Have you dreamed of working in a salon or spa dedicated to giving your clients the full beauty experience? We’re here to help turn your dreams into a reality. Pursuing a potential career in the beauty industry can be a little intimidating at first, so we’re here to help make it a little less scary. We prepared a step-by-step guide to that can help you in your journey to becoming a cosmetologist.
Every state has its own licensing requirements and we’ll dive more into what those are in Utah. We prepared a step-by-step guide to help you become a Cosmetologist in Utah.
Step 1: Apply for Beauty School
To become a cosmetologist, you may need to learn all the tips, tricks, and techniques to be successful in the beauty industry. In Utah, you will need to graduate from an accredited cosmetology school that’s approved by the Utah Board of Regents. At American Beauty Academy, we’re proud to be on the list of approved schools.
Each state requires different training hours that range from 1000-1600. In Utah, you will need 1600 hours to complete your education.
Find the Right Beauty School for You
Choosing the right school for you can feel like a big deal. It’s important you feel it’s the right fit since you’ll be spending most of your time there. You also want to make sure the school offers everything you want in a beauty school. At American Beauty Academy, we want you to get the attention you deserve. We keep our classes small so we can truly focus on our students and their education. We want you to feel fully prepared as you enter the beauty industry, so here’s a quick list of what our cosmetology program includes:
- Hair Coloring and Styling
- Permanent Waving
- Hair Relaxing
- Scissor Cutting for Men
- Wigs & Hair Extensions
- Waxing
- Lashes
- Manicures & Pedicures
- Nail Art
- Salon Management
- Safety and Sanitation
- And more!
Step 2: Pass the Utah Cosmetology Exams
Now that you’ve found a beauty school, the next step is to graduate and pass all the exams. You will need to pass 2 exams: the theory and practical exams. These are developed by the National-Interstate Council (NIC) of State Boards of Cosmetology. You will need to pass both the theory and practical exams to get your cosmetology license in Utah.
Here are topics you can expect on the exams:
Theory Exam
This is taken on a computer with multiple choice questions displayed one at a time. The exam will include these topics:
- Hair care and services
- Scientific concepts
- Skin care and services
- Nail care and services
Practical Exam
This exam is taken at a PSI testing center in Hurricane, North Salt Lake, or Sunset. You will need to provide your own mannequin to show off your skills in these areas:
- Client protection during a proper set-up
- Thermal hair curling
- Hair cutting
- Chemical waving
- Hair color retouch and virgin lightening
- Virgin relaxer application and relaxer retouch
- Nail sculpting
Step 3: Apply for a License
Congrats! You’ve graduated from beauty school and passed the exams. Now it’s time to apply for a license. You can apply for a license here.
Keep in mind that licenses in Utah expire on September 30 of odd years. You will get a renewal notice at least 60 days before the expiration date, be sure to keep your address updated in the system.
Step 4: Keep up your Hard Work
Now that you have the education and licensing to become a cosmetologist, it’s time to build your brand and gain experience in the field. Accept walk-ins, make a referral program, and promote yourself so you can build your clientele. It’s also important to grow your skill set and continue your education throughout the years. The truth is that in the beauty industry, your training never truly ends. There are always new techniques, styles, products, and equipment being introduced to the industry. Since cosmetology is a growing and evolving field, it’s important that you grow and evolve with it.
Get started now
There’s no time like the present to get started in your cosmetic journey. And now that you know how to get your license in Utah, it’s time to find a school! Our programs at American Beauty Academy offer extensive training in the beauty industry to prepare you for your future. Contact us with any questions you may have about our school, licensing processes, or anything else and we will be more than happy to help.
