Cosmetology Schools in Tennessee

Tennessee provides plenty of opportunities for those who want to train to become a cosmetologist. Browse our directory of cosmetology schools in Tennessee, or skip ahead to learn about the state's cosmetology licensing requirements and job outlook.

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1765 Galleria Boulevard
Franklin, TN 37067

(615) 567-5417
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Therapy

248 Northgate Mall Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37415

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

7106 Moores Lane Suite A
Brentwood, TN 37027

(615) 353-8333
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

1433 Hollywood Drive
Jackson, TN 38301

(731) 427-6642
Programs:
Cosmetology, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

568 Colonial Road
Memphis, TN 38117

(901) 761-1888
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

755 Chancery Street
Mcminnville, TN 37110

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy

222 East Unaka Avenue
Johnson City, TN 37601

(423) 926-9095
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology
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Alternative Visions Hair Academy – Accredited

6227 Lee Highway Suite 121
Chattanooga, TN 37421

Arnolds Beauty School – Accredited

1179 South Second Street
Milan, TN 38358

Austin's Beauty College – Accredited

585 South Riverside Drive
Clarksville, TN 37040

Bakers Barber and Cosmetology College – Accredited

3983 Brainerd Road
Chattanooga, TN 37411

Bella Donna's Academy – Accredited

364 Revere Street
Kingsport, TN 37660

Brillare Beauty Institute – Accredited

1605 Professional Park Drive Northwest
Cleveland, TN 37312

Career Beauty College – Accredited

113 South Military Avenue
Lawrenceburg, TN 38464

Chattanooga State Community College

4501 Amnicola Highway
Chattanooga, TN 37406

Douglas J Aveda Institute - Knoxville – Accredited

516 South Gay Street
Knoxville, TN 37902

Elite College of Cosmetology – Accredited

459 North Main Street
Lexington, TN 38351

Franklin Hair Academy School of Cosmetology – Accredited

595 Hillsboro Road Suite 325
Franklin, TN 37064

Genesis Career College – Accredited

30 Rachel Drive
Nashville, TN 37214

Genesis Career College - Cookeville – Accredited

880-A East 10th Street
Cookeville, TN 38501

Genesis Career College - Lebanon – Accredited

1505 Noah Court
Lebanon, TN 37087

Global Beauty and Barber Institute

907 Rivergate Parkway Suite B-1
Goodlettsville, TN 37072

Goshen School of Cosmetology - Memphis – Accredited

7680 Polo Grounds Boulevard
Memphis, TN 38125

Gould's Academy - Bartlett – Accredited

8000 U.S. Highway 64 Suite 108
Bartlett, TN 38133

Gould's Academy - Memphis – Accredited

1203 Ridgeway Road Suite 203
Memphis, TN 38119

Image Maker Beauty Institute – Accredited

139 Maple Row Boulevard Suite 208
Hendersonville, TN 37075

Kimaura Innovative New Concepts in Cosmetology – Accredited

6061 Appletree Drive Suite 5
Memphis, TN 38115

Kingsport Academy of Hair Design – Accredited

2617 East Center Street
Kingsport, TN 37664

Last Minute Cuts School of Barbering and Cosmetology

2195 South Third Street
Memphis, TN 38109

Lebanon Beauty and Style Academy – Accredited

414 East Market Street
Lebanon, TN 37087

Love Beauty School – Accredited

1161 Murfreesboro Highway
Manchester, TN 37355

Paul Mitchell The School Knoxville – Accredited

8380 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919

Paul Mitchell The School Memphis – Accredited

3419 Plaza Avenue
Memphis, TN 38111

Paul Mitchell The School Murfreesboro – Accredited

1720 Old Fort Parkway Suite L200
Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Paul Mitchell The School Nashville – Accredited

235 East Main Street Suite 200
Hendersonville, TN 37075

Premier Cosmetology Academy – Accredited

3410 West Market Street
Johnson City, TN 37604

Queen City College – Accredited

1594 Fort Campbell Boulevard
Clarksville, TN 37042

Sandra Academy of Salon Services – Accredited

907 Main Street
New Tazewell, TN 37825

Shear Perfection Academy of Cosmetology – Accredited

5620 Nolensville Pike
Nashville, TN 37211

Students 2 Masters Barber College – Accredited

1750 Frayser Boulevard Suite A
Memphis, TN 38127

Sweetwater Institute of Cosmetology – Accredited

409 Sweetwater Vonore Road
Sweetwater, TN 37874

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Crossville – Accredited

910 Miller Avenue
Crossville, TN 38555

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Dickson – Accredited

740 Highway 46 South
Dickson, TN 37055

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Elizabethton – Accredited

426 Highway 91
Elizabethton, TN 37643

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Harriman – Accredited

1745 Harriman Highway
Harriman, TN 37748

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Hohenwald – Accredited

813 West Main
Hohenwald, TN 38462

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Huntsville – Accredited

355 Scott High Drive
Huntsville, TN 37756

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Jacksboro – Accredited

265 Elkins Road
Jacksboro, TN 37757

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Knoxville – Accredited

1100 Liberty Street
Knoxville, TN 37919

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Livingston – Accredited

740 Hi Tech Drive
Livingston, TN 38570

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - McMinnville – Accredited

241 Vo Tech Drive
McMinnville, TN 37303

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Memphis – Accredited

550 Alabama Avenue
Memphis, TN 38105

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Morristown – Accredited

821 West Louise Avenue
Morristown, TN 37813

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Murfreesboro – Accredited

1303 Old Fort Parkway
Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Nashville – Accredited

100 White Bridge Pike
Nashville, TN 37209

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Newbern – Accredited

340 Washington Street
Newbern, TN 38059

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Paris – Accredited

312 South Wilson Street
Paris, TN 38242

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Ripley – Accredited

127 Industrial Drive
Ripley, TN 38063

Tennessee Institute of Cosmetology – Accredited

2438 East Andrew Johnson Highway
Morristown, TN 37814

Tennessee School of Beauty of Knoxville – Accredited

4704 Western Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37921

The Hair Academy - Fayetteville – Accredited

513 College Street West
Fayetteville, TN 37334

The Salon Professional Academy - Nashville – Accredited

2710 Old Lebanon Road Suite 6
Nashville, TN 37214

Urban Beauty Barber Institute – Accredited

3250 Coleman Road
Memphis, TN 38128
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.

Find a Cosmetology School Near You

Check out the Cosmetology schools these cities in Tennessee have to offer.

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Tennessee

Tennessee Cosmetology Careers At A Glance
  • 1,500 education hours or 1,500 apprentice 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 Tennessee is $34,540.
  • There is a predicted 7% job increase between 2018–2028 for cosmetologists.

A cosmetologist in Tennessee primarily performs work on hair, such as dressing, curling, cleansing, waving, cutting, bleaching, or coloring. They may also dress wigs, apply artificial eyelashes, give facials, apply makeup, remove hair, and offer skin care or manicure services.

To become a cosmetologist in Tennessee, you must meet certain requirements:

  • Be at least 16 years of age
  • Complete at least two years of high school or receive at least a 38% on the GED or HiSET examination
  • Complete 1,500 hours of training at a cosmetology school
  • Pass the written and practical exams through PSI online
  • Take domestic violence awareness training at your cosmetology school
  • Apply for a license and pay a $60 fee

Tennessee beauty professionals must also complete domestic violence awareness courses. Students at approved cosmetology schools in Tennessee will take the course as part of their overall training.

Cosmetology Salary in Tennessee and Projected Job Growth

$34,540

Average yearly salary for cosmetologists in Tennessee

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), cosmetologists in Tennessee made an average annual salary of $34,540 or $16.60 hourly in 2021. While this is lower than the national average for cosmetologists, salaries vary by location. O*Net projects employment growth for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in the state (7%) through 2028.

The median annual salaries for several metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas for cosmetologists in Tennessee are as follows:

Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas 2021 Median Salary
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $36,080
Memphis, TN-MS-AR $29,370
Knoxville, TN $29,330
Chattanooga, TN-GA $28,900
Chattanooga, TN-GA $28,200
East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area $28,160
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA $28,140
South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area $27,360
West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area $27,360
Clarksville, TN-KY $23,270

Table information sourced from O*Net (2022).

What to Expect From a Cosmetology Program in Tennessee

1,500 Hours

Time to complete a cosmetology program in Tennessee

Before you can earn your cosmetology license in Tennessee, you must complete 1,500 hours of training in practice and theory courses at a cosmetology school. The required hours include:

  • 300 clock hours: Sterilization, sanitation and bacteriology, anatomy and physiology, shop ethics, personality and salesmanship, state law.
  • 600 clock hours: Permanent waves, hair relaxer, hair coloring, bleaching and toning, sculptured nails, hair structure, and chemistry.
  • 600 clock hours: Shampooing and rinses, hair and scalp care, hair shaping, hairdressing and styling, facials, arching, lash and brow tinting, manicures, and pedicures.

Can I Apprentice as a Cosmetologist in Tennessee?

1,500 Hours

Time to complete a cosmetology apprenticeship in Tennessee

Tennessee also offers a cosmetology apprenticeship program. To participate in the program, you must enroll in beauty school as an apprentice student, complete an initial 750 classroom hours in theory-based material, and pass the theory exam. Then, you can apprentice with a pre-approved mentor or salon for the remaining 750 hours. They must log your hours and report them to the school.

The state also has rules concerning your mentor. The mentor must have held a license in good standing for a minimum of 10 years, and they cannot take on more than one student at a time. You need to have your own workspace in the salon, and the salon or shop must post a sign that shows apprentice students practice there.

Keep in mind that you must enroll as an apprentice for this path—you can’t enroll as a traditional cosmetology student, then switch to an apprentice program.

Tennessee Cosmetology Licensing Requirements

Earning a cosmetology license in Tennessee includes completing 1,500 hours of training at a beauty school then passing the written and practical exams. You can apply, register, and pay your exam fees online through Tennessee’s testing vendor, PSI.

To register for the exams, you need a government-issued ID with your photograph, Social Security number, contact information, and eligibility information. PSI offers a full list of testing centers that administer the practical exam. You must sign up at least six weeks before the test date.

The written exam is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. The examination centers are also equipped to comply with ADA accommodations. If needed, you can ask for accommodations during the online scheduling process. PSI also provides online practice tests you can take to prepare.

All exams take place at a testing center. On the day of your exam, arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes prior and prepare to show ID for entry. Nothing else is allowed in the testing center with you. Your test results will post after testing is complete. Fees for the theory and practical tests are $70 each.

Tennessee Cosmetology Licensure Reciprocity

If you hold a cosmetology license in another state, you may obtain a Tennessee license through a reciprocity agreement. You must submit a license certification history from every state you have held a cosmetology license. When submitting your application through Tennessee’s CORE site, make sure to select “Initial Out of State Cosmetology.” Attach your photo ID, proof of work experience, education transcripts showing your training hours, and your $100 fee with your application.

If your initial training required less than 1,500 hours, you also need to submit documentation showing that you’ve practiced for at least one of the previous three years or three of the previous five years. The Tennessee board will accept an affidavit, tax returns, or a letter from your employer as proof.

Cosmetology Specialties in Tennessee

If you want to work in beauty but aren’t ready for the full 1,500-hour course, Tennessee offers several other beauty licenses that require fewer training hours, including those for natural hair stylists, aestheticians, manicurists, and hair braiders.

Natural hair stylist licensure, for example, requires 300 hours in practice and theory training at a cosmetology school. Natural hair stylists are licensed to perform hair braiding, weaving, twisting, and many other services. However, if you only want to braid hair, the hair braider registration requires 16 hours of education in a health and hygiene course that you can complete online or in person. To apply, you must pay a $30 initial licensing fee, show a photo ID, and provide course certification.

Cosmetology License Renewal in Tennessee

2 Years

License renewal period

0 Hours

Continuing education required

You must renew your cosmetology license in Tennessee every two years, but there are no continuing education requirements to do so.

When your license is nearing expiration, expect to receive a renewal notice in the mail about a month before your renewal date. You must apply online using the CORE portal and pay the $60 renewal fee to the board before the expiration date listed on your license. If you renew late, an additional $25 fee applies. Any licenses expired for more than three years become invalid, but you can reinstate an invalid license by completing reinstatement exams.

If you didn’t complete the domestic violence training during your schooling, you need to take it before renewing your license. You can register for the free, 20-minute course through Barbicide, and you’ll receive a certificate after completion that you can provide to the board during your license renewal process.

Contact the Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology

Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners

Resources for Cosmetologists in Tennessee

Tennessee Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
As the website for the cosmetology state board in Tennessee, you can use this site to find education and examination requirements, links to apply online, frequently asked questions, and more.

PSI Exams
Tennessee’s cosmetology exam provider offers a one-stop-shop to register for or schedule exams, pay exam fees, or take online practice tests.

Tennessee Association of Professional Stylists
This association advocates for, educates, and empowers cosmetologists in Tennessee.

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Cosmetology
Tennessee

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Your State