Idaho offers a competitive marketplace where you can establish yourself as an independent beauty professional in the specialty of your choosing.
According to the Idaho Department of Labor Market Information, the number of jobs for personal care and service professionals – which include salon professionals – is projected to grow by 22.7 percent over the decade leading up to 2022.
This same agency also identifies a bright future for specific beauty professionals working in Idaho over this same time frame:
- Skincare specialist positions are projected to increase by 35.2 percent
- Nail technician positions are projected to increase by 13.9 percent
- Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologist positions are projected to grow by 9.8 percent
To work as a beauty professional in Idaho you will need to be credentialed through the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses. The Bureau works with the Idaho Board of Cosmetology to issue all beauty professional licenses with the exception barber licenses, which are issued by the Bureau in cooperation with the Idaho Board of Barber Examiners.
Becoming a Cosmetologist in Idaho
As a cosmetologist you will be able to provide a range of specialized services to your clients, though most cosmetologists focus on providing hair care and hairstyling service.
The full suite of services you could provide includes these among many others:
- Hairdressing and styling
- Manicures and pedicures
- Skincare
- Makeup artistry
Cosmetology Schools in Idaho
To be eligible for a cosmetology license you must complete one of these education options:
- Graduate from a beauty college that offers a curriculum that is at least 2,000 hours in length
- Complete a cosmetology apprenticeship that is at least 4,000 hours in length
The subjects you will study as you complete your beauty school education or apprenticeship include:
- Haircutting and hair styling techniques
- Manicures and pedicures
- Makeup application
- Skin care and related products
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Chemistry and electricity
- Sanitation, disinfection, and safety
Cosmetology Examinations
You will also need to pass two examinations to earn your license, both of which are managed by the testing company DL Roope Administrations:
Cosmetologist Jobs in Idaho
As a licensed cosmetologist you will have the greatest potential for finding jobs in a variety of beauty fields, compared with all other licensed beauty professionals. This can include:
- Hair salons
- Beauty spas and salons
- Nail shops
- Cosmetic companies
- Specialty skincare businesses
- Companies looking to hire makeup artists, such as film and performing arts professionals
For example, as a cosmetologist working in a place like Spa Urbana in Boise you can offer several services the spa uses to cater to its clients such as organic facial treatments, body or facial hair waxing, the Urbana Manicure, and eyelash extensions. Your employability will be increased as a professional with a multitude of skills.
As a cosmetologist you can always also decide to open up your own spa or salon and go into business for yourself.
Becoming a Haircutting Professional in Idaho
As a haircutting professional you can dazzle your clients with services that include:
- Haircutting and shaping
- Wet styling, thermal styling, finger waving, and braiding
- Hair cleaning
Haircutting Schools in Idaho
To earn your license you will need to graduate from an approved school that offers a haircutting curriculum of at least 900 hours. This will include the study of:
- Essentials of shampooing and conditioning
- Hair styling and cutting techniques and tools
- Creative hair styling methods
- Sanitation and safety
Haircutting Examinations
You will need to pass two examinations to earn your haircutting license. These are both offered by the testing company DL Roope Administrations:
Employment Opportunities
As a professional haircutting specialist you will have your choice of opening up your own salon or going to work for one of Idaho’s respected establishments, such as:
- Graeber and Company Salon and Spa in Boise
- Panache Hair Studio and Day Spa in Boise
- Liquid Hair Salon in Idaho Falls
- Madril Hair Design in Boise
- Hair Studio in Pocatello
Becoming a Nail Technician in Idaho
As a nail technician you will be able to provide your clients with services that include:
- Manicure and pedicure services
- Nail wraps and repairs
- Advanced nail styling
Nail Technician Schools in Idaho
To earn your license you will need to complete one of these pathways:
- Graduate from an approved school that offers 400 hours of nail technology curriculum
- Complete an apprenticeship that is at least 800 hours in length
As you complete your education you will study subjects like:
- Essentials of basic pedicures and manicures
- Nail formation and form
- Finished tip applications
- Nail wrapping and mending procedures
- Sanitation and disinfection
Nail Technician Examinations
Before you can be eligible for a license you will need to pass these two exams, which are both offered through the testing company DL Roope Administrations:
Nail Technician Employers
As a nail technician with a fresh license in your hand you can start seeking your fortune from prospective employers that could include:
- Luscious Nails Salon and Spa in Boise
- Unique Nails in Boise
- Just Nails in Idaho Falls
- Luxury Nails and Spa in Nampa
- Solar Nails and Spa in Pocatello
Becoming an Esthetician in Idaho
As a licensed esthetician you can provide a variety of services that range from skincare to makeup, as well as cosmetic massage.
Esthetician Schools in Idaho
To be eligible for licensure you need to complete one of these routes of education:
- Graduate from an esthetician program that is at least 600 hours in length
- Complete an esthetician apprenticeship that is at least 1,200 hours in length
As you study to prepare for your career and examinations you can expect to cover topics like:
- Application of lotions, creams, and makeup
- Massage and manipulation techniques
- Application of cosmetics
- Esthetician machines and tools
- Eyebrow arching and superfluous hair removal
- Anatomy and physiology
- Safety, bacteriology, sterilization, and sanitation
Esthetician Examinations
To become licensed you will need to pass these two exams, which are both offered through the testing company DL Roope Administrations:
Job Opportunities for Estheticians
As an esthetician you can search for employment in several fields. These options are as diverse as cosmetic companies, beauty spas, and film production studios that are seeking makeup artists. You can try places like:
- Sherri Lynn Esthetics in Boise
- Boise Image Enhancement Centre
- Heidi Lane Esthetics in Boise
- Eternite Salon in Idaho Falls
- Opera Idaho in Boise
- Signature Salon and Day Spa in Nampa
For example, professionals working at Sherri Lynn Esthetics will provide treatments that include:
- Hydrating facial therapies
- Aromatherapy sessions
- Facial, neck and décolletage treatments
- Hydrating scalp massage
- Organic facial peels
Becoming an Electrologist in Idaho
As an electrologist you can offer your clients permanent hair removal options. To obtain this license you will need to start by completing a prescribed amount of education.
Electrologist Education
To become an electrologist you will need to complete one of these educational options:
- Graduate from a course in electrology that is at least 800 hours in length
- Complete an electrology apprenticeship that is at least 1,600 hours in length
Whichever option you choose, as you complete your education you will study subjects like:
- Galvanic, thermolysis, and blended methods of electrology
- Basic principles of electricity
- The cause and study of hypertrichosis
- Bacteriology, sterilization, and sanitation
- Anatomy and physiology of the skin and hair
Electrology Examinations
You will also need to pass two electrology examinations to earn your license in this field. These are both offered through the company DL Roope Administrations:
Electrologist Employers
As a new electrologist you can potentially find employment with any clinic across Idaho. You may recognize some of these:
- Tri-State Beauty Supply and Salon in Boise
- Silk Touch Med Spa in Boise
- About Saving Our Skin in Boise
- Soft Touch Electrolysis and Spa in Meridian
Becoming a Makeup Artist in Idaho
As a makeup artist you may find that your services are in demand in a number of different fields, ranging from cosmetic companies to the performing arts. Because the Idaho Board of Cosmetology does not offer a specific makeup artist license you will need to obtain either of the following licenses if you want to provide professional makeup services in Idaho:
- Cosmetologist license
- Esthetician license
However, you are not required to obtain a license if makeup artistry is part of your job with a cosmetic or retail company, and you are not compensated directly for these services.
Makeup Artist Employers
As a makeup artist you have the choice of potentially working in a range of industries that include stage performance, entertainment, film production, beauty spas, and cosmetic companies – to name just a few. In Idaho this includes:
- Tightline Media in Idaho Falls
- Two Rivers Salon and Spa in Boise
- Beautiful by Jessica Rene in Boise
- Blush N’ Beauty in Boise
- Idaho Falls Opera Theatre
- Rain Salon and Spa in Nampa
- Embellish Salon and Spa in Coeur d’ Alene
Becoming a Barber in Idaho
As a licensed barber in Idaho you can offer your customers services that include:
- Beard and mustache shaving and trimming
- Dressing, cutting, curling, singeing, cleansing, and arranging hair
- Toupee and hair piece services
- Applications of lotions, creams, and oils to the scalp, neck, face, or upper body
If you complete additional training and testing you can also become licensed as a barber-stylist and offer services that include perms and hair coloring.
Barber Schools in Idaho
To qualify for a license you will need to complete a course of study that includes at least 900 hours of barbering instruction. This will cover topics including:
- Haircutting
- Blow drying
- Shaving and facial hair trimming
- Working with a curling iron
- Facial massage
- Shampooing
- Hair and scalp treatment
- Hygiene and sanitation
Barber-Stylist Education
To earn a barber-stylist license your course of study will need to be at least 1,800 hours in length, and will include coverage of the additional topics of:
- Permanent waving
- Hair coloring
- Hair bleaching
Barber Examinations
The company that offers the required barbering examinations is DL Roope Administrations. To be eligible for licensure you will need to pass the appropriate written and practical exams:
- Barber Written Examination
- Barber Practical Examination
- Barber-Stylist Written Examination
- Barber-Stylist Practical Examination
Job Opportunities for Barbers in Idaho
As a new barber you can start asking around for job openings at some of Idaho’s hottest spots:
- The Lion’s Den in Boise
- Vince’s Barber Shop in Boise
- Broadway Barber Shop in Idaho Falls
- Sport Clips North Nampa
- Fred’s Reel Barber Shop in Meridian
Remember that you also have the option to apply for a license to open your own barbershop and go into business independently.