Cosmetology Schools in Missouri

Whether you want to become a Missouri cosmetologist in metropolitan area like St. Louis or Kansas City or in a less populated location, you need to attend a cosmetology school to get the training you need.

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

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1834 South Glenstone Avenue
Springfield, MO 65804

Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology

14858 Manchester Road
Ballwin, MO 63011

(636) 394-7335
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology
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Academy of Beauty Professionals – Accredited

800 West Foxwood Drive
Raymore, MO 64083

Academy of Hair Design and Beauty – Accredited

14450 North US Highway 169 Suite E
Smithville, MO 64089

Academy of Salon Professionals – Accredited

2414 South Limit Avenue
Sedalia, MO 65301

Alternative Beauty Academy – Accredited

9415 Lackland Road
Overland, MO 63114

Antonio's Barber College - St. Louis – Accredited

6253 Natural Bridge Road
St. Louis, MO 63121

Beaumont Technical High School – Accredited

3836 Natural Bridge Road
Saint Louis, MO 63107

Black River Beauty Academy – Accredited

445 South 2nd Street
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

Central College of Cosmetology - Camdenton – Accredited

246 East US Highway 54
Camdenton, MO 65020

Central College of Cosmetology - Saint Robert – Accredited

690 Missouri Avenue Suite 3
Saint Robert, MO 65584

Chillicothe Beauty Academy and Tech – Accredited

505 Elm Street
Chillicothe, MO 64601

City Pointe Beauty Academy – Accredited

501 South Madison Street
Webb City, MO 64870

CTS Beauty Academy – Accredited

11 Patterson Plaza
Florissant, MO 63031

Current Trends Academy of Hair Design – Accredited

2966 Highway K
O'Fallon, MO 63368

Diva's Institute of Cosmetology – Accredited

3306 Brown Road
St. Louis, MO 63114

Ea La Mar's Cosmetology & Barber College – Accredited

1510 Prospect Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64127

Evolve Beauty Academy – Accredited

2 Wainwright 100
Washington, MO 63090

Fort Osage Career and Technology Center – Accredited

5000 Northwest Valley View Road
Blue Springs, MO 64015

Grabber School of Hair Design – Accredited

9833 Watson Road
St. Louis, MO 63126

Hannibal Career and Technical Center – Accredited

4550 McMasters Avenue
Hannibal, MO 63401

Hart Career Center – Accredited

905 North Wade Street
Mexico, MO 65265

Herndon Career Center – Accredited

11501 East 350 Highway
Raytown, MO 64138

House of Heavilin Beauty College - Blue Springs – Accredited

2000 Southwest State Route 7
Blue Springs, MO 64014

House of Heavilin Beauty College - Kansas City – Accredited

5720 Troost Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64110

Inspire College of Cosmetology – Accredited

509 Jefferson Avenue
Aurora, MO 65605

LA Luna Hair Academy – Accredited

134 Park Central Square Suite 100
Springfield, MO 65806

Luxx Beauty & Barber Institute – Accredited

1729 West Broadway 5
Columbia, MO 65203

Merrell University of Beauty Arts & Science - Esthetics Division – Accredited

1101 Southwest Boulevard
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Merrell University of Beauty Arts & Science - Main Campus – Accredited

1753 Woodclift Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield, MO – Accredited

3600 South Glenstone Outer Road
Springfield, MO 65804

Mitsu Sato Hair Academy – Accredited

561 Southeast Melody Lane
Lees Summit, MO 64063

Neosho Beauty College – Accredited

116 North Wood Street
Neosho, MO 64850

New Dimensions School of Hair Design – Accredited

621 Kentucky Avenue
Joplin, MO 64801

North Technical High School – Accredited

1700 Derhake Road
Florissant, MO 63033

Parkway Beauty Academy – Accredited

913 Preacher Roe Boulevard
West Plains, MO 65775

Paul Mitchell The School Missouri Columbia – Accredited

1101 Hutchens Drive
Columbia, MO 65203

Paul Mitchell The School Springfield – Accredited

3017 South Kansas Expressway
Springfield, MO 65807

Paul Mitchell The School St. Louis – Accredited

30 Maryland Plaza Suite 200
St. Louis, MO 63108

Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center – Accredited

3203 Oak Grove Road
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

Salem College of Hairstyling – Accredited

1051 Kingshighway Suite 1
Rolla, MO 65401

Second Chance Career Academy – Accredited

9222 Watson Road
St. Louis, MO 63126

South County Tech High School – Accredited

12721 West Watson Road
Sunset Hills, MO 63127

St. Joseph Beauty University of Hair and Nail Design – Accredited

2207 North Belt Highway Suite C and D
Saint Joseph, MO 64506

Summit Salon Academy - Independence – Accredited

815 West 23rd Street South
Independence, MO 64055

SweetHead Naturals Institute – Accredited

7800 Groby Road
Saint Louis, MO 63130

Tammy's Beauty School II – Accredited

1774 South Grant Avenue
Springfield, MO 65807

The Salon Professional Academy - St. Charles – Accredited

3141 West Clay Street
St. Charles, MO 63301

The Ultimate Cosmetology and Barber Academy – Accredited

10420 West Florissant Avenue
Dellwood, MO 63136-2343

Transformed Barber and Cosmetology Academy – Accredited

6025 Prospect Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64130

Trend Setters School – Accredited

835 South Kingshighway Cape
Cape Girardeau, MO 63703

Warrensburg Area Career Center – Accredited

205 South Ridgeview Drive
Warrensburg, MO 64093

Waynesville Career Center – Accredited

400 G West Lane
Waynesville, MO 65583

Z Hair Academy - Kansas City – Accredited

6306 North West Barry Road
Kansas City, MO 64154

Z Hair Academy - Lee's Summit – Accredited

232 Northwest Oldham Parkway
Lee's Summit, MO 64081
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 Missouri have to offer.

Cost of Cosmetology School Across MO

Metro Average Tuition
Kansas City $19,163
St. Louis $17,895
Columbia / Jefferson City $17,100
Springfield $16,100
Joplin / Pittsburg $14,944

Comparing Program Costs in MO

Cosmetology School Costs
Highest range: $13,673 - $21,000
Lowest range: $6,345 - $13,673
Average: $15,655
Esthetics/Skin Care School Costs
Highest range: $11,531 - $18,668
Lowest range: $4,394 - $11,531
Average: $12,007
Nail Technology School Costs
Highest range: $4,747 - $7,394
Lowest range: $2,100 - $4,747
Average: $4,245
Barbering School Costs
Highest range: $10,063 - $19,750
Lowest range: $375 - $10,063
Average: $9,504

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Missouri

Missouri Cosmetology Careers At a Glance
  • 1,500 education hours or 3,000 apprentice 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 Missouri is $36,420.
  • There is a predicted 11% job increase between 2020–2030 for cosmetologists.

Each state has its own set of requirements to become a cosmetologist. In Missouri, you'll need to meet the following requirements to begin your new career:  

  • Be at least 17 years of age
  • Complete 10th grade or have the educational equivalent
  • Complete at least 1,500 of classroom training or 3,000 hours as an apprentice
  • Apply, pay for, and pass the required board exams, including a theory exam and practical exam
  • Submit a statement that your application is true to the best of your knowledge
  • Apply for a license and pay applicable fees

While no background check is currently required, the board may deny your application if you have been found guilty or submitted a plea of no contest for serious crimes, including murder, sexual offenses, endangering a child, or similar crimes.

Missouri Cosmetology Careers

$36,420

Average yearly salary for cosmetology in Missouri

Cosmetologists in Missouri earned a mean annual salary of $36,420 ($17.51 per hour) in 2021, slightly more than the national average of $35,990.

Salaries can vary by location, business type, and services provided. For example, a hairstylist who doesn't work with chemicals in a small town will likely earn less than a cosmetologist in a high-end salon in Kansas City.

The highest-paying metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas for cosmetologists in Missouri are:

Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas 2021 Median Salary
Columbia, MO $34,140
St. Louis, MO-IL $30,100
Kansas City, MO-KS $29,710
Springfield, MO $29,690
Jefferson City, MO $29,220
St. Joseph, MO-KS $29,000
Cape Girardeau, MO-IL $28,940
North Missouri nonmetropolitan area $28,650

Table information sourced from O*Net (2022)

Additionally, the number of cosmetology jobs in Missouri is expected to grow by 11% between 2020 and 2030. Though this is lower than the national average, it doesn't factor in things like retirement or folks leaving the state.

What to Expect From a Cosmetology Program in Missouri

1,500 Education Hours OR 3,000 Apprentice Hours

Required to earn a cosmetology license

The first step to becoming a cosmetologist in Missouri is completing 1,500 hours of training through a state-approved beauty school. This training will help you learn a wide variety of skills related to hair care and styling, nail care, skin care, and health and safety.

Depending on the school you attend, you may also learn business skills, such as how to build your business through social media, client interactions, and paperwork requirements.

While the exact courses may vary, the Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners requires Missouri cosmetology schools to cover the following topics:  

  • Shampooing: 40 hours
  • Hair coloring, bleaches, and rinses: 130 hours
  • Hair cutting and shaping: 130 hours
  • Permanent waving and relaxing: 125 hours
  • Hair setting, pin curls, finger waves, thermal curling: 225 hours
  • Comb outs and hairstyling techniques: 105 hours
  • Scalp treatments and scalp diseases: 30 hours
  • Facials, eyebrows, and arches: 40 hours
  • Manicuring, hand and arm massage, and treatment of nails: 110 hours
  • Cosmetic chemistry: 25 hours
  • Salesmanship and shop management: 10 hours
  • Sanitation and sterilization: 30 hours
  • Anatomy: 20 hours
  • State law: 10 hours

To reach the required 1,500 hours of training, your school may offer additional courses related to eyebrows, nail care, or business management. After completing your training program, you should be well prepared to provide beauty services, offer great customer service, and manage your clients.

Can I Apprentice as a Cosmetologist in Missouri?

Missouri does have a cosmetology apprenticeship program.

To be eligible for a cosmetologist license via apprenticeship, you must complete 3,000 hours of training under the supervision of a licensed cosmetologist.

After completing the training hours, you must take and pass the exams required by the state and apply for a license.

Missouri Cosmetology Licensing Requirements

After completing the required 1,500 hours of cosmology training, you can apply for a temporary license before taking the required exams.

To schedule your test, visit the Prov website. Select "Schedule a Test," then "Self Registration." After selecting the test you wish to apply for, your request is sent to the State of Missouri for approval. Once your request is approved, you will receive an email with the next steps.

Missouri requires cosmetologists to pass both a theory and practical exam. The theory exam costs $88, while the practical exam costs $58. The fees are the same whether you're testing for the first time or retaking one or both exams.

The written test covers various topics, including infection control and safety practices, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and documentation requirements.

The practical exam requires you to bring a supply kit, including a mannequin, and display your ability to provide hair services, including setting up your work area and following the appropriate safety procedures.

Upon exam completion, you will receive an unofficial score at the testing center and official scores within three business days. If you fail one or both parts of the exam, you may retake them as often as necessary with no waiting period.

If you require special accommodations due to disability, contact Prov at (877) 228-3926 for more information.

Missouri Cosmetology Licensure Reciprocity

Whether you qualify for a license transfer in Missouri depends on where you obtained your original license and the training hours in your home state.

According to the state board, you may qualify for license transfer if your training requirements are at least 95% of Missouri's requirements. Applicants for a reciprocal license must also take and pass an open book state law test at the time of application.

License Renewal

2 Years

License renewal period

0 Hours

Continuing education required

All cosmetology licenses expire on September 30th of each odd year, which means you may have to renew your initial license in less than two years. The cost to renew licenses is $30.

Currently, there are no continuing education requirements for cosmetologists in Missouri. However, some employers may require ongoing education to maintain your employment. Expanding your skills is also a good way to increase your earning potential.

Contact the Missouri State Board of Cosmetology

Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners

Being involved in associations for cosmetology professionals in Missouri is a great way to build your network and client base, as well as obtaining access to a wide variety of educational resources.

With that in mind, consult these organizations.

Prov
Schedule your cosmetologist license exams, review tutorials, and get tips for the test day on the Prov website.

Associated Hairdressers Cosmetologist and Barbers of the State of Missouri
As an organization dedicated to a higher standard of education, excellence, and proficiency in the beauty industry, the group provides members with various resources, including classes, an annual conference, scholarships, and more.

Commercial_Combo_Program-Career-Geo
Cosmetology
Missouri

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