IBMC Articles

Licensing Requirements Necessary to Offer Beauty Services to Clients

Many career-minded individuals who are looking for a job change are heading back to school to pursue a different degree in an industry that interests them. Colleges and secondary schools across the nation are serving middle-aged and older adults who are looking for their certification or degree. When entering the beauty industry it is essential to obtain the appropriate licensing before serving any customer. Let’s take a look at licensing options and requirements for beauty careers and how they can affect career choices and earning potential.

Basic Licensing Requirements

Offering beauty and cosmetology services requires that a person enroll in beauty school, receive a diploma or degree and pass a licensing exam. If one lives in Colorado, one such school is located in Longmont. The student will need to put in a certain number of hours learning their chosen course of study. They will also have to attend a student salon to get hands-on training as the hours can vary based on the type of specialty they pursue. Students need to obtain 300 hours of training to become a nail technician or 2,100 hours of training to get their barber’s license. Each state will specify the number of hours that will be needed for each type of license. After completing the number of required hours, the student can then be allowed to sit for the state board exams to receive their license.

Alternative Licensing Options

Instead of attending a cosmetology college in Longmont, some states allow students to satisfy the training requirement by completing an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships involve a licensed and qualified beauty salon that takes on an apprentice. This person can receive their hands-on training in a real working environment. They learn directly from other beauty professionals on how to perform tasks for clients at a satisfactory level.

Annual Renewal Requirements

Every year, a person who holds a license must meet the state’s requirements for renewal. Each state will have varying standards. People may have to pay the renewal fee, obtain additional hours of training, or they may have to take certain safety tests to renew their license. Failure to renew will result in license expiration. People who want to maintain a good standing in their state should read all license renewal requirements and abide by the licensing time period to keep their license.

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