Studio Romantic – istockphoto.com
If you love cosmetology and want to build a career around it, you might be wondering where to start.
At Evergreen Beauty College, we’ve spent more than 25 years helping students across Washington translate their love of cosmetology into professional skills. Below, we’ll walk through how to get started, what education you’ll need, how long it takes, and how to choose a program that fits your life. Come as you are; we’ll help you figure out the rest.
How do you start a career in cosmetology?
Start by getting honest about why you want it. A love of beauty is a great beginning, but the people who go furthest are the ones who genuinely enjoy the work. That work includes making someone feel like themselves, learning new techniques, and showing up for clients day after day. If that sounds like you, the path from here is pretty straightforward: get the right training, earn your license, and grow from there.
You don’t need any experience to begin, and you don’t need to have it all figured out. Plenty of our students arrive at a crossroads and find their footing once they start. Madisen H., a Cosmetology student, put it this way:
“Before I enrolled at Evergreen Beauty College, I was looking for my path… I can’t believe that one of the worst things to happen in my professional life [getting laid off] could turn into the most amazing career I could ever imagine.”
— Madisen H., Cosmetology student
Her advice for anyone on the fence is worth repeating: “Just go for it. It’s going to be scary, and you’re going to mess up, but you are not going to get better if you never try.”
What education and training do you need to become a cosmetologist?
In most states, you’re required to complete formal training and earn a license before you can work as a cosmetologist. In Washington, cosmetology licensing is handled by the Washington State Department of Licensing, and requirements can change over time, so it’s always worth confirming the current rules with the state before you plan around them.
Formal training matters for more than the license, too. It’s how you build the skills to do quality work and show potential employers you’re ready. If you want to dig into the specifics for our state, we break it down here: How long does it take to get a cosmetology license in Washington?
How long does cosmetology school take?
That depends on the program you choose. Our Cosmetology program is 1,600 hours (about 13 months) and covers a broad range of beauty skills, from hair to nails to make-up application. If you want to specialize, our Esthetics program is 750 hours long (about 6 months) and focuses on skin care.
Both run on our EverFlex schedule, which is built to fit around the rest of your life: about 4 hours on campus each day, plus roughly 10 hours of online coursework each week. With daytime, afternoon, and evening options depending on your campus, you can shape your schedule around work, family, and everything else. Your exact finish date depends on the schedule and campus you choose. Our admissions team can talk you through what to expect.
What can you do with a cosmetology license?
One of the best parts of this field is the range. A cosmetology license qualifies you to provide a variety of services: hair cutting and color, styling, basic nail services, make-up application, and more. You can lean into the work you love most. Some paths call for extra practice or specialty training, but they all start from the same foundation.
As you train, you’ll start to notice what you’re drawn to. Some students fall for color and transformation work; others love the pace of the salon floor or the idea of building their own clientele one day. The goal is to find the work that feels like you, then keep building on it. If you’re curious about the different directions this can go, take a look at our full range of beauty programs to see where each one can take you.
How do you choose the right cosmetology program?
Once you know you want in, choosing the right school is your next big decision. As you weigh your options, there are a few features that are important in a cosmetology program:
- National accreditation
- Hands-on practice with real clients
- Licensed educators
- Flexible scheduling that fits your life
- A financial aid team is there to answer your questions
Accreditation is what lets you know that a school meets strict educational standards, and it’s also what makes students who attend that school eligible to apply for financial aid. Evergreen Beauty College is nationally accredited by NACCAS (the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences), and we’re licensed and approved by the Washington State Board of Cosmetology. For a more comprehensive checklist, see “How to Choose the Right Beauty School.”
The fastest way to develop your cosmetology skills is to practice on real people, which is exactly how we train. Evergreen Beauty College’s campuses have working salons where students build their skills on real, paying clients under the guidance of experienced educators. By the time you finish, you’ve done the work, not just read about it.
It’s also worth visiting any campus that you are considering in person. When you tour a campus, you can feel whether it’s a place where you’d be supported, not just enrolled.
Find your perfect path in cosmetology
Turning a love of cosmetology into a career doesn’t have to feel out of reach. If you’re creative, you like people, and you want work that lets you make a real difference, this can be a wonderful fit. Get clear on your goals, choose a program built around students, and give yourself room to grow — the rest tends to follow.
Frequently asked questions
1. Do you need formal training to become a cosmetologist?
In most states, yes, you’ll need to complete formal training before you can be licensed as a cosmetologist. Here in Washington, licensing is handled by the Washington State Department of Licensing.
2. Do you need any experience to start beauty school?
Not at all. You don’t need any experience or background to begin; that’s exactly what your training is for. At Evergreen, you’ll learn and practice step by step in our student salons, guided by educators who know your name. Come as you are; we’ll help you build from there.
3. How long does cosmetology school take?
Our Cosmetology program is 1,600 hours (about 13 months) and covers a broad range of beauty skills, from hair and nails to makeup application. Your exact finish date depends on the schedule and campus you choose. We have seven campuses across Washington: Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Everett, Shoreline (North Seattle), Renton, Olympia, and Yakima.
4. Can you go to beauty school while working?
Yes, our EverFlex schedule is built for real life. You’ll spend about 4 hours on campus each day, plus roughly 10 hours of online coursework each week, with daytime, afternoon, and evening options depending on your campus. It’s designed to flex around your work, your family, and everything else on your plate.
5. What services can a licensed cosmetologist offer?
Quite a range, depending on where you focus your training: hair cutting and color, styling, basic nail services, make-up application, and more. Some services take extra practice or specialty training, but they all start from the same foundation you’ll build in our 1,600-hour Cosmetology program, working with real clients along the way.
6. Is financial aid available for beauty school?
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Because Evergreen is nationally accredited by NACCAS (the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences), you’re eligible to apply for financial aid. Our financial aid team can walk you through the options and payment plans that may fit your situation. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
