Cosmetology Schools in Connecticut
When you attend a state-approved cosmetology school in Connecticut, you can expect to learn a variety of techniques in hair care and styling, skin and nail care, and other topics such as hygiene and basic business practices.
Browse our directory of cosmetology schools in Connecticut, or skip ahead to learn about the state's cosmetology licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Cosmetology Schools in Connecticut
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950 Yale Avenue Unit 20
Wallingford, CT 6492
65 Whiting Street
Plainville, CT 6062
632 Silas Deane Highway
Wethersfield, CT 6109
Branford Academy of Hair & Cosmetology - Branford – Accredited
Branford, CT 6405
Branford Academy of Hair & Cosmetology - Bridgeport – Accredited
Bridgeport, CT 6610
You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.
Related Beauty Careers
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:
Cosmetology Schools Near Me
Check out the Cosmetology schools these cities in Connecticut have to offer.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Connecticut
- 1,500 education hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- The average salary for cosmetologists in Connecticut is $35,180.
- There is a predicted 33% job increase between 2020 and 2030 for cosmetologists.
In Connecticut, cosmetologists are actually categorized as hairdressers, and they are licensed to dress, arrange, curl, wave, weave, cut, singe, bleach, and color hair. They may also perform basic skin and nail care services, and they can braid hair.
The requirements to become a hairdresser in Connecticut include:
After completing your hairdressing education, you can apply for your license online. When you submit your application for licensure, you must include an Affidavit of Hours Form from your school to confirm, a photograph, and your $100 application fee.
You may need to send any supporting documentation to the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
Cosmetologist Salary and Projected Job Growth in Connecticut
Average yearly salary for cosmetology in Connecticut
The Connecticut cosmetology industry has a bright outlook in the coming years, with a 33% projected job growth for Connecticut hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists through 2030.
Cosmetologists also make a decent living in the state. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), cosmetologists in Connecticut earned an average salary of $35,180 ($16.91 per hour) in 2021. These wages are on par with the rest of the U.S. In 2021, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists nationwide earned an average of $35,990 per year or $17.30 per hour.
Salaries for cosmetologists in metropolitan areas in Connecticut are:
| Metropolitan Area | 2021 Median Salary |
| Worcester, MA-CT | $36,970 |
| Springfield, MA-CT | $34,290 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | $30,580 |
| Danbury, CT | $28,870 |
| Hartford West-Hartford East-Hartford, CT | $28,600 |
| Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI | $28,530 |
| New Haven, CT | $28,480 |
| Waterbury, CT | $28,200 |
Table information sourced from O*Net (2022)
What to Expect From a Cosmetology Program in Connecticut
Required to earn a cosmetology license
To become a licensed hairdresser in Connecticut, you have to complete at least 1,500 training hours from a board-approved beauty school. Connecticut provides a complete list of approved cosmetology, hairdresser, and barber schools.
All beauty schools in the state must get approval by obtaining a certificate of authorization from the Office of Higher Education and the Connecticut Board of Examiners before instructing students. New schools also need to provide a letter of intent, a list of instructors, and the curriculum they plan to use.
The Connecticut hairdresser curriculum must include the following subjects and hours:
Can I Apprentice as a Cosmetologist in Connecticut?
Connecticut doesn’t currently have an apprenticeship program for cosmetologists. However, it does have a barbering apprenticeship opportunity.
Connecticut Cosmetology Licensing Requirements
You must complete 1,500 training hours and pass the written theory examination to obtain your license. Connecticut works with Prometric to administer the test, so you can sign up for the examination by registering on Prometric’s website. You have to pay the exam fee when you schedule. Make sure your name matches your government-issued ID exactly, or you may not be permitted to take the exam.
You can find detailed step-by-step instructions for scheduling your exam and the candidate information bulletin on the Prometric site.
To request Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, submit your request during the application process. Prometric must approve all ADA accommodations before you register for the exam. You should receive an email with information about scheduling your exam through an ADA Coordinator.
On the day of the test, show up at the testing center with your admission letter and two forms of valid ID. The testing center will take your photo and ask you to submit to a security wand check at the door. Leave bags, books, and electronic devices at home.
Before the test begins, expect to complete a demonstration or sample exam. The tutorial shows the functions and format of the exam, and Prometric offers information on what to expect on exam day. The exam has 110 questions, and to pass, you must receive a 70% or higher score.
After completing the test, you will get your results in the mail. Then you submit your Prometric Licensing Examination Scores to the licensing board. If you don’t pass the exam, you are automatically reregistered to retake the exam.
Connecticut Cosmetology Licensure Reciprocity
If you have a current out-of-state cosmetology license, you can apply to become licensed in Connecticut. You must have previously completed a cosmetology program and passed the state’s examination.
If your previous state didn’t require examination, you’re still eligible for licensure in Connecticut if you have practiced for at least five years and submit proof of your experience by submitting:
Applicants must also submit a photograph and the $100 fee with the online application.
Cosmetology Specialties in Connecticut
If you’re interested in working in natural hair care or braiding, Connecticut may be a fantastic location to earn your licensure. Natural hairstyling is covered in the state’s hairdressing curriculum, so you don’t need to complete an additional program or specialty.
In addition to hairdressing and barbering, Connecticut offers licensing for electrologists, estheticians, eyelash technicians, and nail technicians.
License Renewal
License renewal period
Continuing education required
In Connecticut, your hairdressing license expires every two years. You should receive a renewal notification in the mail about 60 days before your expiration date, with a final 30-day notice just before expiration. You may renew the license online and pay the $100 renewal application fee. If you fail to renew in time, there’s an additional $100 reinstatement fee.
If you are on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, you may request an exemption from the license renewal fee. You need a letter from your commanding officer attesting to your time and proof of legal Connecticut residence, such as a voter registration card.
Contact the Connecticut State Board of Cosmetology
- 410 Capitol Ave., MS # 12 APP, P.O. Box 340308, Hartford, CT 06134
- Website: Department of Public Health
- Email: dph.hairdresserteam@ct.gov
- Call: 860-509-7603
- Fax: 860707-1930
Prometric
This is the licensing examination source for hairdressers in Connecticut. Use the website to register for the examination, prepare for the test day, or find answers to your exam-related questions.
CT Beauty Association
Formed during COVID-19, this nonprofit industry association is dedicated to representing the interests of beauty professionals in the areas of policy, licensing, sanitation requirements, and funding.