How to Become a Cosmetologist in Oklahoma

The cosmetology field is developing so quickly offering a wide range of job possibilities and a stable career that many young people decide to get involved in it believing that it is a relaxing job with not so many requirements.

However, determined by the law of each state, cosmetologist needs to possess classroom and on-the-job training achieved through an apprenticeship or school programs to become eligible for the state licensure and can start working legally.

Job Description

Future cosmetologists need to possess great social skills and be ready to talk to and spend more than an hour working with each client.

Their artistic skills are important, but they are not the only characteristic that will make your clients keep coming back to you.

Popular Programs

The cosmetologist is a person who deals with people’s hair, nails and skin and can be found in a beauty salon, barbershops, spas, hotels, and residential care homes.

Their main duty is beauty treatment, but they also have to place orders, verify receipt, give recommendations and maintain safe and healthy conditions.

When his/her client is satisfied and keeps coming back than that cosmetologist has succeeded in this demanding field.

Cosmetology Programs in Oklahoma

Cosmetology offers great chances of employment with a little post-secondary education.

What you need to do to become a cosmetologist in Oklahoma is to either finish one of many cosmetology school programs in Oklahoma, complete an Oklahoma apprentice program or graduate from an equivalent cosmetology course of study in another state or country.

Prominent Oklahoma cosmetology schools where the accredited graduation can be achieved are:

• Academy of Hair Design – Oklahoma City
• Beauty Technical College – Tahlequah
• Broken Arrow Beauty College – Tulsa & Broken Arrow
• Claremore Beauty College – Claremore
• Clary Sage College – Tulsa
• Central State Beauty and Wellness College – Oklahoma City.

The education can be gained at some other less popular cosmetology schools in Oklahoma which are approved by the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.

There are:

• 13 in Oklahoma City
• 9 in Tulsa
• 3 in Norman
• 3 in Lawton
• 2 in Broken Arrow
• 2 in Midwest City
• 2 in Enid
• 2 in Stillwater
• 1 in Edmond
• 1 in Moore

The education requirement is 1500 hours of classes and training which focus on:

• Salon and spa operation – specialized and full service
• Hairdresser training
• Customer service
• Use of individual creativity
• Nail Services, manicures, pedicures
• Skincare services and facial treatments
• Sanitation and safety
• Makeup training
• Relevant labor and professional laws
• Latest trends and technologies in cosmetology
• Hairstyling training
• Advanced cosmetology techniques

As there are so many approved cosmetology training programs in Oklahoma, the finding of schools that suits you best should not be problematic.

Another legal regulations for apprentice programs are that only one apprentice is allowed per establishment, the program must be 3,000 hours in length and the instructor is not allowed to charge you for training.

Cosmetology Exams in Oklahoma

The Board regulates the Cosmetologist Written and Practical Exam.

They are organized at the end of your school or apprentice program and you are asked to fill out an Exam Registration Application 10 days before completing your cosmetologist training.

Both Written and Practical Exam covers the subjects that have been learned throughout the educational programs:

• Physical demonstration of basic cosmetology tasks
• The theory behind cosmetology procedures
• Safety procedures
• State rules, regulations, and laws

License

People who have an Out-of-State and Out-of-Country license already achieved can apply for reciprocity cosmetologist license but they must:

• the out-of-state official licensing body has to provide proof of their licensure as a cosmetologist to the OSBCB
• they must submit proof of an equivalent education from a state board or official agency to the OSBCB

If any of the following apply to you, you must submit an Application for a Reciprocity Exam when you apply for licensure in Oklahoma if you have completed an equivalent cosmetology course that is not in Oklahoma, but does not have a cosmetologist license, if you have an out-of-state cosmetology license that has been expired for less than five years or you have a cosmetology license, but it does not meet Oklahoma’s reciprocity requirements.

Every state has slightly different regulations and requirements related to the cosmetologist license.

You need to fill out an Application for Individual License as a cosmetologist and send it with other documentation to:

Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
2401 NW 23rd Street, Suite 84
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

If you are applying for a cosmetology license as an out-of-state or out-of-country candidate you will need to submit:

• Application for a Domestic Reciprocity Cosmetology License
• Application for a Foreign Reciprocity Cosmetology License

Keeping Your License Current 

The Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (OSBCB) oblige you to renew the license every year on your birth month.

The license renewal form is attached to the license and a renewal fee is $25.

Average Annual Cosmetologist Salary and Job Prospects in Oklahoma

Once licensed, you can become the owner of the business, self-employed and start gaining clients, but that is not an easy task as people hardly ever decide to change their cosmetologists.

Being self-employed is a great thing as it offers you flexible working hours and more free time during the week, as well as higher salaries.

Growing demand for cosmetologists makes this vocation more attractive to young generations who believe that they will earn a lot of money over the night.

The number of job openings will indeed grow, but the salaries of Oklahoma cosmetologists are among the lowest in the US.

The annual salary varies due to the location of the salon and the amount of daily work.

While cosmetologist in Altus earns $ 22 129 annually, their colleagues in Broken Arrow get $ 24 905.

Regional Salary in Oklahoma

Summary

Young generations are also more involved in beauty treatments from a very early age and becoming a cosmetologist can be their dream job.

The high employment level for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists offers great job prospects, but those who want to pursue cosmetology careers in Oklahoma should think well whether that is the right vocation for them before making their final decision.

Cosmetology by State