What happens on the practical exam day

Before the practical exam

In Texas, you must pass the written exam before you can sit for the practical exam.

In Texas, you carry your own supplies. Once you arrive and sign in, you cannot leave the exam area.

In Alabama, you also bring two containers for used items.

In Georgia, you must wear a sleeved smock or lab coat and closed-toe shoes. Without the right attire, you cannot take the practical exam.

In Texas, you also need closed-toe shoes for the practical exam.

The rules in the room

In Texas, you do all work on mannequins. Scoring covers safety, sanitation, and procedures.

In Texas, a mannequin with markings or colors near the hair, scalp, hands, or fingers earns no points in the sections that use it.

In Texas, you may not talk with other candidates once you enter the exam area. You may not watch them either.

In Alabama, PSI treats watching other test takers as cheating. The penalty runs up to dismissal from the test.

In Georgia, electronics of any kind are strictly banned in the testing facility.

In Texas, cell phones are not allowed in the practical exam room.

Pack your kit the way the rules ask. Check each item for stray marks or labels before exam day.

What the examiner watches

In Texas, the examiner observes and rates your work. The examiner may not talk with you beyond a general greeting.

In Texas, you earn points only when you do the steps in the listed order. Steps that are not listed are not rated.

In Alabama, scores rest on solid knowledge of infection control and safety. No single style or technique is required.

In Alabama, the checks include keeping your supply kit clean and knowing which items are single-use and which are multi-use.

Timing and the order of the day

In Texas, the full practical exam runs 3 hours and 31 minutes.

In Alabama and Georgia, the PSI national practical test runs about 235 minutes.

In Colorado, it is also about 235 minutes.

In Alabama, the PSI national practical test has 11 topic areas. It opens with workstation preparation and ends with workstation preparation for the next client.

In Texas, the day starts with 10 minutes to unpack and set up your work area.

In Texas, one section is a nail tip with a monomer and polymer overlay on one nail, with 32 minutes. Another is a blood exposure incident, with 12 minutes.

In Texas, the time for each service includes setup and cleanup.

In Texas, you get no points for work not finished within the time limit.

In Texas, you raise your hand at the end of each section to show you are done. You step back first.

In Texas, you may use the restroom, but the clock keeps running and missed instructions are not repeated.

How the practical result is reported

In Texas, the passing score for the practical exam is 70 percent, or 84 points out of 119.

In Texas, you read your score report in your PSI account. If it is not there within 24 hours, you email PSI.

In Alabama, PSI mails a result report within 24 hours of the test. Results are also online one business day after the test date.

In Colorado, PSI mails the result report within 7 business days. Results are online one business day after the test date.

In Georgia, you get your score reports by email within 48 hours.

In Alabama, a candidate who scores below the passing score gets an overall score and a score for each topic area.

In Texas, there is no review of the practical exam. Georgia says the same.

The written exam is the other part of licensing. Keep your written practice going while you prepare your kit.

Common questions

How long is the Texas cosmetology practical exam?

In Texas, the full practical exam runs 3 hours and 31 minutes.

What score do I need to pass the Texas practical exam?

In Texas, the passing score for the practical exam is 70 percent, or 84 points out of 119.

Can I review my practical exam after I get my score?

In Texas, there is no review of the practical exam. Georgia says the same.