Education is important. But simply getting an education isn’t the end.
Most professions require a continuation of honing your craft by learning new developed methods and keeping up with technological innovation.
One such occupation is a licensed cosmetologist, whether it be a nail specialist, facial specialist, or full specialist. Staying current with regulations is mandatory to continue working fully and legally within your field and your area of work.
With that being said, the continuation of education tends to come with issues for some people. After years of experience, it is not always so easy to change what is already mastered in favor of new methods and in favor of new or different tools.
Because of this, some cosmetologists need help when it comes to continuing their education. They need support; support that can save both time and money, but also frustration.
Cosmetology Continuing Education (CE) Requirements
Cosmetology CE Requirements are fundamentally the same across the entirety of the United States, but they can differ (prerequisites/requirements) depending on the state you’re in.
Every cosmetology license must be renewed after 2-4 years. During renewal, cosmetology professionals need to complete state-approved continuing education (CE) hours. This is mandatory.
For instance, in the state of Florida, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) requires CE in order for practitioners to know and be updated on:
- Health and safety standards
- Sanitation and sterilization protocols
- State laws and rules
- Workplace safety regulations (OSHA)
- Chemical services and environmental safety
This process typically encompasses 10 hours of CE as per license renewal (every two years), and of course, the rules/regulations/requirements differ based on which state you’re in.
What Cosmetology CE Courses Cover
If you look at the Florida example from above, most people would assume that Florida cosmetology CE courses encompass general beauty training or just standard prep school to better prepare for the licensing exam, but it’s so much more than that.
CE courses are heavily structured/standardized, with the focus being compliance and safety, but also updates.
This is also why you’d normally go over these types of subjects during your CE hours:
- Sanitation and infection control
- Laws and rules governing cosmetology practice
- Chemical use and safety
- Workplace injury prevention and workers’ compensation
All the courses are made for online use. This allows professionals to continue working while fulfilling their regulatory requirements. It’s also important to note that these courses are not replacements for cosmetology schools and theirtraining.
They’re also not just used to obtaining a license for the first time. They’re also used for license renewal.
Why Continuing Education Matters for Cosmetology Professionals
CE courses provide tangible value to professionals, mostly women, working in the beauty industry.
Benefits such as:
- Legal Compliance – If CE isn’t completed, the license expires, and without a license, it is impossible to continue legal work.
- Client Safety – Courses teach cosmetology practitioners ways to protect their clients, including themselves, by reinforcing sanitation and safety practices.
- Staying Updated with Industry Standards – New laws are created, and old laws can be changed. The same is true with chemicals and techniques. CE keeps cosmetology practitioners informed of these changes.
- Protecting Your Career – Maintaining an active license is key to a long and fruitful career working in salons, being a freelancer, or a business owner.
Cosmetology Education
When researching continuing education options, you may come across platforms like RocketCert, which specialize in providing courses that help prepare future professionals for their licensing examination, which they have to pass when first acquiring their licenses, as well as upon each renewal cycle.
But when you’re looking at such resources, it’s very important to know what these types of courses give you, as well as what they don’t.
For example, what you’ll be provided with are exam prep materials, general education resources, CE courses (state-approved), and all this will be up-to-date with the current rules and regulations.
With that being said, it’s also important to know that these types of business DO NOT provide you with licenses or licensing exams. This is because licensing exams are done at the state level.
In short, they’re here to give you this extra ‘oomph’ when it comes to being the best educated among your competitors, but they also specialize in preparing you for licensing exams so that you maximize your chances of acing it on the first try.
Common Misunderstandings About Cosmetology CE
One of the biggest misconceptions in the industry is the belief that all online education providers offer the same type of certification or licensing support.
Here are the most common misunderstandings in circulation:
- CE Courses Do NOT Grant Licenses
- Exam Prep Is NOT CE Credit
- Schools and CE Providers Are NOT The Same
As their own materials say, licensing itself is granted by the state licensing board, not by online education providers. The goal here is to help users meet educational requirements.
Their role is not to certify or issue licenses.
Conclusion
As it is with any competitive industry, education (or more precisely, continued education) is the key to staying on top of your competitors. Due to this importance and the need for license renewal every two or so years, the need for platforms like RocketCert has seen a rise in order to provide the tools required for easier completion of CE.
Although these types of platforms don’t provide licenses like cosmetology schools, they’re integral for every professional who wishes to be at the top of their professional game.
It is not just about checking a box; it’s about protecting your license, your clients, and your career in the beauty industry.
With the right education provider, continuing education becomes a much simpler matter and a much less stressful one in all.
