Beauty School: Meet the Training Requirements for Your License
By Lara FoxAre you a people person? Do you enjoy helping others feel good about themselves? If so, a beauty career, such as cosmetology and barbering, may be a great fit for you. Being a beauty therapist can challenge you to develop your skills and creativity in a fun and friendly environment. Plus, the path into this career is well defined and straightforward to follow. Find out how you can get started with beauty education courses and soon be working in a beauty career.
Licensing Requirements for a Beauty Career
The first step toward your beauty career is to qualify for your license. All states require licensing. State laws determine the number of training hours you'll need as well as age requirements. In most states, before you start beauty school, you must be at least 16 years old and have graduated from high school or received a GED--but the requirements vary. Some states, such as Arkansas, require completion of two years of high school, while others, like Mississippi, expect you to be 17 years of age. To find out the regulations for your state, contact your state board of cosmetology or simply ask the beauty schools you're researching.
Beauty School Basics
In beauty school, you will meet the licensing requirements of your state by taking a set of beauty training courses that total a certain number of hours. At the top beauty schools, these courses cover both theory and hands-on practical training with clients. The curriculum you learn depends on the specialty or program you choose and may address salon management and customer interactions as well.
Taking the Licensing Exam
Once you graduate, you must take a licensing exam. Cosmetology, barbering, nail technology, esthetics, and other specialties typically require separate licensing exams. The licensing exam may be a written test only or a written test accompanied by an oral or hands-on skills presentation. The fee for the exam varies from state to state but typically falls in the $80 to $125 range.
Licensing tests are state-specific. Some states offer reciprocity (with conditions varying by state), which means that they will accept your license from another state. There is an industry-wide movement to standardize the written portion of the exam, so be sure to do your research and see how these changes may be affecting the laws and requirements in your state. Know that if you move during your career, you may need to become re-licensed in your new home state.
Keeping your Beauty License Current
After acquiring your initial license, you will need to renew it every few years, as required by the state in which you work. In Massachusetts, for example, you must renew your license every two years. The process is simple: the state board mails you a renewal application six weeks before it is due, which you fill in and return. You must also pay a fee for each renewal, but this is at a lower rate--typically $50 to $70 per renewal. Many beauticians find this a small price to pay for a rewarding career that lets them express their stylistic creativity while giving customers fun new looks that they love.
Sources
- Arkansas State Board of Cosmetology
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- California Department of Consumer Affairs
- Cengage Learning--Milady
- Marinello Schools of Beauty
- Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
- Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology
Lara Fox has worked as a staff and freelance editor and writer for the past ten years. She holds a B.A. in anthropology and an M.A. in education.
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