What does it mean for a cosmetology school to be accredited?

Beauty schools that are labeled "accredited" have met certain academic and institutional requirements established by the cosmetology school accrediting organizations. Typically these organizations comprise schools with similar training programs and curricula, and they establish consistent eligibility criteria and an index to measure beauty schools against. NACCAS is not a government agency, but the United States Department of Education recognizes their authority in accrediting cosmetology schools and beauty schools. Accreditation helps preserve the integrity and quality of education in the cosmetology field. Some of the factors that accrediting organizations look for are the cosmetology school's curriculum, quality of education, facilities, staff, and admission policies. NACCAS in particular accredits schools based on standards and criteria in a number of different areas: Educational Objectives Institutional Evaluation Instructional Staff Administrative Services Admissions Policies & Procedures Student Support Services Curriculum Financial Practices & Management Instructional Space & Facilities Student Evaluations Courses of Study & Programs The steps to NACCAS accreditation for beauty schools includes getting the school properly licensed, attending an accreditation workshop, completing an institutional self-study and having a candidate consultation visit, filling out the necessary applications and paying the required fees, and then having an initial accreditation full team visit, among other steps. Accredited schools are re-evaluated at least every six years, and they must continue living up to the established standards to keep their accreditation active. If they fall short of the requirements, they are assigned an amount of time to correct the issues. (Note that massage school accreditation follows different criteria.)

What are the benefits of attending accredited cosmetology schools and accredited beauty schools?

Being accredited means that the school meets national education performance standards established by the agency. While an unaccredited beauty school may live up to the same standards, being accredited is a reliable signal that the school has been objectively evaluated and meets high standards for quality in serving students. Attending an accredited beauty school can also improve your chances of finding employment after graduating and getting licensed, because many employers look for people who got their education at certified institutions. The primary advantage of choosing a cosmetology school that is "accredited" is its ability to offer federal financial aid resources to beauty school students who qualify . All that said, while accreditation is important to most beauty schools, there are still tons of excellent beauty schools available that are not yet accredited but are working on attaining that status.

How do I find a beauty school's graduation rate or dropout rate, and cosmetology job placement rate?

Schools are required to publish exam pass rates and job placement rates ever since the Gainful Employment laws Job placement rate typically looks at how many people are working in jobs directly related to the field of study at any point since their graduation date. This information is usually collected through surveys of past graduates, and it is reported annually to the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences . Our survey of 70 beauty schools shows that the participating schools had a 93.98% board exam pass rate. Another way to find out a beauty school's graduation rate is to request information from cosmetology schools admissions’ representatives directly. When you use this site to find beauty schools near you, an admissions representative will typically respond to your inquiry within 24 to 48 hours. When the admissions rep calls you, you can ask any specific questions you have about graduation and dropout rates. You may also wish to ask about how many people land cosmetology jobs after graduating beauty school in order to make an educated decision. You can also try contacting the licensing board for the state you're considering going to school in for more information about the graduation, dropout and job placement rates at schools in your area.

The largest accrediting agency for beauty and cosmetology schools is NACCAS, which stands for the National Accrediting Commission for Career Arts & Sciences. The agency is based in Alexandria, Virginia. In 1981, a merger incorporated the Cosmetology Accrediting Commission (CAC) into the organization. NACCAS is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an accrediting authority. NACCAS currently accredits approximately 1,500 institutions that serve more than 120,000 students nationwide. These schools offer more than 20 courses and programs of study under the NACCAS scope of accreditation – including all the cosmetology arts and sciences, massage therapy, esthetics and skin care, hair braiding, shampooing, makeup artistry, barbering, electrology and hair removal, manicurists and nail technology, and many more specific programs within the field. To contact the NACCAS directly: Phone: (703) 600-7600 Fax: (703) 379-2200 Address: 4401 Ford Ave., Suite 1300 Alexandria, Virginia 22302.

Which beauty schools are accredited and receive recognition from the NACCAS?

You can find an extensive list of accredited beauty schools that receive recognition from the NACCAS in our featured beauty schools section . Or for a list of cosmetology schools with accreditation status in your state, you can also contact your state cosmetology licensing board or use search the NACCAS list . When viewing the featured school pages for campuses on our site, look for this NACCAS logo.

What agencies may accredit beauty schools and cosmetology schools?

Other accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education include: ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges) ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continued Education & Training) COE (Council on Occupational Education) NACCAS (National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences) SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) In addition to these accrediting bodies, look for beauty schools that are members of notable professional organizations , such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) . Membership in these associations can be a strong indicator of a high-quality school that participates in the beauty community and places a high priority on networking and continuing education.

What is massage school accreditation?

The purpose of accrediting massage educational institutions and the programs they teach is to maintain a standard of quality throughout the massage and bodywork industry. It creates a core set of standards by which schools are measured to ensure that students are getting the best possible education and training to prepare them for successful careers. Schools get accredited through a voluntary process of peer review based on established educational, professional and performance industry standards. The standards for massage school accreditation are set by real practitioners and educators in the massage and bodywork business. The standards cover the curriculum taught in the institutions and the instructional methods used to teach the material to students. Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) accreditation, for example, requires a school to be operating for at least two years, legally licensed to operate in its state, offer post-secondary level training, and offer at least one massage therapy or esthetics program of at least 600 hours. COMTA also requires the school to have at least 20 graduates from the longest non-degree program at the school. To search for accredited massage therapy schools, click the “Find Schools” button below to get started.

Is your massage school accredited?

Determining which massage school to attend can be a very exciting endeavor. One of the most important factors to take into consideration when deciding which school to attend is whether or not the school is accredited by a national or regional accrediting body. Beauty Schools Directory has compiled the information below to take the mystery out of massage school accreditation for you, and to help clarify what it means to you as a future student.

Why is it important for massage therapy schools to be accredited?

The benefits of attending an accredited school are many, but perhaps the largest benefit is the confidence in the educational experience you will have when attending an accredited school. On the other hand, there are still very many high quality schools that are not yet accredited. Whichever school you choose to attend, just be sure to do your research and compare schools to find the right one for you . The benefits of massage school accreditation include, but are certainly not limited to: Having confidence in the quality and performance of the school and its curriculum, and its relevance to the current requirements of the industry. Regular examination of the school’s practices and policies. This helps identify strengths and weaknesses, and helps schools make constant improvements. A positive reputation of the school within the massage and bodywork industry, and the school’s local community. Students may have access to more financial aid opportunities, such as Federal Title IV financial aid, state scholarships and grants. Graduates of accredited massage schools may have better chances of landing jobs after getting licensed than those who graduated from unaccredited schools because of the seal of approval indicating the quality of the institution. Accredited schools are required to have a complaints and grievances policy, and accrediting agencies can be contacted as a third party to involve if necessary. Students may have an easier time seeking licensure reciprocity in other states, and transferring credits from one school or state to another.

What are the massage therapy school accreditation bodies?

Accrediting and regulatory bodies may be either regional or national organizations. They can be institutional – granting accreditation to the entire school, or they can be programmatic – granting accreditation to specific programs within a larger school. The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) is the largest accrediting body for massage schools in the United States and is also recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition to COMTA, there are numerous regional accrediting bodies in existence in the United States. There are currently 37 states, including the District of Columbia in which the practice of massage therapy is regulated. To find out if your state is regulated by either COMTA or any other accrediting body, you may contact your state's licensing board . Other national accrediting and regulatory bodies for massage therapy schools include: Accreditation Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET) Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS) National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) U.S. Department of Education Other regional accrediting and regulatory bodies for massage therapy schools include: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) The most convenient way to find accredited massage therapy schools is Beauty Schools Directory. Just click the “Find Schools” button below to get started. Make sure to select “Massage Therapy” as your program.

Beauty School Accreditation and Licensure

WRITTEN BY Kathleen Curtis | EDITED BY Emily Courtney | UPDATED ON 08/01/2022

When committing substantial time and money to beauty school training, you want to ensure you get both value and quality from your education. It’s important to choose an accredited or state-approved beauty program. For some beauty practitioners, an accredited or state-approved program is imperative; in other fields, it’s still highly recommended even if not required for state licensure.

What Is Accreditation?

Accreditation means a school’s program meets national education performance standards established by third-party accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. While an unaccredited beauty school may live up to the same educational standards, being accredited is a reliable signal that the school has been objectively evaluated and meets high standards for quality in serving students.

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How Important is Attending an Accredited School?

If you don't intend to seek licensure or licensure is not required in your state for the services you want to perform, technically, you can choose any training program you wish. That said, finding a school that holds proper accreditation or state approval can help you feel confident that you are choosing a solid program.

As you look at schools, you'll first need to determine if you need a license to practice based on your specialty area and the state you live in. If you do need licensure, the state board governing your type of beauty professional typically requires that you attend a state-approved or accredited school to qualify.

Sometimes, employers prefer to hire people who got their education at institutions that are known to offer quality education, so attending an accredited beauty school can improve your chances of finding employment after graduation.

Another reason to choose an accredited school is that the credits and hours you earn are far more likely to transfer to another school if you move or have another reason to move to another beauty school.

Lastly, accredited schools that have earned Title IV status from the U.S. Department of Education participate in federal student financial aid offerings for students in eligible programs, making them great options for learners who need help paying for their program. Note that not all programs offered by Title IV schools are automatically eligible for federal financial aid, so check with the individual school about financial aid options. If you attend a school without the Title IV designation, you definitely do not qualify for federal financial aid, so if this kind of financing is important to you, look into this carefully before enrolling in any program.

By attending a Title IV school and filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you can determine your eligibility for Department of Education-backed grants, work-study funds, and federally backed student loans.

Accreditation vs. State Approval

For regulated beauty specialties, states allow two paths for a program’s graduates to qualify for licensure: accreditation or state approval. Schools may offer programs that qualify under one or the other, or both. These paths are further explained below, but either will be sufficient for ensuring that the education you are receiving has been held to specific standards.

Keep in mind that, while accreditation can be an important signal of quality, many excellent beauty schools are not accredited but do have state approval. Such schools might be working on attaining accreditation status, or they may have decided that the process to gain and maintain accreditation is too costly.

Accreditation Through a Programmatic Accreditor

Beauty schools that achieve accreditation through a cosmetology or trade school accrediting organization have met certain academic and institutional requirements specifically for such programs. The accrediting organizations establish consistent eligibility criteria to measure beauty schools against.

Some factors that accrediting organizations may look for are the school's curriculum, facilities, quality of instruction, staff credentials, and admission policies.

For accreditation to be valid, it must be granted by an institution approved by the federal government. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes certain organizations that evaluate the quality of education provided by beauty schools. These are the main accrediting names to look for when researching prospective beauty programs.

National Accrediting Commission for Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS)

NACCAS accredits 1,500 institutions supporting over 120,000 students across the country. These schools offer more than 20 courses and programs of study, including cosmetology arts and sciences, massage therapy, esthetics and skin care, hair braiding, makeup artistry, barbering, electrology and hair removal, and manicuring and nail technology.

Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)

The ACCSC works with more than 800 institutions educating over a quarter of a million learners annually. The commission accredits non-degree-granting programs, including many beauty schools. Areas of accreditation include cosmetology, barbering and styling, massage therapy, hair styling, and manicuring.

The Council on Occupational Education (COE)

The COE currently accredits schools that serve more than 360,000 students throughout the United States and has been in operation since 1971. Some of the beauty programs it commonly accredits include cosmetology, barbering, manicuring, and massage therapy.

Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)

The MSA-CESS is an accreditor of postsecondary non-degree-granting schools. MSA-CESS accredits 2,600 systems, schools, and learning services providers throughout the U.S. and 112 countries—serving more than 1.9 million students.

In addition to these accrediting bodies, look for beauty schools that are members of notable professional organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). Though AACS is not an accrediting organization, membership in these trade associations can be a strong indicator of a high-quality school that participates in the beauty community and places a high priority on networking and continuing education.

Institutional Accreditation

Some beauty programs are offered by institutions that have received accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized regional or national accreditor. This is more common with community colleges and other public career or trade educational institutions. When accreditation has been granted at the institutional level, the programs offered by the entire institution are seen as legitimate.

A cosmetology program offered by your local community college is likely accredited at the institutional level but also concurrently at the programmatic level like an accredited standalone cosmetology school.

State Approval to Provide Beauty Education

In the case of beauty professions that require licensure, states typically maintain a board of cosmetology (or similarly named agency) that provides an application process for beauty schools looking to receive state approval. This procedure is typically less rigorous or costly than accreditation, providing a way for programs to demonstrate legitimacy without going through the often multi-year review process typical of accreditation.

Every state website and process are different, but you can review examples of state boards below to get a sense of what to look for in your area.

California
The California Board of Barbering & Cosmetology provides a list of approved beauty schools.

Texas
The Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation – Cosmetology has a search function you can use to search for licensed schools. Choose "Cosmetology Schools" under Inquire by License Type.

Georgia
The Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers utilizes a business search form where you can search by Profession ("Cosmetology and Barbers") and by License Type ("Cosmetology School" or "Esthetician School," for example) to find a list of licensed schools.

Tips for Choosing a Quality Beauty Education

When you begin exploring your beauty school options, it's essential to do the necessary research to find a program that will set you up for a successful beauty career. Follow these steps to find the education and training you need.

1. Ask About Accreditation and Licensure Status

Unless you know of graduates from the school who recently finished the program and went on to receive their licenses with no trouble, verify the school's accreditation and licensure status. For accreditation, most agencies supply a directory where you can search for the school. State boards often provide this information as well in a list.

If you can't easily find this information on the school or state website, reach out to an administrator and ask them to share these details. Ask whether the school holds accreditation and, if so, from where. Also, ask whether their programs have received approval or licensure via the state board. It’s still strongly recommended to verify this information with the accrediting body or with the state board.

2. Follow Standard Review Procedures

When looking at prospective schools, even if you aren't concerned about licensure eligibility, you still need to conduct due diligence to make sure you attend a reputable school. For any program under serious consideration, make sure you visit the school, sit it on a relevant class, review the curriculum, and ask about the professional experience of the instructors.

3. Check With Alumni

Schools will often provide contact information of former students who can talk about their experience at the school, but keep in mind that they only provide access to those who will speak highly of their education. Because of this, you should also look for alumni on LinkedIn or check with local salons to see if they employ any graduates. This will likely provide you with a better understanding of both the pros and cons of a program.

4. Read Reviews

In addition to chatting with former students, make sure you read online reviews of a school you want to attend. Most schools have profiles on sites like Google, Facebook, and Yelp where individuals can upload their opinions and reviews. You can also check the Better Business Bureau to read about any complaints against the school.

5. Consider Future Plans

Even if you currently live in a state that doesn't require you to hold a license for your beauty specialty, things could change. The state may introduce a licensing mandate, or you might decide to move elsewhere. Seeking licensure in another state could prove much easier if you attend a properly vetted school.

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Beauty School Red Flags to Watch For

Unfortunately, sometimes so-called legitimate beauty schools turn out to be run by scam artists. In one such example, a school in New Jersey misrepresented itself as a legitimate and licensed program, only to abruptly close and take the students' money and accrued credits with them.

Because of this story and more like it, it's crucial to carefully review all prospective programs and keep your eyes peeled for any concerning warning signs. These are some red flags to be on the lookout for.

Exorbitant Fees

When comparing beauty program costs, look at both state-run community colleges and vocational schools, along with privately owned institutions. Though it’s common for privately owned institutions to cost more than public institutions, the prices should not be so far out of range that there is no explanation.

High Transfer/Dropout Rates and Low Graduation Rates

It's expected that some students will drop out along the way and not finish their beauty school training. That said, unusually high rates of dropouts or low graduation rates should be major warning signs.

If you can't find it online, you can request graduation information directly from cosmetology school admissions representatives. If you're considering a school with questionable numbers, ask an administrator to justify these figures before moving forward.

Low Job Placement Rates

Schools may publish exam pass rates, licensure rates, or job placement rates, which look at how many people are working in jobs directly related to the field of study since their graduation date. Accredited schools must report student outcome data, but if you are considering an unaccredited school, you should ask about this data anyway.

While the beauty job market will naturally ebb and flow over time, a school with perennially low job placement rates is cause for concern. This could signal that the programs do not adequately prepare graduates with the skills employers look for. It could also mean graduates are pivoting to different careers rather than pursuing their original aspirations.

Ask a school administrator to explain these numbers and ask for several years' worth of job placement statistics to identify whether it's an anomaly or pattern.

Expired Accreditation or State Approval

To maintain licensure or accreditation, schools must periodically go through renewal processes. This can involve proving effectiveness in education, maintaining certain graduation and job placement rates, and meeting industry standards.

Even if a school once held licensure or accreditation, that doesn't mean it always will. If both of these are expired or nonexistent for a regulated specialty such as cosmetology, barbering, or esthetics, walk away. This is a sign that the school is not keeping up with educational standards or adequately serving students.

Note that accrediting bodies may keep track of certain programs in a probationary status. This typically means that the school’s programs are deficient on some of the metrics measured by the accreditation process, but not enough for the agency to revoke accreditation. Usually a program under probation has some period of time to demonstrate that they are once again at the standard required for an accredited program, so the accrediting body will check back in to determine if the probationary status should be dropped in favor of accreditation in full standing. Usually there is no reason to dismiss schools under probation from consideration unless you have a strong concern that the probation will not be lifted.