How to Become a Cosmetologist in New Jersey

Being a professional cosmetologist is a long-term career option, involving the work at well-lit and cozy premises.

It is a great job for someone that likes making people more beautiful than they are.

To succeed in the field it is not enough to simply be interested in cosmetology, but you first need to complete the formal education program, get the license and start working in a salon or start your own business.

Job Description

Cosmetologists are beauty professionals who are skilled and trained for beauty treatments.

Popular Programs

They need to possess artistic skills and great listening and understanding skills to meet the desires set by the clients and reach their approval.

They are supposed to do their best to serve clients and keep them, and this is only achievable with a lot of patience, determination, and calmness.

They work on clients’ hair, skin, and nails and can specialize to become hairstylists, barbers, estheticians, manicurists and pedicurists, and makeup artists.

Cosmetology Programs in New Jersey

New Jersey’s cosmetologist education is determined by the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling.

Unlike in some other states, there are separate educational and exam requirements for beauticians, barbers, manicurists, skin care specialists, and cosmetology-hairstylists, but 1200 course hours are obligatory.

The accredited programs can be found in some of the most popular schools:

• The Bond Academy Bloomfield, NJ
• The Hair Design School Bloomfield East Orange Bloomfield East Orange, NJ
• Empire Beauty School Bordentown Trenton Bordentown Trenton, NJ
• Empire Beauty School Cherry Hill Cherry Hill, NJ
• CAPRI Institute, Cosmetology Training Centers Clifton, NJ.

There, you will get the knowledge related to maintaining your kit sterile, how to work with hair, nails or skin and how to manage a working facility, as a salon is not only a beautiful place but a business as well.

The courses that are included in Board-approved schools are:

• Laws, Rules, and Regulations for New Jersey
• Decontamination and Infection Control
• Facials and Massage
• Skin Care
• Make-up
• Eyebrow Arching
• Shampooing and Rinsing
• Hair and Scalp Treatments
• Basic Cuts and Hairstyling
• Hair Tinting, Bleaching, Frosting
• Color Theory
• Hair Structure and Analysis
• Thermal Curling and Waving
• Management
• Ethics
• Interpersonal Skills
• Professionalism and Salesmanship

After you have passed half of the required training, you can ask for a Student Permit, which will allow you to practice cosmetology while you are still at school.

Cosmetology Exams in New Jersey

The New Jersey Board requires taking and passing the state board exam.

You must be at least 17 years old, complete the required educational training and complete high school to be eligible to take the test.

The examination consists of a written part where you need to score 75% or higher to pass.

If you fail you can retake it, but not more than twice.

The practical part will test your skills while performing hairstyling techniques.

On both exams, you will have to show your gained knowledge during the education not only related to sanitation, hairstyling, and beauty skills but also on New Jersey rules, regulations and laws.

License

Once you pass the State Board exam, you can get the license.

However, there are different regulations in case you apply for a student license, a temporary permit, or a license based on the endorsement.

When it comes to a Student License, you can get it once half of your beauty education is finished.

It allows you to work while you are still in school.

To get this license, you need to submit:

• Student Permit Application
• Physician’s Certificate
• Certification of Cosmetology and Hairstyling Hours

The Temporary Permit can be given to you after you have completed your education but before you have been issued the license.

This permit allows you to work while you are waiting to take your examination and it lasts only 120 days.

The applications that need to be submitted are:

• Application for Authorization to Sit for the Examination and Licensure
• Application for Temporary Permit

You will have to pay a $50.00 filing fee, plus a licensing fee.

The licensing fee is $60 in the first year of a licensing cycle, or it $30 if you are applying in the second year.

The Endorsement License can be issued to a person who possessed a license for cosmetology in another state or country.

What you need to do is to submit the Licensure by Endorsement application, $100 filing and application fee, and $ 60 or $ 30 the licensing fee.

The proof of your education and training, your previous license, and your experience should be also provided and sent to the Board at the following address:

Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling
P.O. Box 45003
Newark, NJ 07101
973.504.6300

Keeping Your License Current 

The license should be renewed every second year and the Board notifies you by sending the information on renewing your license.

In case you do not renew it, it will expire six months after the expiration date.

You are not obliged to complete continuing education, but they need to stay up to date on the latest beauty and fashion trends force you to attend beauty fairs and seminars to make yourself more skillful and your clients happier.

Average Annual Cosmetologist Salary and Job Prospects in New Jersey

There are many options for employment in New Jersey and it is advisable to start at some already established salon and learn how to deal with customers and get more training before deciding to open your premises.

Many salons in New Jersey employ licensed cosmetologists:

• Verde, a salon by Kevin Gatto – in Collingswood, NJ
• Just Salon & Spa – in Millburn
• Panico Salon & Spa – in Ridgewood, Oradell, West Caldwell, and South Beach Florida.

You should not worry about the job prospects as you will find opportunities everywhere.

However, when it comes to cosmetologist salaries in New Jersey, they are relatively high in comparison to some other states, but the entry-level cosmetologist cannot expect to have the same salaries as the experienced ones.

Cosmetologists of equal levels of experience in Vineland earn only $ 27 974, while their colleagues in Hoboken earn $ 31575.

Regional Salary in New Jersey

Cosmetology by State