How to Become a Cosmetologist in North Dakota

Due to the constant development of beauty products, cosmetology is the field that is flourishing in recent years, but the clients’ demands are consequently increasing.

Women, and lately even men, are more interested in their look and attractiveness.

So, they entrust their appearance to a cosmetologist who people believe has the knowledge to help them achieve what they want and what is necessary to become more beautiful.

But, when deciding to enter the cosmetology field, people should bear in mind the fact that it is one thing to just get involved in a job as a cosmetologist, and another one is to get proper knowledge and training related to the field, to become truly excellent in your career.

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Job Description

A cosmetologist is a person whose job depends on his/her clients, so he/she needs to attract a lot of customers.

A cosmetologist successful work is his/her best reference and advertisement.

But the success can be achieved only if a lot of time, devotion and effort are put in learning how to work with different hair and skin types.

Great social skills are obligatory as he/she will be talking to a client about hairstyles or skin treatments and needs to understand what a client wants.

That way, a cosmetologist makes clients feel comfortable, and they will keep coming back.

Cosmetology Programs in North Dakota

For those who consider becoming a cosmetologist in North Dakota, it is necessary to complete cosmetology school.

That is the most enjoying and exciting part of education and it can be achieved in some of the most prominent schools:

• The Hair Academy – Bismarck
• The Headquarters Academy of Hair Design – Minot
• Josef’s School of Hair Design – Grand Forks, Downtown Fargo, and West Fargo
• JZ Trend Academy – Bismarck.

By attending classes, you will get acquainted with the trends and techniques in hair, makeup, and nails, and learn how the salon functions as a business.

The Board gives accreditation to schools which need to provide 1800 hours of training related to:

• Permanent Waves
• Facials and Make-Up
• Complete Finger Waves
• Hair Cutting
• Hair Styling
• Eyebrows and Arches
• Lashes and Brows
• Manicuring
• Scalp Treatments
• Hair Coloring and Bleaches
• Professional Ethics and Good Grooming
• Salesmanship
• Reception Desk and Telephone
• Dispensary

Cosmetology Exams in North Dakota

In North Dakota, cosmetology graduates have to three exams to be able to get the certificate and those are:

• The National Cosmetology Theory Exam
• The North Dakota Cosmetology Laws, Rules, and Regulations Exam
• The State Cosmetology Practical Exam

For all detailed information about the exams, you can visit the North Dakota Board State Board of Cosmetology Website.

The required exam score is 75% or higher.

The National Cosmetology Theory Exam and The North Dakota Cosmetology Laws, Rules, and Regulations Exam can be taken online after they are scheduled with PSI Exam services.

What you need to do before taking the exam is:

• Download and print the PSI candidate information bulletin(CIB)
• Follow instructions in CIB
• Pay $70 exam fee for the cosmetology exam
• Pay $60 exam fee for the laws, rules, and regulations exam
• Schedule your exam

The National Cosmetology Theory Exam and The North Dakota Cosmetology Laws, Rules, and Regulations Exam in North Dakota can be done at:

• Bismarck – Rasmussen College
• Fargo –Fargo Jet Center
• Grand Forks – Kvasager Learning Center
• Minot State University – Center for Extended Learning
• Williston – State College

The third one is the State Cosmetology Practical Exam and the application for this exam will be sent directly from your cosmetology school.

This exam is administered by the Board, and it takes three hours, during which you will be asked to show your skills related to:

• Haircut (40 minutes)
• Hairstyling (40 minutes)
• Chemical Waving (15 minutes)
• Hair coloring (45 minutes)
• Retouch Chemical Relaxer (15 minutes)

License

The initial license is issued by the Board once you pass all the exams.

However, if you have already had a license in another state, you will need to apply for your license through reciprocity and the requirements for this are to:

• Hold a current out-of-state license
• Have completed high school
• Have completed 1800 hours of cosmetology school
• Have passed the state practical test, the NIC theory test, and the state laws, rules, and regulations test
• Pay the appropriate fees

What you need to do is to download and fill out the reciprocity application and send all the documentation to:

ND State Board of Cosmetology
P.O. Box 2177
1102 S. Washington Street
Suite 200, Bismarck, ND 58502-2177

Keeping Your License Current 

The license has to be renewed before December 31st.

You will be informed about the renewal period and you will be given instructions on how to renew it either online or through the mail.

Continuing education is required only for instructors.

Average Annual Cosmetologist Salary and Job Prospects in North Dakota

Once you become a licensed cosmetologist, you will be given a myriad of job opportunities.

You can either become a hairstylist, makeup artist, instructor, and even a salon owner.

For those who first want to get into business and gain quality experience by working for somebody else should look for employment at some of North Dakota’s top salons, such as:

• Glance Spa – Bismarck
• Evolution Salon – Minot
• Top Designers Salon – Jamestown
• Solitude Salon and Day Spa – Minot
• Creative Salon and Spa – Minot

Later on, they can think about opening their salon, as a beauty salon is a business, and everyone cannot manage it successfully unless he/she has some experience and knowledge in management.

The area that has higher employment for cosmetologists at the same time has higher salaries.

The population is constantly growing and beauty care treatments will be in demand even more, so hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists’ vocation will have a bright future.

The factor that might influence the salary and allow the cosmetologist to negotiate it with the employer is the individual cosmetologist’s work history and the quality of work.

North Dakota is not among those states where cosmetologists earn too much.

Their average annual salary varies from $ 22 792 in Grand Forks, up to $ 24378 in West Fargo.

Regional Salary in North Dakota

Cosmetology by State