Everything You Need to Know Before Starting Beauty School in Utah

Last reviewed: August 2026

Starting beauty school is exciting—but choosing a program is a bigger decision than simply deciding that you love the beauty industry.

You are choosing what you want to learn, how much time you want to spend in school, what professional license you may pursue, how school will fit around your life, and where you want your education to take you after graduation.

If you are researching beauty school in Utah, this guide will walk you through the questions worth asking before you enroll.

At Renaissance Academie in Provo, Utah, students can currently choose from five focused 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 to consider before choosing your beauty-school path.

1. Start by Deciding What You Actually Love About Beauty

Before comparing tuition or schedules, ask yourself:

What services would I actually be excited to perform every day?

Maybe you love hair color and transformations.

Maybe skincare fascinates you.

Maybe you can spend hours creating detailed nail art.

Maybe lashes and brows are already the services you cannot stop watching and practicing.

Or maybe you love a little bit of everything and want broader beauty training.

That first question can make choosing a program much easier.

2. Understand the Five Programs RACE Currently Offers

Renaissance Academie currently offers five professional beauty education pathways at our Provo campus.

Cosmetology — 1,250 Hours

Cosmetology provides the broadest beauty education currently offered at RACE.

Students receive extensive hair education while also gaining experience with additional beauty disciplines.

Training may include:

• Haircutting
• Barbering fundamentals
• Hair coloring and blonding
• Styling
• Chemical texture
• Basic skincare
• Makeup
• Nail care
• Manual hair removal
• Client consultation
• Business and career development
• Utah licensing preparation

Cosmetology may be right for you if: you love hair but also want broader exposure to skin, nails, and other beauty services.

Hair Design — 1,000 Hours

Hair Design is designed for students whose passion is all things hair.

Training may include:

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

Hair Design may be right for you if: you already know that cutting, coloring, styling, blonding, barbering, and professional hair services are where you want to focus.

Master Esthetics — 1,200 Hours

Master Esthetics is RACE’s comprehensive professional skincare pathway.

Training may include:

• Skin analysis
• Professional facial treatments
• Hair removal
• Advanced exfoliation
• Chemical peels
• Microdermabrasion
• Dermaplaning
• Advanced esthetics equipment and modalities
• Body treatments
• Lash and brow services
• Product science
• Safety and infection control
• Client consultation
• Business and career development
• Utah licensing preparation

Master Esthetics may be right for you if: professional skincare, advanced treatments, and treatment-room environments are what excite you most.

Nail Technology — 300 Hours

Nail Technology provides focused training for students who love creativity, detailed work, and professional nail services.

Training may include:

• Manicures
• Pedicures
• Acrylic systems
• Gel systems
• Sculpted nails
• Structured gel
• Nail enhancements
• E-file techniques
• Nail art and design
• Sanitation and safety
• Client consultation
• Business and career development
• Utah licensing preparation

Nail Technology may be right for you if: you love color, design, precision, nail artistry, and building one-on-one client relationships.

Lash & Brow Technology — 270 Hours

Lash & Brow Technology is a focused pathway for students interested specifically in professional lash and brow services.

Training may include:

• Classic lash extensions
• Volume lash techniques
• 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 love precision work and want your education centered around lashes and brows.

3. Understand the Difference Between a License and a Permit

Utah’s beauty-industry licensing structure changed significantly in 2026.

Some services now have limited permit pathways while RACE’s programs are built around professional licensing pathways.

That distinction matters.

A permit may authorize a narrower group of services.

A professional license generally represents a broader education and scope of practice.

RACE has chosen not to build its education model around limited permit-only training.

For example, Utah now offers a 130-hour Barbering Permit. RACE does not offer or promote that permit pathway. Instead, students interested in professional hair and barbering education can explore RACE’s broader Hair Design or Cosmetology programs.

Students should think beyond:

“What is the minimum number of hours I need?”

and also ask:

“What do I want to be able to do throughout my career?”

4. Think About Whether You May Ever Move

Beauty licenses are regulated by individual states.

A Utah license or permit does not automatically authorize you to practice in another state.

If you move, the destination state decides how your education and credential are evaluated.

Another state may consider:

• Your license type
• Education hours
• Curriculum
• Professional experience
• Examinations
• Scope of practice
• Whether an equivalent credential exists

This is especially important when considering a limited permit.

If you are part of a military family, expect to relocate, or simply want flexibility later in life, research professional licensing requirements before choosing the shortest possible training option.

5. Visit the School Before You Enroll

A website can tell you a lot.

A campus tour can tell you much more.

At RACE, a campus tour gives prospective students an opportunity to:

• See classrooms and learning spaces
• Explore the student salon and spa
• Meet the Admissions team
• Ask questions about programs
• Compare schedules
• Discuss tuition and costs
• Learn about Financial Aid and payment options
• Get a feel for the student environment
• Ask about licensing preparation
• See where hands-on education happens

The school you choose will become a major part of your life while you are training.

Pay attention to how the campus feels when you walk through the door.

6. Compare Hands-On Training

Beauty is a hands-on profession.

Theory matters, but confidence comes from actually performing services.

Ask every school:

• When do students begin practical training?
• Will I work with real clients?
• How much instructor feedback will I receive?
• How are practical skills evaluated?
• What happens if I need additional practice?
• How does the school prepare students for professional service timing?
• What does the student salon or spa experience look like?

RACE students build skills through hands-on practice and supervised client experience as they progress through their programs.

That experience can help students develop both technical ability and professional confidence before graduation.

7. Understand Hybrid and Distance Education

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

That does not mean beauty school can simply be completed online.

Hands-on programs still require substantial campus education and practical training.

Distance education may allow eligible theory or academic coursework to be completed away from campus while students continue performing practical education at RACE.

When comparing hybrid programs, ask:

• How many hours are completed on campus?
• How many hours may be completed through distance education?
• What platform is used?
• Are distance-education hours scheduled?
• What happens if remote coursework falls behind?
• Which skills must be completed on campus?

The purpose of hybrid education is flexibility—not replacing hands-on beauty training.

8. Choose a Schedule You Can Realistically Maintain

The fastest schedule is not necessarily the best schedule.

A schedule only works if you can consistently attend it.

Before enrolling, consider:

• Work
• Childcare
• Transportation
• Family responsibilities
• Housing
• Commute time
• Remote coursework
• Your preferred graduation timeline

RACE offers multiple scheduling options across its programs, including full-time, part-time, and selected evening options.

Available schedules vary by program and start date.

Your Admissions Advisor can help you compare current options before you enroll.

9. Understand How Program Hours Affect Completion Time

Each RACE program has a different required number of hours:

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

The number of calendar weeks required to finish depends on your contracted weekly schedule, attendance, academic progress, and completion of all program requirements.

Someone attending more scheduled hours each week may graduate sooner than a student choosing a lower-hour part-time schedule.

Instead of asking only:

“How fast can I finish?”

also ask:

“Which schedule gives me the best chance of attending consistently and being successful?”

10. Understand Admissions Requirements Before You Enroll

RACE requires students to provide enrollment documentation.

Current admissions requirements generally include items such as:

• Proof of secondary education
• Proof of age

Acceptable secondary-education documentation may include:

• High school diploma
• GED certificate
• Official transcript showing secondary-school completion
• Applicable state-issued homeschool documentation

Individual circumstances may require additional review or documentation.

Your Enrollment Advisor can provide a personalized checklist before enrollment.

11. Understand the Full Cost of Beauty School

Do not compare schools based on tuition alone.

Ask for the total program investment.

Depending on the program, expenses may include:

• Tuition
• Kit
• Books or educational materials
• Application fee
• Uniform or dress requirements
• Examination costs
• State licensing fees
• Personal supplies

RACE publishes current costs on individual program pages and reviews financial arrangements with students before enrollment.

Program costs can change, which is why prospective students should rely on current program information rather than older blog articles.

12. Understand Financial Aid Before Assuming You Qualify

Financial Aid can make beauty education more accessible—but eligibility depends on both the student and the program.

RACE participates in Federal Student Aid programs for eligible students and eligible programs.

However, not every RACE program is eligible for federal financial aid.

Other funding options may include:

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

The best approach is to speak directly with RACE’s Financial Aid team about the program you are considering.

Do not assume that because Financial Aid is available for one beauty program, it automatically applies to another.

13. Compare the Student Kit and Products

Beauty-school kits can represent a significant part of your educational investment.

Ask:

• What tools are included?
• Which professional brands are used?
• Will I keep the equipment?
• Are replacement supplies included?
• What additional products will I need?
• Will the kit support the services I will actually learn?

Good tools do not replace good education—but professional equipment can make practical training much more effective.

14. Ask How the School Prepares Students for Licensing

Graduating from school and obtaining a professional license are separate steps.

Depending on the program, Utah may require examinations and other licensing requirements after graduation.

Before enrolling, ask:

• What licensing examinations apply?
• How does the school prepare students for theory testing?
• How is practical preparation handled?
• Are mock exams provided?
• How does the school determine whether students are ready to test?
• What support is available as graduation approaches?

Testing vendors and procedures can change, so current DOPL information should always be used when a student approaches licensing.

15. Look at Student Outcomes

One of the best ways to evaluate a school is to look beyond its advertising.

Ask about measurable student outcomes such as:

• Graduation or completion
• Licensure
• Placement
• Student satisfaction
• State-board preparation

Also look at:

• Current student reviews
• Graduate testimonials
• Student work
• Alumni experiences

No school can promise what one individual student’s experience or career will look like, but transparent outcomes can help prospective students make a more informed comparison.

16. Read Reviews—but Read Them Carefully

Reviews can provide useful insight into what students and clients experience.

Instead of looking only at the star rating, read what people actually say.

Look for recurring comments about:

• Instructor support
• School culture
• Flexibility
• Hands-on training
• Communication
• State-board preparation
• Student services
• Campus environment

One review rarely tells the entire story.

Patterns are more informative.

17. Ask About Student Support

Beauty school requires more than learning technical services.

Life can change while you are enrolled.

Ask what happens if:

• You fall behind academically
• Your attendance drops
• You need extra practical support
• Your schedule changes
• You need advisement
• You have questions about your graduation timeline
• You need state-board preparation

RACE places an emphasis on personalized support, advisement, instructor feedback, and helping students understand their progress throughout their education.

18. Think About Your Career Before Graduation

Career development should start during school—not the week after graduation.

Useful professional skills include:

• Client consultation
• Customer service
• Rebooking
• Retail and product knowledge
• Portfolio building
• Social-media presentation
• Professional photography
• Personal branding
• Interviewing
• Salon professionalism
• Client retention
• Basic business concepts

Your technical education gives you the skill to perform services.

Career education helps you learn how to turn those skills into professional opportunities.

19. Compare Cosmetology and Hair Design Carefully

These are two programs students frequently confuse.

Both provide extensive professional hair education.

The main difference is breadth.

Hair Design — 1,000 Hours

Hair Design focuses on all things hair.

It may be ideal if you love:

• Haircutting
• Barbering
• Hair color
• Blonding
• Styling
• Chemical texture
• Extensions

Cosmetology — 1,250 Hours

Cosmetology includes extensive hair education plus broader exposure to areas such as:

• Basic skincare
• Nail services
• Makeup
• Manual hair removal
• Other professional cosmetology skills

An easy way to think about it is:

If all things hair are your passion, explore Hair Design.

If you want hair plus broader beauty education, explore Cosmetology.

20. Understand What Changed With Basic Esthetics

Older Utah beauty-school resources may still advertise a 600-hour Basic Esthetics program.

Utah’s licensing structure changed beginning January 1, 2026.

RACE no longer enrolls new students into the former 600-hour Basic Esthetics pathway.

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

This is an important reason to verify the date of beauty-school information you find online.

21. Ask About Start Dates

Beauty-school start dates vary.

Some programs may begin multiple times throughout the year, while smaller focused programs may have specific enrollment periods.

Ask Admissions:

• When is the next start?
• Is there space available?
• Is there a day option?
• Is there an evening option?
• When does Orientation begin?
• When would I expect to graduate based on my schedule?

The right program is only helpful if its schedule and timing work for your life.

22. Make Your Decision Based on Fit—not Pressure

Choosing a beauty school is a significant commitment.

You should understand:

• The program
• Total hours
• Schedule
• Costs
• Financing
• Licensing pathway
• Campus requirements
• Distance education
• Student support
• Career direction

before signing an enrollment agreement.

A good Admissions conversation should help you understand your options—not pressure you into making a decision before you are ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

What beauty programs does Renaissance Academie offer?

RACE currently offers Cosmetology, Hair Design, Master Esthetics, Nail Technology, and Lash & Brow Technology at its Provo, Utah campus.

How long is beauty school in Utah?

It depends on the program. RACE’s current programs range from 270 hours for Lash & Brow Technology to 1,250 hours for Cosmetology.

Does RACE offer evening beauty-school programs?

RACE offers evening options for selected programs and enrollment periods. Current schedules should be confirmed with Admissions.

Can I complete beauty school online?

Not entirely. RACE offers approved distance education for eligible coursework, while professional hands-on education is completed on campus.

Does RACE offer Financial Aid?

Financial Aid is available to those who qualify in eligible programs. Some RACE programs are not eligible for federal financial aid, so students should review their specific program with the Financial Aid team.

Does RACE offer payment plans?

RACE offers monthly personal financing/payment-plan options. Available financing may vary by program and individual circumstances.

What do I need to enroll?

RACE generally requires proof of secondary education and proof of age, with additional documentation depending on the student’s individual circumstances.

Does RACE still offer Basic Esthetics?

No. RACE does not currently enroll new students into the former 600-hour Basic Esthetics program. Students interested in professional skincare education should explore Master Esthetics.

Should I tour beauty schools before enrolling?

Yes. Touring a campus allows you to compare facilities, culture, student experience, training spaces, schedules, costs, and support before making a decision.

Explore Beauty School at Renaissance Academie

Renaissance Academie offers five focused beauty education programs at our campus in Provo, Utah.

Explore:

Cosmetology — 1,250 hours
For students who want comprehensive hair and beauty education.

Hair Design — 1,000 hours
For students whose passion is all things hair.

Master Esthetics — 1,200 hours
For students who want professional and advanced skincare education.

Nail Technology — 300 hours
For students who love nail artistry and detailed professional services.

Lash & Brow Technology — 270 hours
For students who want focused professional lash and brow education.

If you are still deciding which program fits you best, schedule a campus tour.

Visit Renaissance Academie in Provo, explore our classrooms, salon and spa spaces, meet our Admissions team, and get your questions answered about programs, schedules, tuition, Financial Aid, payment options, licensing, and enrollment.

Choosing beauty school is the beginning of a major new chapter.

Take the time to choose the education—and the environment—that feels right for the future you want to build.