New Mexico Licensing Overview for a Cosmetologist
Licensing for a cosmetologist in New Mexico is controlled by the New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
General Guidelines for a Cosmetologist in New Mexico
Specific requirements to perform cosmetology 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.
What’s the state licensing site for cosmetologist?
New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
What are some training programs available for cosmetologist?
How long is a license good for and when do I need to renew?
Renews every 2 years in licensee’s birthday month.
What are fees associated with licensing?
$50
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.
There are four main steps that need to be completed to become a qualified cosmetologist / esthetician in New Mexico. These include:
- The successful completion of a cosmetology / esthetician course
- Successfully undergo state testing and pass the minimum requirements of each test
- Submission of an application of intent with the New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
- 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 New Mexico. The minimum education requirement for this profession is a certificate or diploma in cosmetology / esthetician undertaken at a registered beauty school. To successfully complete this course, students are required to undertake a minimum of 1,600 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 a qualified esthetician, students are required to complete with students needing to complete 600 hours of coursework at a registered school of estheticians.
New Mexico does not currently offer cosmetology or esthetician apprenticeships as a career path.
Licensing Exam
The state of New Mexico requires students who wish to become fully licensed as either a cosmetologist or an esthetician to successfully pass a licensing exam. New Mexico 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 an online, open-book Jurisprudence exam which can be found on Board’s website.
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?
- 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
Application for licensure
Upon the successful completion of a cosmetology / esthetician course or an apprenticeship, and a passing score of 70 or higher on both examinations, professionals within the state of New Mexico are required to submit an application for licensure. This license application must be submitted to New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists for both a cosmetology license and an esthetician license. The cost of this application is $150 for cosmetologists, and $50 for estheticians.
Continuing 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 yearly during your birthday month. This process is simple and can be done online through the New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
In the state of New Mexico, 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.