Cosmetology Schools in New Jersey

Thinking about becoming a cosmetologist in New Jersey but don't know where to start? Whether you're knocking on the Big Apple's door in Jersey City, across the way from Philadelphia in Camden, or enjoying the rural areas near Sussex, Garden State residents appreciate their beauty services. So much so that jobs for cosmetologists, hairdressers, and hairstylists are expected to grow by 17% in the coming years.

Browse our directory of cosmetology schools in New Jersey, or skip ahead to learn about the state's cosmetology licensing requirements and job outlook.

Browse All Cosmetology Schools in New Jersey

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301 Gibraltar Drive Suite 1A
Morris Plains, NJ 7950

(973) 656-1401
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Teacher Training
Cutting Edge Academy – Accredited

45 Sunset Strip and Route 10 East
Succasunna, NJ 7876

(862) 251-7290
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

15 Ward Street
Bloomfield, NJ 7003

(973) 680-0099
Programs:
Cosmetology, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

2100 State Highway 38 Plaza Cherry Hill
Cherry Hill, NJ 8002

(856) 667-8326
Programs:
Cosmetology, Barbering, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

1126 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 7083

(908) 686-4422
Programs:
Cosmetology, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

8200 Town Center Boulevard
Voorhees, NJ 8043

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Makeup Artistry

121 Watchung Avenue
North Plainfield, NJ 7060

(908) 754-4247
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

1458 Route 35 South
Ocean Township, NJ 7712

(732) 695-6800
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

312 State Street
Perth Amboy, NJ 8861

(732) 442-6007
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

70 East Holly Avenue
Pitman, NJ 8071

(856) 553-6079
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

5518 Bergenline Avenue
West New York, NJ 7093

(201) 866-4000
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

4741 U.S. Highway 9
Howell, NJ 7731

(732) 845-6289
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Makeup Artistry, Teacher Training
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Find Cosmetology Schools Near You

Bella Cosmetology Institute - Pallsades Park – Accredited

532 10th Street
Pallsades Park, NJ 7650

Blanco's Barber & Beauty Academy – Accredited

1 Bloomfield Avenue
Newark, NJ 7104

Camden County College

200 College Drive
Blackwood, NJ 8012

Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics and Cosmetology – Accredited

285 Changebridge Road
Pine Brook, NJ 7058

Cosmo Beauty Academy - Saddle Brook – Accredited

431 North Midland Avenue
Saddle Brook, NJ 7663

Fortis Institute - Wayne

201 Willowbrook Boulevard
Wayne, NJ 07470

Hunterdon County Polytech

10 Junction Road
Flemington, NJ 08822

Hunterdon County Polytech Adult & Continuing Education

8 Bartles Corner Road
Flemington, NJ 8822

Innovate Salon Academy - Ewing Township – Accredited

25 Scotch Road
Ewing Township, NJ 8628

Innovate Salon Academy - South Plainfield – Accredited

4985 Stelton Road
South Plainfield, NJ 7080

Monmouth County Vocational School District

4000 Kozloski Road
Freehold, NJ 7728

Morris County Vocational School District

400 East Main Street
Denville, NJ 7834

Ocean County Vocational-Technical School

137 Bey Lea Road
Toms River, NJ 8753

Parisian Beauty School – Accredited

21 Passaic Street
Hackensack, NJ 7601

PB Cosmetology Education Centre – Accredited

110 Monmouth Street
Gloucester, NJ 8030

Pro Beauty Academy – Accredited

1655 Oak Tree Road Suite 285A
Edison, NJ 8820

Raritan Valley Community College

118 Lamington Road
Branchburg, NJ 08876

Shore Beauty School – Accredited

3003 English Creek Avenue
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 8234

Total Image Beauty Academy – Accredited

3900 Bergenline Avenue 2nd Floor
Union City, NJ 7087

Union County Vocational Technical School

1776 Raritan Road
Scotch Plains, NJ 7076
Accredited School

You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.

How to Become a Cosmetologist in New Jersey

New Jersey Cosmetology Careers At a Glance
  • 1,200 education hours are required to become licensed.
  • You must renew your license every 2 years.
  • 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
  • The average salary for cosmetologists in New Jersey is $39,370.
  • There is a predicted 33% job increase between 2020–2030 for cosmetologists.

If you think a career as a cosmetologist in New Jersey meets your professional and financial needs, you'll need to take a few steps and meet some requirements before you can receive licensure. You must:

  • Be at least 17 years old at the time of application
  • Provide evidence of a high school diploma or GED
  • Provide evidence of completing the required 1,200 hours of instruction at an approved cosmetology and hairstyling school
  • Apply for licensure and pay the $50 application fee
  • Sit for and pass the cosmetology exam administered by the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling
  • Apply for licensure through the state board and pay a $90 licensing fee

Cosmetologist Salary and Projected Job Growth in New Jersey

$39,370

Average yearly salary for cosmetology in New Jersey

Jobs for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists working in New Jersey are expected to grow by 33% between 2020-2030, leading to the creation of nearly 5,000 new openings. The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that these professionals earn average hourly wages of $18.93 or average annual salaries of $39,370. The below chart shows how different cities across the state stack up when it comes to pay.

The highest-paying metropolitan areas for cosmetologists in New Jersey are:

Metro Area 2021 Median Salary
Trenton, NJ $36,090
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $35,220
Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ $30,930
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA $30,440
Ocean City, NJ $29,220
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $28,740
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $27,910

Table information sourced from the O*Net (2022)

What to Expect From a Cosmetology Program in New Jersey

1,200 Education Hours

Required to earn a cosmetology license

Before you can ever use your cosmetology skills on a client, you first need to earn your license. To do this, you must complete the required 1,200 hours of training through a beauty school approved by the state board. These programs instill a wide variety of skills and knowledge you'll need when working as a cosmetologist, including how to cut, style, and color hair, give manicures and pedicures, and apply facials to various skin types. Some programs also include business skills needed to build your business or even open your own salon in the future.

According to New Jersey state law, cosmetology and hairstyling courses must include the following:

  • State Laws, Rules & Regulations for Cosmetology and Hairstyling and Administrative Shop Operations: 10 hours
  • Operations Decontamination & Infection Control: 20 hours
  • Professional Image, Hygiene, and Related Practices: 2 hours
  • History of Barbering: 4 hours
  • Shaving: 81 hours
  • Beard & Mustache Trimming: 15 hours
  • Facials and Massage, Skin Care, Make-up, Depilatory, Eyebrow Arching: 78 hours
  • Shampooing and Temporary Rinses: 60 hours
  • Hair and Scalp Treatments, Reconditioning Treatments: 50 hours
  • Hair and Basic Layer and Clipper Cut – Razor, Scissors, Thinning Shears, Tapering: 160 hours
  • Hairstyling, including Pin Curls, Fingerwaving, Blow Waving, and Weaving: 160 hours
  • Hair Tinting and Bleaching, including Frosting, Tipping, and Streaks: 145 hours
  • Permanent Waving: 115 hours
  • Chemical Relaxing and Pressing: 90 hours
  • Thermal Curling and Waving: 45 hours
  • Manicuring and Pedicuring: 135 hours
  • Chemistry Relating to Cosmetology: 30 hours

Once you complete the required 1,200 hours in the courses mentioned above, you should have the skills needed to keep up with health and safety laws, provide a variety of hair and skin care services, and build a client base by utilizing basic business skills.

Can I Apprentice as a Cosmetologist in New Jersey?

The New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling does not allow for apprenticeships. Instead of following this path, candidates must complete an educational program and seek licensure.

The Difference Between a Cosmetologist-Hairstylist and Beautician in New Jersey

While cosmetologists and beauticians are often thought of as one and the same, these licenses are not the same in the state of New Jersey. New Jersey offers two distinct licenses, each with its own training requirements:

Cosmetology and hairstyling: Cosmetologists in New Jersey have to complete 1,200 hours of instruction and practical training, including detailed instruction on hair cutting and styling, chemical treatment, manicuring and pedicuring, hair weaving, beard and mustache trimming, shaving, and history of barbering.

Beauty culture: Beauticians must undertake 1,100 classroom and training hours emphasizing hair cutting and styling, chemical treatments, and nail services. The beauty culture license doesn't include hair weaving, beard and mustache trimming, shaving, or barbering history.

If you're looking for a license with the most flexibility regarding skillsets and potential clients, a cosmetology and hairstyling license may be the best fit. You'll learn to cut and style hair for everyone, along with the arts of shaving and hair weaving.

On the other hand, if you'd like to provide a more curated set of services, a beauty culture license may be the best fit.

In New Jersey, the beauty culture course includes the following requirements:

  • Chemical Relaxing and Pressing: 90 hours
  • Cosmetology Chemistry: 30 hours
  • Decontamination and Infection Control: 20 hours
  • Facials and Massage, Skincare, Makeup, Depilatory, and Eyebrow Arching: 78 hours
  • Hair and Scalp Treatments, Reconditioning Treatments: 50 hours
  • Hair Tinting and Bleaching: 145 hours
  • Haircutting: 160 hours
  • Hairstyling: 160 hours
  • Nail Services: 135 hours
  • Permanent Waving: 115 hours
  • Professional Image, Hygiene and Related Practices: 2 hours
  • Relevant State Laws, Rules, and Regulations and Administrative Shop Operations: 10 hours
  • Shampooing and Temporary Rinses: 60 hours
  • Thermal Curling and Waving: 45 hours

How to Get Your New Jersey Cosmetologist-Hairstylist License as a Beautician

Because the training difference between a beautician and cosmetologist-hairstylist in New Jersey is minimal, licensed beauticians in New Jersey can take a 100-hour course to make up the difference, if they choose to pursue a cosmetology and hairstyling license. The course includes instruction and training hours on the following topics:

  • Beard and Mustache Trimming: 15 hours
  • History of Barbering: 4 hours
  • Shaving: 81 hours

The Difference Between a Cosmetologist-Hairstylist and Barber in New Jersey

In New Jersey, cosmetologists-hairstylists can perform similar services to barbers. However, New Jersey barber school programs include more instruction on facial hair and require fewer training hours overall than a cosmetology-hairstyling license.

  • Cosmetology and hairstyling: Cosmetologists in New Jersey must complete 1,200 hours of education and training focused on hair cutting and styling, chemical treatments, manicuring and pedicuring, and beard and mustache shaving, trimming, and care.
  • Barbering: Barbers in New Jersey must complete 900 training hours comprising haircutting and styling, beard and mustache cutting, trimming, and care, facial massage, and skin, scalp, and hair disorders.

A barbering license focuses more on facial hair and styles traditionally associated with short hair. However, it also includes training on cutting and styling long hair. Barbering programs, however, do not involve manicuring and pedicuring classes, which are included in New Jersey cosmetology programs.

If you're looking for the most flexibility in terms of clients and work locations, a license in cosmetology and hairstyling may be the best choice for you. If you'd prefer to work at a barber shop or cater primarily to male clients or other clients with shorter hair or facial hair, a barbering license may best fit your goals.

New Jersey Cosmetology Licensing Requirements

Once you finish the required 1,200 hours of cosmetology and hairstyling training, you can apply to take the required written and practical exams.

The state board houses an online application on its website and requires you to pay a nonrefundable $50 application filing fee as well as a $90 first-year licensing fee once you pass the examinations. During the second year of licensing, you will pay an additional $45. All payments must be remitted in the form of a money order or check to the State of New Jersey.

The New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling maintains a contract with Prometric to handle the exam process. After the Board has verified the information contained on your application, Prometric sends out an "Authorization to Test" form that allows you to register for the exam and select a testing date via IQT Testing.

Applicants take the first exam on a computer. The test focuses on theory and includes 120 questions, 110 of which count towards your final score. Topics covered in this exam include:

  • Infection Control and Safety Practices
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology
  • Basic Chemistry of Products Used in Cosmetology
  • Client Consultation, Analysis, and Documentation for Hair Care Services
  • Tools Used in Hair Care Services
  • Hair Care
  • Hair Design
  • Chemical Services
  • Client Consultation, Analysis, and Documentation for Skin Care Services
  • Tools Used for Skin Care Services
  • Facial Skin Care Services
  • Client Consultation, Analysis, and Documentation for Nail Care Services
  • Tools Used in Nail Care Services
  • Applying Knowledge of Principles, Procedures, and Safety for Basic Manicure and Pedicure
  • Applying Knowledge of Principles, Procedures, and Safety for Application, Maintenance, and Removal of Nail Enhancements
  • Barbering
  • New Jersey State Law related to cosmetology

You must receive a score of 75% or higher to pass this exam. You can retake the exam a total of two times if you fail the first time.

Candidates who require ADA accommodations can request these via their school. Some accommodations allowed include extended testing time, special seating, reading assistance, and removal of face masks for approved medical conditions. Examinees must receive confirmation of request approval from the Board before registering for the test. At this time, the exam is only offered in English.

Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the exam begins, and be sure to bring your candidate admission letter. You will also need your user ID and password to log in on the testing day. Lastly, you will need at least one primary photo identification. Approved options include:

  • State-issued driver's license or identification card
  • U.S. passport
  • Military ID
  • I-551 Permanent Resident Card
  • I-571 Refugee Travel Document
  • I-688 Temporary Resident Card
  • I-688A Employment Authorization Card
  • I-688B Employment Authorization Document
  • I-766 Employment Authorization Card

You'll also need to bring a secondary form of identification that matches the address on your admissions letter. Approved options include:

  • Utility or credit card bill from the last 90 days
  • Checking or savings account statement from the previous 60 days
  • Lease or rental agreement with your name listed as the renter
  • IRS/state tax office correspondence from the previous 12 months
  • First-class mail from local, state, or federal agency within last six months

After completing the theory exam, scores will immediately appear on the screen after the last question. Students who pass will see their score, while those who fail will see a diagnostic report identifying areas where they did well and areas where they need more study time.

New Jersey Cosmetology Licensure Reciprocity

If you hold a license in a different state but want to move to New Jersey and practice cosmetology, contact your current state board and ask them to submit evidence of your active license to the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. You should then confirm that the Board received your license information, and they will tell you whether you qualify for licensure by endorsement or need to sit the exam. You must also complete the application and provide all required documentation.

Cosmetology Specialties in New Jersey

In addition to cosmetology licenses, New Jersey provides licenses for manicurists, skin care specialists, and teachers of cosmetology and hairstyling.

Depending on where you live in New Jersey, you may also be able to take advantage of opportunities in New York City for cosmetologists focused on the performing arts. Whether working on a Broadway production or managing hair and makeup for a film shooting in Hoboken, this can be a lucrative path to consider.

Makeup artists providing their services for theatrical productions and performances in New York earned mean annual wages of $122,970 as of 2020.

License Renewal

2 Years

License renewal period

0 Hours

Continuing education required

All New Jersey cosmetology licenses expire in September of even-numbered years. While the state doesn't require any continuing education hours, plan to pay $90 to renew your license every even-numbered year (such as 2022, 2024, 2026, etc.).

Contact the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology

New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling

The New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology can help you with updating your name or change of address information, acquiring out-of-state licensing, renewal and other useful forms, as well as answer other questions about obtaining a New Jersey cosmetology license. The Garden State is home to a multitude of elite beauty professionals. This is due in part to a solid cosmetology infrastructure in New Jersey from the bottom up. Those looking to be a part of it find out more from these groups.

New Jersey Salon and Spa Alliance
American Association of Cosmetology Schools
Associated Hair Professionals

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Cosmetology
New Jersey

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Your State