The field of cosmetology tends to attract the
younger set, with a common age range of students at 16 to 20
years old. Therefore, many states allow you to enroll in classes
while still attending high school. The junior year is when most
courses are available, with additional classes offered during
the summers. Thus, allowing the student to finish their high
school education while also working toward a degree in
Cosmetology.
The different states mandate the total hours
of instruction, but in general, it takes around 1600 hours
before you can qualify for the state’s board exam. The
individual schools must certify that their students are truly
ready for the licensing tests. Beauty courses are typically
found in three main settings: public, private and advanced
training schools.
Public Schools
If you can find a public cosmetology program
nearby, this will save the most money on your education. As a
high school student, you might want to explore your state’s
programs within the school system. Some states, like Florida for
example, actually incorporate a cosmetology program within the
walls of their public high schools.
For an adult, it is still relatively simple to
find programs within local community colleges, junior colleges
or vocational centers.
Private Schools
From the inexpensive to the extreme, there are
a wide range of options in private cosmetology schools. The most
important consideration is your personal goals, budget and
location. Before enrolling, always check to make sure the school
is approved for licensing by your state.
Advanced Training
Specialty training programs or classes are
also available for both current cosmetology students and
licensed practitioners. In both cases, these additional hours
will help to further your career. In some states, these courses
are required for special licensing of certain beauty fields such
as electrolysis or aestheticians. Many makeup artists desire the
advanced training found at makeup schools. Although these
courses can add to your cost of education, most lead to a higher
income down the road.
Choosing a School
The absolute first thing on your list should
be to contact the Board of Cosmetology for the state you hope to
work in someday. They will provide you with the most recent list
of approved schools for licensing. Selecting a state approved
school is an absolutely necessity in obtaining a career in
cosmetology.
Once armed with your list, the next agenda
item will be to contact the types of business you hope to work
for. Ask them directly where their employees went to school and
what type of education they require. This should help you to
narrow down your list, along with any budget and travel
considerations.
Now you should have a manageable amount of
schools to explore. Take the time to research each cosmetology
school’s programs, while also verifying their offering of
courses in your areas of interest. Different schools do have
variations in their curriculums. Analyze the employment rate of
their graduates and the type of work they go into. It is also
wise to find a cosmetology school that provides a placement
service, as your ultimate goal in education is to eventually get
a job.
Licensing
Each state has a unique licensing system. You
must pass the exam for the state in which you plan to work. Some
states do reciprocate between licenses, but it is limited. Most
states will ask you to take additional instruction and possibly
pass their exam before they will allow you to work there. It is
therefore critical to make the effort to clarify your state’s
requirements before even starting school. This will ensure that
your time at school is fully maximized.
Once in a cosmetology program, even before you
graduate, start the application process for the state board
exams. The time from application to exam, to receiving your
license, can take months - so don’t delay or you could
potentially lose valuable days on the job. There are fees to
become licensed, so start setting that money aside now.
Over half of the states now use the National
Cosmetology Examination (http://www.nictesting.org/index-main.html)
which has 100 questions and takes approximately one to one and a
half hours to complete. Whether or not your state uses this
exam, multiple books and Internet programs are available to help
you prepare for your license exam.
Once licensed, many cosmetologists choose to
accept an apprenticeship before jumping into a career. This type
of internship will often help you to land a better paying job
through the additional skills you acquire in a hands-on training
environment. Some states do allow this kind of work while you
are in school, before you have obtained your license – but the
guidelines are usually very strict, so be sure to check with
your state’s board first.
