Delaware Licensing Overview for a Cosmetologist
Licensing for a cosmetologist in Delaware is controlled by the Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.
General Guidelines for a Cosmetologist in Delaware
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?
10th grade education or equivalent
What’s the state licensing site for cosmetologist?
Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
What are some training programs available for cosmetologist?
How long is a license good for and when do I need to renew?
Renew by Oct. 31 of even-numbered years
What are fees associated with licensing?
Check with local governing body for updated details.
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 Delaware. These include:
- The successful completion of a cosmetology / esthetician course
- Submission of an application of intent with the Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
- Successfully undergo state testing and pass the minimum requirements of each test
- Maintain your knowledge base through regular education to keep your cosmetologist / esthetician license current.
Education
There are basic educational requirements needed before you can become a licenced cosmetologist and/or esthetician in the state of Delaware. 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 1,500 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.
Another popular method in which to become a standard cosmetologist in the state of Delaware is through an apprenticeship. To gain an apprenticeship, a student must be over the age of 16 years and have successfully completed year 10 of high school. For those wishing to undertake an apprenticeship instead of attending a registered beauty school, they will need to be accepted under the charge of a licensed cosmetologist and complete 3000 supervised hours within the field.
The hours to become an esthetician are similar slightly less, with students needing to complete 600 registered hours at a registered school of estheticians, or 1,000 hours within an apprenticeship program with a fully certified esthetician.
Application for licensure
Upon the successful completion of a cosmetology course or an apprenticeship, students within the state of Delaware are required to submit an application for licensure. This license application must be submitted online through the Professional Credential Services (PCS). This will include a fee of $225 to undertake both the theory and practical examinations needed for licensure within the state of Delaware.
For those students who have completed their esthetician course, they are also required to submit an Application for Examination and pay for both the theory and practical exams at the time of application. The cost of both examinations is $195.
Licensing Exam
The state of Delaware requires students who wish to become fully licensed as either a cosmetologist or an esthetician to successfully pass a licensing exam. Delaware 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 must gain a passing score of 75 or higher to attain their license.
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. The theoretical examination is conducted via a computerized quiz.
Read on to see some sample theoretical questions for the cosmetologist exam.
Which of the following refers to the deepest layer of the epidermis?
- Stratum spinosum
- Stratum granulosum
- Stratum germinativum
- Stratum lucidum
As hair cells grow, what is the process that they go through to reach full development?
- Eumelanin
- COHNS
- Keratin
- Keratinization
How may cranial bones do humans have?
- 10
- 8
- 9
- 7
Which of the following will not affect the rate of growth of a nail?
- Prenatal vitamins
- Exercise
- Diet
- 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?
- It protects dendrites
- It aids in the metabolic process
- It produces red and white blood cells
- It produces calcium
Which of the following substances do the sebaceous glands utilize to lubricate the skin?
- Lymph
- Ascorbic acid
- Uric acid
- Lipids
Quats, or quaternary ammonium compounds are used by estheticians because…
- They are odorless
- They don’t soften plastic bottles
- They kill bacterial spores
- They disinfect tools quickly
What are actinic keratoses?
- Rough skin patches
- Hives
- Shingles
- Atopic dermatitis
The cosmetology practical is run by the Professional Credential Services (PCS).
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 esthetician practical exam is run by the Professional Credential Services (PCS).
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
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 when necessary. Delaware cosmetologists are required to pay their fee on or before October 31 of each even-numbered year. Delaware estheticians are required to pay their fee on or before March 31 of all even-numbered years. There is a fee of $110 for this two-year renewal.
In the state of Delaware, there are no ongoing educational requirements for cosmetology or esthetician licenses, however, many professionals continue to grow their expertise through continuing education. This allows them to stay up to date with the latest techniques and trends in the field of beauty.