Oklahoma Licensing Overview for a Cosmetologist

Licensing for a cosmetologist in Oklahoma is controlled by the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering.

General Guidelines for a Cosmetologist in Oklahoma

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; 8th grade education.

What’s the state licensing site for cosmetologist?

Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering

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?

Renews annually, on the last day of the licensee’s birthday month.

What are fees associated with licensing?

$25

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 Oklahoma. These include:

  1. The successful completion of a cosmetology / esthetician course
  2. Successfully undergo state testing and pass the minimum requirements of each test
  3. Submission of an application of with the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.
  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 licensed cosmetologist and/or esthetician in the state of Oklahoma. 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 1,500 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 desirable. 

To become an esthetician in Oklahoma, students must complete a minimum of 600 hours of coursework a registered school of estheticians.  

Another popular method in which to become a standard cosmetologist in the state of Oklahoma is through an apprenticeship. To gain an apprenticeship, a student must be over the age of 16 years and have successfully completed year 8 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 3,000 supervised hours within the field. 

Licensing Exam

The state of Oklahoma requires students who wish to become fully licensed as either a cosmetologist or an esthetician to successfully pass a licensing exam. This exam consists of two parts: a theoretical exam, and a practical exam. 

The theoretical exam for both cosmetology and esthetician is conducted by PSI Services. 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?

  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 costs $45 to undertake. You must bring your own equipment and model to undertake the exam. The 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 and theoretical exams cost a total of $75 to undertake. 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

Application for licensure

Upon the successful completion of a cosmetology / esthetician course or an apprenticeship, students within the state of Oklahoma are required to submit an application for licensure. This license application must be submitted to the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering for both a cosmetology license and an esthetician license. You should include all schooling testamurs and a copy of all passed exams. The esthetician license application requires a $25 fee. The cosmetology application fee will be shown at the time of application. 

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 every year during your birth month. This process is simple and can be done online through the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. There is a fee of $25 for this yearly renewal.

In the state of Oklahoma, 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.

Location(s):

Oklahoma