Beauty School Requirements in Utah: 2026 Admissions Guide

Last reviewed: August 2026

If you are thinking about attending beauty school in Utah, you probably have a lot of questions:

What do I need to enroll?
Do I need a high school diploma?
Which program should I choose?
How long will school take?
Can I use Financial Aid?
What happens after graduation?

At Renaissance Academie (RACE) in Provo, Utah, the admissions process is designed to help prospective students understand those answers before they enroll.

RACE currently offers five professional beauty education programs:

• Cosmetology — 1,250 hours
• Hair Design — 1,000 hours
• Master Esthetics — 1,200 hours
• Nail Technology — 300 hours
• Lash & Brow Technology — 270 hours

Here is what you should know about beauty-school requirements and applying to RACE in 2026.

What Do You Need to Enroll at RACE?

RACE requires applicants to provide enrollment documentation before beginning an education program.

Proof of Secondary Education

Applicants generally provide one of the following:

• High school diploma
• GED certificate
• Official high school transcript showing graduation or completion
• State-issued homeschool completion documentation or certification

Individual situations may require additional review.

Proof of Age and Identity

Applicants also provide government-issued identification or other acceptable proof of age, such as:

• Driver’s license
• State-issued ID
• Birth certificate
• Other government-issued identification

Your Enrollment Advisor will provide a personalized checklist based on your individual circumstances and program.

Can Homeschool Students Attend RACE?

Yes, students with qualifying homeschool education may be eligible to enroll.

RACE accepts applicable state-issued homeschool completion documentation or certification as proof of secondary education.

Because homeschool documentation can vary, prospective students should have their individual records reviewed by Admissions before enrollment.

Can High School Students Attend RACE?

High school students are handled differently from students who have already completed secondary education.

Under RACE’s current admissions policy, high school students may enroll through an approved Training Agreement established with the applicable high school and/or school district.

Students interested in attending RACE while still enrolled in high school should speak with both their school counselor and RACE Admissions to determine whether an appropriate Training Agreement can be established.

What If You Have a Foreign High School Diploma?

Applicants who completed secondary education outside the United States may need additional documentation.

Current RACE policy requires an appropriate:

• English translation, when necessary
• Credential evaluation confirming that the education is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma

The evaluation must be completed through an appropriate qualified credential-evaluation source.

Admissions can explain the documentation needed for an individual applicant.

Does RACE Verify High School Diplomas?

RACE may validate secondary-education documentation if there is reason to question whether a diploma or credential is valid or whether the issuing institution is recognized as providing secondary education.

That review may include obtaining documentation directly from the school or verifying recognition through the appropriate state agency.

This process helps ensure enrollment records meet applicable school and federal requirements.

Step 1: Schedule a Campus Tour

For most prospective students, the best place to begin is a campus tour.

During a RACE tour, you can:

• Explore the classrooms
• Visit the student salon and spa
• See students practicing professional skills
• Meet members of the RACE team
• Compare programs
• Discuss schedules
• Review tuition and program costs
• Ask about Financial Aid and payment options
• Learn about licensing pathways
• Get your enrollment questions answered

A tour also gives you something a website cannot: a sense of what it actually feels like to be on campus.

Step 2: Choose the Program That Fits Your Goals

RACE currently offers five beauty programs.

Cosmetology — 1,250 Hours

Cosmetology is RACE’s broadest current beauty program.

Education includes extensive professional hair training plus additional beauty disciplines.

Students may develop skills in:

• Haircutting
• Barbering
• Hair coloring
• Blonding
• Chemical texture
• Styling
• Basic skincare
• Makeup
• Nail services
• Manual hair removal
• Business and career skills
• Utah licensing preparation

Cosmetology may be right for you if: you love hair but want a broader beauty education.

Hair Design — 1,000 Hours

Hair Design is focused on all things hair.

Students may develop skills in:

• Precision haircutting
• Barbering
• Clippers and fades
• Hair color
• Blonding
• Chemical texture
• Styling
• Natural texture
• Extensions
• Shaving and beard design
• Client consultation
• Career development
• Utah licensing preparation

Hair Design may be right for you if: hair is clearly the part of the beauty industry you want to focus on.

Master Esthetics — 1,200 Hours

Master Esthetics is RACE’s comprehensive professional skincare program.

Education may include:

• Skin analysis
• Professional facials
• Advanced skincare
• Hair removal
• Chemical exfoliation
• Microdermabrasion
• Dermaplaning
• Advanced esthetics modalities
• Body treatments
• Product science
• Safety and infection control
• Client consultation
• Career development
• Utah licensing preparation

Master Esthetics may be right for you if: skincare and advanced treatments are what excite you most.

Nail Technology — 300 Hours

Nail Technology provides focused professional nail education.

Students may develop skills in:

• Manicures
• Pedicures
• Acrylic systems
• Sculpted hard gel
• Structured gel
• Nail enhancements
• E-file techniques
• Nail art
• Sanitation and safety
• Client services
• Business and career skills
• Utah licensing preparation

Nail Technology may be right for you if: you love detail, nail artistry, color, and creative design.

Lash & Brow Technology — 270 Hours

Lash & Brow Technology provides focused professional education in eyelash and eyebrow services.

Education may include:

• Lash extensions
• Lash mapping
• Lash lifts
• Lash tinting
• Brow mapping
• Brow shaping
• Brow tinting
• Brow lamination
• Safety and sanitation
• Client consultation
• Business development
• Utah licensing preparation

Lash & Brow Technology may be right for you if: you enjoy precision work and want a specialized lash and brow career path.

Does RACE Still Offer Basic Esthetics?

No.

Older RACE websites and articles may still reference a former 600-hour Basic Esthetics program.

Utah’s licensing structure changed beginning January 1, 2026, and RACE no longer enrolls new students into that former program.

Students interested in professional skincare education at RACE should explore the current 1,200-hour Master Esthetics program.

Step 3: Choose Your Schedule

Once you choose a program, Admissions can help you review the scheduling options available for an upcoming start.

RACE offers flexible education models that may include:

• Full-time schedules
• Part-time schedules
• Selected evening schedules
• Approved distance education for eligible portions of certain programs

Not every program has the same schedule.

Available options also vary by start date and enrollment period.

This is why prospective students should use the current individual program page rather than relying on an older blog for exact weekly schedules.

How Long Does Beauty School Take at RACE?

Program length depends on two things:

1. The total number of hours required by the program
2. How many hours you complete each week

Current RACE program requirements are:

Program	Hours
Cosmetology	1,250
Hair Design	1,000
Master Esthetics	1,200
Nail Technology	300
Lash & Brow Technology	270

The calendar time needed to complete those hours depends on the schedule you select and consistent attendance.

Instead of relying on old completion estimates, check the current program page or speak with Admissions for the schedule and projected completion range associated with an upcoming enrollment.

Step 4: Review Tuition and Program Costs

Beauty school is an investment, so students should understand the total program cost before enrolling.

Depending on the program, costs may include:

• Tuition
• Professional student kit
• Textbooks or learning resources
• Supplies
• Application fee
• Examination fees
• Utah licensing fees
• Other required personal expenses

RACE publishes current tuition and program costs on its individual program pages.

Costs are subject to change, so the enrollment agreement and current program information should be used rather than older blog pricing.

Step 5: Review Financial Aid and Payment Options

RACE offers several ways students may finance their education.

Available options can include:

• Federal Student Aid for eligible students in eligible programs
• Private education financing
• Scholarships
• Veteran education benefits where applicable
• State or rehabilitation funding
• Personal payment plans

Is Federal Student Aid Available for Every RACE Program?

No.

This is an important distinction.

Some RACE programs are not eligible for federal student aid.

Federal Student Aid eligibility depends on both the student and the educational program.

For example, RACE’s current 300-hour Nail Technology program is not eligible for Federal Student Aid.

Prospective students should speak directly with RACE’s Financial Aid team about the specific program they are considering rather than assuming Financial Aid available for one program applies to another.

Financial Aid is available to those who qualify in eligible programs.

Should You Complete the FAFSA?

Students considering an eligible program may want to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to determine whether they qualify for federal student aid.

RACE’s current Federal School Code is:

041530

Submitting the FAFSA does not guarantee aid, and program eligibility still matters.

RACE’s Financial Aid team can help prospective students understand the process and the options applicable to their program.

Does RACE Offer Payment Plans?

RACE offers monthly personal payment-plan options.

Payment arrangements can vary based on the program, total amount financed, and individual circumstances.

Students considering Nail Technology, Lash & Brow Technology, or another program should review the current payment options available for that specific program with Admissions or Student Accounts.

Step 6: Submit Your Enrollment Documentation

Once you choose a program and decide you want to move forward, your Enrollment Advisor will help you complete the required paperwork.

That may include:

• Enrollment application and forms
• Secondary-education documentation
• Proof of age or identity
• Program-specific documents
• Financial arrangements
• Financial Aid documentation when applicable
• Other records based on your individual situation

The purpose of the enrollment process is to make sure you understand your program, costs, schedule, and responsibilities before your first day.

Step 7: Choose Your Start Date

RACE programs begin at different times throughout the year.

Admissions can help you review:

• Upcoming program starts
• Available seats
• Day schedules
• Evening schedules
• Full-time options
• Part-time options
• Orientation dates
• Estimated completion ranges

Start dates are subject to availability and can change.

Applying early can give you more time to complete documentation, Financial Aid, payment arrangements, and preparation before class begins.

What If You Have Previous Beauty-School Hours?

RACE accepts transfer students and evaluates prior education individually.

Students seeking transfer credit should provide an official transcript from the previous school documenting completed hours.

RACE evaluates qualifying prior training to determine how many hours may be accepted toward the current program.

Approved transfer hours are deducted from the applicable program requirement, and RACE contracts the student for the remaining education.

Transferability is not automatic.

Each applicant’s training, documentation, curriculum, and applicable licensing requirements must be reviewed individually.

What Happens After You Start Beauty School?

Enrollment is only the beginning.

Students progress through a combination of:

• Classroom education
• Distance education where applicable
• Practical training
• Skills development
• Supervised client experience
• Academic assignments
• Practical requirements
• Licensing preparation
• Career and business education

Your specific experience depends on the program.

Beauty education is hands-on, so consistent participation matters.

How Important Is Attendance?

Very.

Beauty programs are measured in required hours, which means missed training can affect your anticipated graduation date.

Choosing a schedule you can realistically attend is one of the most important decisions you can make before enrolling.

Consider:

• Work schedule
• Childcare
• Transportation
• Family responsibilities
• Distance-education expectations
• Commute
• Other commitments

The fastest schedule is not necessarily the best schedule.

The better schedule is one you can consistently maintain.

Does RACE Offer Hybrid Beauty School?

RACE offers approved distance education for eligible portions of several programs.

Hybrid education allows certain coursework to be completed away from campus while students continue hands-on education on campus.

It does not mean beauty school can be completed entirely online.

Professional beauty training requires hands-on skill development.

The amount of approved distance education varies by program, so students should review the current program page for the exact breakdown.

What Happens After Graduation?

Graduation and professional licensing are separate steps.

After successfully completing the applicable program, graduates must satisfy the licensing requirements established by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) for their particular credential.

Requirements can include:

• Completing required education and service counts
• Submitting an application
• Paying applicable fees
• Meeting examination requirements established for the credential

Not every Utah beauty license uses exactly the same examination process.

Testing providers, procedures, fees, and requirements can also change.

Students approaching graduation should use current DOPL information rather than relying on older articles describing a specific exam vendor or testing format.

Does RACE Prepare Students for Licensing?

Yes.

Licensing preparation is incorporated into RACE’s professional education programs.

Support may include:

• Theory review
• Practical skill development
• Mock testing
• Licensing-readiness preparation
• Instructor feedback
• Student advisement

The goal is to help students understand what is expected as they move from school into the professional licensing process.

What Should You Ask During a Campus Tour?

A tour is a good time to ask questions that go beyond the website.

Consider asking:

What program best matches the services I want to perform?

Discuss the difference between broad programs and specialized pathways.

What schedule would I actually attend?

Compare weekly hours and campus requirements.

How much of the program is hands-on?

Ask about practical education and client experience.

Does the program include distance education?

Understand which hours may be completed remotely.

What does the full program cost?

Review tuition, kit, fees, and other required expenses.

Is my program eligible for Federal Student Aid?

Do not assume every program has the same eligibility.

What licensing credential will I pursue?

Understand whether the program prepares you for a professional license and what that scope allows.

How does RACE support students who fall behind?

Ask about advisement, attendance support, academic progress, and practical preparation.

What happens after graduation?

Understand the path from graduation to licensing.

Is Beauty School the Same as Getting Licensed?

No.

Beauty school provides the required education for a licensing pathway.

Completing school does not automatically issue your professional license.

The general path is:

Choose a Program → Enroll → Complete Required Education → Graduate → Complete Utah Licensing Requirements → Receive Your Professional Credential

Understanding that distinction before starting can make the process much clearer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to enroll at RACE?

Applicants generally provide proof of secondary education and proof of age or identity. Additional documentation may be required depending on individual circumstances or program selection.

Does RACE accept homeschool students?

Applicable state-issued homeschool completion documentation may be accepted. Individual records should be reviewed by Admissions.

Can high school students attend RACE?

High school students may enroll through an approved Training Agreement established with the applicable high school and/or school district.

Does RACE accept foreign diplomas?

Foreign secondary-school credentials require appropriate evaluation and, when necessary, English translation showing equivalency to a U.S. high school diploma.

What programs does RACE currently offer?

RACE currently offers:

• Cosmetology
• Hair Design
• Master Esthetics
• Nail Technology
• Lash & Brow Technology

Does RACE still offer Basic Esthetics?

No. RACE does not currently enroll new students into the former 600-hour Basic Esthetics program.

Does every RACE program qualify for Federal Student Aid?

No. Federal Student Aid is available only to those who qualify in eligible programs. Some RACE programs are not federally aid eligible.

Can I attend beauty school part-time?

RACE offers part-time options for several programs. Available schedules vary by program and enrollment period.

Does RACE have evening programs?

Selected programs have evening options. Current availability should be confirmed with Admissions.

Does RACE offer online beauty school?

Not entirely. Approved distance education is available for eligible coursework in certain programs, while required hands-on training is completed on campus.

What happens after I graduate?

Graduates complete the applicable Utah licensing requirements for their professional credential.

Start Your Enrollment Journey at RACE

Renaissance Academie offers five professional beauty education pathways at our campus in Provo, Utah:

Cosmetology — 1,250 hours
Hair Design — 1,000 hours
Master Esthetics — 1,200 hours
Nail Technology — 300 hours
Lash & Brow Technology — 270 hours

If you are not sure which program or schedule fits you best, you do not have to figure it out alone.

Schedule a campus tour to explore RACE, meet the Admissions team, compare programs, review schedules and costs, discuss Financial Aid and payment options, and get a personalized enrollment checklist.

Starting beauty school is a major decision.

The goal of Admissions should be to help you understand exactly what you are choosing before you begin.

Program requirements, schedules, costs, Financial Aid eligibility, licensing requirements, and start dates may change. Prospective students should use current RACE program information, their enrollment agreement, and Utah DOPL requirements when making enrollment and licensing decisions.