How to Become a Cosmetologist in Ohio

Do you want to take your passion for beauty and turn it into a career? Maybe you’ve always wanted to become a cosmetologist, but you weren’t sure where to start. That’s why we’ve created this guide that covers everything you need for a future in cosmetology. From learning techniques at an accredited school and passing the state licensure exam to continually learning new styles in an industry that lets you express your creativity, we explain it all. Here is a step-by-step of how to make your beauty dreams a reality:

• Attend a beauty school licensed by the state of Ohio
• Pass the Ohio state licensure exam
• Find an area of cosmetology you love
• Continue your education to maintain licensure requirements

Attend a Beauty School Licensed by the State of Ohio

You can’t start your career in cosmetology without learning a variety of beauty techniques and how to properly apply them. Attending an accredited beauty school is an exciting phase of your cosmetology journey. It can be a great time to learn exciting beauty trends while making connections with other people in the industry. Hair cutting and coloring, makeup techniques, and facials are just some beauty subjects you could learn! Wondering how to decide where you should attend beauty school? Here are some things you should consider when picking the school that’s right for you!

Program Hours

According to the Ohio Board of Cosmetology, students must complete at least 1500 hours of cosmetology training to apply for a license. Before choosing a beauty school, you should make sure that it offers a cosmetology program with the required number of hours. The last thing you want is to find out after graduation that you aren’t qualified to move on to the next step of receiving your cosmetology license.

Flexible Scheduling

Let’s face it, life can feel pretty busy! That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go after what you love. Finding a beauty school with flexible scheduling hours can help you study what you’re passionate about when it’s most convenient.

Financial Aid

If cosmetology is your passion, then you deserve to pursue an education in beauty. It can be a big investment, and that’s why some beauty schools offer financial aid options to students who qualify. Federal Pell grants and direct student loans are a few examples of financial aid that could be available to you.

Tour the School

There’s only so much you can find out about a school by doing research online. If you really want to get exposed to the school’s atmosphere, then scheduling a tour can be a great way to see the school’s culture for yourself. While you’re there, make sure to ask any other questions you may have about attending beauty school. This is the perfect time to get all the information you need to make your decision.

Pass the Ohio State Licensure Exam

At Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture, our advanced cosmetology program is 1800 hours to help you gain skills that can open more opportunities for you in the cosmetology world! Once you have completed the required 1800 hours of cosmetology training, you can now apply to take the Ohio State Board of Cosmetology’s licensing exams. The exam will cover both practical and theory portions. It’s important that you prepare for both sections.

Practical Cosmetology Exam

The practical portion of the exam allows you to show off the skills and techniques you’ve learned from beauty school. From exhibiting proper cleaning techniques to performing various hair techniques, this test will allow you to demonstrate your ability of becoming a successful cosmetologist! To learn more about topics you should study and what items to bring, click here.

Theory Cosmetology Exam

The theory portion of the cosmetology exam is made up of 100 multiple choice questions with 90 minutes given to complete it. Safety procedures, product knowledge, and hair care are just some of the topics this section of the test covers. For a detailed list on what to expect from the exam, click here.

After passing both portions of the exam, you are now qualified to submit a license application to the Ohio State Board of Cosmetology. Congratulations! This is a huge accomplishment and opens up a wide array of possibilities for you in the cosmetology world.

Find an Area of Cosmetology You Love

Now that you’ve received your cosmetology license, it’s time to have all your hard work pay off. The career options in cosmetology is one of the best parts of the beauty industry, and it allows you to choose which area you most want to pursue for a career. After learning a variety of beauty techniques from your education, it’s time to decide what you want for a future cosmetology career. Some beauty schools even include business skills in their curriculum, which can help you manage and own a beauty business of your own. Just some of the careers that could be available to you after receiving advanced training in our cosmetology program are:

• Hairstylist
• Hair colorist
• Salon owner or manager
• Makeup artist
• Cosmetology instructor
• Nail technician
• Spa esthetician

In this industry, it all depends on you and how you want to express your creativity. At Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture, our advanced cosmetology program teaches students anatomy of hair, chemical services, salon supervision and management, product sales, and so much more! We cover multiple aspects of beauty so you can leave feeling prepared for whatever career path you want to pursue.

Continue Your Education to Maintain Licensure Requirements

Graduating from cosmetology school doesn’t mean that there’s nothing else to learn! Since the beauty industry is always changing with new trends, the state of Ohio requires that all cosmetologists complete eight hours of continuing education every two years. Once you complete these hours, you’ll receive a certification that allows you to continue your cosmetology career.

Start Your Cosmetology Journey With Us

Are you ready you begin your beauty education? Our 1800-hour cosmetology program could be a great start to a future beauty career. With more than 50 years of experience in the industry, our team is ready to help you begin an education you’re passionate about! Contact us to find out how you can start the application process.