Minnesota Hair School and Requirements

Minnesota's hair professionals can choose from three possible career routes: unlicensed freelancing, licensed hair technician, and licensed cosmetologist. Your choice depends on how much time you want to spend in school and what you want your hairstylist career to look like.

Here, we'll talk about how to become a hairstylist in Minnesota. This includes your hair school options, what licensure entails, and how much you could earn in this career. Browse our directory of hair design schools in Minnesota, or skip ahead to learn about the state's hair design licensing requirements and job outlook.

Becoming a Hairdresser in Minnesota

When you think of a hairdresser, you will likely think of what Minnesota calls a hair technician. If you choose this route, you can provide a broader range of services. Hair technicians in Minnesota may offer haircuts and chemical services like dyeing, bleaching, and keratin.

If this sounds like what you want, you must go to hair school. Your program should last at least 900 hours, broken down as follows:

• First 300 Hours: Orientation, science, hygiene, disinfection, implements and equipment, etc.
• 300 Hours: Haircutting and styling
• 300 Hours: Chemical hair services

The next step to earning your Minnesota hair technician license is to pass three tests: General theory, written practical, and Minnesota Laws and Rules.

After beginning your career, you must renew your license every three years. In that time, you must complete eight continuing education hours at an approved location:

• One Hour: State laws
• Three Hours: Health, safety, sanitation, infection control
• Four Hours: Chemistry, machines and instruments, business skills, or job-relevant techniques

You can take your credits at any point in your three years before renewal, but hours don't transfer to the following renewal period.

If this career sounds almost perfect but is not what you're looking for, you could also become a hairstylist or cosmetologist in Minnesota.

Minnesota Hairstyling and Cosmetology Licenses

You can think of hair technicians as falling between hairstylists and cosmetologists. Minnesota hairstylists can only provide a few services, while cosmetologists can offer many beauty options.

If you want to offer hair styling services — think wedding hair — then you don't need a license. You must take a four-hour health, safety, and relevant law course, then carry proof of attending the course when you practice. However, you must get a different beauty license to offer services like dyeing and cutting.

However, if you want to provide services at a special event, you may need a special event services permit, depending on the type of event. Typically, weddings, proms, and similar events don't require one, though other types may. It's always best to check before doing any major work!

Minnesota cosmetologists can work with hair, nails, skin and makeup. Most of their training focuses on hair, so you can likely be a hairstylist who offers other options with this license. You must attend a 1,550-hour cosmetology program and pass tests before beginning this career.

READ MORE: Learn More About Cosmetology School in Minnesota

Hairstylists' Salary in Minnesota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Minnesota's hairstylists, hairdressers, and cosmetologists made an average of $41,950 per year ($20.17 per hour) as of 2022. However, your location, type of workplace, years of experience, and more can affect how much you earn.

Contact the Minnesota State Board of Cosmetology