The Beauty Denominator

I decided to turn this comment into a post so other people could add any comments that might help someone else concerning reciprocity between NY and Texas, so if anyone has any experiences they would like to share then please do.

Sebastian: I went to the Aveda Institute in NYC and just moved to Texas. I haven’t yet taken the test in NY to get my license, but was going to fly back to do so, and then see about transferring my license to Texas. I’ve called the Tx. Dept of Licensing and they say that there should be no problem getting a Texas license and that I won’t have to redo hours. But from everything I’ve looked at on the web, nothing says that Texas and NY have reciprocity. Am I not understanding them correctly?

I know the hours between NY and TX are not equal — I just want to make sure I can get my TX license as quickly as possible so I can start working. Another option I asked about was if I didn’t bother going to NY to take the exam to get licensed, but instead transfered my hours down here and took the test in Texas. The Dept. of Lic. said that “maybe” I would be allowed to take the test without doing extra hours, but it depends on the “mood” of the examiner. Hah. This is awfully confusing — any clarity would be appreciated.

My Answer:

I seriously doubt that Texas would let 500 needed hours slip past regardless the mood of the examiner. If you had your license already and had work experience then that would be documented and probably accepted.

It’s true that New York doesn’t reciprocate with many states and Texas is not on their list and usually those states react in kind so it’s very important to have everything clarified up front and make sure you get it in print so you will have proof of what was said.

If I were you I would have my certified school hours sent to Texas and finish the hours there and take the test just to make everything simple. It can get pretty expensive flying back paying fees waiting for your license, paying fees to have your certified licence proof sent to Texas Paying Texas fees to have your license approved.

Waiting to find out if your license will be accepted no return policy on fees if it’s not. Havi ng to take a course for extra hours anyhow then reapplying. Way too complicated for me. I like the simple direct approach and besides from the time you apply to take your boards till you go through the reciprocity process could be around 3 months and you might not be approved.