Missouri Licensing Overview for a Cosmetologist
Licensing for a cosmetologist in Missouri is controlled by the Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.
General Guidelines for a Cosmetologist in Missouri
Specific requirements to perform cosmetologiy 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 17 years old; 10th grade education or equivalent
What’s the state licensing site for cosmetologist?
Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
What are some training programs available for cosmetologist?
How long is a license good for and when do I need to renew?
Renews by Sept. 30 in odd-numbered years
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, the process of becoming licensed within each career is almost the same.
There are four main steps that need to be completed to become a qualified cosmetologist / esthetician in Missouri. These include:
- The successful completion of a cosmetology / esthetician course
- Submission of an application of intent with the Missouri State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
- 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 one can become a licensed cosmetologist and/or esthetician in the state of Missouri 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.
To become an esthetician, the rules and regulations are quite similar. Students are required to undertake and complete 750 registered hours at a registered school of estheticians.
Another popular method in which to become a standard cosmetologist in the state of Missouri 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 three years and 3000 supervised hours within the field.
Application for licensure
Upon the successful completion of a cosmetology / esthetician course or an apprenticeship, students within the state of Missouri are required to submit an application for licensure. This license application must be submitted to Missouri State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners for both a cosmetology license and an esthetician license. Professionals are then required to complete licencing examinations to attain their Missouri state license.
Licensing Exam
The state of Missouri requires students who wish to become fully licensed as either a cosmetologist or an esthetician to successfully pass a licensing exam. Missouri 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. There is a $150 fee for the exams for cosmetologists. Esthetician students will be told the total cost of their examinations at the time.
Theoretical exam
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.
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 exam is run by the Professional Credential Services (PCS). Students are required to bring their own equipment to the examination.
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). Students are required to bring their own equipment to the examination.
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
Continuing Education
Following the successful completion of your state license to become either a cosmetology or an esthetician, it is important to remember that cosmetologists must renew this license on September 30 of every odd year, and estheticians are required to renew their license biannually. There is a renewal fee of $30. This process is simple and can be done online through the Missouri State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.
In the state of Missouri, there are no continuing 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.