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Going to a cosmetologist for many people is like going on a therapy where they can relax and enjoy.
They often feel great after massaging or a new haircut and the change of the style.
Once coming out of the salon, they feel like a new person.
But to be able to offer this kind of sensation in his/her clients, a cosmetologist must be skilled and communicative and above all well educated, to know what to do.
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Popular Programs
Job Description
It is not just women who are concerned about their looks, but men are equally bothered and this gave a big boost to the profession of cosmetology.
The daily duties of a cosmetologist require a lot of physical stamina, as they have to be on their feet most of the shift.
Their regular duties include:
- Keeping equipment clean
- Cutting and shaping of the hair
- Determining and recommending beauty treatment or hairstyles
- Scheduling appointments.
- Selling cosmetics
- Developing new styles and techniques, among many others.
Some of them can be found working in salons, spas, hotels and beauty centers for other licensed cosmetologists.
The successful and experienced cosmetologists often decide to open their premises so they need to have good administrative skills and govern the business.
Cosmetology Programs in Idaho
To become a legal cosmetologist in Idaho, you will have to possess a license through the Idaho Board of Cosmetology.
The cosmetology programs have to be accredited and must include:
- 2000 hours or 4000 apprenticeship hours for cosmetologists
- 500 hours, plus 300 skincare hours or 1600 apprenticeship hours for an electrologist
- 600 hours or 1200 apprenticeship hours for esthetics
- 400 hours or 800 apprenticeship hours for nail technology
Cosmetologist training programs are designed to prepare you for a cosmetology career and their courses include lessons about:
- Anatomy
- Cosmetic Chemistry
- Fashion Shows
- Safety and Sanitation
- Marketing
- Networking
- Financial Planning
The National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences is the accreditation agency for cosmetology schools and there are five accredited cosmetology schools in Idaho.
You can ask for information and become a student in one of those beauty schools in Idaho:
- Academy of Cosmetology – Post Falls.
- Austin Kade Academy – Idaho Falls.
- The Beauty Institute SKP – Boise.
- Cosmetology School of Arts and Sciences Beauty College – Burley.
- Evans Hairstyling College – Rexburg.
Idaho offers its students modern, stylish schools with an average tuition price of $14,734.
License
A list of the hours and the services you completed during the training should be attached to the other documents.
If you’re a first-time license applicant, you will apply for licensure by examination and you should provide a copy of driver’s license or birth certificate, official transcripts from licensed cosmetology school, official scores from NIC exam, application and fee.
All these should be sent to the Idaho Board at:
Idaho Board of Cosmetology
Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses
700 West State Street, PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0063
Another way of getting a license is by endorsement in case you hold a current license in a different state or hold a current license in good standing and have three years of work experience in the past five years.
The necessary documentation is the same as for licensure by examination.
Cosmetology Exams in Idaho
The cosmetology examination is regulated through the National-Interstate Council (NIC) and there are two parts: the National Cosmetology Written Exam which lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and the National Cosmetology Practical Exam which takes three hours.
You will be asked to show your education and qualities through the practical application of the achieved knowledge related to:
- Client Protection
- Thermal Curling
- Haircutting
- Chemical Waving
- Virgin Hair Lightening
- Hair Color Retouch
- Virgin Relaxer Application
- Relaxer Retouch
You should bring your kit and at least one mannequin head when coming to the exam.
The application for the national cosmetology practical exam should be taken from the licensed school where you graduated.
You must submit the application by the date and time provided on the back of the application or you can complete the online exam application and submit the following documentation: The ID Paper Application, NIC Written Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) and ID Practical Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB).
The written and practical exams will be scheduled for a different time.
Your official scores will be sent to the board.
Keeping Your License Current in Idaho
The license renewal is obligatory each year. A paper renewal form will be sent to you six weeks before your license expiration and you will have to pay the renewal fee.
The additional education is not necessary, but the more services you can offer, the more you will appeal to both clients and employers, so you should think about visiting some beauty fairs and take some further classes related to the latest developments in the cosmetology field.
Average Annual Cosmetologist Salary in Idaho
Depending on the level of education and experience, a salary of a cosmetologist in Idaho can vary between $20,000 and $25,000 a year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Tipping is frequent in this occupation, and that is not included in the official data about the salary.
The job prospects are great and the future for this vocation is bright, so the cosmetologist should not worry about getting the job once they finished studies.
They can always start their own business and become self-employed.
The average annual salary of a cosmetologist in Pocatello is $ 22 677, while his/her colleague in Coeur D Alene gets $ 25 678 per year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Boise,ID | $24,759 |
| Caldwell,ID | $24,472 |
| Coeur D Alene,ID | $25,678 |
| Idaho Falls,ID | $23,759 |
| Meridian,ID | $24,733 |
| Nampa,ID | $24,498 |
| Pocatello,ID | $22,677 |
| Twin Falls,ID | $22,860 |
Regional Salary in Idaho
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | 570 | $32,110 | $15.44 | $44,960 | $20,320 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 120 | $32,440 | $15.6 | $44,880 | $20,380 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | 110 | $36,280 | $17.44 | $38,390 | $24,040 |
| Pocatello, ID | 60 | $28,040 | $13.48 | $38,760 | $16,380 |
| Twin Falls, ID | 40 | $25,510 | $12.26 | $37,380 | $18,500 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Summary
So, an experienced cosmetologist will begin the treatment by discussing the client’s style with him/her and trying to understand his/her wishes.
If the cosmetologist thinks that the desired style will not look good because of the client’s face shape, nail shape or facial characteristics, he/she might offer his/her style suggestions.
It is up to the client to accept the advice or reject it and stay at his/her wish, but usually, the relationship between the client and the cosmetologist becomes that of trust and the cosmetologist’s suggestions are accepted.
All in all, taking care of one’s looks and achieving the desired appearance is a very complex job.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Cosmetologist
Cosmetology by State