Arkansas Licensing Overview for a Cosmetologist

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

General Guidelines for a Cosmetologist in Arkansas

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 16 years old; 10th grade education or equivalent

What’s the state licensing site for cosmetologist?

Arkansas 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 2 years by the practitioner’s birthday

What are fees associated with licensing?

$80

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.

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

  1. The successful completion of a cosmetology / esthetician course
  2. Submission of an application of intent with the Arkansas Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
  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 Arkansas. The minimum education requirement for this profession is the successful completion of a Cosmetology Section-approved cosmetology program, which are designed as a certificate/diploma program or as an associate degree. To successfully complete this course and apply for licensure, students are required to undertake a minimum of 1,500 hours of training before they can be signed off. The hours to become an esthetician are less, with students needing to complete 600 registered hours at a registered school of estheticians.  

Arkansas does not currently offer the course of cosmetology as an apprenticeship.

Application for licensure

Upon the successful completion of a cosmetology / esthetician course or an apprenticeship, students within the state of Arkansas are required to submit an Application for Practitioner Examination form and a Certificate of Training form to Arkansas Cosmetology, Licensing, Inspection, and Permit System (CLIPS) for both a cosmetology license and an esthetician license. 

Licensing Exam

The state of Arkansas requires students who wish to become fully licensed as either a cosmetologist or an esthetician to successfully pass a licensing exam. Arkansas uses the National Cosmetology Examination through the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) as their examination. This exam consists of two parts: a theoretical exam, and a practical exam. Students are first required to successfully complete the practical examination with a passing score of 70 before they are eligible to sit the theoretical examination. 

The practical for the cosmetology exam is run by the Professional Credential Services (PCS) and costs $65 to undertake. 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):

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

The practical exam for the esthetician license is run by the Professional Credential Services (PCS) and costs $65 to undertake. The practical 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):

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

Theoretical examination

The theoretical exam for both cosmetology and esthetician is conducted by PSI Services LLC on behalf of the NIC. The cost is $60. 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 

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 on a biennial basis. This process is simple and can be done online through the Arkansas Cosmetology, Licensing, Inspection, and Permit System (CLIPS). The cost is $50.

In the state of Arkansas, 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

Location(s):

Arkansas