Cosmetology Schools in Alabama

Whether you want to work in a busy city salon or see yourself in a quiet rural setting, Alabama is a great place to start your cosmetology career. With a wide variety of schools and a bustling beauty scene, it's the perfect location to earn your license and become a beauty professional.

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

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3200 Riverchase Galleria
Hoover, AL 36532

(205) 769-3500
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics

2970 Cottage Hill Road Suite 175
Mobile, AL 35242

(251) 473-2220
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Therapy
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Alabama Beauty College – Accredited

141 14th Street Southwest
Decatur, AL 35601

Alabama School of Nail Technology & Cosmetology - Jackson – Accredited

202 Commerce Street
Jackson, AL 36605

April's Mane Academy - Mobile – Accredited

1303 Michigan Avenue
Mobile, AL 35244

Bay Style Academy Of Cosmetology – Accredited

52 South Section Street
Fairhope, AL 36303

Beverly's Beauty Institute – Accredited

1901 Wise Drive
Dothan, AL 35501

Bevill State Community College

1411 Indiana Avenue
Jasper, AL 36603

Bishop State Community College

351 North Broad Street
Mobile, AL 36606

Body Logic School of Cosmetology and Esthetics – Accredited

5510 Highway 280 East Suite 203
Birmingham, AL 35020

Brown Beauty Barber School – Accredited

1724 1st Avenue North Suite 120
Bessemer, AL 36330

Cambridge College Of Cosmetology – Accredited

1015 East Park Avenue
Enterprise, AL 35010

Central Alabama Community College

1675 Cherokee Road
Alexander City, AL 36606

Charles Academy Of Beauty – Accredited

2986 Eslava Creek Parkway
Mobile, AL 36507

Coastal Alabama Community College

1900 Highway 31 South
Bay Minette, AL 35507

Dreamer's School of Cosmetology – Accredited

844 Highway 31 Suite E
Alabaster, AL 35816

Fortis College

3736 Atlanta Highway
Montgomery, AL 35903

Gadsden State Community College

1001 George Wallace Drive
Gadsden, AL 36703

George C Wallace State Community College

3000 Earl Goodwin Parkway
Selma, AL 36108

H Councill Trenholm State Community College

1225 Air Base Boulevard
Montgomery, AL 35215

J F Ingram State Technical College – Accredited

5375 Ingram Road
Deatsville, AL 35235

J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College

3421 Meridian Street North
Huntsville, AL 35503

Jasper Beauty Aacdemy – Accredited

1304 1st Street Northwest B
Jasper, AL 35221

Jireh's International School Of Cosmetology and Barbering – Accredited

246 Gadsden Highway
Birmingham, AL 35811

Lawson State Community College

3060 Wilson Road Southwest
Birmingham, AL 35601

Lurleen B Wallace Community College

1000 Dannelly Boulevard
Andalusia, AL 35660

Meraki Academy Of Cosmetology – Accredited

410 North Montgomery Avenue
Sheffield, AL 35228

Midfield Institute of Cosmetology – Accredited

26 B Phillips Drive
Midfield, AL 35007

Mitchell Cosmetology College

116 1st Street South Suite 10
Alabaster, AL 35950

New Beginning College of Cosmetology – Accredited

421 Martling Road
Albertville, AL 35986

Northeast Alabama Community College

138 AL Highway 35
Rainsville, AL 35661

Northwest-Shoals Community College

800 George Wallace Boulevard
Muscle Shoals, AL 35216

Paul Mitchell The School Birmingham – Accredited

1694 Montgomery Highway Suite 124
Hoover, AL 35758

Paul Mitchell The School Huntsville – Accredited

3810 Sullivan Street Suite E
Madison, AL 35209

Reid State Technical College – Accredited

100 Highway 83
Evergreen, AL 36609

Remington College - Mobile – Accredited

4368 Downtowner Loop South
Mobile, AL 36605

Salon 34 Too Beauty Academy – Accredited

3258 Dauphin Island Parkway
Mobile, AL 35203

Shelton State Community College

9500 Old Greensboro Road
Tuscaloosa, AL 35208

Southeastern School of Cosmetology – Accredited

1865 Bessemer Road
Birmingham, AL 36276

Southern Union State Community College

750 Roberts Street
Wadley, AL 35802

The Martin Academy Of Cosmetology And Barbering – Accredited

1226 Noble Street
Anniston, AL 35816

The Salon Professional Academy - Huntsville – Accredited

4925 University Drive Suite 134
Huntsville, AL 36117

Transitions Technical College – Accredited

6005 Monticello Drive
Montgomery, AL 35401

University Academy of Hair Design – Accredited

2204 Greensboro Avenue
Tuscaloosa, AL 36303

Wallace Community College

1141 Wallace Drive
Dothan, AL 35077

Wallace State

801 Main Street Northwest
Hanceville, AL 35244

Winonah School of Cosmetology – Accredited

1870 Chace Drive Suite 140
Hoover, AL 36571
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.

Cosmetology Schools Near Me

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

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Alabama

Alabama Cosmetology Careers At a Glance
  • 1,500 education hours or 3,000 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 Alabama is $33,370.
  • There is a predicted 12% job increase between 2020–2030 for cosmetologists.

The first step to working as a cosmetologist in Alabama is earning your license—you can't work without one. Before you can apply for licensure, you need to meet certain requirements, including:

  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Complete at least 10th grade
  • Complete 1,500 hours in an approved cosmetology program
  • Take and pass both written and practical exams
  • Apply for your license and pay the $50 fee

Alabama Cosmetology Careers

$33,370

Average yearly salary for cosmetology in Alabama

On average, cosmetologists in Alabama earned $33,370 in 2021 or $16.04 per hour. Although this salary is somewhat lower than the national average of $35,990, the cost of living in Alabama is also lower than in many other parts of the country, and wages may correlate appropriately.

The job outlook for cosmetologists in Alabama is promising, with a predicted 12% growth between 2023-2030.

The amount you can earn as a cosmetologist depends on several factors, such as your level of experience, the types of services you offer, and your location. For example, a hairstylist based in a small, rural salon will usually earn less than a specialized color expert working in a high-end city spa.

These are the median annual salaries for cosmetologists in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas across the state:

Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas 2021 Median Salary
Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area $28,130
Columbus, GA-AL $24,690
Birmingham-Hoover, AL $24,560
Huntsville, AL $24,370
Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area $24,040
Tuscaloosa, AL $23,890
Decatur, AL $23,770

Table information sourced from O*Net (2022)

State License Requirements

1,500 Education Hours OR 3,000 Apprentice Hours

Required to earn a cosmetology license

The most common way to prepare to earn your cosmetology license is by attending a state-approved cosmetology program. You can find a list of approved schools on the state board website.

Cosmetology programs cover a wide range of different topics, such as:

  • Sanitation and sterilization
  • Skin, facials, and makeup
  • Manicuring and nail care
  • Shampoos and rinses
  • Hair bleaching and coloring
  • Hair cutting
  • Hairstyling
  • Permanent waving

Programs also often teach students about other aspects of the job, including PR, marketing, and client management. Like cosmetologists, cosmetology schools must be licensed and have to renew their licenses every two years.

Can I Apprentice as a Cosmetologist in Alabama?

It is possible to get your Alabama cosmetologist's license via an apprenticeship. Students who take this route learn through work experience rather than participating in a standard cosmetology program. Apprenticeships have to be completed within three years, and all trainees must accrue at least 3,000 hours of experience before taking the relevant exams and applying for their license.

To be eligible for a cosmetology apprenticeship in Alabama, you must:

  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Successfully complete 10th grade or the equivalent
  • Pay a $75 fee
  • Work under a Sponsor who has been licensed for at least five years

Alabama Cosmetology Licensing Requirements

Once you've completed at least 1,500 hours within a cosmetology program or 3,000 hours of an apprenticeship, you can apply for your license. First, you'll need to take and pass written ($75) and practical ($130) exams. In Alabama, Prometric administers the exams.

You can sign up to take the tests on Prometric's website or via the state board. You must become licensed within two years of completing your cosmetology program.

The written exam takes 90 minutes to complete, and you must score at least 70 (out of 100 questions) to pass. The exam divides into subjects as follows:

  • Scientific Concepts (30%)
  • Hair Care and Services (40%)
  • Skin Care and Services (15%)
  • Nail Care and Services (15%)

The practical exam is split into timed sections, as follows:

  1. Work Area and Client Prep (15 minutes)
  2. Thermal Curling (10 minutes)
  3. Hair cutting (30 minutes)
  4. Work Area and New Client Prep (15 minutes)
  5. Chemical Waving (20 minutes)
  6. Predisposition Test and Strand Test (10 minutes)
  7. Highlighting with Foil (15 minutes)
  8. Hair Color Retouch (10 minutes)
  9. Virgin Hair Relaxer Application (Untimed)
  10. Blood Exposure Procedure (10 minutes)

If you fail your exam, you're allowed to try again, twice more. If you fail for a third time, you may have to undertake additional education requirements.

Both tests are offered in English as standard, though students can also take the written portion in Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese. All supplies in the practical exam should be labeled in English.

The state board abides by all ADA requirements and suggests that if students need further assistance during their exams, they get in contact to arrange it in advance.

Alabama Cosmetology Licensure Reciprocity

If you already have a cosmetology license in a different state, you may be eligible for license reciprocity in Alabama.

To apply for reciprocity, the cosmetology board of the state you're currently licensed in must send certification of your licensure to the Alabama state board. You also need to pay a $100 fee and may need to take Alabama's written and practical cosmetology exams, depending on your prior training.

Special reciprocity consideration is available for spouses of active-duty military who are transferring from out of state to Alabama. As long as they meet the Application for Reciprocity and Military Spouse Fee Waiver Application requirements, military spouses can receive the appropriate expedited reciprocal license.

Cosmetology Specialties in Alabama

Cosmetologists in Alabama can also apply for specializations in other related areas.

For example, those just starting in the hair business and only need to be licensed to wash, shampoo, and condition hair can opt for the specialized shampoo assistant license, which costs $75.

The state also offers a natural hair license. To get this, you'll need to complete 210 school hours (or 420 if working as an apprentice) and pass both written and practical exams.

License Renewal

2 Years

License renewal period

0 Hours

Continuing education required

In Alabama, cosmetologists must renew their licenses every odd-numbered year during the licensee's birth month. Renewals cost $100, but there are no continuing education requirements.

Late renewals come with an additional fee of $54. After four years, all licenses become void, and licensees must re-take their practical exam to regain them and pay fees back to when the license expired.

Contact the Alabama State Board of Cosmetology

Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering

Cosmetology in Alabama is part of a treasured tradition of beauty care and a robust facet of their economy. Aspiring cosmetologists have made it a point to consult the following groups as resources.

Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
The state board in charge of cosmetology licensing provides information on cosmetology licenses, exams, FAQs, and more.

Prometric
This organization administers cosmetology exams in the state and provides manuals and candidate information bulletins for applicants.

Commercial_Combo_Program-Career-Geo
Cosmetology
Alabama

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Your State