How to Obtain a Cosmetology License
Cosmetology is a thriving sector within the beauty industry and the broader economy, attracting individuals eager to transform their passion for beauty into a fulfilling career. If you have a passion for hair, skin, nails, and makeup, then pursuing a cosmetology license is the first step toward turning your passion into a dream career! Whether you dream of styling hair, providing skincare and nail treatments, or helping clients discover the perfect makeup, a career as a cosmetologist allows for creative expression while enhancing clients' confidence and appearance. This article provides a comprehensive guide to navigating the cosmetology licensing process.
Cosmetology as a Career Choice
The beauty industry offers a dynamic and creative environment where you have the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Cosmetology is an ever-evolving field with new trends and techniques emerging constantly.
Steps to Becoming a Licensed Cosmetologist
The journey to becoming a licensed cosmetologist involves several key steps. These steps may vary slightly depending on the state you plan to practice in. In Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (OSBCB) regulates the education, examination, and licensing requirements for all personal care professionals.
Education and Training
To become a cosmetologist, most states require that you fulfill a certain amount of education and training. A beauty school with a cosmetology program is where you will go to fulfill the hours that are required by the state board. In the state of Oklahoma there is a 1500 hour requirement that must be fulfilled before you can get your cosmetology license.
Cosmetology School Curriculum
While you are in cosmetology school you can learn a variety of topics like hair cutting and styling techniques, hair coloring, employee/employer relationship skills, client relationship skills, and effective communication. Most curriculum covers everything you need to know about hair, nails and skin. A cosmetology program offered at a beauty college in Oklahoma will include the following courses and training hours in order to satisfy licensing requirements:
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- Cosmetology Theory - 150 hours
- Manicuring and Pedicuring - 90 hours
- Facials - 30 hours
- Scalp Treatments - 30 hours
- Shampooing/Conditioning - 60 hours
- Hairstyling - 390 hours
- Hair Color - 120 hours
- Hair Cutting - 180 Hours
- Lash and Brow Tinting - 30 hours
- Personality and Shop Management - 180 hours
- Hair Restructuring - 240 hours
Choosing a Cosmetology School
Once you’re ready to begin your journey into the beauty industry, one of the biggest choices you get to make is which beauty school to apply to and attend. Selecting the right cosmetology school is crucial to your success. Some schools are accredited, while others are not. Accredited cosmetology schools are allowed to provide federal financial aid options to students who qualify, while unaccredited schools cannot. This can be a major deciding factor, especially if affording school could be a challenge. In addition to financial aid opportunities, good beauty schools should strive to help their new students find scholarships to make paying for beauty school easier. Some schools offer their own scholarships, while other schools help students apply for publicly available scholarships. Excellent cosmetology schools can offer extracurricular activities, business development lessons, and continuing education opportunities.
With nearly 100 approved cosmetology training programs in Oklahoma you should have no trouble finding a school that is right for you. By the most recent count; there were 31 public and 61 private academic cosmetology programs in Oklahoma approved by the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (OSBCB). These are located throughout the state in cities such as:
- 13 in Oklahoma City
- 9 in Tulsa
- 3 in Norman
- 3 in Lawton
- 2 in Broken Arrow
- 2 in Midwest City
- 2 in Enid
- 2 in Stillwater
- 1 in Edmond
- 1 in Moore
Examination Requirements
Another step in getting your cosmetology license in Oklahoma is taking the exams that the state requires. There are two exams or parts that you will have to take before getting your cosmetology license. After completing your cosmetology program, you will be eligible to take the Oklahoma cosmetology licensing examinations. After passing the following exams, you will be able to obtain your Oklahoma cosmetology license:
- Cosmetology Theory Examination given by PSI Services
- Cosmetology Practical Examination given by the Oklahoma State Board
The practical portion of the licensing exam is where graduates demonstrate their hands-on skills for cosmetology. The written portion of the licensing exam will likely feel familiar for most students. The Cosmetologist Written and Practical Exam covers the following subjects:
- Physical demonstration of basic cosmetology tasks
- Theory behind cosmetology procedures
- Safety procedures
- State rules, regulations, and laws
Your time spent in cosmetology school is what can help prepare you to sit for these tests. The cosmetology program covers a variety of topics that are in the exam. Once you are within 100 hours of completing your cosmetologist training you can fill out an Exam Registration Application for the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (OSBCB). You must submit this form within 10 days of completing your cosmetologist training.
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Applying for Licensure
Once you have met the requirements up to this point you will be ready to fill out an Application for Individual License as a cosmetologist. Once you pass the exams, the next step is simple. You just have to fill out and send in an application to the state board and pay your application fee. Your application and any accompanying materials should be sent to the following address:
Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
2401 NW 23rd Street, Suite 84
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
If you are applying for a cosmetology license as an out-of-state or out-of-country candidate you will need to submit one of the following applications in place of the Application for Individual License:
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- Application for a Domestic Reciprocity Cosmetology License
- Application for a Foreign Reciprocity Cosmetology License
Maintaining Your License
It’s important to keep your license up-to-date so you can keep working! You will need to renew your cosmetology license with the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (OSBCB) every year by the last day of your birth month. You can find the license renewal form attached to the license from the OSBCB. You may be eligible to renew your license up to five years with back fees and penalties. After five years you will be required to complete a specific number of review hours before you are eligible to re-register for the exam.
Additional Pathways to Licensure in Oklahoma
Cosmetologist Apprentice Programs
To be eligible for licensure as a cosmetologist via this route, you the apprentice and your instructor must meet certain requirements. You must:
- Show that you are in dire financial circumstances and cannot afford an approved cosmetology school program or show that an approved cosmetology training program is not within a reasonable commuting distance from your place of residence
- Be at least 16 years of age with an eighth-grade education or equivalent
- Pay an apprentice inspection fee of $20 for cosmetology materials and textbooks
Your instructor must:
- Be a licensed instructor who is approved by the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (OSBCB)
- Submit a written application to the OSBCB to be your instructor
- Obtain a statement from the owner of the facility where you instructor practices that states he or she has permission to act as your instructor
You can also consider the following regulations that apply to apprentice programs:
- Only one apprentice is allowed per establishment
- Your apprenticeship must be at least 3,000 hours in length
- Your instructor is forbidden from charging you for training, however he or she may charge clients for the services you perform
Out-of-State and Out-of-Country Applicants
Although the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (OSBCB) must always give final approval for reciprocity, you can generally be eligible for a reciprocal cosmetologist license in Oklahoma if your out-of-state or out-of-country cosmetologist license was issued under similar terms. To be eligible for licensure via this route you must:
- Arrange for the out-of-state official licensing body - usually a state board - to provide proof of your licensure as a cosmetologist to the OSBCB
- If your state or country does not require a cosmetologist license to practice you must submit proof of an equivalent education from a state board or official agency to the OSBCB
- If your circumstances are not summarized by either of these categories you will also need to pass the Cosmetologist Written and Practical Exam.
If any of the following apply to you, you must submit an Application for a Reciprocity Exam when you apply for licensure in Oklahoma:
- You have completed an equivalent cosmetology course that is not in Oklahoma but do not have a cosmetologist license
- You have an out-of-state cosmetology license that has been expired for less that five years
- You have a cosmetology license but do not meet Oklahoma’s reciprocity requirements
Career Opportunities for Cosmetologists
As a cosmetologist, you will be able to look for jobs in hair salons throughout Oklahoma, where you will be able to use your creativity to the fullest and create strong relationships with your clientele. While some jobs will offer an hourly rate or commission, other, competitive jobs will offer hourly rate plus commission. Some jobs even offer full benefits and ongoing, continuing education.
Job Outlook in Oklahoma
The number of personal appearance professionals in Oklahoma, including cosmetologists, manicurists, and skin care specialists, is expected to grow by 18.7% between 2008 and 2018, according to the Oklahoma Economic Research and Analysis Davison. This means that each year, there will be an average of 180 new job openings in this field, which spells out great opportunity for aspiring beauty professionals.
Other Beauty Professions in Oklahoma
Oklahoma is also the perfect place for barbers, being home to the Tulsa-based bloggers for The Art of Manliness. The barbers in The Clubhouse Barber Shop, located in Edmond, North Oklahoma, are experts at bringing back the classic, American style of masculine barbering. Their oak wood flooring, stone fireplace, TV, and bar all create the perfect atmosphere for a man looking to relax.
Manicurist
Manicurists are the beauty professionals who specialize in the care of nails. You will learn how to perfect and beautify even the roughest, most hard-working hands and feet.
Education Requirements
Your manicuring career in Oklahoma will begin with a 600-hour manicuring training program. Oftentimes, manicuring programs can be found in larger beauty schools. Your Oklahoma program will include the following Oklahoma Board-required courses:
- Bacteriology, Sanitation, and Sterilization - 40 hours
- Nail Structure, Composition, Disorders and Diseases - 60 hours
- Manicuring and Pedicuring - 160 hours
- Artificial Nails - 160 hours
- Nail Art - 60 hours
- Salon Development - 80 hours
- Board Rules, Regulations, and Statues - 40 hours
Examination Requirements
After completing your training program, you will be able to take the following manicurist licensing examinations:
- Nail Technician Theory Examination given by PSI Services
- Manicurist Practical Examination given by the Oklahoma State Board
Upon passing scores for these exams, you will be able to obtain your Oklahoma manicurist license.
Employment Opportunities
As a manicurist, you will be able to look for jobs in nail salons and full-service hair salons. At these salons, you will be able to find jobs that offer hourly rates or commission.
Esthetician
Estheticians in Oklahoma are those who specialize in the beautification and care of skin. As an esthetician, you will learn the science behind skincare; the chemical compounds in skin care products, and the art of makeup application.
Education Requirements
A 600-hour esthetician training program is required to qualify for an esthetician license in Oklahoma. Like manicurist training programs, these can be found in cosmetology schools and larger beauty schools. Your esthetician education will include the following coursework and training hour requirements:
- Bacteriology, Sanitation, and Sterilization - 80 hours
- Histology, Dermatology, and Physiology of Skin - 180 hours
- Facials - 200 hours
- Non-Permanent Hair Removal - 40 hours
- Salon Development - 60 hours
- Board Rules - 40 hours
Examination Requirements
Once graduated from your training program, you will be eligible to take the licensing exams, which are as follows:
- Esthetician Theory Exam given by PSI Services
- Esthetician Practical Exam given by the Oklahoma State Board
After attaining passing scores, you will be able to obtain your Oklahoma esthetician license.
Job Opportunities
As an esthetician in Oklahoma, you will have opportunities to work as a beauty advisor, skin care specialist, or makeup artist. You may find skin care specialist jobs in full-service salons, day spas, medical spas, or even in some hotels that offer spa services.
Barber
Barbers are personal care professionals who are able to perform comprehensive grooming services, including haircutting and styling, facial treatments, and sometimes nail care. Although they are comprehensive, barbers specialize in providing these services specifically to men.
Education Requirements
Your career as a barber will begin with completing a 1500-hour barber training program in order to meet Oklahoma licensing requirements. This program will include the following Oklahoma Board-required courses:
- Safe Work Practices, Infection Control, and Bacteriology - 155 hours
- Salesmanship and Shop management - 175 hours
- Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, and Electricity - 200 hours
- Facial Massage and Treatment - 40 hours
- Haircutting and Styling - 580 hours
- Chemical Relaxing - 95 hours
- Hair Coloring - 150 hours
- Men’s Hairpieces, Mustache, and Beard Design - 65 hours
- Board Rules - 40 hours
Examination Requirements
Once you’ve completed your barber training program, you will be able to move on to the licensing exams. After passing the following licensing exams, you will be able to register for your Oklahoma barber license:
- Barber Theory Examination given by the Oklahoma Board
- Barber Practical Examination given by the Oklahoma Board
Job Opportunities
Many barber jobs will begin at an hourly rate, where you attain a base pay each day plus tips. Once you develop a strong clientele, you may want to look for jobs that offer pay based off of commission, where you can have more control over how many clients you see, and over your income potential.
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