov/verify.htm. Your hour total is listed under your student permit. Check it periodically rather than waiting until graduation.
What if my school enters my SHEARS hours incorrectly?
Contact your school first — they own the SHEARS entries and can usually correct errors quickly. If they can't resolve it, contact TDLR directly at (800) 803-9202.
Do I lose my hours if I switch cosmetology schools?
No. Your hours are tied to your TDLR student account, not to any one school. As long as both schools report accurately, your new school can see your completed hours.
How many hours do I need before I can take the PSI written exam?
Cosmetology operator students become eligible after 900 of the required 1,000 hours. You need all 1,000 hours completed before you're eligible for the practical exam.