Arizona Licensing Overview for a Cosmetologist

Licensing for cosmetologist in Arizona is controlled by the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology.

General Guidelines for a Cosmetologist in Arizona

Specific requirements to perform cosmetologist services can generally be used as a guideline, but make sure to check with your local governing rules and regulations.

Who’s allowed to perform these services?

Cosmetologist

General requirements for cosmetologist license required?

At least 23 years old; 2 years of high school education or equivalent

What’s the state licensing site for cosmetologist?

Arizona State Board of Cosmetology

What are some training programs available for cosmetologist?

See training programs

How long is a license good for and when do I need to renew?

Renew every year by the practitioner’s birthday

What are fees associated with licensing?

$30

Cosmetologist / Esthetician Licensing

A cosmetologist is a beauty professional who specializes in the beautification and health of their client’s hair, skin and nails. An esthetician is a beauty professional that specializes in the beautification and health of their client’s skin, particularly through hair removal, skin and facial treatments and the application of makeup. With additional training, a cosmetologist can become an esthetician and vice versa. While there are fundamental differences between cosmetologists and estheticians as we have just explained, the process of becoming licensed within each career is almost the same. With this being said, the process of being a fully licensed cosmetologist and/or esthetician varies between each state.

The following pages look at the detailed information on individual state licensing to help give you the best advice as you move forward in your career path.

There are four main steps that need to be completed to become a qualified cosmetologist / esthetician in the state of Arizona. These include:

  1. The successful completion of a cosmetology / esthetician course
  2. Submission of an application of intent with the Arizona Board of Cosmetology
  3. Successfully undergo state testing and pass the minimum requirements of each test
  4. Maintain your knowledge base through regular education to keep your cosmetologist / esthetician license current.

Education

There are basic educational requirements needed before one can become a licenced cosmetologist and/or esthetician in the state of Arizona. The minimum education requirement for this profession is a certificate or diploma in cosmetology / esthetician undertaken at a registered beauty school, through vocational training or through a junior college. To successfully complete this course, students are required to undertake a minimum of 1,450 hours of training before they can be signed off. For further training, some beauticians may choose to gain an associate degree to boost their qualifications. For those looking to begin their own start up business, an associate degree is quite a desirable skill to possess. The hours to become an esthetician are much less, with students needing to complete 600 registered hours at a registered school of estheticians.  

Another popular method in which to become a standard cosmetologist in the state of Arizona is through an apprenticeship. The Arizona apprenticeship program is hosted through Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), and takes 1.5 years with 3000 hours to complete, with a minimum of 250 to 288 hours of related instruction. To gain an apprenticeship, a student must be over the age of 18 years and have successfully completed their high school diploma or a GED. 

Application for licensure

Upon the successful completion of a cosmetology / esthetician course or an apprenticeship, students within the state of Arizona are required to submit an application for licensure. This license application must be submitted to the Arizona Board of Cosmetology for both a cosmetology license and an esthetician license. The cost of this application is $40.

Licensing Exam

The state of Arizona requires students who wish to become fully licensed as either a cosmetologist or an esthetician to successfully pass a licensing exam. After registering to gain a licence, the student must register online with Professional Credentials Services (PCS) to take the Arizona theory and practical examinations. The cost of both examinations is $177. 

Arizona uses the National Cosmetology Examination through the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) as their written examination. This exam consists of two parts: a theoretical exam, and a practical exam. Students are first required to successfully complete the theoretical examination with a passing score of 75 before they are eligible to sit the practical examination. 

Theoretical examination

The theoretical exam for both cosmetology and esthetician is conducted by PSI Services LLC on behalf of the NIC. The exam consists of questions relating to the fields of hygiene, human anatomy, skin analysis, chemistry and more. The exam questions will cover a range of areas that are specific to the course content relevant to your field of study. It typically takes around 90 minutes to complete the written exam.

Read on to see some sample theoretical questions for the cosmetologist exam.

 

Which of the following refers to the deepest layer of the epidermis?

  1. Stratum spinosum
  2. Stratum granulosum
  3. Stratum germinativum
  4. Stratum lucidum

As hair cells grow, what is the process that they go through to reach full development?

  1. Eumelanin
  2. COHNS
  3. Keratin
  4. Keratinization

How may cranial bones do humans have?

  1. 10
  2. 8
  3. 9
  4. 7

Which of the following will not affect the rate of growth of a nail?

  1. Prenatal vitamins
  2. Exercise
  3. Diet
  4. General health

Read on to see some sample theoretical questions for the esthetician exam.

What is one of the principal functions of the skeletal system?

  1. It protects dendrites
  2. It aids in the metabolic process
  3. It produces red and white blood cells
  4. It produces calcium

Which of the following substances do the sebaceous glands utilize to lubricate the skin?

  1. Lymph
  2. Ascorbic acid
  3. Uric acid
  4. Lipids

Quats, or quaternary ammonium compounds are used by estheticians because…

  1. They are odorless
  2. They don’t soften plastic bottles
  3. They kill bacterial spores
  4. They disinfect tools quickly

What are actinic keratoses?

  1. Rough skin patches
  2. Hives
  3. Shingles
  4. Atopic dermatitis

The cosmetology practical exam is run by the Professional Credential Services (PCS). The exam may take up to 4 hours to complete, with breaks in between.

The practical exam will typically look at a range of areas of the profession including (but not limited to):

  • Hygienic set up
  • Facial cleansing
  • Fair removal
  • Makeup application
  • Facial mask

The esthetician practical exam is run by the Professional Credential Services (PCS). The exam will run for up to 4 hours, with breaks in between. You must bring your own equipment and model to undertake the exam.

The practical exam will typically look at a range of areas of the profession including (but not limited to):

  • Maintaining a safe work environment
  • Hair set up
  • Hair removal
  • Hair cutting
  • Hair coloring  

Ongoing education

Following the successful completion of your state license to become either a cosmetology or an esthetician, it is important to remember that you must renew this license every year on your birthday. This process is simple and can be done online through the Arizona Board of Cosmetology. There is a fee of $30 for this one year renewal.

In the state of Arizona, there are no ongoing educational requirements for cosmetology or esthetician licenses, however, many professionals continue to grow their expertise. This allows them to stay up to date with the latest techniques and trends in the field of beauty.

Location(s):

Arizona