Cosmetology Schools in Indiana

What to Expect From a Cosmetology Program in Indiana

Indiana cosmetology programs last for at least 1,500 hours and include a mix of hands-on and theory training. You can expect to learn about hair, skin, and nail services, the science and ideas behind cosmetology, business skills, and a variety of other cosmetology subjects. You'll spend most of your time on hair care, so if skincare or nail services are more your speed, check out the state's other specialties!

Indiana cosmetology schools can't let students complete more than 10 hours of coursework in one day. The student-teacher ratio should be reasonable.

Approved cosmetology programs in Indiana have a required minimum curriculum that includes both theory and practice hours:

• Hair: 10 theory hours
• Hair Coloring: 155 theory hours; 75 practical hours
• Hair Cutting: 165 theory hours; 250 practical hours
• Hair Removal (tweezing, waxing, depilatories): 20 theory hours; 40 practical hours
• Hair Styling: 60 theory hours; 220 practical hours
• Scalp Treatments: 10 theory hours; 10 practical hours
• Shampoo and Massage: 15 theory hours
• Texture Services: 60 theory hours; 50 practical hours
• Skin: 10 theory hours
• Facials and Makeup: 20 theory hours; 25 practical hours
• Manicuring: 5 theory hours; 10 practical hours
• Pedicuring: 5 theory hours; 10 practical hours
• Anatomy and Physiology: 5 theory hours
• Business Management: 10 theory hours
• Chemistry: 10 theory hours
• Electricity: 5 theory hours
• Equipment Care: 10 theory hours
• Discretionary Hours: 150 theory hours
• Personal Hygiene and Professional Ethics: 10 theory hours
• Sales: 15 theory hours
• Sanitation: 50 theory hours
• Statutes and Rules: 10 theory hours

Total: 810 theory hours; 690 practical hours

"Discretionary hours" aren't a specific subject. Instead, they're flexible hours that allow unique learning opportunities across subjects. You may take up to 10% of those hours off campus; the rest must be at school.

All of your qualifying hands-on manicures, pedicures, facials, scalp treatments, shampoos and massages, and sales must be done with live models. For the rest, at least 25% of your services must be performed on live models. Approved schools must include opportunities to work with real patrons, in addition to teachers and classmates. However, you can't get on the salon floor until you've completed at least 200 hours of training.

Schools may include additional coursework hours. When you're looking for the right cosmetology school for you, consider looking for ones that spend extra time or their discretionary hours on a topic that particularly interests you.

Cosmetology Apprenticeships in Indiana

Cosmetology apprenticeships are allowed in Indiana, though it's a relatively new option in the state. This hands-on, paid training lasts 2,000 hours and takes place in an approved salon. Because this option is new, it may be more difficult to find an approved salon for cosmetology apprenticeships near you.

How to Get Your Cosmetology License in Indiana

To get your cosmetology license in Indiana, in addition to completing your cosmetology training, you need to pass two exams, submit an application, pay a fee, and meet certain background requirements. Some of the expectations are:

• Be at least 17 years old
• Have completed the 10^th grade (or the equivalent)
• You can petition the board if you need a waiver, though receiving one isn't guaranteed
• Have an acceptable disciplinary record, including not practicing cosmetology while sick

Indiana requires practical (hands-on) and written tests. Your school or apprenticeship supervisor gives the practical test, and you demonstrate your cosmetology abilities to them. The written test is a standardized exam administered by PSI.

A licensed instructor at your school observes and scores the practical test, which demonstrates your skills. You need 75% to pass, and your school must give you at least three attempts if you don't pass on the first try.

You can schedule your written exam online or over the phone. If you have a disability and require test accommodations, you can apply for that on PSI's website as well. The test includes 120 questions: 100 on cosmetology, 10 on state laws, and 10 pretest items. The exam is broken down into the following sections:

• Rules, Regulations, and Safety: 30%
• Trichology: 4%
• Shampoo/Scalp Analysis: 4%
• Styling: 5%
• Haircutting: 8%
• Hair Color, Bleaching/Lightening, and Tinting: 23%
• Permanent Waving: 8%
• Chemical Straightening and Relaxing: 8%
• Esthetics: 5%
• Nails: 5%

You have two hours to complete this test.

Licensure Reciprocity

You may be eligible for cosmetology licensure reciprocity in Indiana if you have an active license from a place with substantially similar requirements to Indiana. If your current license doesn't require as much training, you might be able to substitute one year of licensed practice for 100 hours of training, so long as you have completed at least 1,000 education hours.

Cosmetology Specialties in Indiana

If you want a beauty career but cosmetology doesn't seem quite right for you, or if you want to focus on specific skills, check out the other beauty specialties in Indiana. Some require additional training and licensure, while others have fewer restrictions.

Some other cosmetology specialties in Indiana and their required training hours are:

• Barber: 1,500 hours
• Braiding: Not regulated
• Electrologist: 300 hours
• Esthetician: 700 hours
• Eyelash Extensions: Not regulated
• Manicurist: 450 hours

You can also choose to take additional coursework in any permitted subject that interests you.