Schools told to preserve 25:1 ratio; curriculum and exam rules framed amid instructor-license elimination

TDLR education staff explained how the merger affects schools, curriculum design and examinations.

Lorraine, the team lead for education and examination, reiterated the student-teacher ratio will remain at 25:1 and that new combined school licenses will be issued on Sept. 1, 2023 so schools that previously held both barber and cosmetology school licenses may consolidate. "The ratio student teacher ratio of 25 to 1. That is not changing that will stay the same," she said.

Panelists described the technical curriculum structure: a common foundational block (700 hours) and specialized segments (for example, 300 hours that include eyelash extension, advanced hair care and advanced chemical services). Staff cautioned that how schools develop lesson plans will determine which instructors (an operator versus a class A barber) can teach specific portions; schools must only assign instruction to people holding the appropriate license for the content being taught.

On testing, Rebecca Abbas said examination items and practical steps come from industry textbooks (Milady and Pivot Point) and that the examinations themselves are not changing. TDLR staff also clarified transfer-hour rules and that schools cannot withhold student hours to enforce tuition collection; transfer-hour provisions are now codified in the consolidated statute (16O3.22313).

Panelists noted distance education remains limited to theory hours under current law (25% allowed now; a proposed increase to 50% would, if adopted, apply only to theory) and that apprenticeships would require legislative change before they could be introduced.