How to Become a Cosmetologist in Ohio

The frequent subject of women’s conversations is different hair or nail styles and their experience with various cosmetologists.

A bad experience can make people distrustful towards cosmetologists, and who they will choose makes a big difference.

We all like to feel good about how we look, thus affecting our self-esteem and confidence, and cosmetologists are there to help us achieve it.

Job Description

To be a successful cosmetologist, you will need to be a multi-task person, eager to work with many clients in one day and to be ready to fulfill their demands and wishes and meet their requirements.

Popular Programs

Whether they will come back or not depends on your availability, flexibility, and politeness, as well as your skillfulness.

Cosmetologist’s main job is to make people more attractive by giving them adequate services.

They work with nail, hair or skin and their daily activities are cutting, coloring and styling hair, skincare treatments or nail styling.

All in all, their goal is to fulfill the client’s desires related to beauty.

Cosmetology Programs in Ohio

When it comes to knowledge related to beauty, all cosmetologists in Ohio must first meet the licensing requirements of the  Ohio State Board of Cosmetology.

This agency determines rules for license achievements and accredits the schools which meet the requirements.

The first step in getting a proper education is to graduate from a Board-approved beauty school where you will study the theory, practice, and business facts related to cosmetology.

The most prominent schools in Ohio are:

• Aveda Institute – Columbus
• Elite School of Cosmetology – Norwalk & Ashland
• Moler Beauty Academy – Cincinnati & Fairfield
• National Beauty College – Canton.

You can decide to study for a cosmetology license and that program requires 1500 hours of training and education.

Courses have to be accredited by the Board and they are about:

• Sanitation and Bacteriology
• Scalp Care
• Hair I – including iron curls, finger wave, pin curls, basic hair styling and techniques, haircutting, hair trimming, and care of wigs, postiches, and pressing
• Hair II – including permanent waves, chemical relaxing, tinting, bleaching, and foiling
• Manicuring – including the anatomy of nails, bones, skin, and muscles, basic water, oil, and electric nail techniques, artificial nail application, and hand and arm bleaching and massages
• Skin Care – including the anatomy of the body, facial and makeup, masks and packs, eyebrow arching, and body massage
• Salon Operations and Communication Skills – including human relations, personality and presentation, salon operation and management, sales and interpersonal skills, and career development
• Cosmetology Laws and Rules – including Ohio cosmetology Statues and Rules

Another possibility is to study for a license of hair designer which requires 1200 hours of schoolwork during which you will gain knowledge about:

• Sanitation and Bacteriology
• Scalp Care
• Hair I
• Hair II
• Salon Operations and Communication Skills
• Cosmetology Laws and Rules – including Ohio cosmetology Statues and Rules

Cosmetology Exams in Ohio

The finishing of education is followed by the practical and theory state Board exams for both licenses.

The tests for cosmetology and hair design license slightly differ.

All the necessary information about the cosmetology examination can be found in the cosmetology practical exam testing information packet.

You should bring your mannequin head and equipment to the exam and you will have to show your skills related to:

• Setting up and Client Protection
• Thermal Curling
• Haircutting
• Chemical Wave
• Hair Color Retouch
• Relaxer Retouch
• Chemical Virgin Relaxer
• Foil Highlighting
• Facial and Manicure set up
• Manicure
• Cleansing and Facial Massage

The written exam testing information packet informs you about the details necessary for this exam, which is 110 multiple-choice test and you are given 90 minutes to complete it.

 The tested subjects are:

• Principles of Infection
• Trichology
• Chemical Procedures and Practices
• Hair Care Procedures and Practices
• Chemistry and Electricity
• Anatomy
• Ohio Administrative Code

When it comes to Hair Design Practical and Theory Tests, again all the beneficial information can be found via the TIP.

The exam will include almost everything that is included in the cosmetology exam, but without  the nail and skincare sections:

• Set up and Client Protection
• Thermal Curling
• Haircutting
• Chemical Wave
• Hair Color Retouch
• Relaxer Retouch
• Chemical Virgin Relaxer
• Foil Highlighting

The theory test again excludes the nail and makeup aspects:

• Principles of Infection
• Chemistry
• Anatomy
• Trichology
• Chemicals
• Hair Care
• Pilot

The successful passing of your exams makes you eligible for the license issuing.

Out of State License

You can also apply for the out of state license by contacting your state Board and they should directly send your official license certification to the Ohio State Board of Cosmetology.

You will also have to pass the practical, theory, and manager examinations with a minimum of 75% and submit an out-of-state license application.

This documentation should be sent to:

The Ohio State Board of Cosmetology
1929 Gateway Circle
Grove City, Ohio 43123

Keeping Your License Current 

Ohio is the state which demands further education for license renewal.

You are obliged to renew your license every two years on odd-numbered years if you want to work legally.

What you need to do is to complete at least eight hours of continuing education via Board-approved CE providers, but not during your first two-year licensing period after initial licensure.

You will also need to have one hour of continuing education dedicated to human trafficking.

The Board can ask you to provide accurate certification of CE you have completed and it has to possess the information about:

• Date
• Location
• Hours Received
• Board Approval
• Name of Course

Average Annual Cosmetologist Salary and Job Prospects in Ohio

Because fashion and beauty trends are developing, cosmetology vocation is an ideal vocation.

You will be able to apply to work at already established premises, or you can start your own business.

People who want to learn the new styles and techniques from experienced cosmetologist should look for a job in top salons located in Ohio:

• Phia Salon – Columbus
• Kenneth’s Hair Salon – Columbus
• Salon on Ohio – Cincinnati
• Francesco’s Salon and Spa—Mentor
• The Studio: A Paul Mitchell Focus Salon – Cleveland

The average salary of a cosmetologist in Ohio is not too high and the variations among the major cities are significant.

Regional Salary in Ohio

Cosmetology by State