After watching countless hours of YouTube tutorials, swatching hundreds of eye-shadow palettes and perfecting your friend’s cat-eye look – you’re finally ready to take the step to become a licensed cosmetologist. While turning your passion into a career is a big move, it doesn’t have to be complicated. We’ve gathered the steps needed to take in order to obtain your license and land your dream job.
Meet the Age and Education Requirements
Most cosmetology programs require you to be at least 16 and to have a high school diploma or GED to apply. However, every state has different regulations and requirements for cosmetology students. Click here to research your state’s prerequisites.
Enroll in a State-Licensed Cosmetology Program
The next step is to enroll in a state-licensed beauty school, job skills beauty schools or degree-granting beauty school. Here you will acquire an in-depth understanding of the skills necessary to learn haircutting, creative hair styling, coloring, modern nail technology, skin care, chemistry, facials and salon management. You also gain the interpersonal skills needed to attract and maintain clientele. Fortis Institute offers cosmetology programs at the Pensacola campus in Florida.
Graduate from Cosmetology School
The “beauty” of cosmetology is that most programs only take between 9-15 months to complete. Depending on your state you will need between 1,000-2,300 training hours. At Fortis, these hours will include time spent in class, passing exams and gaining hands-on experience from industry professionals.
Pass the State Licensing State
All 50 states require cosmetology graduates to take and pass a licensing examination. Each applicant has to pass written questions and practical testing in skin care, applying makeup and hair care. Fortis provides students with extensive examination prep, including administering mock-exams to ensure they are set up for success.
Along with being a rewarding career, having a cosmetology license opens up countless career opportunities. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in cosmetology, click here to request information from Fortis or call 1-855-436-7847 to speak with a Fortis admissions advisor today.
