New York, where the beauty industry doesn't just give customers access to cool styles, it influences and shapes the beauty industry in other states!
With world-renowned salons, fashion shows, and specialty salons, New York is an excellent place to get started as a cosmetology professional.
To become a licensed cosmetologist, you have to get at least 1,000 hours of training. The New York Division of Licensing Services checks your hours, at which point you must pass a written test and a skills test. Licensing fees include a $40 application fee and a $30 testing fee.
There's a lot you can do to jump start a career in beauty, but one of the most important factors is your education. Getting accredited, relevant education from trained instructors may help you develop your practical skills and turn your passion for beauty into a real career. Accredited cosmetology schools in NY are legally required to teach specific subjects.
Subjects and Techniques Covered at New York Schools
- Health and safety
- Anatomy and physiology
- Hair analysis
- Disorders and diseases of the hair and scalp
- Cosmetology chemistry
- Shampoos, rinses, conditioners, and treatment
- Hair cutting
- Hair shaping
- Hairstyling
- Chemical restructuring Hair coloring and lightening
- Nail care and procedures
- Skin care and procedures
New York beauty schools give students plenty of time to practice on mannequins and clients. Use your time as a student to get feedback and improve your technique.
Cosmetology licenses in New York must be renewed every four years and the license renewal fee is $40. There is a $10 late fee for licenses that are renewed after their expiration date. No continuing education hours are currently required, but CEUs are the recommended way of staying on top of changes in the industry.
Job outlook statistics in New York indicate that this field is growing. O*Net expects job openings for cosmetologists to increase 18% between 2016 and 2026 (2019). The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average salary of $30,920 per year for New York cosmetologists (2019).
Of course, New York City is the beauty and fashion center of both New York and the country as a wholebut the rest of the state has plenty to offer beauty professionals as well. Hairstylists, nail technicians, and estheticians use the latest techniques and products to create new styles and revamp old ones. If you have a mind for business, you could even open your own salon and get a reputation for your high-quality work.
New York Dept. of State Division of Licensing Services
Albany Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
Phone Number: 518-474-4429
Fax Number: 518-473-6648
The New York State Board of Cosmetology can answer any of the additional questions you might have about obtaining a New York cosmetology license that we didnt note above.
There are few places where style and glamour isn’t as prized as in New
York. Cosmetology is a popular career in the state, and many who pursue
it do enjoy a measure of success either in salons or independently. Budding
cosmetologists take advantage of the data from these organizations.
New York State Division of Licensing Services
New York State Beauty School Association
American Association of Cosmetology Schools