To enroll in cosmetology school, you typically need to be at least 16 or 18 years old and have a valid government-issued ID. Some states may also require applicants to pass a criminal background check and a drug test.
Once you have met the admission requirements, you can apply to a cosmetology school and begin your training. Cosmetology school programs typically take between 10 months to 2 years to complete, depending on the state and the school you choose.
Upon completing cosmetology school, you will need to pass the state licensing exam in order to practice as a licensed cosmetologist.