How Long Is Cosmetology School?
Full-time students can generally complete a full cosmetology program in about a year. This depends greatly on the state requirements for training as well as the number of hours per week offered by the cosmetology school schedule. Part-time learners of course will take longer, again depending on the school's schedule.
Cosmetology school is a substantial time commitment regardless of where you are studying and needs to be carefully considered before you start down the path, but it certainly can be rewarding for those motivated to make beauty a new career.
Cosmetology Training Requirements by State
| State | Cosmetology Training | Continuing Education Per Renewal Period |
| Alabama | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Alaska | 1,650 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Arizona | 1,600 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Arkansas | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| California | 1,000 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Colorado | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Connecticut | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Delaware | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Florida | 1,200 hours | 10 hours every 2 years |
| Georgia | 1,500 hours | 5 hours every 2 years |
| Hawaii | 1,800 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Idaho | 1,600 hours | 0 hours every 1 year |
| Illinois | 1,500 hours | 14 hours every 2 years |
| Indiana | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 4 years |
| Iowa | 2,100 hours | 6 hours every 2 years |
| Kansas | 1,500 hours | Passing exam scores every 2 years |
| Kentucky | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 1 year |
| Louisiana | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 1 year |
| Maine | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 1 year |
| Maryland | 1,500 hours | 6 hours every 2 years |
| Massachusetts | 1,000 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Michigan | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Minnesota | 1,550 hours | 8 hours every 3 years |
| Mississippi | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Missouri | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Montana | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Nebraska | 1,800 hours | 8 hours every 2 years |
| Nevada | 1,600 hours | 0 hours every 2 or 4 years |
| New Hampshire | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| New Jersey | 1,200 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| New Mexico | 1,600 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| New York | 1,000 hours | 0 hours every 4 years |
| North Carolina | 1,500 hours | 8 hours every 1 year |
| North Dakota | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 1 year |
| Ohio | 1,500 hours | 4 hours every 2 years |
| Oklahoma | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 1 year |
| Oregon | 1,835 hours (covers 3 separate licenses adding up to cosmetology) | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Pennsylvania | 1,250 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Rhode Island | 1,200 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| South Carolina | 1,500 hours | 4 hours every 2 years |
| South Dakota | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 1 year |
| Tennessee | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Texas | 1,000 hours | 4 hours every 2 years |
| Utah | 1,600 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Vermont | 1,000 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Virginia | 1,500 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Washington | 1,600 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Washington D.C. | 1,500 hours | 6 hours every 2 years |
| West Virginia | 1,800 hours | 0 hours every 1 year |
| Wisconsin | 1,550 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
| Wyoming | 1,600 hours | 0 hours every 2 years |
Cosmetology