Specialist Curricula, Part One

The provisions of this ยง83.202 adopted to be effective January 1, 2023, 47 TexReg 8640.

Technical Requirements–Curriculum Standards

A cosmetologist or barber has a big responsibility, not only her/his client’s looks are on the line, but the client’s health. These professionals work with chemicals that can affect both the client and the beauty technician’s health. Texas has created mandatory curriculum standards to make sure that all estheticians have the necessary information and can make decisions that are safe, while making the customer look great! Following are theses requirements.

(d) Specialist Curricula:

(1) The esthetician curriculum consists of 750 clock hours or equivalent credit hours, as follows:

  • (A) Theory and related practice (450 hours):
    • Anatomy and physiology;
    • Skin diseases and disorders; 
    • Skin analysis;
    • Machines and related equipment;
    • Basic facials;
    • Chemistry;
    • Care of client;
    • Superfluous hair removal and related theory;
    • Sanitation law and rules; 
    • Business management;
    • Facial treatments, cleansing, masking, and therapy; 
    • Chemistry machines and related equipment;
    • Superfluous hair removal;
    • Sanitation, first aid, health and safety; 
    • Makeup.
  • (B) Specialty Practice and related theory (300 hours):
    • Advanced facial treatments and superfluous hair removal using devices or preparations; 
    • Makeup;
    • Semi-permanent eyelash extension applications;
    • And related practices.

A manicurist technician will need to use products that contain chemicals that he or she mut be familiar with and with their effects. On top of this, manicurist technicians need to learn to use their tools in a way that is safe for the customers, which created the needs for the curriculum standards below.

(2) The manicurist curriculum consists of 600 clock hours or equivalent credit hours, as follows:

  • (A) Theory and related practice (300 hours):
    • Anatomy and physiology; 
    • Nail structure and growth;
    • Equipment and implements; 
    • Bacteriology, sanitation and safety; 
    • Hazardous chemicals and ventilation; 
    • Basic manicures and pedicures;
    • Business management;
    • Laws and rules;
    • Nail and skin diseases and disorders;
    • Artificial nails;
    • Product chemistry;
    • Repair work, massage, buffing and application of polish and artificial nails;
    • Cosmetic fingernails, extensions, sculptured nails, tips, wraps, fiberglass/gels and odorless products;
    • Basic manicuring and pedicuring; 
    • Nail art;
    • Electric filing.
  • (B) Specialty Practice and related theory (300 hours):
    • Professional practices;
    • Advanced manicuring and pedicuring;
    • Advanced techniques, preparations and applications.

For a cosmetology technician interested in both esthetician and manicure, TDLR (Texas Department of License and Regulation) took out redundant hours, and taking the credits listed below will save you 150 hours compared to taking them separately.

(3) The manicurist/esthetician curriculum consists of 800 clock hours or equivalent credit hours, as follows:

  • (A) Theory and related practice (200 hours):
    • Anatomy and physiology;
    • Machines and related equipment;
    • Chemistry;
    • Care of clients;
    • Basic facials;
    • superfluous hair removal and related theory;
    • Nail structure and growth;
    • Equipment and implements;
    • Hazardous chemicals and ventilation;
    • Basic manicures and pedicures;
    • Business management;
    • Bacteriology, sanitation, health, and safety;
    • Laws and rules.
  • (B) Specialty Manicure Practice and related theory (300 hours):
    • Repair work, massage, buffing and application of polish and artificial nails;
    • Cosmetic fingernails, extensions, sculptured nails, tips, wraps, fiberglass/gels and odorless products;
    • Professional practices, techniques and preparations;
    • Sanitation, first aid, health and safety.
  • (C) Specialty Esthetician Practice and related theory (300 hours):
  • Facial treatments, cleansing, masking, and therapy;
  • Chemistry machines and related equipment;
  • Superfluous hair removal;
  • Devices or preparations;
  • Semi-permanent eyelash extension applications;
  • Sanitation, first aid, health and safety.