Cosmetology Schools in Michigan

What to Expect from a Cosmetology Program in Michigan

Before becoming a cosmetologist in Michigan, you need to complete a 1,500-hour training program. Cosmetology schools in the state provide hands-on and theory training in hair care, natural hair care, skincare, and manicuring. You should spend most of your time doing hands-on (practical) work under the supervision of your instructors. Each school needs to welcome the public and allow students to perform services on those clients.

Cosmetology schools in Michigan are required to, at a minimum, teach the following curriculum:

• Health and Safety: 100 theory hours, 100 practical hours
• Hair Care Services and Natural Hair Cultivation: 250 theory hours, 800 practical hours
• Esthetic Services: 50 theory hours, 75 practical hours
• Manicuring Services: 50 theory hours, 75 practical hours

Natural hair care is one of the things that makes Michigan a special place to become a cosmetologist. Not many states require that beauty students be trained in that, so when you complete your program, you should be able to provide services to a wider range of clients than normal!

When choosing the right cosmetology school for you, be sure that any you consider meets the State's requirements before you dig deeper. For instance, the school must have at least one licensed instructor per 20 students, any advertising that mentions tuition costs or similar subjects must match what you're told at the school, and the curriculum must meet or exceed requirements. Once you've confirmed that, consider things like distance from your home, graduation rates, and whether the vibes are right.

Does Michigan Allow Cosmetology Apprenticeships?

Yes, you can get your cosmetology license by completing an apprenticeship in Michigan! Before you can begin, you must earn a high school diploma (or the equivalent) and find an establishment willing and able to take you on as an apprentice. Approved apprenticeship locations can't have more than two apprentices at a time, can't charge apprentices for training, can't let them work more than 40 hours per week, and must create a grading system and send a copy of your training record to the Department every month. They also need to get an apprentice registration on your behalf.

You have to complete 350 hours of typical instruction before beginning to work with clients, so expect to spend some time in a classroom. Your apprenticeship must last at least two years, which is often longer than a 1,500-hour apprenticeship.

Apprentices in Michigan must meet all other licensure requirements, including passing exams.

How to Get Your Cosmetology License in Michigan

Completing your cosmetology program or apprenticeship is only one step on the path to your career. Michigan law also states that those pursuing a cosmetology license must meet a variety of background requirements and pass an exam.

Cosmetology licensure candidates must:

• Be at least 17 years old
• Have completed the 9^th grade or the equivalent
• Have a Social Security Number or be able to submit an affidavit explaining why you don't have one
• Be of good moral character, meaning you will serve the public fairly, honestly, and openly, and that if you've been found guilty of any crimes, you are rehabilitated
• Crimes related to cosmetology may disqualify you; contact the Board before beginning school if you have questions about this
• Pass a practical and a theory exam
• Pay a $63 fee
• Apply on MiPlus

MiPlus works best on a desktop or laptop. You need to create an account, submit your application, and pay your fee using a credit or debit card. It typically takes four to six weeks to receive your license.

After submitting your application to the Board, you make testing arrangements through the administrator, PSI. Your school must complete and sign your test application before you can schedule your theory and practical tests. You can schedule on PSI's website or by phone at 855-579-4635, though the phone number isn't available 24/7. If you schedule both tests at the same time, you must pay a $167 fee; separately, they cost $93 each.

You can take both tests remotely or in person. The theory test is available at eight testing centers statewide, while the practical test is available at only three locations. You can take remote exams from home or in another distraction-free location with a reliable internet connection.

Accommodations are available for people with disabilities and for those who speak English as an additional language. You need to make arrangements ahead of time, and you likely need to upload documentation. Common accommodations include additional time on the test and a reader for the theory exams.

The theory test is available in English, Chinese (simplified), Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and while the practical exam's spoken instructions are only in English, speakers of one of those languages can get a copy of the script in their chosen language. Word-to-word dictionaries are available in Arabic, Hebrew, and Russian, or you may bring your own word-to-word dictionary—though expect it to go through an approval process before you can bring it in.

Whether taking your test in person or remotely, expect to show ID, confirm you have nothing distracting or potentially suspicious with you, and make arrangements that ensure no one will arrive at the testing site with you or interrupt your remote exam.

Michigan's cosmetology theory exam includes 100 scored questions and 10 unscored ones, and you have 120 minutes (two hours) to complete it. This closed-book test is broken into 10 sections, which are weighted as follows:

1. Safety and Infection Control: 30%
2. Client Consultation and Hair, Skin, and Nail Analysis: 19%
3. Hairstyling: 2%
4. Haircutting: 3%
5. Haircoloring: 10%
6. Chemical Texture Services: 12%
7. Skin Care: 4%
8. Eyelash and Eyebrow: 4%
9. Hair Removal: 8%
10. Nail Care: 8%

You need to earn at least 70 out of 100 total points to pass the test. If you pass, you won't get a personalized score. If you don't pass, you'll get an overall score and scores for each section, allowing you to make informed study choices.

The practical exam allows you to show off your skills. Treat it like an appointment with an actual client, including maintaining all hygiene and sanitation standards from start to finish.

This 235-minute test is broken into 11 timed topic areas, occurring in the following order:

1. Workstation Preparation: 10 minutes
2. Basic Manicure: 20 minutes
3. Nail Enhancement Using a Form: 30 minutes
4. Basic Facial: 20 minutes
5. Eyebrow Waxing and Tweezing: 20 minutes
6. Haircutting: 20 minutes
7. Chemical Wave: 45 minutes
8. Sodium Hydroxide Relaxer (Straightener) Application: 20 minutes
9. Color Lift: 20 minutes
10. Permanent Hair Color Deposit: 20 minutes
11. Workstation Preparation for Next Client: 10 minutes

The test is worth 127 points, and you need at least 95 points to pass. As with the theory test, if you don't pass, you'll receive an individual score for each section so you can prepare for a retake.

Cosmetology Specialties in Michigan

Cosmetology is a broad field that lets you provide a wide range of services. If you want to narrow your focus a bit, perhaps you would find a different beauty career is better suited to you! Or maybe you want to add services that aren't covered by cosmetology. You have options!

Some cosmetology specialties in Michigan require training and licensure, while others don’t.

• Electrology: 400 training hours or a six-month apprenticeship
• Manicurist: 400 training hours or a six-month apprenticeship
• Natural Hair Cultivation: 400 training hours or a six-month apprenticeship
• Barber: 1,800 training hours or 1,800 apprenticeship hours

Michigan Cosmetology Licensure Reciprocity

If you're licensed in another state or country and want to work in Michigan, you need to obtain a cosmetology license in the state. Like those trained in Michigan, you must be at least 17 and of good moral character. You may be able to skip the exam if your current location has requirements similar to Michigan's. However, you may be able to substitute six months of experience for 100 hours of training, as needed.

All states where you have ever held a cosmetology license must submit a Verification of Licensure to the Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing. You need to submit proof of any relevant name changes. If you were licensed in another state but no longer have an active license, your cosmetology school must send official transcripts to the Bureau.

After that, if you're not actively licensed or the requirements in your current state aren't similar to those in Michigan, you need to take the state's practical and/or theory tests.

Those who completed cosmetology training in another country must show that their training was substantially similar to Michigan's, and they can also substitute hours at a rate of 100 hours for six months of experience. Any documentation that's not in English must be translated and notarized by a professional translation service or embassy. Applicants from other countries must pass the Michigan cosmetology test.

If you're a licensed barber, you might be able to cross over to cosmetology by applying up to 1,000 hours of your training to your cosmetology licensure program. Those hours have to be substantially similar to what you would have learned in cosmetology school.