How to Become a Cosmetology Instructor

You are a licensed cosmetologist and now you are thinking about other challenges you want to take on. Maybe freelance work, print work, or maybe you want to be a cosmetology instructor. Cosmetology instructors must love to teach others their passion, be flexible and most importantly they must be patient.

There are many requirements that vary by state. The best place to start is through the Department of Professional Licensing website for your state. They are also knows as D.O.P.L. You can easily search this through with your web browenr. The website will have all the necessary information you will need to guide you through the process.

Some states require that you attend a professional cosmetology school to get licensed while others accept hours of experience. Some states don't require a license but they require 2-3 years of traceable experience. This can be shows through tax documents or paystubs. Once you determine what is required by your state, you can begin the process.

If you are required to show experience and take a licensure test, you will have to do all the studying on your own. First you need to go to the D.O.P.L. website and find out what books are used by the state as their resources. You will need to purchase the book(s) and study from it. Utah uses two separate books but I chose to study from one book and I was able to pass with an almost perfect score.

Once you have successfully taken and passed the test, you are ready to apply for your license. That information can also be found on the D.O.P.L. website. Make sure to include all documents needed to speed up the process. Make copies for your own records. Once you are issued a license, you are ready to begin applying for a job as a cosmetology instructor!

Source:
1. Department of Professional Licensing. Retrieved December 30, 2009 from: http://www.dopl.utah.gov/licensing/cosmetology_barbering.html.