Many individuals wrongly believe that cosmetology doesn’t undergo many changes that require continued education. It is true that practices do not change often. However, safety standards and laws do update on occasion, necessitating continued education in the cosmetology field. Safety and sanitation standards may change, requiring training in order to safely assist clients. Without attending a recertification course, inspections may not go as smoothly as planned.
What is Continuing Education?
Many of us are continuing our education on a daily basis without even realizing it!
We are continuing our education when we:
- Ask for help for something we don’t understand,
- Observe veteran employees at work,
- Try new ways of doing things,
- Practice what we’ve learned,
- Ask for feedback or advice,
- Develop personal goals,
- Apply lessons learned from past experiences to new situations,
- Recognize your preferred learning style,
- Look for ways to improve our skills.
Why Bother?
The benefits to continued education, or lifelong learning, are numerous. Lifelong learning can enhance social inclusion, personal development, and employability. Lifelong learners oftentimes report higher wages than their peers who do not continue their education. This is important because the economy is constantly changing and shifting and it is crucial to keep up so as to not be left behind. Continuing education can help with that.
How Do I Learn?
According to Exforsys , “continuous learning at the individual level can be done through seminars and workshops, trainings, coaching and mentoring, and also through actual application. On their own, individuals can learn by taking up a new course or buying self-help books to guide them as they learn a new knowledge or skill.” Some workshops will also offer Continuing Education Units, or CEU’s. A CEU is a unit of credit equal to ten hours of participated in a program, which has been designed for professionals with certificates or licenses. There is a small amount of paperwork to receive the CEU, but many people are beginning to offer the credits.
State Standards
There is currently not a consistent standard that encompasses every state’s requirements for certificate renewal, so it is important to research what your state mandates. You can do so by searching online for your particular state’s board of cosmetology.
According to Statece.com, Texas, for example, requires that cosmetologists must file for certificate renewal every two years, in addition to completing a four-hour continuing education course. Florida is similar, though they require sixteen hours of continuing education courses. Some states do not require continuing education, but they recommend it.
It would also be wise to research what states other than your own require, in case you would like to consider moving to a different state. Having an awareness of those requirements will help you in the long run.
Overall, continuing your education is important not only for your own personal development, but for the safety of your clientele. If you need any further education, check out our courses and what we have to offer! You worked hard for your Cosmetology education – continue learning and enrich your career!