How to Become a Cosmetologist in Kentucky

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Kentucky

If you are a creative person, who is pleasant, friendly, and able to successfully interact with customers; if you possess good listening skills, while your stamina is so great that you can stand being all day on your feet, and at the same time you are looking for a stable and developing career, then you should consider becoming a cosmetologist.

Job Description

All the above-mentioned characteristics are necessary for success in this field.

A cosmetologist provides hair, skin and nail services to clients, through shampooing, cutting and styling client’s hair, performing facials, makeup applications, and body hair removal.

Some of them advise clients and sell beauty products.

Popular Programs

Manicures and pedicures are also part of her daily task and they must keep up with the latest trends and be ready to try new styles for their clients.

All of them should maintain a clean working environment, as well as sanitize the equipment after the usage.

The places where they can work are:

With your new license in the beauty and personal care industry, there are plenty of places where you might find yourself working.

These places include:

  • Spas
  • Salons
  • Resorts
  • Health care centers
  • Media cosmetology.

Cosmetology Programs in Kentucky

To become a fully licensed regular cosmetologist in Kentucky you will need to fulfill some of the requirements.

The Kentucky Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists separates a cosmetologist from estheticians or nail technicians, and require different education and examination.

A cosmetologist is required to attending cosmetology school and to learn the skills he/she will need once hired.

It is very important to choose only a Board-approved cosmetology school that offers courses in shampooing and rinsing, bacteriology, permanent waving, manicuring and pedicuring, sanitation and safety as well as Kentucky law.

A different number of educational and training hours is necessary for becoming licensed and cosmetologists should have 1800 hours, nail technician 600 while esthetician and instructor will attend 1000 hours.

Some of the most prominent and approved cosmetology schools in Kentucky are:

  • Appalachian Beauty School, Inc.
  • Bellefonte Academy of Beauty – Ashland
  • Changes Cosmetology School, LLC – Paducah
  • Head’s West Beauty College – Madisonville
  • The Lindsey Institute of Cosmetology – Bowling Green
  • Paducah Beauty School – Paducah
  • Paul Mitchell School – Lexington.
  • Cosmetology Exams in Kentucky

Cosmetology Exams in Kentucky

After finishing the courses and achieving both theory and hands-on practice, you will become prepared for the exams.

First, you will need to submit the examination application that your beauty school gives you.

Then, you need to sit and you complete the written and practical exam to get the license.

The application fee for the exams is $75.

Other documentation that needs to be attached is the proof of your high school diploma.

The practical exam can be done only if you bring your kit.

The exam consists of ten minutes for client protection and setup, 2 minutes to set up the supplies for each section in between sections as you will be asked to do:

  • Permanent Waving
  • Hair Coloring and Lightening
  • Facial
  • Thermal Curling (Cold Iron)
  • Haircutting
  • Chemical Relaxing
  • Manicuring

The written exam is very similar to the practical exam as the necessary knowledge is the same, only that you will be working on questions which you should know the right answers for.

The passing of the examination allows you to get the apprentice license, and that is not the end of your training.

You will now have to work six months or more as an apprentice under the supervision of a licensed cosmetologist in a licensed beauty salon.

When you finish this, only then you will be eligible for the cosmetology examination during the next 18 months, before the expiration of the apprentice license.

The examination date will be notified to you as the exams are offered every month, except July and August.

As this is a practical exam, you are again required to bring your kit and mannequins.

The same subjects will be tested for the apprentice license.

If you pass this exam regulated by the Board, you will be issued your license.

License

The license application process and requirements for those people who possess the license in some other state are:

  • 1800 hours of cosmetology education
  • a cosmetology license in a different state
  • taking and passing the Out of State License examination.

Keeping Your License Current in Kentucky

The cosmetology licenses in Kentucky expire on July 31st of each year and must be renewed.

The Board does not have any continuing education requirements for the renewal of licensure.

However, visiting fashion shows, beauty and cosmetology fairs and following the latest beauty trends can make you more experienced and educated as a cosmetologist, and improve the quality of your work which might lead to higher earning potential.

Average Annual Cosmetologist Salary in Kentucky

There are people who immediately after getting the license open their premises and start working on their own.

Still, some cannot afford that, and they search for the appropriate employers.

The more experienced and educated you are, the greater are the chances of getting the job, as the employers themselves attend fashion shows to improve their skills and will look for an employee who shares this passion for cosmetology.

Salons in Kentucky where you can look for a job are:

  • Joseph’s Salon and Spa in Louisville
  • Ky Michaels Salon
  • Salon Professional Academy in Lexington

As the overall job opportunities for future cosmetologists are expected to be good there is a hope that the salaries might rise too.

However, workers should expect strong competition for the cosmetology jobs as there are numerously educated and experienced hairdressers and nail technicians who are looking for their place in this vocation.

Cosmetology salaries in Kentucky are not too high and the average cosmetologist salary in Kentucky varies from $ 23486 and $ 25 519.

The salary is determined by the levels of experience, education, quality of the work and clientele.

More prominent salons are experiencing a higher amount of work and at the same time can pay better salaries to their workers.

Annual Salary Range:
$23K
$24K
$25K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Bowling Green,KY $23,517
Covington,KY $25,519
Frankfort,KY $23,838
Hopkinsville,KY $23,486
Lexington,KY $24,574
Louisville,KY $24,608
Owensboro,KY $24,404
Richmond,KY $24,326

Regional Salary in Kentucky

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY50$26,860$12.91$36,510$16,990
Lexington-Fayette, KY540$27,510$13.22$43,830$18,310
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN1,000$29,510$14.19$48,700$18,470
Owensboro, KY40$27,640$13.29$48,520$17,710
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists, OCC Code 39-5012, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

USA Cosmetology by State


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