Steps to Becoming a Cosmetologist: What’s Next?

Cosmetology is a growing industry that is popular for many reasons. It’s a fun, creative community that can give you the chance to make people look and feel their best every day. There are also a lot of opportunities, benefits, and flexibility in this field.

If you’ve got a passion for beauty and creativity, you have probably considered a future in cosmetology. Great idea! So, what’s next? Here is our list to becoming a cosmetologist.

Step One: Find the Right Beauty School

Before you can do anything else, you need to enroll in an accredited beauty school, which means  the state has approved the school’s curriculum and it meets the necessary requirements. Both Kansas and Missouri require cosmetologists to complete 1500 hours of training before they can earn their license. 

Don’t live in these states? Use this resource to discover your state’s requirements.

While there are many worthy accredited options to choose from in each state, it’s important to find the right school for you. Just like not all universities and colleges are the same, neither are cosmetology schools. Your learning experience will be better at the right school.

Going to a school that prepares you for your future in the industry through hands-on training and a cohesive curriculum is important. You aren’t just learning these things to pass a test–you are preparing yourself for a future in the beauty world. 

At Crave Beauty Academy, our Cosmetology program is broken down into four phases of instruction: Core Training, Experience, Create, and Salon Life. In each phase, students can see the different aspects of cosmetology and learn new techniques to prepare you for their journey in the beauty industry. Part of this education includes the chance to work with actual clients, supervised by licensed professionals. This can give students the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned through hands-on experience.

Step Two: Get Ready to Learn

After finding the right school for you, it’s time to learn and train. To meet cosmetology requirements, coursework and classes are required, and you have plenty to learn in the time you spend at school! Crave Beauty Academy can offer many learning opportunities.
Our cosmetology program includes:

• 1500 hours of training including, hair cutting, makeup, skincare, business & marketing, and more!
• Pivot Point: This online learning tool can give insights into the beauty industry through a unique distance learning technology lab.
• A Student Salon that allows students to perform services on actual clients, under the direct supervision of licensed professionals.

Cosmetology students can also learn some of the basics of business and marketing strategies that are specific to the beauty industry. This can ensure they are ready to enter the field of beauty as soon as they graduate. Being prepared to learn and retain this information is key to achieving success in cosmetology school.

Step Three: Take the State Licensing Exam

Once you complete the required hours and pass your courses, you can graduate beauty school! Hooray! But your journey isn’t over.Your next step is to study for and pass the state licensing exam. There are a few steps to complete to apply for your practitioner license and to schedule your Board exams.

You will need to complete the Practitioner Licensure Application and appropriate documents your state requires. Once your application is received and processed, you will be notified that you have (or have not) been approved for testing. After this step is complete, you can schedule your test! This exam is split into two parts: written theory and practical test. It’s up to you to pass the exam, so study and practice hard!

Congratulations! If you’ve passed the State Licensing exam, you are ready to jump into the world of beauty and cosmetology. Many opportunities are now available to you!

Ready to Take the First Step?

If you’re ready to become a cosmetologist, take that first step and enroll in beauty school. Crave Beauty Academy offers accredited coursework and opportunities to learn. You can learn more about Crave Beauty Academy by contacting us or booking a tour. We look forward to meeting you!

*All services provided by students are done under the supervision of licensed professionals.