Skip to content
Home » Hair Schools Near You » Hair Schools in New York

Hair Schools in New York

New York City is one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the world, and it’s also a great place to start a career as a hairstylist. As a matter of fact, the entire state of New York is overflowing with opportunities for hairstylists. If you’re passionate about hair and fashion, and you’re looking for an artistic and creative career, then becoming a hairstylist in New York is the perfect choice for you.

There are many hair schools in New York that can help you get started on your career path, and this site is designed to help you learn about the process of earning your hairstylist certification and finding a hair school in New York to help you on your way to earning a license.

Hair Schools in New York

State Requirements for Hairstylist Licensing in New York

To become a licensed hairdresser in New York you’ll need to be at least 17 years old and you’ll also need to pass a physical exam within 30 days of your license application. You’ll need to earn a cosmetology license, which covers a broader range of services. If you’re already a licensed cosmetologist moving to New York, you can look at getting a state license via reciprocity or endorsement.

The other route to licensure in New York is through a licensed educational program. Completing a state-approved course with a minimum of 1,000 hours of training is the first step. You’ll also need to apply with the state Board, pay an application fee, and apply for your state exams. Once completing your exam, you can receive your first license, which is valid for four years.

How Much Do New York Hair Schools Cost?

New York is a large, populous state, and your options for hair schools are many. Depending on which area of the state you’re in, you may have an almost unlimited number of options. There are many larger vocational schools and community colleges that can offer lower tuition fees in some areas, while some well-known beauty school chains may come in at a premium price. In general, you can expect to pay between around $8,000 on the low end for tuition and up to nearly $20,000 on the high end for a seven to ten month course.

You may also be hit with additional fees for books and supplies, so be sure to ask about that when you’re comparing schools as those costs can sometimes be up to $3,000 on top of your tuition payments.

Required Skills and Classes

Within the 1,000 hours of coursework at your NY hair school, you’ll take courses and acquire skills in many of the areas you’d expect:

  • Health and safety
  • Shampooing
  • Rinsing
  • Cutting and shaping hair
  • Coloring hair
  • Straightening and waving hair
  • Styling
  • Use of hair chemicals
  • FDA laws

Depending on the school you choose, you may also take courses on the business side of hair design, where you’ll learn about bookkeeping, marketing, and the day-to-day necessities of running a salon.

State Licensing Exam

The New York state cosmetology exam comes in two parts. The written exam is multiple-choice and applicants will get 2.5 hours to complete the test. You will receive a pass or fail score online, and be notified by mail when your scores are available. You can login online to view your scores on the MYNY site.

The practical exam walks you through a set of tasks including:

  • Work area prep and client prep
  • Hair cutting techniques
  • Blow dry styling techniques
  • Thermal curling techniques
  • Roller placement
  • Pin curl waves
  • Finger waving
  • Foiling simulation
  • Hair coloring simulation
  • Chemical restructuring
  • Work area cleanup

If you pass the exam, you will receive your passing score, and license, by mail. If you fail the exams, you can reschedule online to try again.

Each exam has a $15 fee.

How Much Do Hairstylists Make in New York? 

The most recent data for hairstylist salaries from the Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2021 showed that the average annual salary for hairstylists in New York was $40,330. The average hourly salary came out to $19.39.

Does New York Have Continuing Education Requirements for Hairstylists? 

Every four years hairstylists in New York must pay a $40 fee to renew their license. Unlike some states, New York does not require a minimum number of continuing education credits along with each renewal. However, it can be beneficial to improve your skills and stay up to date on NY rules and regulations for hairdressers. You can find information guides and other renewal information on the state’s website.

Contact Information for Licensing Board

Licensing for hairstylists in the state of New York is handled by the state’s Division of Licensing Services. You can reach them using the contact information below.

Website: New York Dept. of State Division of Licensing Services
Email: Contact form
Phone: (518) 474-4429