How to become a Cosmetologist?

Training and educational requirements vary depending on your chosen profession or where you are studying or working. However, in the US, cosmetology is a regulated profession that requires all practitioners to be certified by state licensing boards. Again, this differs from state to state, but, generally speaking, the minimum age requirements are between 16-18. You will also need a high school diploma or GED, although some states accept a tenth-grade education.

After completing a set number of training hours, you will need to pass two exams, one written and one practical. The last prerequisite is a certificate to prove you have completed a course in preventing the transference of infectious diseases.

You can train as a cosmetologist at a beauty school, a junior college, or a vocational school. Alternatively, many employers provide work-based apprenticeship programs that combine on-the-job training with academic study. But whatever option you choose, a certificate or diploma takes around 12-18 months to complete, while master’s degrees usually require two years of study.

A master’s degree isn’t essential to become a beauty specialist. However, if you are planning to set up your own salon or beauty spa, then a longer course of study is probably the best option, As well as learning all the fundamentals of beauty treatment, you will also take modules in business management, marketing, and business administration. Master’s degrees are also a stepping stone for people interested in pursuing a higher degree in spa management or further postgraduate courses in subjects like advanced skincare and dermatology.

But becoming a beauty specialist isn’t all about your technical skills. Cosmetology is a personal service, so you will need plenty of people skills! Cosmetologists spend the majority of their day working with clients, which requires a friendly and outgoing disposition, active listening skills, and the ability to empathize and understand customers’ concerns and expectations.