Oklahoma Hair School and Requirements

Thinking about a career as a hairdresser in Oklahoma? Look no further than this guide. Here, we’ll discuss licensure requirements in Oklahoma, what hairdressers can do in the state, and what to expect at hair school. Browse our directory of hair design schools in Oklahoma, or skip ahead to learn about the state's hair design licensing requirements and job outlook.

What Oklahoma Hairdressers Can Do

If you want to be a hairdresser in Oklahoma, you need a cosmetician or cosmetologist license. The hair services you can offer depend on the license you have.

With a cosmetician license, you can:

• Arrange and style hair
• Apply makeup

READ MORE: Learn More About Makeup School in Oklahoma

With a cosmetologist license, you can:

• Wash, cut, color, and style hair
• Apply makeup
• Perform facials and other skin care treatments
• Remove unwanted hair
• Give manicures

Hairdressers can style hair without a license when working in the healing arts or nursing industries, retail makeup, modeling and photography, or the theatre, film and TV industries.

What to Expect in Oklahoma Hair School

To earn your Oklahoma cosmetician license, you must complete 600 hours of training at a cosmetology or hair school or a 1,200-hour apprenticeship. The curriculum covers:

• Bacteriology, disinfection and sanitation: 60 hours
• Makeup application: 200 hours
• Hair arranging: 200 hours
• Establishment development: 90 hours
• Board rules, regulations and statutes: 50 hours

To earn your cosmetologist license, you must complete 1,500 training hours or a 3,000-hour apprenticeship. Your training includes topics on caring for, cleansing, cutting and styling hair, manicuring, and facials.

READ MORE: Learn More About Cosmetology School in Oklahoma

Hairstylist Exam in Oklahoma

To become a hairstylist in Oklahoma, you must take a practical and written exam for a cosmetician or cosmetologist license. You need to earn a minimum score of 75% to pass. To sign up, submit an exam registration application and pay the $35 testing fee.

Cosmetology exam topics include:

• Hairstyling
• Haircutting
• Permanent waving
• Thermal iron curling
• Chemical services
• Facials
• Waxing
• Manicuring

Getting Your Oklahoma Cosmetician License as a Hairstylist

To earn your cosmetician license in Oklahoma, you need to:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Completed 8^th grade or the equivalent
• Complete 600 hours of training at cosmetology school or a 1,200-hour apprenticeship
• Submit an exam registration application and pay the $35 testing fee
• Pass a practical and written exam with a score of at least 75%
• Pay a $25 licensure fee

Oklahoma Cosmetician License Renewal

Oklahoma cosmetician licenses must be renewed annually on the last day of the licensee’s birth month. You need to submit an application and pay the $25 renewal fee to renew.

If your license has expired for at least five years, then you need to complete 100 review hours at a cosmetology school to renew before taking the licensure exam.

Oklahoma Hairdresser Salary

As of February 2024, Oklahoma hairstylists earn $18 per hour, on average, according to ZipRecruiter reports on hairdresser salaries in the state. Hairstylists who work from home make $19 per hour, on average. Data is based on recent job listings, so it frequently changes. Freelancers and self-employed individuals aren’t included in the data.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May 2022 that estheticians—including cosmeticians—in the state earn $27,950 a year, or $13.44 hourly, while Oklahoma cosmetologists make $34,190 annually, or $16.44 hourly. Note the information is only based on reports from employers who replied and doesn’t include freelancers or self-employed individuals.

Wages largely depend on location, type of workplace, years of experience, and services offered, so it’s best to talk to hairstylists in your area to learn more about pay.

Contact the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology