How to Become a Cosmetologist in Utah: 2026 Guide

Last reviewed: August 2026

If you’re researching how to become a cosmetologist in Utah, make sure the information you are reading reflects Utah’s 2026 licensing changes.

Beginning January 1, 2026, Utah introduced a new Cosmetology licensing structure. For students pursuing the school-based pathway today, Utah requires a minimum of 1,250 hours of Cosmetology education.

At Renaissance Academie in Provo, Utah, our current Cosmetology program is 1,250 hours and combines hands-on beauty education, supervised client experience, designated distance education, professional development, and preparation for applicable Utah licensing requirements.

Here is what the path looks like today.

Step 1: Understand Utah’s 2026 Cosmetology Requirements

Utah changed its beauty-industry licensing structure beginning January 1, 2026.

Under the current law, an applicant pursuing a Cosmetology license through a school-based pathway completes a minimum of 1,250 hours of instruction through a licensed or recognized school.

Required Cosmetology curriculum includes areas such as:

• Barbering
• Haircutting
• Chemical hair services
• Manual hair removal
• Eyelash and eyebrow technology, except eyelash extensions
• Basic esthetics
• Nail technology

This broader scope is one reason Cosmetology can appeal to students who love hair but also want exposure to additional areas of the beauty industry.

Utah law also provides that an individual holding a Cosmetology license may be known as either a cosmetologist or a barber.

Step 2: Choose a Cosmetology School

Once you understand the licensing pathway, the next step is choosing where you want to complete your education.

When comparing cosmetology schools in Utah, look beyond program hours alone.

Consider:

• Hands-on education
• Supervised client experience
• Licensing preparation
• Instructor support
• Full-time and part-time scheduling
• Evening options
• Distance-education availability
• Campus facilities
• Curriculum
• Tuition and total program cost
• Financial Aid eligibility
• Student outcomes
• Business and career preparation

Renaissance Academie offers its 1,250-hour Cosmetology program at our campus in Provo, Utah.

Students develop technical skills while also learning how to communicate with clients, work in a professional salon environment, build professional habits, and prepare for the next stage of their beauty career.

Step 3: Complete 1,250 Hours of Cosmetology Training

RACE’s current Cosmetology program consists of 1,250 clock hours.

Students build skills across several areas of professional beauty education, including:

• Precision haircutting
• Clipper cutting
• Fades and tapered cuts
• Shaving and beard design
• Hair coloring and lightening
• Permanent waving and relaxing
• Hairstyling
• Shampooing and conditioning
• Hair and scalp treatments
• Basic skincare and facials
• Makeup application
• Manual hair removal
• Manicuring
• Client consultation
• Sanitation and safety
• Business skills
• Career preparation
• State licensing preparation

This makes Cosmetology the broadest beauty-training pathway currently offered at RACE.

Step 4: Choose a Schedule That Fits Your Life

Completing 1,250 hours does not mean every student spends the same number of calendar months in school.

Your completion timeline depends on your contracted weekly schedule and consistent attendance.

RACE offers several scheduling options, including full-time and part-time pathways. An evening Cosmetology option may also be available for select start dates.

A higher weekly schedule generally allows students to complete the required hours sooner, while a lower weekly schedule can provide more flexibility for work, family, or other responsibilities.

When choosing a schedule, think realistically about:

• Work commitments
• Family responsibilities
• Transportation
• How many campus hours you can attend consistently
• Time available for approved distance education
• Your preferred graduation timeline

The best schedule is often the one you can maintain consistently.

Step 5: Complete Hands-On Salon Training

Cosmetology is a hands-on profession.

Theory gives students the knowledge behind professional services, but confidence also comes from actually performing those skills.

At RACE, students progress from foundational education and practice into supervised client experience in a professional student-salon environment.

Hands-on education can help students develop:

• Technical accuracy
• Timing
• Client consultation skills
• Service setup
• Sanitation and safety habits
• Professional communication
• Problem-solving
• Confidence working with different clients, hair types, and service goals

Real-client experience helps bridge the gap between learning a technique and performing it in a working salon environment.

Step 6: Complete Approved Distance Education

RACE’s current Cosmetology program combines hands-on campus education with approved distance education.

The program currently includes:

• 810 hours of on-campus training
• Up to 440 hours of approved distance education
• 1,250 total program hours

Distance education is used for eligible coursework and adds flexibility to the program.

It does not replace the hands-on training necessary to develop professional Cosmetology skills.

Students should always review the current program page and enrollment information because delivery formats and schedules may change.

Step 7: Prepare for Utah Licensing Requirements

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

Under current Utah law, applicants must satisfy the applicable education and service-count requirements, submit the required application and fee, and pass the examination required by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing.

Testing providers, fees, procedures, and candidate instructions can change.

Students approaching graduation should therefore use current information from:

• The Utah Division of Professional Licensing
• The current examination provider
• RACE educators and student-support staff

RACE incorporates theory review, practical preparation, and licensing readiness throughout the student experience.

Step 8: Complete the Required Licensing Examination

Utah requires Cosmetology applicants to pass the examination established by DOPL rule.

Students should review the current examination requirements as they approach graduation rather than relying on older online articles describing a particular vendor, test fee, or testing procedure.

Licensing examinations are intended to evaluate whether graduates have developed the knowledge and practical understanding required for entry into professional practice.

Preparing consistently throughout school can make the testing process feel much more manageable when graduation approaches.

Step 9: Apply for Your Utah Cosmetology License

After completing the applicable education, service-count, and examination requirements, graduates can apply for their Utah Cosmetology license.

Utah’s general licensing process requires applicants to:

• Submit the application approved by DOPL
• Pay the applicable licensing fee
• Provide satisfactory documentation of required education and service counts
• Meet the applicable examination requirement

Because applications, fees, and procedures can change, graduates should always use the current Utah DOPL instructions when they are ready to license.

What Can a Cosmetologist Do in Utah?

Utah’s Cosmetology license covers a broad range of professional beauty services.

The current statutory scope includes services associated with areas such as:

• Haircutting
• Hair coloring
• Chemical texture
• Hairstyling
• Barbering
• Facial and neck shaving
• Basic esthetics
• Manual hair removal
• Brow and lash services permitted within the Cosmetology scope
• Nail care
• Artificial and sculptured nail services

Professionals are responsible for working within their current Utah scope of practice and following applicable safety, licensing, and professional requirements.

Can a Utah Cosmetologist Work as a Barber?

Yes.

This is one of the most important changes to understand under Utah’s current licensing structure.

Barbering is included within Utah’s Cosmetology curriculum and scope of practice.

Utah law specifically states that an individual holding a Cosmetology license may be known as either a cosmetologist or a barber.

That means a student who loves fades, clipper cutting, beard design, shaving, and traditional barbering services does not necessarily have to limit their education to a narrow barbering pathway.

Cosmetology can provide barbering skills along with additional education in hair color, chemical services, styling, basic skincare, nails, and other professional beauty services.

For a deeper comparison, read our guide to Cosmetologist vs. Barber in Utah: What Changed in 2026?

What Is the Difference Between Cosmetology and Hair Design?

Cosmetology and Hair Design are two RACE programs that students frequently compare.

Both include extensive professional hair education.

The primary difference is breadth.

Hair Design

RACE’s Hair Design program is 1,000 hours and is focused on hair.

Students who know they want their education centered around cutting, coloring, blonding, styling, chemical texture, and barbering may prefer this pathway.

Cosmetology

RACE’s Cosmetology program is 1,250 hours and includes extensive hair education plus broader exposure to areas such as skincare and nails.

A simple 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.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Cosmetologist in Utah?

The school-based Cosmetology pathway requires 1,250 hours.

How long those hours take depends on your weekly schedule and attendance.

RACE currently offers multiple weekly scheduling options. Depending on the selected schedule, students may complete the education portion of the program in approximately nine months to more than a year.

Additional time may be needed after graduation to complete applicable examinations and the state licensing application process.

Think of the overall path as:

Enroll → Complete 1,250 Hours → Graduate → Complete Licensing Requirements → Receive License → Begin Your Career

Can You Attend Cosmetology School Part-Time?

Yes.

RACE offers flexible scheduling options for students who need to balance school with work, family, or other responsibilities.

Students on a part-time schedule complete the same 1,250-hour program but over a longer calendar period.

Choosing a schedule you can attend consistently can be more important than simply choosing the fastest available schedule.

Can You Attend Cosmetology School at Night?

RACE offers an evening Cosmetology option for select enrollment periods.

Evening education can be especially helpful for:

• Working adults
• Parents
• Career changers
• Students who need daytime availability
• Students who prefer a smaller evening-school schedule

Current night-program start dates and availability should be confirmed directly with Admissions because schedules can change by enrollment period.

Can Cosmetology School Be Completed Online?

Not entirely.

RACE offers approved distance education for eligible portions of its Cosmetology program, but professional Cosmetology requires substantial hands-on training.

Students must complete applicable campus education, practical training, and supervised salon experience.

Distance education adds flexibility while maintaining the hands-on experience that is central to learning professional beauty services.

Do You Need a High School Diploma to Attend RACE?

Utah professional licensing requirements and RACE admissions requirements are not necessarily the same thing.

Renaissance Academie has admissions and documentation requirements that must be completed before enrollment.

Prospective students should review RACE’s current Admissions requirements and School Catalog or speak with Admissions about the documentation that applies to their individual situation.

Students with homeschool education, alternative secondary-school completion, prior college education, or other circumstances may require individual review.

What Should You Look for in a Cosmetology School?

Choosing a school is about more than simply finding the closest campus.

Before enrolling, consider asking:

How much hands-on education will I receive?

A large part of Cosmetology is developing skill through repetition and supervised practice.

Will I work with real clients?

Client experience can help students build communication skills and professional confidence before graduation.

How does the school prepare students for licensing?

Ask about theory preparation, practical testing, and graduation readiness.

What scheduling options are available?

Make sure you understand campus hours, distance education, full-time and part-time options, and any evening schedules.

What does the entire program cost?

Compare tuition, kits, fees, and other required expenses—not just the advertised tuition amount.

What student support is available?

Ask how the school handles academic progress, attendance, practical development, advisement, and licensing preparation.

What do graduates say?

Reviews and student stories can provide helpful insight into the actual school experience.

What Can You Do After Cosmetology School?

A Cosmetology license can provide a broad foundation for several professional directions.

Depending on interests, experience, employer requirements, additional education, and individual career goals, graduates may explore areas such as:

• Hairstyling
• Hair coloring
• Blonding
• Haircutting
• Barbering
• Bridal and event styling
• Salon employment
• Independent or booth-rental work where permitted
• Beauty retail
• Product education
• Salon management
• Business ownership

Some beauty professionals eventually specialize in one area, while others enjoy providing a broader range of services.

School provides the foundation. Professional growth continues throughout your career.

How Can You Prepare for a Successful Beauty Career?

Earning your license is an important milestone, but career development starts while you are still in school.

Students can begin developing strong professional habits by:

• Attending consistently
• Asking instructors for feedback
• Practicing difficult techniques
• Treating student-salon clients professionally
• Photographing finished work
• Building a portfolio
• Learning client consultation
• Developing communication skills
• Learning product knowledge
• Understanding rebooking and client retention
• Building a professional social-media presence
• Networking with other beauty professionals
• Continuing education after graduation

Technical ability matters, but successful beauty professionals also learn how to create strong client experiences.

Why Consider RACE for Cosmetology?

Renaissance Academie offers a 1,250-hour Cosmetology program in Provo, Utah.

RACE students receive a combination of:

• Hands-on technical education
• Supervised salon experience
• Haircutting and barbering training
• Hair color and chemical-services education
• Basic skincare and nail education
• Flexible scheduling
• Approved distance education
• Licensing preparation
• Business and career education
• Student support

RACE’s current Cosmetology program includes 810 hours of on-campus training and up to 440 hours of approved distance education.

Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.

The goal is not simply to complete 1,250 hours. It is to use those hours to build skill, confidence, professional habits, and preparation for what comes next.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours does it take to become a cosmetologist in Utah?

Utah’s current school-based Cosmetology pathway requires a minimum of 1,250 hours of instruction.

Did Utah reduce Cosmetology hours in 2026?

Yes. Utah implemented a new Cosmetology licensing structure effective January 1, 2026. New applicants pursuing the current school-based Cosmetology pathway complete a minimum of 1,250 hours.

Does RACE offer a 1,250-hour Cosmetology program?

Yes. Renaissance Academie currently offers a 1,250-hour Cosmetology program in Provo, Utah.

Does Cosmetology include barbering in Utah?

Yes. Barbering is included in Utah’s Cosmetology curriculum, and Utah law states that a person with a Cosmetology license may be known as a cosmetologist or barber.

What is the difference between RACE Cosmetology and Hair Design?

Hair Design is a focused 1,000-hour hair program. Cosmetology is a broader 1,250-hour program that includes extensive hair education plus additional beauty disciplines.

Does RACE offer part-time Cosmetology school?

Yes. RACE offers multiple scheduling options, including part-time schedules.

Does RACE offer night Cosmetology school?

RACE offers an evening Cosmetology option for select enrollment periods. Contact Admissions for current availability and start dates.

Does RACE offer hybrid Cosmetology education?

Yes. RACE’s current Cosmetology program includes 810 hours of on-campus education and up to 440 hours of approved distance education.

Does RACE offer Financial Aid for Cosmetology?

Federal Student Aid may be available to students who qualify and meet applicable eligibility requirements.

Start Your Cosmetology Journey at Renaissance Academie

If you see yourself building a creative, people-focused future in beauty, Cosmetology can provide a broad foundation for the next step.

Explore the Renaissance Academie Cosmetology Program to see current curriculum, schedules, tuition and program costs, start dates, Financial Aid information, and enrollment requirements.

Or schedule a campus tour to visit RACE in Provo, see the student salon and classrooms, meet our team, and get your questions answered in person.

Licensing requirements, examinations, scopes of practice, and application procedures are established by the State of Utah and may change. Prospective students and graduates should consult the Utah Division of Professional Licensing for requirements applicable to their individual circumstances.