4 Steps to Become a Licensed Hair Stylist

If you’ve stumbled across this blog post, it’s probably because you’ve always enjoyed doing your hair and experimenting with new trends. You’re an upbeat person who’s ready to dedicate all of their time and energy to a career that fuses your creativity and passion for beauty. Now you’re on the path to discovering what it takes to become a licensed hairstylist.

Well, look no further. In this article, we’ll take you through all of the steps you need to accomplish to become a hairstylist. We know you’re eager to begin so let’s jump right into it!

Step 1: Graduate High School

The first step to becoming any kind of licensed cosmetologist is to receive your high school diploma. Your beauty school will likely require that you submit your high school transcripts upon application – this also includes college transcripts if you’ve taken any coursework.

Step 2: Enroll in an Accredited Beauty School

You must enroll in an accredited beauty school so that there are no problems when you eventually register to take the cosmetology licensing exam. Most states require that you receive a certificate or degree in cosmetology and receive a certain number of hands-on training hours before taking the exam.

Some beauty schools offer full-time and part-time programs to help your work around other life factors such as work or caring for your children. The length of training will depend on the degree you want to receive. Certifications take less time to complete than an associate’s degree in cosmetology, which requires two years of schooling.

Step 3: Complete All of Your State’s Required Training Hours

Through classroom instruction and hands-on training, you will learn the proper terms, techniques, and etiquette that it takes to become a successful hairstylist. Depending on the program, beauty students typically have to achieve around 1,500 to 2,000 hours of training for certification.

Step 4: Pass Your State Cosmetology Licensing Exam

After you receive your certificate of completion, you’ll need to take your state’s cosmetology licensing exam before you can begin working. The licensing exam is different for each state, which is why it’s important to attend a beauty school in the state in which you want to be licensed.

Depending on the state, the cosmetology licensing exam can include a written section, practical section, or both. The written portion of the exam covers everything from styling techniques to sanitation regulations to laws regarding cosmetology. During the practical portion, students may be required to verbally respond to questions from an exam administrator or style a mannequin.

Once you’ve passed the licensing exam, you will be able to practice cosmetology in your state or open your very own salon!

Every cosmetologist needs quality hair shears for practice. Saki Shears provides hair shears made from the finest Japanese steel to help you achieve a smooth and precise cut every time. Visit our website to browse our products. We also provide hair shear sets for students!