How To Become a Cosmetologist in Missouri

Becoming a cosmetologist in Missouri means completing 1,500 hours of state-approved cosmetology education, then sitting for the state licensing exam through the Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. Crave Beauty Academy offers that 1,500-hour program at its Ballwin campus near St. Louis, where it can be finished in as little as 43 weeks full time or 75 weeks on a part-time evening schedule. Along the way, students train in hair cutting, coloring, texturing, makeup, skincare, and nails, and spend real time in a student salon working with actual clients under the supervision of licensed instructors.

What Does a Cosmetologist Do?

A licensed cosmetologist is trained to do a lot more than cut hair. The license covers haircutting and design, hair coloring and texturing, men’s clipper and scissor cuts, makeup artistry, basic skincare and facials, and manicures and pedicures, all under one umbrella.

That breadth is the point of cosmetology as a program: instead of picking one specialty on day one, students get a working foundation across the full range of services, plus the business side that goes with it, client communication, retail, and the basics of building a book of business.

How Many Hours Does Cosmetology School Require in Missouri?

Missouri requires 1,500 hours of state-approved cosmetology education before you can sit for the state licensing exam, and there’s no way around that number. What you can control is the schedule you complete it on.

• Full-time: can be completed in as little as 43 weeks.
• Part-time (evenings): can be completed in as little as 75 weeks.

Both timelines are the fastest a student could move through the program. Actual pace depends on attendance and how many hours you complete each week, so treat these as the floor, not a promise.

How Do You Get Your Cosmetology License in Missouri?

Licensure in Missouri comes down to four steps.

1. Finish your program hours. Complete your 1,500 hours at a state-approved school, such as Crave Beauty Academy.
2. Sit for the state exam. The Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners administers a written and practical licensing exam.
3. Submit your application and proof of education. Include the required licensing fees with your paperwork.
4. Receive your Missouri cosmetology license. Once the board approves your application, you’re licensed to work.

Full exam details are posted on the Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners’ website.

What Do You Learn in Crave’s Cosmetology Program?

Crave Beauty Academy’s cosmetology program runs on a Pivot Point curriculum, and it’s built so skills stack on top of each other instead of being thrown at students all at once.

1. Core Training. Students start with foundational technique in cutting, coloring, and safety and sanitation.
2. Experience. From there, the focus shifts to refining technique and building speed and confidence.
3. Create. More advanced services come next, including texturing, color correction, and makeup artistry.
4. Salon Life. The final phase moves students into the student salon, working with real clients under instructor supervision.

What Can You Do With a Cosmetology License in Missouri?

A cosmetology license is a starting point, not a single destination. Where it leads depends a lot on what a graduate decides to do with it.

• Salon employment: working as a stylist in a full-service salon, day spa, or medspa.
• Salon ownership: managing or owning a salon once you have built experience.
• Freelance specialization: building a niche in areas like bridal makeup or editorial styling.
• Platform artistry and content creation: demonstrating technique at industry events or building a following online.
• Product development and sales: working with beauty brands on formulation, education, or sales.
• Continuing education: pursuing an instructor license to teach the next generation of cosmetologists.

It’s common to move between more than one of these over a career, starting in a salon chair and later specializing, freelancing, or opening a business once there’s enough experience and a client base to build on.

Is Cosmetology School the Right Fit for You?

Cosmetology school tends to suit people who’d rather have range than deep specialization, and who don’t mind being on their feet and using their hands most of the day. Beyond the technical skills, creativity with color and shape, attention to detail in chemical services, the biggest difference between students who thrive and students who struggle usually comes down to communication: listening closely to what a client actually wants, then delivering it.

A business mindset helps too, since most cosmetologists eventually manage their own schedule, client base, or business. If a licensing path that includes both school hours and a state exam sounds manageable, and either the full-time or part-time schedule fits your life, it’s worth exploring further.

Where Can You Train as a Cosmetologist in Missouri?

Crave Beauty Academy’s Ballwin campus, near St. Louis, offers the cosmetology program along with career services support, resume building, portfolio review, and connections to local salons as graduation gets closer. The same program runs at Crave’s Wichita, Kansas campus too, for students weighing options across state lines.

The idea behind pairing classroom instruction with real client work in the student salon is that the jump from student to working cosmetologist shouldn’t feel like a jump at all. By the time a student graduates, the client-facing part of the job is already familiar territory.

All services in the student salon are provided by students under the supervision of licensed professionals.

Next step: Explore the cosmetology program at Crave Beauty Academy’s Missouri campus to see full curriculum and scheduling details, or reach out to admissions with questions about enrollment.

Frequently asked questions

What are the requirements to enroll in cosmetology school in Missouri?

At Crave Beauty Academy, applicants must be at least 17 years old and be a high school graduate, hold a GED, or have an equivalent. Enrollment also requires passing the school’s entrance exam, proof of education, a copy of a birth certificate or passport, a photo ID, and an application for an apprentice license to the Missouri State Board.

How much does cosmetology school cost in Missouri?

Cost varies based on the program and schedule you choose, and Financial Aid is available to those who qualify. Crave Beauty Academy’s admissions team can walk you through a specific cost breakdown and financial aid options for your situation.

What is the difference between a cosmetology license and an esthetician license in Missouri?

A cosmetology license covers a broad range of services, including hair, skincare, makeup, and nails. An esthetician license is narrower and focuses specifically on skincare, facials, and hair removal. Both are licenses, not certifications, and both require completing state-approved training hours and passing a state exam.

Is the school entrance exam the same as the state licensing exam?

No. The entrance exam is given by the school as part of enrollment and does not license you to work. The state licensing exam comes later, after you finish your program hours, and is administered by the Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.