Cosmetology Schools in Minnesota

Hair tutorials on YouTube, makeup tips via TikTok, and nail art trends on Instagram—if glam-obsessed social media is any indication, the beauty industry is booming. Ready to join the craze and become a cosmetologist? Minnesota may be an ideal place to earn your cosmetology license.

Browse our directory of cosmetology schools in Minnesota, or skip ahead to learn about the state's cosmetology licensing requirements and job outlook.

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1428 North McMillan Street
Worthington, MN 56187

(507) 372-2344
Programs:
Cosmetology, Nail Technology

400 Central Avenue Southeast
Minneapolis, MN 55414

(612) 331-1400
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Therapy

9749 Lyndale Avenue
Bloomington, MN 55420

(859) 283-2690
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics

8205 University Avenue
Spring Lake Park, MN 55432

(763) 717-1903
Programs:
Cosmetology, Teacher Training
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Atelier Academy – Accredited

1413 Main Street
Hopkins, MN 55343

Bloomington Career & College Academy – Accredited

8800 Queen Avenue South Suite 219
Bloomington, MN 55431

Century College – Accredited

3300 Century Avenue North
White Bear Lake, MN 55110

Embellish Beauty School

1700 Hamline Avenue North
Roseville, MN 55113

Hastings Beauty School – Accredited

221 2nd Street East
Hastings, MN 55033

Lavish Beauty School – Accredited

10 Southdale Center
Edina, MN 55435

Minnesota Brow Lash & Medspa Academy – Accredited

5841 Cedar Lake Road 200-211
St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Minnesota School of Beauty – Accredited

20186 Heritage Drive
Lakeville, MN 55044

Minnesota State College Southeast - Red Wing

308 Pioneer Road
Red Wing, MN 55066

Minnesota State College Southeast - Winona – Accredited

1250 Homer Road
Winona, MN 55987

Minnesota State Community and Technical College – Accredited

405 Colfax Avenue Southwest
Wadena, MN 56482

Minnesota State Community and Technical College

1414 College Way
Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Minnesota West Community and Technical College - Jackson – Accredited

401 West Street
Jackson, MN 56143

Minnesota West Community and Technical College - Pipestone – Accredited

1314 North Hiawatha Avenue
Pipestone, MN 56164

Model College of Hair Design – Accredited

201 8th Avenue South
Saint Cloud, MN 56301

Nova Academy of Cosmetology – Accredited

1750 Weir Drive
Woodbury, MN 55125

Nova Academy of Cosmetology - Mankato – Accredited

500 Raintree Road Suite 10
Mankato, MN 56001

Nova Academy of Cosmetology - Rochester – Accredited

5979 Bandel Road
Rochester, MN 55901

PCI Academy - Plymouth – Accredited

4315 Peony Lane North
Plymouth, MN 55446

Ridgewater College – Accredited

2101 15th Avenue Northwest
Willmar, MN 56201

Riverland Community College – Accredited

1900 8th Avenue Northwest
Austin, MN 55912

Rocco Altobelli Salon – Accredited

665 Snelling Avenue South
Saint Paul, MN 55116

Saint Paul College - Saint Paul – Accredited

235 Marshall Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55102

Salon and Spa Professional Association – Accredited

2626 East 82nd Street 340
Bloomington, MN 55425

Southwest Metro Intermediate District 288 – Accredited

4601 Dean Lakes Boulevard
Shakopee, MN 55379

Tech High School – Accredited

4200 33rd Street South
St. Cloud, MN 56301

The Atelier Academy of Beauty

1413 Mainstreet
Hopkins, MN 55343

The Salon Professional Academy - Maplewood – Accredited

3000 White Bear Avenue
Maplewood, MN 55109

Wright Technical Center – Accredited

1405 3rd Avenue Northeast
Buffalo, MN 55313
Accredited School

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.

Cosmetology Schools Near Me

Check out the Cosmetology schools these cities in Minnesota have to offer.

Comparing Program Costs in MN

Cosmetology School Costs
Highest range: $12,767 - $23,888
Lowest range: $1,645 - $12,767
Average: $16,591
Esthetics/Skin Care School Costs
Highest range: $15,088 - $21,175
Lowest range: $9,000 - $15,088
Average: $13,125
Nail Technology School Costs
Highest range: $4,608 - $5,216
Lowest range: $4,000 - $4,608
Average: $4,626

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Minnesota

Minnesota Cosmetology Careers At a Glance
  • 1,550 education hours are required to become licensed.
  • You must renew your license every 3 years.
  • 8 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
  • The average salary for cosmetologists in Minnesota is $36,340.
  • There is a predicted 17% job increase between 2020–2030 for cosmetologists.

A cosmetologist is a beauty professional who provides services meant to enhance a client’s appearance, such as hair cutting and styling, hair removal, nail care, skin care, and makeup application.

To become a cosmetologist in Minnesota, you first need to fulfill certain requirements, which include:

  • Being at least 17 years of age
  • Completing 1,550 training hours at an approved cosmetology school
  • Passing the cosmetology theory and practical exams
  • Passing the state exam on Minnesota’s laws and rules
  • Submitting a licensure application and paying the $40 application fee and $155 license fee

Minnesota Cosmetology Careers

$36,340

Average yearly salary for cosmetology in Minnesota

On average, cosmetologists in Minnesota earned $36,340 annually or $17.47 per hour in 2021. The top 10% of cosmetologists in the state made $52,350 or more.

While the projected job growth for cosmetologists in Minnesota isn’t as high as nationwide figures, employment opportunities are expected to grow by 17% from 2018 to 2028 in the state.

Salaries vary based on various factors, including the type of services offered, level of experience, and geographic location. The highest-paying metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas for cosmetologists in Minnesota are:

Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas 2021 Median Salary
Rochester, MN $29,860
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $29,730
Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $29,670
St. Cloud, MN $29,390
Grand Forks, ND-MN $29,220
Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $28,640
Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $28,590
Duluth, MN-WI $28,560

Table information sourced from O*Net (2022)

What to Expect From a Cosmetology Program in Minnesota

1,550 Education Hours

Required to earn a cosmetology license

Before taking the required cosmetology exams, you’ll need to complete 1,550 hours of training at a board-approved school. The curriculum must include the entire nail technician course, the full esthetician course, and hair services training.

The first 240 hours of your cosmetology education should comprise cosmetology theory related to anatomy, dermatology, trichology, manicuring, and chemistry. It must also include instruction on electricity and light, infection control, safety procedures, and Minnesota Statutes and rules related to the practice of cosmetology.  

Each cosmetology program varies but should include the following coursework:

  • Shampooing: 50 hours
  • Scalp and hair conditioning: 80 hours
  • Hair design shaping: 150 hours
  • Chemical hair control: 200 hours
  • Hair coloring: 100 hours
  • Hairstyling: 200 hours
  • Facials, makeup, and waxes: 200 hours
  • Manicures: 150 hours

Overall, total skill hours should total 1,130 hours, and related theory and lecture should amount to 420 hours. While students may be able to take theory-based classes online, their practical classes will be in person.

Can I Apprentice as a Cosmetologist in Minnesota?

Minnesota doesn’t currently offer an apprenticeship program for cosmetology.

Minnesota Cosmetology Licensing Requirements

You can take the required cosmetology licensing exams after completing your 1,550 training hours. You will register for these exams online through Minnesota’s testing vendor, PSI.

To earn your cosmetology license, you must pass the written theory, written practical, and state exams. A passing score is 75% or higher for each. You can take these tests as a combination exam—lasting five hours—or separately. The cost of the combination exam is $85.

The written theory exam has 100 scored items. You have two hours to complete the test, and the testing fee is $33.

The written theory exam includes:

  1. Safety and Infection Control (25%)
  2. Client Consultation and Professional Conduct (4%)
  3. Hair, Skin, and Nail Anatomy (8%)
  4. Shampooing, Conditioning, and Scalp Care (5%)
  5. Hairstyling (7%)
  6. Haircutting (12%)
  7. Hair Coloring (12%)
  8. Chemical Texture Services (11%)
  9. Esthetics (8%)
  10. Nails (8%)

The written practical exam contains 60 scored items. You have two hours to complete the exam, and the testing fee is $28.

The practical exam contains the following:

  1. Safety and Infection Control (15%)
  2. Shampooing, Conditioning, and Scalp Care (12%)
  3. Hairstyling (10%)
  4. Hair Coloring (13%)
  5. Permanent Waving (7%)
  6. Chemical Relaxing (7%)
  7. Hair Cutting (13%)
  8. Skin Care (8%)
  9. Hair Removal (5%)
  10. Nail Care (7%)
  11. Nail Enhancements (3%)

Minnesota’s cosmetology exam comprises 30 scored items, and you have one hour to complete it. The exam fee is $24. The state exam includes:

  1. General Information (15%)
  2. Licensing (25%)
  3. Practice Requirements (45%)
  4. Enforcement (15%)

On the test day, candidates must bring two forms of valid identification and can take the examinations in Vietnamese, Spanish, or English. You will receive your scores immediately after you’ve completed the exams.

If you require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you can apply online with the relevant documentation detailing your condition, requested accommodations, and medical authority’s information.

Minnesota Cosmetology Licensure Reciprocity

License reciprocity is available in Minnesota. In order to transfer your license, you need to fill out a license transfer application, and your training hours must meet or exceed Minnesota’s cosmetology education requirement of 1,550 hours.

If your license is active and hasn’t expired, you only need to submit the transfer application. If your license isn’t active or has expired, then you must complete a Skills Course through a Minnesota course provider and submit your certificate along with your application.

If your license hasn’t been active for three years, then you’ll need to attend a Minnesota cosmetology school as a transfer student and complete all remaining hours and requirements (including passing the practical exam). Once done, submit your transfer course certificate along with your license transfer application.

Active members of the military, their spouses, or veterans of two years or less can apply for a temporary license if licensed in another state. This license is valid for one year and is not eligible for renewal.

Cosmetology Specialties in Minnesota

Licensed cosmetologists in Minnesota can apply for licensure as advanced practice estheticians. The curriculum consists of 500 training hours and will teach you how to perform chemical peels, advanced facial treatments, and electrical energy services.

License Renewal

3 Years

License renewal period

8 Hours

Continuing education required

Minnesota cosmetologists must renew their license every three years before the last day of their birth month. To renew your license, you need to submit a renewal application, pay the $100 renewal license fee and $15 application fee, and complete eight hours of continuing education before the expiration date.

The continuing education requirements consist of eight hours total.

Four continuing education hours must comprise core continuing education including one hour related to state cosmetology laws and rules, and three hours related to health, safety, and infection control.

The other four hours of professional practice continuing education must cover one or more of the following topics:

  • Product chemistry and chemical interaction
  • Proper use of machines and instruments
  • Business management, professional ethics, and human relations
  • Techniques relevant to the type of license held by the practitioner

Contact the Minnesota State Board of Cosmetology

Minnesota Board of Cosmetology

Minnesota has shown rapid development with regards to the beauty industry. More are finding their niche in cosmetology’s multi-dimensional appeal. To that end, many start their journey by beginning the process through these organizations.

Minnesota Board of Cosmetology
The state board is responsible for overseeing the rules and regulations related to the practice of cosmetology in the state of Minnesota. The website includes information on licensing requirements, FAQs, applications, and more.

Beauty Certified Education Association
This non-profit offers a variety of continuing education classes for beauty professionals in Minnesota.

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