Iowa Cosmetology Licensing

Education Requirements for Cosmetologists in Iowa

No matter which field you want to establish a career in, having the right training and education behind you is a must. This is especially true in the field of cosmetology, where you may use your skills to change hair color, process chemicals, and make permanent changes to people’s appearances.

Though you have to learn a lot to become a successful cosmetologist, all of the hard work and practice is worth it if you want to spend your career improving people’s lives and self-esteem.

The Iowa Board of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences is the licensing board for cosmetology in Iowa. Before you can start working independently in any beauty setting, you have to earn your Iowa cosmetology license. The most time-consuming part of this process is completing your training.

The Iowa Board of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences only approves schools that fit the following topics into their curriculum:

• Life sciences, including anatomy and physiology, bacteriology, and chemistry
• Sanitation and sterilization
• Safety, grooming, and hygiene
• Professional ethics
• Iowa cosmetology laws, statutes, and administrative rules
• Shampooing, blowdrying, and finger styling
• Chemical processes, including coloring, bleaching, relaxing, and straightening
• Hairstyling
• Manicuring and pedicuring
• Facials and other types of skin care

There may still be time left in your training after you have thoroughly studied the subjects above and built your practical skills. Your school may host competitions, sponsor field trips, give you the chance to complete more work experience, or give you some freedom to explore specialized techniques.

Take the first step to an IA cosmetology license now and request information from Iowa beauty schools near you.

Iowa Cosmetology License Requirements

When your education is done, you are well on your way to getting licensed in the state of Iowa. The rest of the process is fairly simple, but you may want to start the paperwork before you complete your training. This may save you some time and help you get your license a bit more quickly.

Keep the following details in mind as you apply for your license:

• Total exam fee of $55
• May pay by check, money, or credit card
• $60 licensing fee to be paid with application
• 2100 hours of education required; no apprenticeship option
• Test proctored by PSI; available in English only

What does licensing do for your career and for cosmetology as a whole? Well, licensing standards like the ones in Iowa help consumers trust their beauty professionals. If you ever noticed, most professionals have their cosmetology licenses taped to their mirror in a salon. They know that it’s important for their customers to understand the amount of training and practice they’ve gone through before working on them. Licensing offers legal protection to the term cosmetologist, which prevents untrained and unlicensed people from using it to mislead consumers.

Requirements for Renewing Your Cosmetology License in Iowa

Clearly, the licensing process is meant to define your skills and knowledge, make sure that you have the motivation necessary to work in this field, and guarantee that clients are safe in your salon chair. However, you are not done once you have your license in hand.

You must meet the IA Board of Cosmetology license requirements by renewing your license every two years. This means that you must send in a renewal form by April 1 of each even-numbered year. The renewal fee in Iowa is $60. During each renewal period, you must finish eight hours of continuing education.

Now that you know how to get a cosmetology license in Iowa, it’s time to get moving. Contact Iowa beauty schools to start your education.

Find Cosmetology Programs in Iowa