The road to becoming a cosmetologist in West Virginia is both challenging and fun. In order to keep your motivation up every step of the way, you need to truly love the field of cosmetology. A passion for helping others look good and subsequently feel good can take you far. Getting your cosmetology license also requires patience, dedication, and fortitude. Take these steps, and you can be well on your way to obtaining a West Virginia cosmetology license.
You can soon be succeeding as a cosmetologist.
Find a Great, Accredited Beauty School
Before you search for a school, keep in mind that you should have at least a high school diploma, a GED, or its equivalent. You also need to be at least 18 years of age or older. As long as you reach these minimum requirements or will by the time you plan to enroll, commence your search for a cosmetology school that’s approved by the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
Not only do you need to look for a school that is accredited, you need to make sure that it is run and taught by an established group of professionals. For example, the Beauty Academy is run by noted instructor Steve Preins, who has been an acclaimed trainer for more than 20 years. It’s ideal to learn from those who can ultimately help you in the business.
Cosmetologists help others feel beautiful.
Apply to Beauty School
Once you’ve found the ideal cosmetology school for you, fill out the application and go on any interviews that may be required. It may just be a phone interview, and some schools don’t interview at all. However, you should be prepared just in case it happens. As part of this process, you will need to take a TB test and fill out a student enrollment form.
Take Your Classes
After you are accepted to beauty school, take a full load of classes, if possible. If you currently have a full-time job or other obstacles to taking on several courses, that’s okay. You can likely go to school part-time, but it will take you longer to complete the program. You need to take both the basic core requirements in order to sit for the West Virginia licensing exam as well as electives in the specialty that most interests you.
The amount of hours that you are required to take school varies by what your specialty will be. For a general cosmetology license, you need 1,800 hours of schooling. However, to get a barbering license you only need to take 1,200 hours. Hair stylists need only take 1,000 hours.
Take Your Exam
Once you have completed your coursework, you need to register to take the licensing exam from the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists with a registered third party. You must pass both parts of the exam. If it has been since your first TB test, you need to take another one at this time. Once you have passed the exam and completed the requirements, you should receive the cosmetology license within two weeks.
Conclusion
Follow these steps to obtain your West Virginia cosmetology license. You can soon be helping clients feel both happier and better about themselves. Check out our courses to see all the ways that we can help you get started on the dream today.