Erica - HER LIFE Magazine

state licensing requirements. Most cosmetologists are requiredto be licensed and some states require an additional license tobe classified as a mobile cosmetologist. Here are some importanttraining and licensing facts to help you choose a cosmetologist—whether they are mobile or work in a traditional salon setting.Educational requirements vary by state, but according to theAmerican Association of Cosmetology Schools, average trainingrequired for hair stylists is between 1,300 and 1,600 hours, forestheticians it’s 650 hours and for nail technicians it’s 300 hours.Most cosmetology professionals are required to be licensed inthe states where they practice and must pass a state board exam toacquire a license. To learn about the requirements in your state,visit The National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetologywebsite (www.nictesting.org), which provides links to all 50state cosmetology boards. States do not issue a license for makeupartists; however, many salons, spas and even some retail storesrequire make-up artists to have an esthetics or cosmetology license.So be sure to ask any make-up artist you intend to hire whetherthey have a license in either of these areas.To determine if a mobile cosmetologist has attended an accreditedschool, check with the National Accrediting Commissionof Career Arts and Sciences (www.naccas.org), which is recognizedby the U.S. Department of Education as a national agency for theinstitutional accreditation of postsecondary schools and departmentsof cosmetology arts and sciences. ■18 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM