Data · Updated
Licensing exam pass rates, with sources
How many candidates pass the written licensing exam, in the states that publish it. Every number here comes from a published report, and every number comes with its source.
Pass rates side by side
All bars use the same scale, from 0% to 100%. The thin line marks 50%. Mind the group before you compare two bars: a first-time rate and an all-sittings rate count different people.
The full data table
Select a column heading to sort. Rows marked "Research notes" come from our research notes on the named report.
| Period | Group | Source | Confidence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esthetician written | Texas | FY2025 | All sittings | 65.8%5,618 of 8,544 [1] | TDLR | Source checked |
| Cosmetology operator written | Texas | FY2025 | All attempts, incl. retakes | 49.05%of 21,331 | TDLR | Source checked |
| Nail tech (manicurist) written | Texas | FY2025 | All sittings | 68.07%of 9,591 | TDLR | Research notes |
| Real estate sales associate | Florida | May 2026 | First-time | 48%of 2,044 | Florida DBPR | Source checked |
| Real estate, both portions | Texas | FY2025 | First try | 55% | Texas state report | Source checked |
| Life Agent | Texas | 2025 | First-time | 47% | Pearson VUE summary for TDI | Research notes |
| General Lines Life, Accident and Health | Texas | 2025 | First-time | 57% | Pearson VUE summary for TDI | Research notes |
| 2-15 license exam | Florida | 2025 | All attempts | 47.3% | Florida DFS | Research notes |
| Life, Accident and Health | New York | 2023 | Not stated | 46.5% | New York DFS | Research notes |
[1] TDLR reported that 2,926 of 8,544 esthetician written exams were failed. Passed = 8,544 − 2,926 = 5,618. Pass rate = 5,618 ÷ 8,544 × 100 = 65.75%, shown rounded to 65.8%. Every other rate is shown exactly as the source published it.
FY = the state's fiscal year. TDLR = Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. DBPR = Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. TDI = Texas Department of Insurance. DFS = Department of Financial Services.
What these numbers can tell you
Pass rates show that these exams deserve a real plan. In five of the nine rows above, the pass rate is under 50%. They do not tell you how you will do. Your result depends on your preparation, not on last year's group.
Studying for one of these exams? See the study areas, try a free practice test, or look up your state guide.
Made Simple guides are independent study aids. No guide can guarantee a passing score.
Cite this page
You are welcome to quote any figure on this page. Please cite the original source next to it, and link to this page.
Our sources
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), FY2025 exam statistics: esthetician, cosmetology operator and manicurist written exams. · checked Oct 15, 2026
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), real estate sales associate exam results, May 2026. · checked Oct 15, 2026
- Texas real estate exam results, FY2025, both portions on the first try. · checked Oct 15, 2026
- Pearson VUE 2025 exam summary for the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI): Life Agent and General Lines Life, Accident and Health. · research notes
- Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS), 2-15 exam results, 2025, all attempts. · research notes
- New York Department of Financial Services (DFS), Life, Accident and Health exam results, 2023. · research notes
Rows marked "Research notes": the Texas nail tech written rate and all four insurance rates. Our editorial standards.