Cosmetologists are creative professionals who provide a variety of beauty services to clients. This fun field encompasses hairdressers, nail technicians, estheticians, and skin care specialists, among others. When you aim to become a cosmetologist in The Prairie State, what you must first accomplish is obtaining an Illinois cosmetology license.
Getting your Illinois cosmetology license is the key to starting your new career.
Go To School
The good news is that you don’t have to go to college for four years to get a bachelor’s degree to be a cosmetologist. However, in order to take the exam for the Illinois Board of Cosmetology to become a licensed cosmetologist, you do have to take 1,500 hours of courses from an accredited beauty school.
While you are in school, be sure to apply yourself from the first day. Keep in mind that sometimes your teachers are going to be professionals in the field who also love to teach. They are likely passionate about what they do and are likely to be willing to help dedicated students who prove themselves to be talented in the field. The beauty community is supportive, especially when you make a strong effort to do great work. Ask for help if you need it, and be sure to ask any questions you have about the licensing exam.
You can soon be dazzling clients with your expertise!
Get an Internship
While obtaining an internship is not mandatory in order to obtain your Illinois cosmetology license, it is a smart thing to do. Also, the internship can count towards 150 of the 1,500 hours that are mandatory from an accredited program before you can take the licensing exam. When looking for an internship, be sure to only consider ones that take place in a registered salon.
Beyond that, a licensed cosmetologist must directly supervise you as part of the internship. Not only can the internship be a good way to prepare you for the exam, but it can also be a great way of making contacts and showing your talents to professionals who may later help you get a start in your career.
Take the Licensing Exam
After you have completed 1,500 hours of education from an accredited beauty school, you should start preparing your licensure exam. This exam is issued by the Illinois State Board of Cosmetology, and it should cover the coursework that you learned in school leading up to the exam. After you pass this examination, the Illinois cosmetology license will be issued, and you can officially start your career.
Continuing Your Education
Keep in mind that, in order to keep your Illinois cosmetology license, you may need to continue to take a few classes each year. Continuing education is part of the life of a professional cosmetologist. If they weren’t mandatory, you’d probably want to take them anyway. This enables you to stay current in your field as well as knowledgeable in changes in the field. It also ensures that you are ready to handle any new laws and safety procedures that can best protect you and your clients.
Conclusion
Whenever you are ready to work towards becoming a cosmetologist in Illinois, we can help you realize that dream. Check out our courses and start pursuing your new career today.