Cosmetology School in Idaho
Whether you’re about to graduate high school or interested in a career change, if you’re interested in the beauty field and helping people look and feel their best, a cosmetology program in Idaho might be for you. Idaho cosmetologists lean on their skills and training to cut, style, dye, and chemically treat hair. Additionally, these vital beauty professionals offer skin and nail services.
Throughout this page, we dive into what you study, the steps it takes to earn a license, the renewal process, and what you can expect when entering the Idaho job market. Browse our directory of cosmetology schools in Idaho, or skip ahead to learn about the state's cosmetology licensing requirements and job outlook.
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837 Pole Line Road Suite 103 Suite 103
Twin Falls, ID 83301
141 East Chubbuck Road
Chubbuck, ID 83202
410 Neider Avenue Suite B
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815
16803 North Marketplace Boulevard
Nampa, ID 83687
Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology – Accredited
Boise, ID 83714
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.
Related Beauty Careers
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:
Cosmetology Schools Near Me
Check out the Cosmetology schools these cities in Idaho have to offer.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Idaho
- 1,600 education hours or 3,200 apprentice hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every year.
- 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
What Happens in Cosmetology School in Idaho?
Time to complete a cosmetology program in Idaho
If you want to become a cosmetologist in Idaho, completing a cosmetology program at a board-approved school is the most straightforward path. Idaho cosmetology programs lean on experienced professionals to teach the next generation of beauty professionals.
Attending a cosmetology school in Idaho offers the necessary skills and know-how vital to success in the beauty field. Standout schools provide a mix of theoretical and practical training, allowing you to gain extensive hands-on training under the watchful eye of an experienced instructor.
If you go this route, you graduate with 1,600 clock hours of cosmetology instruction, typically taking about a year to complete. Accredited schools must follow the board’s curriculum requirements.
The curriculum is divided into sections corresponding to the service areas you can provide once licensed. This includes hair cutting and styling, manicuring and pedicuring, skincare, and electrology.
The essential topics you’ll cover:
You must complete a “Student Record of Instruction” form that includes a chart for you and your school to fill out that drills down on each topic you need to learn. Check out the list below:
Can I Apprentice as a Cosmetologist in Idaho?
Time to complete a cosmetology apprenticeship in Idaho
Instead of going through a formal cosmetology program at a board-approved school, you can get your training as an apprentice under the guidance of a licensed cosmetologist.
Apprenticeships are 3,200 clock hours and must be completed within 104 weeks. Apprentices must study, learn, and work alongside licensed cosmetologist instructors. Throughout your apprenticeship, you encounter the same concepts and skills as students in a formal cosmetology program.
Salons that employ apprentices have to keep a daily log of your attendance. When your apprenticeship is complete, the establishment must certify to the board that you completed your hours of training and document the topics covered during your hands-on education.
Idaho Cosmetology Board Exams
An essential step in the Idaho cosmetology licensure process is passing a written and practical exam. The exams are created by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC). You’re eligible for exams after you complete your formal cosmetology program or apprenticeship.
The practical exam has ten core sections. Test sections are based on a study of national job requirements. This ensures you know how to perform the most essential tasks that cosmetologists encounter. These include:
Idaho requires cosmetologists to be tested on two other elements that aren’t required for the basic NIC exam: hair removal and manicuring.
The written exam is broken into four subject areas. It’s a 110-question multiple-choice exam. The topic areas and percentages of the exams include:
Cosmetologist Salary and Projected Job Growth in Idaho
Before diving into the numbers, it’s worth noting some limitations with studies that produce the salary and employment data. Namely, the entities that collect the data don’t factor in freelance and self-employed cosmetologists. That means the reported salary could be lower than the actual earning potential for working cosmetologists. To learn more about these limitations and how they impact employment and salary data, check out our guide to how much beauty pros actually make.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), cosmetologists in Idaho earned an average of about $32,000 per year as of May 2023. While this number falls short of the national average, the top 10% of Idaho cosmetologists can earn more than $44,960.
The BLS also projects that the number of cosmetologists jobs in Idaho could grow by 23% between 2020 and 2030. This translates to the addition of nearly 600 new jobs. Additionally, cosmetologists in Idaho can anticipate almost 400 annual job openings.
Getting Your Cosmetology License in Idaho
The basic qualifications for licensure are:
The path to licensure is:
- Select a board-approved school or find a licensed cosmetologist to supervise your apprenticeship.
- If you choose to earn your license through schooling, check out your financial aid options if applicable to you.
- Complete a 1,600-hour cosmetology course at a board-approved school or clock 3,200 hours as an apprentice.
- Submit your record of completion to the board.
- Register for and pass your cosmetology licensing
- Submit your application with associated fees.
Several things bar you from licensure, including felony charges or poor moral conduct. Examples of poor moral conduct are committing malpractice, practicing while knowingly having a bloodborne infection, and previously working as a cosmetologist without a license.
Idaho Cosmetology Licensure Reciprocity
If you hold a valid cosmetology license in another state with similar licensure requirements as Idaho, you can earn your license through reciprocity—meaning you don’t have to complete an Idaho cosmetology program or pass the state exams.
If you’re a member of the armed services or the spouse of someone who is, the licensure process can be expedited. Moreover, any relevant training you receive in the armed forces can count towards the training hours you must complete.
Cosmetology License Renewal in Idaho
License renewal period
Continuing education required
Idaho cosmetologists must renew their licenses every two years during the same month as they were initially approved, paying a $25 fee when doing so. Additionally, Idaho does not require cosmetologists to complete any continuing education requirements. Still, getting some to keep your skills sharp and potentially enhance your earning potential is a good idea.
Contact the Idaho State Board of Cosmetology
- P.O. Box 83720, Boise ID 83720
- Website: Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses
- Email: bcb@dopl.idaho.gov
- Call: 208-334-3233