Cosmetology Schools in Ohio
Whether you plan to work in larger metropolitan areas like Columbus and Cincinnati one of the smaller towns throughout the state, becoming a cosmetologist in Ohio offers lots of exciting opportunities to grow your skills and income potential.
Browse our directory of cosmetology schools in Ohio, or skip ahead to learn about the state's cosmetology licensing requirements and job outlook.
We researched all the cosmetology schools that Ohio has to offer and found the cream of the crop. View our list of the best cosmetology schools in Ohio.
Browse All Cosmetology Schools in Ohio
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Alliance High School (high school students only) – Accredited
Alliance, OH 44601
Apex Academy Hair Skin Nails School of Cosmetology – Accredited
Ontario, OH 44906
Buckeye Joint Vocational School – Accredited
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Butler Tech Hamilton Cosmetology – Accredited
Fairfield Township, OH 45011
Canton City Schools Adult Community Education Center – Accredited
Canton, OH 44702
Cleveland Heights High School (high school students only) – Accredited
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
Columbus City Schools Adult & Community Education – Accredited
Columbus, OH 43211
Columbus Downtown High School (high school students only) – Accredited
Columbus, OH 43215
Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology Centerville Campus – Accredited
Dayton, OH 45459
Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology Vandalia Campus – Accredited
Dayton, OH 45414
Cuyahoga Falls High School (high school students only) – Accredited
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
East Liverpool High School (high school students only) – Accredited
Liverpool, OH 43920
Lancaster High School (high school students only) – Accredited
Lancaster, OH 43130
Lorain County Joint Vocational School District – Accredited
Oberlin, OH 44074
Maple Heights High School (high school students only) – Accredited
Maple Heights, OH 44137
Mayfield High School (high school students only) – Accredited
Cleveland, OH 44143
Meigs High School (high school students only) – Accredited
Pomeroy, OH 45769
Morgan High School (high school students only) – Accredited
McConnelsville, OH 43756
Normandy High School (high school students only) – Accredited
Parma, OH 44134
Northwest High School (high school students only) – Accredited
Cincinnati, OH 45231
Perry High School (high school students only) – Accredited
Massillon, OH 44646
Shaw High School of Cosmetology (high school students only) – Accredited
East Cleveland, OH 44112
Sylvania Northview High School (high school students only) – Accredited
Sylvania, OH 43560
Theodore Roosevelt High School (high school students only) – Accredited
Kent, OH 44240
Tri-Rivers Career Center & Center for Adult Education – Accredited
Marion, OH 43302
Washington High School (high school students only) – Accredited
Massillon, OH 44646
Wayne County Schools Career Center & Adult Ed – Accredited
Smithville, OH 44677
You must attend school in the state you want to practice in. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited school. Learn more about the requirements in your state.
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 Ohio have to offer.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Ohio
- 1,500 education hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 8 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- The average salary for cosmetologists in Ohio is $30,040.
- There is a predicted 0% job increase between 2016–2026 for cosmetologists.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Ohio
Becoming a licensed cosmetologist in Ohio means you'll need to meet several requirements before starting this exciting career:
Ohio recently passed a law making it easier for those with criminal records to obtain professional licenses, including cosmetology.
It's important to note your cosmetologist license doesn't allow you to start your own business or offer medical procedures. The state has additional training and licensure requirements for both of these paths.
Cosmetologist Salary and Projected Job Growth in Ohio
Average yearly salary for cosmetology in Ohio
Cosmetologists practicing in the Buckeye State earned annual mean wages of $30,040 per year ($14.44 per hour) as of 2020, compared to the national average of $32,740 ($15.74). While Ohio's average salary might be slightly lower than the national average, it's important to remember Ohio maintains lower costs of living than other parts of the country.
Jobs for cosmetologists nationally are set to decline by 2% between 2019-2029. Those for Ohio-based cosmetologists should remain flat.
Annual pay can vary based on where a cosmetologist lives, how much experience they possess, who employs them, and what type of license they hold. We look at the highest-paying metro and non-metro areas in the state for cosmetologists below.
As of 2019 the highest-paying metro areas for cosmetologists in Ohio are:
The highest-paying nonmetropolitan areas for cosmetologists in Ohio are:
Information sourced from the O*Net (2021)
State License Requirements
Required to earn a cosmetology license
The 1,500-hour cosmetology curriculum outlined by the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board is extensive and comprehensive, intending to help new cosmetologists get the training they need to be competent practitioners.
The board also provides a list of approved career-technical, private, and adult education schools to help learners pick a quality program.
Can I Apprentice as a Cosmetologist in Ohio?
Ohio doesn't offer licensure paths through apprenticeships for cosmetologists, hairstylists, estheticians, or nail technicians.
Ohio Cosmetology Licensing Requirements
To receive a cosmetology license in Ohio, you must take two exams, pay relevant fees, and follow all other guidelines. You need to create an eLicense account to register for the exams, each of which costs $31.50. The personal license itself costs $45.
The cosmetology practical exam lasts for two hours and 25 minutes plus an untimed thermal curling component. Examinees must arrive with a valid, government-issued photo ID and comply with all examination center guidelines to be admitted. They must also bring approved mannequin heads and hands along with general supplies. The exam consists of practical demonstrations in:
Foil Highlighting
The cosmetology theory exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions taken during a 90-minute testing window. Subject areas and the percentage of questions for each covered on the exam include:
Examinees must send a cancelation email if they need to reschedule. Failing to do so results in rescheduling fees of $45 per exam. As of 2019, examinations are no longer offered in Vietnamese or Spanish and are now only in English.
If you need special ADA accommodations, you must fill out a form in advance of the testing date. If you're currently a student, you don't need to have a physician complete the form. However, if you've completed school, a physician must be involved.
The most common accommodations offered are extended time on the theory exam, a reader, or a sign language interpreter. However, others may be allowed if you can provide evidence of need.
You must earn 75 or higher on both the theory and practical examinations to qualify for licensure.
Ohio Cosmetology Licensure Reciprocity
Ohio allows cosmetologists from states to receive licensure by reciprocity if they meet certain requirements. The primary mandates include:
If you meet all those requirements, in addition to asking your state board to send a copy of your license directly to the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board, you must supply the following materials:
If you or your spouse is an active-duty member of the military, you can apply for a license transfer. You need to provide evidence of board certification from your current state, a copy of an active cosmetology license, documentation of your marriage, and military orders showing a new assignment in Ohio. The state doesn't charge a fee for this type of transfer.
It can take a while to transfer your cosmetology license from one state to another, so it's best to train in the state where you plan to work if at all possible. You can't practice until your Ohio license is valid, so start the process as soon as you know you're moving to the state.
Cosmetology Specialties in Ohio
In addition to cosmetology, Ohio offers training for hairstylists, estheticians, nail technicians, barbers, natural hairstylists, massage therapists, and cosmetology instructors.
To become a cosmetology instructor in Ohio, you must take part in a 300-hour training curriculum. This training needs to involve cosmetology laws and rules, curriculum development, learning styles, and classroom management. You must also hold a current, valid advanced cosmetology license and demonstrate at least 1,800 hours of work experience. After passing an instructor theory examination and paying a license fee, you can qualify for cosmetology instructor roles.
According to Salary.com, as of March 2021, cosmetology instructors earned between $32,708 and $51,496 per year. Pay varies based on factors like years of experience, additional training and certifications, and education level.
The Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board provides comprehensive information about curricular requirements and testing details for the many related career paths available in the state.
After completing your cosmetology curriculum and receiving a license, you may want to consider adding some of the other available specialties to your portfolio. Some training hour requirements may be lessened based on topics covered in your cosmetology training program.
License Renewal
License renewal period
Continuing education required
Cosmetology licenses issued in Ohio must be renewed every two years, with evidence of continuing education (CE) experiences submitted no later than July 31. While the board waived five hours of CE requirements during the coronavirus pandemic, the full eight hours will be required starting in 2022.
Those eight hours are broken down into the following:
You can, of course, take additional CE courses in topics that interest you.
If you're 65 years old or older and have held a cosmetology license for at least 30 years, you don't have to take any CE hours. However, you must still renew your license every two years.
Ohio cosmetology license renewal costs $30.
Contact the Ohio State Board of Cosmetology
- 1929 Gateway Circle Grove City, OH 43123
- Website: Ohio State Board of Cosmetology
- Email: sue.gatwood@cos.state.oh.us
- Call: 614-466-3834
- Fax: 614-644-6880
Ohio has long been an amenable state for those in the cosmetology field. Beauty professionals take pride in having a bevy of skills that bring customers back for more. They gain those skills thanks to a network of resources from these institutions.
Ohio Salon Association
OSA supports member salons by providing legislative advocacy, industry news, networking opportunities, and information about job openings throughout the state.
Ohio Association of Beauticians
OAB focuses on elevating and uniting the Ohio-based professionals working in the beauty industry throughout the state. The group maintains local chapters and offers opportunities to continue building skills.
Ohio Barber and Beauty Alliance
Membership in OBBA provides access to free professional development courses, information on building and marketing your beauty business, and advocacy at the state level.
Ohio Cosmetology Career Teacher Association
This close-knit group maintains a private Facebook page that brings together cosmetology educators throughout the state and offers collaboration and mutual learning opportunities.