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Being that young people are more and more interested in achieving the ideal physical appearance, they often decide to try their luck with cosmetology and put their creativity at work.
However, they do not think about the obligations, qualities, and requirements that this vocation entails.
Article Table of Contents
Job Description
Whether they are employees or even owners of a salon, cosmetologists’ main duty and aim are to make their clients satisfied.
That way, the customer will recommend them further to family and friends, thus enlarging their business, and providing them with more customers.
Popular Programs
The cosmetologist must keep work areas clean and disinfect tools after usage.
They also need to answer phone calls and schedule appointments.
Besides working in beauty salons, barbershops, spas, resorts, and hotels, their work also involves the selling of beauty products.
Cosmetology Programs in West Virginia
By working with chemicals, an inexperienced cosmetologist can harm and damage the client’s hair or skin, so all the US states introduced legal education requirements for those who want to become cosmetologists.
First of all, they need to complete a cosmetology program, which is accredited by the appropriate organization.
In West Virginia, it is the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists which determines two professions:
- Cosmetologist – who is allowed to do aesthetics, makeup, nails, chemical hair treatments, hairstyling, and sell beauty products.
- Hairstylist – who works with hair, scalp care, shampooing, conditioning, styling and hair braiding, hair coloring.
There are separated education requirements to become either a cosmetologist or hairstylist in West Virginia.
For a cosmetologist, it is required to finish 1,800 hours, and the curriculum should include the following:
- 100 hours of study related to business relations, sanitation, and West Virginia state law,
- 200 hours of study plus 50 hours of practice about the science of cosmetology, chemistry, electricity and skin diseases,
- 50 hours of study plus 400 hours of practice covering hair styling, cutting, braiding, wigs, extensions, and scalp care,
- 100 hours of study and 100 hours of practice on chemical hair services and coloring,
- 117 hours of study plus 50 hours of practice on aesthetics, nutrition and infection control,
- 40 hours of study plus 90 hours of practice covering skin physiology, histology, disorders, diseases, analysis, and skincare products
- 36 hours of study plus 167 hours of practice in makeup, hair removal, facials, and facial massage
- 64 hours of study plus 10 hours of practice on nail structure, growth, diseases, anatomy, and the chemistry of nail products
- 12 hours of study plus 80 hours of practice focused on extremity massage, manicures, pedicures, polishing, UV gel, and nail design
- 21 hours of study plus 113 hours of practice including advanced manicures, advanced pedicures, electric filing, nail enhancements, and creative nail designs.
The education requirements for a hairstylist in West Virginia include the finishing of 1,000 hours of instruction based on the following subjects:
- 100 hours of study on business management, communication, sanitation, first aid, and state laws,
- 200 hours of study plus 50 hours of practice on the properties of hair and the scalp,
- 50 hours of study plus 400 hours of practice dealing with hair styling, cutting, braiding, shampooing and conditioning, wigs, and hair extensions,
- 100 hours of study plus 100 hours of practice on hair coloring and chemicals.
The most famous accredited schools in West Virginia are:
- Art & Science Institute of Cosmetology & Massage Therapy – Fairmont
- Artisan School of Cosmetology – Parkersburg
- Carver Career & Technical Center – Charleston
- Charleston School of Beauty Culture – Charleston
- Clarksburg Beauty Academy – Clarksburg.
Other 18 approved cosmetology schools in West Virginia can be found in the cities:
- Alderson
- Beckley
- Charleston
- Clarksburg
- Huntington
- Lewisburg
- Martinsburg
- Morgantown
- Mount Gay
- Parkersburg
- Petersburg
- Pineville
- Princeton
- West Columbia
- Westover
- Wheeling
- White Hall
Unlike in other US states, before an education program, you will need to pass a tuberculosis test and submit a Student Registration Form to the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists at their office in Dunbar.
Cosmetology Exams in West Virginia
DL Roope Administrations is in charge of examination and allows you to register online or through your school once the education is finished.
One of the exams is the Cosmetology Written Exam which lasts 90 minutes and is done on the same day as your practical exam.
The questions are based on subjects covered by the curriculum:
- Scientific concepts of cosmetology
- Haircare and hair services
- Skincare and skin services
- Nail care and nail services
For the Cosmetology Practical Exam, you are supposed to bring a mannequin head and table clamp.
Evaluators will test your skills and abilities and how successfully they are performed for a limited amount of time.
What you will need to show is your capabilities in doing the following:
- Set up and client protection – 10 minutes
- Thermal curling – 10 minutes
- Haircutting – 30 minutes
- Chemical waving – 20 minutes
- Virgin hair lightening and color retouch – 10 minutes each
- Virgin hair relaxer and relaxer retouch – 10 minutes each
- Basic facial – 10 minutes
- Basic manicure – 20 minutes
All the information regarding the examinations can be found in the Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) issued by DL Roope Administrations.
As the education of the above-mentioned specialties differs, then hairstylist examinations are a bit different than the ones of a cosmetologist.
The Hairstyling Written Examination lasts 90-minutes and includes questions related to scientific concepts – 40 percent and Haircare and hair services – 60 percent.
The Hairstyling Practical Examination is done on the same day as the written exam, it lasts four hours and evaluator has to score your abilities related to:
- Setting up and client protection – 10 minutes
- Thermal curling – 10 minutes
- Haircutting – 30 minutes
- Chemical waving – 20 minutes
- Virgin hair lightening and color retouch – 20 minutes
- Virgin relaxer application and relaxer retouch – 20 minutes.
Additionally, you need to pass the 30-minute West Virginia State Law Exam which covers the rules and regulations.
License
The license can be gained by filling in the Application for Registration with the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists if your exams are successfully done.
Out-of-State Candidates can apply for the license in West Virginia if they had 1,800 hours of training for a cosmetologist and 1,000 for a hairstylist.
Experience can be a substitute for education, meaning one month of work experience for 25 hours of education.
In case you have to do the tests, you should use the Out-of-State Exam Application Form to register with DL Roope Administrations.
Additional documentation for this application includes:
- Proof of licensure in good standing from any other states where you are licensed
- Proof of employment if using work experience as a substitution for some of your education
- Proof that you completed an education program that is similar to those required in West Virginia
Keeping Your License Current
Cosmetologists in West Virginia will need to get continuing education from a provider that is approved by the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
If you want to rent a chair, you will need to fill in the Chair Rental Registration through the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists, and if you decide to open your salon, you will need to submit a Shop License Application to the Board.
Average Annual Cosmetologist Salary and Job Prospects in West Virginia
Some of the salons which are looking for novice certified cosmetologist in West Virginia are:
- Tonics Trilogy in Morgantown
- Vivo Hair Salon and Day Spa in Harpers Ferry
- Glow Med Spa in Richmond
Looking for employment is not an easy task, and the salaries in West Virginia are quite low in comparison to some other US states.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charleston,WV | $23,770 |
| Huntington,WV | $23,047 |
| Morgantown,WV | $25,485 |
| Parkersburg,WV | $23,173 |
| Wheeling,WV | $25,485 |
Regional Salary in West Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley, WV | 70 | $31,970 | $15.37 | $49,190 | $19,650 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 150 | $31,950 | $15.36 | $53,290 | $18,500 |
| Morgantown, WV | 170 | $34,160 | $16.42 | $55,710 | $22,600 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | 100 | $32,990 | $15.86 | $49,350 | $21,940 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | 140 | $35,960 | $17.29 | $57,430 | $23,320 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | 230 | $35,610 | $17.12 | $54,520 | $22,310 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Cosmetologist
Cosmetology by State