Cosmetology Schools in Arizona

Are you considering becoming a cosmetologist in the state of Arizona? If you’re dedicated to all things beauty and hair, you’ll be in good company. Arizona is the seventh most beauty-obsessed state in the nation and boasts some of the country’s best salons and spas.

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

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5631 East Speedway Boulevard
Tucson, AZ 85712

(520) 885-4120
Programs:
Cosmetology, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

2111 South Alma School Road 20-22
Mesa, AZ 85210

(480) 897-1688
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Makeup Artistry, Teacher Training

410 East Bell Road Suite G100
Phoenix, AZ 85022

(602) 443-0076
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Makeup Artistry, Massage Therapy, Teacher Training

9945 West McDowell Road Suite 112
Avondale, AZ 85323

(623) 907-9499
Programs:
Cosmetology, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

2978 North Alma School Road 1-3
Chandler, AZ 85224

(602) 858-1552
Programs:
Cosmetology, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

3030 East Speedway Boulevard
Tucson, AZ 85716

(520) 838-8439
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Teacher Training

10636 North 71st Way Suite 200-205
Scottsdale, AZ 85254

(866) 901-3689
Programs:
Cosmetology, Hair Design, Teacher Training
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Aveda Institute Phoenix – Accredited

8475 South Emerald Drive Suite 101 104
Tempe, AZ 85284

Aveda Institute Tucson – Accredited

145 South 6th Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85701

Bella's Beauty College

3302 West Catalina Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017

Blossom's Beauty College – Accredited

3302 West Catalina Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85017

Career Success Schools – Accredited

8537 North 27th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85017

CAVIT Academy of Cosmetology – Accredited

1789 West Coolidge
Coolidge, AZ 85128

Charles of Italy Beauty College - Bullhead City – Accredited

2135 South Highway 95 Suite 191
Bullhead City, AZ 86442

Charles of Italy Beauty College - Lake Havasu City – Accredited

1987 McCulloch Boulevard 205
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403

D'Image Beauty College – Accredited

2539 North 35 Avenue Suite 5
Phoenix, AZ 85009

Don Villa Beauty School – Accredited

1837 West Guadalupe Road Suite 118
Mesa, AZ 85202

East Valley Institute of Technology – Accredited

1601 West Main Street
Mesa, AZ 85201

Eastern Arizona College

615 North Stadium Avenue
Thatcher, AZ 85552

Eastern Arizona College Cosmetology Academy – Accredited

1550 West Thatcher Boulevard
Safford, AZ 85546

G Skin & Beauty Institute - Chandler – Accredited

5080 South Gilbert Road
Chandler, AZ 85249

Gateway Community College – Accredited

1245 East Buckeye Road
Phoenix, AZ 85034

Gila Academy of Cosmetology - Canyon Globe – Accredited

8274 South Six Shooter
Canyon Globe, AZ 85501

JJ Beauty Institute – Accredited

644 East Southern Avenue Suite 204
Mesa, AZ 85204

JTED at Camino Seco – Accredited

8727 East 22nd Street
Tucson, AZ 85710

JTED at Master Pieces – Accredited

2855 West Master Pieces Drive
Tucson, AZ 85741

Kor Beauty Academy – Accredited

16610 North 75th Avenue 103
Peoria, AZ 85382

Make' N the Cut Barber College – Accredited

13340 West Van Buren Street Suite B
Goodyear, AZ 85338

Maricopa Beauty College – Accredited

515 West Western Avenue
Avondale, AZ 85323

Mesa Community College

1833 West Southern Avenue
Mesa, AZ 85202

Mima's Beauty College – Accredited

12806 North 28th Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85024

Northland Pioneer College - Holbrook

2251 Navajo Boulevard
Holbrook, AZ 86025

Olympus Beauty Academy – Accredited

4601 East Bell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85032

Passion for Beauty Academy of Cosmetology – Accredited

13250 West Van Buren 104
Goodyear, AZ 89082

Paul Mitchell The School Phoenix – Accredited

3423 West Bethany Home Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017

Penrose Academy – Accredited

13402 North Scottsdale Road Suite B160
Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Protege College of Cosmetology – Accredited

1900 West Thomas
Phoenix, AZ 85015

Rim Country Cosmetology Academy – Accredited

201 North Mud Spring Road
Payson, AZ 85547

Roger's Academy of Beauty – Accredited

2375 East State Route 69
Prescott, AZ 86301

Saigon Beauty Institute – Accredited

1833 West Main Street Suite 105
Mesa, AZ 85201

Santa Cruz Institute of Cosmetology – Accredited

860 East Patagonia Highway
Nogales, AZ 85621

Southwest Leadership Academy – Accredited

4301 West Filmore Street
Phoenix, AZ 85043

The Studio Academy of Beauty - Chandler – Accredited

610 North Alma School Road 38
Chandler, AZ 85224

The Studio Academy of Beauty - Phoenix – Accredited

8046 North 19th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85021

The Studio Academy of Beauty - Tolleson – Accredited

9897 West McDowell Road 810
Tolleson, AZ 85353

Tucson College of Beauty – Accredited

3955 North Flowing Wells Road
Tucson, AZ 85705

Turning Point Beauty College - Chandler – Accredited

2081 North Arizona Avenue Suite 121
Chandler, AZ 85225

Turning Point Beauty College - Phoenix – Accredited

5127 West Indian School Road Suite 125
Phoenix, AZ 85031

Xtylo Beauty College - Phoenix – Accredited

2828 North 36th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85008

Xtylo Beauty College - Tolleson – Accredited

1200 North 91st Avenue
Tolleson, AZ 85353
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 Arizona have to offer.

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Arizona

Arizona Cosmetology Careers At a Glance
  • 1,600 education 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 Arizona is $40,660.
  • There is a predicted 24% job increase between 2020 and 2030 for cosmetologists.

Ready to begin your new career as an Arizona cosmetologist? Before starting, you have to meet several requirements related to age, education, and training.

In Arizona, cosmetologists must meet these requirements:

  • Be at least 16 years of age with proof of 10th-grade high school education
  • Complete the required 1,600 hours of schooling or 3,000 hours of apprentice training
  • Register and pay the examination fee
  • Complete infection protection class or law review
  • Provide a passport quality photo of yourself
  • Pass the required written and practical exam
  • Provide proof of authorized presence in the U.S.
  • Apply for and receive your cosmetology license

Current Arizona law does not require a background check or a domestic violence course. You also do not need a high school diploma, just proof of at least a 10th-grade education.

Cosmetologist Salary and Projected Job Growth in Arizona

$40,660

Average yearly salary for cosmetology in Arizona

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, cosmetologists in Arizona earn an average salary of $40,660 per year, or an hourly rate of $19.55.

A cosmetologist working at a high-end resort spa likely earns much more than a cosmetologist offering simple cuts and blow-dries at a suburban salon.

Job growth is looking up for cosmetologists in Arizona. Between 2020 and 2030, the industry is projected to grow 24%, with 1,830 anticipated job openings every year.

Where you work can impact your average salary. The below chart shows the median pay for cosmetologists in several metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas in Arizona:

Metro Area 2021 Median Salary
Arizona nonmetropolitan area $35,160
Prescott, AZ $34,690
Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ $34,440
Yuma, AZ $34,280
Tucson, AZ $34,060
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ $30,270

Table information sourced from O*Net (2022)

State License Requirements

1,600 Education Hours

Required to earn a cosmetology license

The first step toward your new career as a cosmetologist is completing the required 1,600 hours of training at a state-licensed cosmetology school. There you will learn the skills required to become a successful cosmetologist, including hair cutting, styling, coloring, nail care, aesthetics, infection control, sterilization requirements, and safety.

You’ll also likely learn some important skills to help you to become an eventual salon manager or owner. Many schools teach important business topics, such as managing client bookings, networking, time management, and using social media to grow your cosmetology business.

The 1,600-hour course requirements as outlined by the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology include:

  • Theory of cosmetology
  • Infection control
  • Anatomy, physiology, and histology of the body
  • Diseases and disorders
  • Arizona Board of Cosmetology statutes and rules
  • Clinical and classroom cosmetology for nails, hair, and skin:
    • Principles/practices of infection control and safety
    • Treatment of hair, skin, and nail disorders
    • Morphology of hair, skin, and nails
    • Interpersonal skills and professional ethics
    • Product pharmacology and chemistry interaction, formulation, composition, and hazards
    • Cosmetology machines, tools, and instruments and their uses
    • Chemical texturizing
    • Changing existing hair color
    • Hair and scalp care
    • Fundamentals of hairstyling, including braiding and extensions
    • Body, scalp, and facial massage and manipulations
    • Haircutting fundamentals
    • Fundamental aesthetics of the body and face
    • Fundamentals of nail technology
    • Clinical and classroom practice that includes hair, skin, and nails
    • Alternative hair, skin, and nail technology
    • Client consultation, documentation, and analysis
    • Body and facial hair removal (not electrolysis)
    • Cosmetology technology
    • Required industry standards and ecology, including monitor duties

The cosmetology school you choose to attend may require you to take specific types of classes to graduate, such as hygiene or chemistry as it applies to cosmetology.

After completing the required program, you should be prepared to sit for and pass the Arizona cosmetology exam.

Can I Apprentice as a Cosmetologist in Arizona?

Arizona does have a cosmetology apprenticeship program. This allows students to trade the required 1,600 hours of classroom training for 3,000 hours working alongside a licensed cosmetologist.

The hours must be completed in one and a half years and include a minimum of 250 hours of related training. After completing your apprentice hours, you must pass the required written and practical exam to become a licensed cosmetologist.

Aspiring cosmetologists must be paid for their apprentice hours, and wages typically start at 40 to 50% of skilled workers’ wages. If you wish to become a cosmetologist but cannot afford to pay for school or go without working, an apprenticeship may be a good path.

Arizona Cosmetology Licensing Requirements

After you complete your 1,600 hours of training or 3,000 hours as a cosmetologist apprentice, you can apply to take the written and oral exam to receive your license. To schedule the exam, visit The Arizona State Board of Cosmetology’s online exam application. You must create an account with Professional Credential Services (PCS) to register for the exam.

After PCS approves your application to take the exam, you can schedule your test and pay the fee of $177. You must submit a passport-quality 2” x 2” photo of yourself and print the “Candidates Handbook,” which details exam requirements, including practice questions, how to apply, and supplies you need on exam day.

The exam includes two parts, written and practical. During the test, you must prove your capability to provide a range of cosmetology services, including thermal curling, haircutting, cleaning your work area, sanitation, client preparation, chemical waving, coloring, and virgin hair relaxer.

You must also display knowledge of scientific concepts related to cosmetology, such as infection control, human anatomy, and basic chemistry. On the exam day, you will need a mannequin head and a kit, as described in the Arizona Cosmetology Candidate Handbook.

After the theory portion of the exam, you will receive your unofficial score immediately. Official exam scores generally arrive by email approximately 10 days after the exam. If you need to retake the exam, you must pay the full fee again.

Once you receive your scores, you can apply for your Arizona cosmetology license and pay the required fee of $60 plus $3 for processing. Application processing may take three to four weeks. Upon receiving your license, you can begin your new career as a licensed cosmetologist.

Arizona Cosmetology Licensure Reciprocity

If you hold a cosmetology license in another state, Arizona allows you to transfer that license in most cases. You won’t need to take the required 1,600 of training but must submit the following documentation:

  • An application for a cosmetologist, aesthetician, nail technician, or hairstylist license.
  • Proof you are licensed to practice cosmetology in another state or country.
  • Verification of completion of the infection protection class or law review. You may need to pay a fee.

You must also pay a required reciprocity license fee of $60 plus a $3 processing fee. Processing takes 3 to 4 weeks.

License Renewal

2 Years

License renewal period

0 Hours

Continuing education required

As a cosmetologist in Arizona, you must renew your license to practice every two years. The cost to renew your license is $60, and the application can be completed and submitted online.

Currently, Arizona does not require continuing education hours to renew your license. However, taking additional classes and learning new skills is one of the best ways to learn new techniques and expand your service offerings.

Contact the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology

Arizona State Board of Cosmetology

Arizona’s cosmetology industry is unique in the fact that it has embraced the region’s preserved beauty traditions while mixing it with contemporary trends. Those looking to make a career in cosmetology can avail themselves of a great deal of data thanks to these institutions.

Arizona State Board of Barbers
Cosmetologists and barbers are closely related professions. This site offers information and business guidance for those in the grooming industry in the state of Arizona.

Professional Credential Services (PCS)
PCS is responsible for scheduling and proctoring the cosmetology exam in Arizona and several other states. The Candidate Handbook thoroughly covers exam topics and practice questions.

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Cosmetology
Arizona

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Your State