Professional Beauty Associations

What are the main professional associations in the cosmetology industry?

One of the most widely recognized associations in the beauty industry is the American Association of Cosmetology Schools, otherwise known as AACS. They are a national non-profit association open to all privately owned schools of cosmetology arts and sciences. AACS specializes in updating its members with information about new beauty teaching methods, current beauty industry events, and Washington, DC law and licensing updates pertinent to the industry. Most of this updating is done through a series of seminars, conferences and conventions held throughout the year. For those schools that participate in Title IV funding, AACS lobbies Congress and the Department of Education aggressively to protect the interest of proprietary schools. Other professional associations in the beauty industry include:

• Aesthetics International Association
• American Association of Cosmetology Schools
• American Association for Esthetics Education
• American Board of Hair Colorists
• Associated Skin Care Professionals
• Association of Cosmetology Salon Professionals
• Cosmetologists of America
• Cosmetology Advancement Foundation
• IMA International Make-Up Association
• International Barber Association
• International Beauty Therapy Association
• International Nail Tech Association
• International Pedicure Association
• International Spa Association
• National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences
• National Association of Screen Make-Up Artists
• National Beauty Culturist League
• National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers, Distributors and Associations
• National Cosmetology Association
• National Interstate Council of Cosmetology Boards, Inc.
• National Latino Cosmetology Association
• Professional Beauty Association
• Professional Beauty Federation