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Consider a cosmetology license as your passport to travel the beauty industry world. Maybe you enjoy makeup application, or maybe you prefer giving pedicures. Perhaps hair styling and aesthetics are your beauty standbys. It doesn’t matter which aspect you prefer, or if you love all the pieces of the cosmetology puzzle; you won’t be able to do any of them without a cosmetology license.
Want another way to set yourself apart in the cosmetology marketplace? Develop, expand, refine and hone your own philosophy of beauty to give your work that personal touch, further securing your successful career in any aspect of cosmetology. We have the largest network of local schools in the U.S.
Education and training for cosmetologists covers a great deal of territory: developing interpersonal skills, biology, business, color theory and facial anatomy are a few examples of the diverse coursework awaiting you at the cosmetology school of your choosing.
Cosmetology License= Hot Commodity
A cosmetology license is a hot commodity and will help you stand out in a crowd of applicants: according to the NACCAS 2007 Job Demand Survey, nearly 75% of salons with vacant positions could not find qualified applicants to fill them. This level of job security and occupational growth is a beautiful thing, so be sure to complete an accredited cosmetology program and take the next step to getting your license.
Every state requires cosmetologists or other personal appearance workers to be licensed (the only exceptions to this rule are shampooers or makeup artists). If you are seeking a career as a manicurist, pedicurist or skin care specialist, a separate licensing exam is required by most states. The list of qualifications for licensure do vary by state, but on the whole, cosmetology license applicants must be at least 16 years old, possess a high school diploma (or GED), and must have graduated from an accredited cosmetology school. Licensing exams are typically written but may also include an oral exam or a hands-on test that allows cosmetologists to show off their styling skills.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists must obtain a license in order to work. Qualifications for a license vary by state, but generally, a person must fulfill the following criteria:
- Reached a minimum age of 16
- Received a high school diploma or equivalent
- Graduated from a state-licensed barber or cosmetology school
After graduating from a state-approved training program, students take a state licensing exam that includes a written test and, in some cases, a practical test of styling skills or an oral exam.
According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics,tje median hourly wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was $11.66 in May 2016. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.62, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $23.58. Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists may receive tips from customers. High quality work and customer service usually contribute to greater tip totals!
Those with a cosmetology license can expect to put in a full 40-hour work week and most likely will fill those hours with evening and weekend work, as those are the busiest times in most salons. But if helping others achieve beauty from the inside out truly inspires you, get your cosmetology license; those hours will surely fly by. Unlike traditional colleges, which will often take you four years to complete a bachelor’s degree, you can find a cosmetology school that allows you to complete your training in as little as eight months or up to two years depending on if you decide to pursue your education full or part-time. Locate schools in your area to get started on a cosmetology license today.
We can provide licensing information for the following states:
Alabama – AL
Alaska – AK
Arizona – AZ
Arkansas – AR
California – CA
Colorado – CO
Connecticut – CT
Delaware – DE
Florida – FL
Georgia – GA
Hawaii – HI
Idaho – ID
Illinois – IL
Indiana – IN
Iowa – IA
Kansas – KS
Kentucky – KY
Louisiana – LA
Maine – ME
Maryland – MD
Massachusetts – MA
Michigan – MI
Minnesota – MN
Mississippi – MS
Missouri – MO
Montana – MT
Nebraska – NE
Nevada – NV
New Hampshire – NH
New Jersey – NJ
New Mexico – NM
New York – NY
North Carolina – NC
North Dakota – ND
Ohio – OH
Oklahoma – OK
Oregon – OR
Pennsylvania – PA
Rhode Island – RI
South Carolina – SC
South Dakota – SD
Tennessee – TN
Texas – TX
Utah – UT
Vermont – VT
Virginia – VA
Washington – WA
West Virginia – WV
Wisconsin – WI
Wyoming – WY
Originally Posted by CBN