How long is cosmetology school? You will find out in this article. Cosmetology can be a fun and interesting job where you help people improve their looks. If you want to become a cosmetologist, you should know how much time you will need to train and get a license.
This article talks about how long it takes to become a cosmetologist, the types of cosmetologists, and how long cosmetology schools in various states.
Who Is a Cosmetologist?
A cosmetologist provides cosmetic services to clients. This is often done by cutting, styling, and coloring hair, but it can also include facial hair removal, pedicures, manicures, and putting on makeup, among other things. Most of the time, cosmetologists work in salons, but they can also work in spas and resorts.
They usually use scissors, clippers, combs, brushes, heat tools, and sometimes chemicals. Most of the time, a cosmetologist works full time, but sometimes they work part-time with flexible hours. Some cosmetologists work at night and on the weekends to help their clients.
Types of Cosmetologists
If you get a license as a cosmetologist, you can do a lot of different things. Some of the areas where you can specialize are:
1. Hairstylist
The average salary across the country: $13.88 per hour
A hairdresser or hairstylist cuts, styles, washes, dries, and colors the hair of their clients. Hairdressers also used chemicals to make hair straight or curly.
Most of the time, they work based on what the customer wants. On the other hand, they may suggest a certain style or cut based on how the customer’s hair looks and what the customer likes.
Hairdressers often tell their clients how to take care of their hair the best way, and they also sell hair products. Most of the time, if you want to be a hairdresser and work in salons, spas, or hotels, you need a license.
2. Cosmetology instructor
The average hourly wage across the country is $18.68
A cosmetology teacher shows students how to do things like style hair, do manicures and pedicures, and put on makeup. Cosmetology instructors teach not only the practical parts of the job, but also the health and safety rules that most salons follow.
Most of the time, you need to be a licensed cosmetologist with at least two years of experience to teach cosmetology.
In some places, you also need an instructor’s license. Most of the time, cosmetology teachers work at community colleges, vocational schools, or cosmetology schools.
3. Salon manager
The average salary in the U.S. is $39,613 per year.
A salon manager is in charge of running a hair, beauty, or spa salon every day. This means hiring, training, and, if necessary, letting go of salon employees. The salon manager is also in charge of making sure that the salon makes money and follows all health and safety rules.
To be a successful salon manager, you need to be a licensed cosmetologist with a lot of experience. You also need to be good at organizing and communicating.
4. Nail technician
The average salary across the country: $42,089 per year
A nail technician’s job is to care for and style fingernails and toenails. This includes cutting, cleaning, and filing nails, taking off cuticles, putting on and taking off acrylic nails, and massaging the hands or feet.
Nail techs are also in charge of keeping their tools and work areas clean. Some nail technicians may prefer to work as either manicurists or pedicurists, but they are trained to do both.
Most of the time, nail technicians work in full-service salons or in department stores. Some people go to their client’s homes to do their jobs.
5. Esthetician
The average salary across the country: $21.44 per hour
An esthetician also called an aesthetician, is trained and licensed in skin care. An esthetician does things like give facials, treat the skin, get rid of hair, and exfoliate the skin.
Cosmetologists are taught some ways to take care of skin, but estheticians learn more and are more specialized.
To work as an esthetician in many places, you need a license. As part of their training, estheticians learn about the allergic reactions a client may have to different skin treatments and how to handle them.
6. Beauty writer or editor
The average salary across the country: $23.80 per hour
A beauty writer or editor works for a magazine or newspaper to write or edit articles about beauty. This can include articles about skincare, hair care, and cosmetics, as well as articles about new products, services, and procedures in the beauty industry.
Depending on the publication, you might need qualifications or experience in journalism to be a beauty writer. If you have a background in cosmetology, you may have an advantage because you will have more to write about.
7. Massage therapist
The average salary across the country: $28.19 per hour
Cosmetologists are taught how to massage, especially how to massage the hands and feet. When you become a massage therapist, you learn how to help a client’s whole body feel less pain and stress.
Massage therapists touch and move the muscles and soft tissues of their clients to help them relax and improve their health.
They usually talk with their clients about their medical history, the parts of the body that need work, and what might be causing pain, stress, or injury. The massage therapist then gives you more focused care based on what you said.
8. Cosmetology sales representative
The average salary across the country: $58,011 per year
Most of the time, cosmetology sales representatives work for a company that makes and sells beauty products. They are in charge of selling the company’s products and teaching customers how to use them most effectively. This could mean showing people how the product works and talking to possible customers at trade shows or in stores.
Cosmetology sales reps who want to be successful need to know a lot about the products they sell as well as the beauty industry and brands that are competing with them.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Cosmetologist?
To start cosmetology school, you need a high school diploma, a GED, or something else that is the same.
After that, how long it takes to become a cosmetologist depends on the requirements in your area and the program you choose. Most of the time, it takes longer to finish a full cosmetology program than to train in just one area, like makeup or barbering.
After you’ve learned in the classroom, you usually have to do an internship where you get supervised hands-on experience. Then you can take the test to get your license and be ready to work in a professional salon.
Depending on where you live, it can take between four and five years, not counting high school, to finish cosmetology school and get a license. It could take longer if you only study part-time. During this time, you’ll do the following:
- An associate degree takes two years to get. Depending on what you want to do, you might be able to join an accelerated program that you can finish in about nine months.
- Having an internship for two or more years. Before they’ll hire you, most salons want you to have a lot of work experience. One of the best ways to get that experience is through an internship.
How Long Is Cosmetology School for Makeup
In many states, people who do makeup must have a license. If you want to become a makeup artist, you could just take the licensing test, but it’s better to take courses in makeup artistry first.
Makeup artistry could be taught on its own in a month or two. Most of the time, they are taught in cosmetology schools.
If you go to school full-time, it can take about eight months to become a licensed cosmetologist. If you decide to go to school part-time, it could take you up to two years to finish the program.
Cosmetology School for Makeup Experience
You can learn the skills and knowledge you need to become a makeup artist by taking courses in makeup artistry or by becoming a cosmetologist. You will still need to get work experience, though.
How long do you have to work as a makeup artist before you can call yourself a pro? It’s tough to say. After a few years, you will learn more and be able to do more. But it might take longer than that to become really well-known in the field.
The whole point of experience is to learn. If you want to be known as a makeup artist, you need to be proactive about looking for ways to learn.
You can take classes to become a master makeup artist or sign up for training offered by cosmetics companies that focus on new ways to apply makeup.
These chances to learn are valuable because you get a certificate to show you’ve finished the course.
But there are many ways to learn outside of school. If you see a new technique on YouTube or in a magazine, practice it until you feel like you’ve mastered it.
How Long Is Cosmetology School in Florida
In Florida, students who want to become cosmetologists must finish at least 1200 hours of schooling. Most cosmetology programs at beauty schools in Florida take between 9 and 15 months to finish on average.
Many beauty schools offer classes at night and on weekends so that students can fit school, work, and family life into their schedules. It’s also important to remember that students who only go to school part-time will take longer to finish the program.
Attend an Accredited Florida School of Cosmetology
The first step to getting a cosmetology license in Florida is to choose a cosmetology school that is recognized by the state.
When picking the right beauty school for you, there are many things to think about. Accreditation is a sign that a school is trustworthy and that you will get the education you need to pass your state exam.
Also, the school should have a flexible curriculum with lots of hands-on training. Also, think about whether the school has financial aid. Is the school close to your house?
Does the beauty school help people find jobs? Contact the beauty schools near you and ask to take a tour. This will help you figure out which school is best for you.
How Long Is Cosmetology School in Georgia
After 1,500 hours of training, you must take and pass two state-approved exams to become a master cosmetologist. PSI Services runs these tests, which can be done in many places across the U.S.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) makes sure that all PSI centers can be reached by people with disabilities, and if you need help, you can ask for it.
You need to pass a 185-minute practical exam ($64) and a 90-minute theoretical exam ($45). Both of these exams must be taken in person at a PSI test center; they can’t be done online. If you finished your 1,500-hour cosmetology program after July 1, 2018, you have four years from the end of your course to take the exams.
If you don’t pass the exams the first time you take them, you can take them again as many times as you want in the four years you have to do so. But if you don’t pass within the first four years, you have to reapply for your license with the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers and pay any fees.
On the day of your test, you must arrive at the test center at least 30 minutes before your start time and bring two forms of ID with you.
You have to bring your own gear to the practical test. This needs to be properly labeled and kept closed unless you’re taking out or putting in materials for a certain service. When the original label from the manufacturer is needed, it must be written in English and can’t be handwritten. You should also bring your own mannequin head and mannequin hand, as well as a table clamp, to the test.
How Long Is Cosmetology School in Ohio
So, you’re ready to start doing what you love and get your cosmetology license. At Aveda Institute’s cosmetology school, you will learn how to cut, color, and style hair, care for your nails, and apply makeup. You will also learn about business development, retail, and how to get and keep clients. How long does cosmetology school take to finish?
To get a cosmetology license in Ohio, you must go to a licensed school, complete the minimum number of training hours required by the state, and then take and pass the state’s cosmetology board exams. You will be ready to take the Ohio Licensing Test after 1500 hours of cosmetology school.
How Long Is Cosmetology School in NC
In North Carolina, you need to go to a school approved by the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners and get 1,500 hours of training as a cosmetologist. There are many requirements in the curriculum, which includes both theoretical and practical subjects, such as, but not limited to:
- Anatomy
- Artificial nails
- Bacteriology
- Business management
- Chemistry as it relates to cosmetics
- Electricity as it relates to cosmetics
- First aid
- Hair cutting
- Professional image and ethics
- Scalp treatments
For each service you do at your school, you have to pass tests on how to prevent infections, how to use tools safely, and how to use products safely. You also have to do work on a live model, such as:
- Basic facial, including steam
- Basic manicure and pedicure
- Blow drying
- Color application
- Haircutting with shears, razors, or clippers
- Hot ironing
- Permanent waving and wraps
- Relaxer application
- Waxing
North Carolina students also have to get a score of 100% on an evaluation of infection control and how to handle blood exposure. The board has a list of North Carolina schools that have been approved.
What Else Do You Need to Become a Cosmetologist?
To get a job in Minnesota, you need a cosmetology license from the state of Minnesota. You have to go to a licensed school with a curriculum that meets the requirements. After you’ve finished the minimum number of hours of training, you’ll have to fill out an application for a license and take the board exams.
The Minnesota Board of Cosmetology is in charge of the board exams. They are a real part of the government, and they will decide if you can get your license. The last thing you need to do to get your license is to pass the test. You will have to pay a one-time fee when you get your license. Then you can try to get jobs in salons.
Cosmetologists who work in Minnesota are required to keep learning. When you renew your license, you will have to show that you have kept up with the latest practices.
Is Cosmetology a Good Career Choice?
People think that cosmetology is a good career choice because it has so many options. There are good pay packages in the field. After taking a course in cosmetology, people can get jobs in salons, beauty shops, spas, hotels, and resorts.
Do Hairdressers Like their Jobs?
Happiness. When it comes to being happy at work, research shows that two out of five hairdressers are very happy with their jobs. It’s not hard to see why, since every day brings new challenges and clients who really appreciate your work.