Online Cosmetology Schools
By Publisher
| Last Updated
By taking advantage of video and other interactive technologies, an online cosmetology school could enable you to start learning this trade from home. And due to COVID-19, many traditional beauty programs are temporarily being conducted through distance education. Depending on your state, learning remotely may be an approved way to get some of the required training you need for licensure.
Career Snapshot
Career Outlook
19% growth from 2020-2030
Median Hourly Wage
Cosmetologists
Job Openings
Average Yearly Openings
Length of Training
Most Common Length
Work Settings
Specializations
Hair cutting, hairstyling, hair coloring, nail technology, makeup artistry, facial treatments, skin care, barbering, salon management
What You Can Learn
The courses you take through an online beauty school will depend a lot on the institution's approach to teaching and the depth of training it offers. If you are new to the cosmetology field and want to become licensed, then you will likely need some hands-on training in addition to your online or distance-education classes.
At many beauty schools, online courses only cover theory and conceptual knowledge. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, some schools have also found ways to help students learn and practice various hands-on skills from home.
Depending on your particular program, you may get to learn about subjects such as:
- Anatomy and physiology of the scalp and skin
- Common disorders of skin and nails
- Infection control and safety regulations
- State licensing laws
- Beauty-related chemistry
- Color theory
- Hair design and shaping concepts
- Care and treatments for hair, skin, and nails
- Haircutting, styling, coloring, and texturing
- Hair removal
- Manicures and pedicures
- Facial treatments
- Makeup application
- Portfolio development
- Communication and professionalism
- Marketing and self-promotion
- Beauty product sales
- Business management
How Online Cosmetology Classes Are Conducted
Online courses are typically part of a hybrid program. That means a portion of your training happens remotely (i.e., at home and over the Internet), and the rest takes place in person at your school's student salon or through an internship at a professional salon. Due to COVID-19, many beauty schools have adopted new technologies and teaching methods that allow students to practice certain hands-on techniques at home.
While learning remotely, you may have access to things like:
- Interactive e-books
- On-demand video lectures and tutorials
- Live-streamed video demonstrations
- One-on-one chats and full class discussions over video
- Digital flashcards
- Online discussion boards
- Private Facebook groups
- Digital portfolio software
Your instructors may issue a wide variety of reading and writing assignments, as well as quizzes and practical exercises. For hands-on practice, you might get to use mannequin heads and hands that allow you to perform hair, makeup, and nail techniques. Alternatively, you may be asked to find friends or family members who are willing to have you practice on them. Your teachers will likely evaluate and provide feedback on each completed exercise by having you take and upload photos or videos of what you've done.
Key Benefits of Learning Cosmetology Online
- No commute: You can save money on gas or other transportation costs while having more time to focus on your beauty training or other areas of your life.
- Extra flexibility: Online cosmetology schools often allow you to choose a study schedule that fits your other responsibilities well. And you may get to learn at the pace of your choosing, one that's comfortable for you.
- Potential for lower training costs: Some beauty schools charge less for online courses than in-person classes.
Length of Training
Because of state licensing requirements, hybrid or online cosmetology programs typically take the same amount of time to complete as in-person programs. But this may depend on your particular school and the state you are training in. For most cosmetology students, it takes anywhere from seven to 18 months to finish their education.*
Most Common Length of School*
(range in months)
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Nail technology
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Skincare
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Makeup artistry
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Cosmetology
Licensing & Certification
People who are new to this trade cannot get a cosmetology license online. You need to meet your state's board of cosmetology requirements, which necessitates completing a minimum number of training hours. In many states, a certain number of those hours must be completed in a hands-on setting. You'll also need to pass a supervised written exam. Several states require applicants to pass an on-site verbal or practical skills exam.
That's why, before choosing an online hair school or cosmetology program, you should learn what the exact licensing requirements are in your state. Your online training hours may not be enough. You may need to accumulate hands-on hours through experience in a school's on-site salon or an internship or apprenticeship.
Also, make sure that the cosmetology board approves any program you consider in your state. Approved programs are often accredited by at least one of the following organizations:
- National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS)
- Council on Occupational Education (COE)
- Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
During the public health crisis caused by COVID-19, some states and accrediting agencies have permitted approved cosmetology schools to temporarily change their in-person programs to distance learning. As long as they properly track students' training hours and keep their student-to-teacher ratios below a certain threshold, the remote instruction they offer will count toward state licensing requirements.
Online Continuing Education for Beauty Professionals
Once you are a state-licensed cosmetologist, you can usually renew your license online. You may need to complete a certain amount of continuing education over a period of time to qualify for license renewal. But that kind of education is often available through online or distance learning, including voluntary certification courses in a wide range of beauty-related areas.
State-required continuing education courses are typically related to health, sanitation, safety and environmental laws, regulations, and guidelines.
Many cosmetologists choose to complete additional online beauty courses periodically. Continued training allows them to better serve their clientele and keep their expertise current. For example, many existing professionals take short courses related to the latest hairstyles, new skin or facial treatments, trendy nail art, new marketing strategies, and more.
You Can Learn Beauty Skills Through an Online Cosmetology School
Taking cosmetology courses from the comfort of home may improve your ability to complete the required education you need for state licensure.
* Length of training information is based on a combination of information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the U.S. Department of Education, and a wide sampling of relevant program lengths from about 30 individual school websites. They are a mix of public, private non-profit, and private for-profit institutions.