The Difference Between a Beautician and Cosmetologist

The Difference Between a Beautician and Cosmetologist
Houston Training Schools For Students 12/17/2022

In the beauty industry, the terms “beautician” and “cosmetologist” are often considered separate job descriptions — however, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation doesn’t differentiate the two when determining who needs to take which licensing exam. Meaning, the state of Texas does not see a difference between a beautician and cosmetologist in terms of education and licensing requirements.

However, outside of the state of Texas, the main difference between a beautician and cosmetologist comes down to qualifications and the services you’re allowed to perform. In most professional beauty spaces, cosmetologists are held to a higher standard than beauticians due to a more advanced training process and skill set. While they may be treated the same in Texas, this isn’t the case everywhere else. Regardless of where you choose to work, it’s important to be able to distinguish between the two titles if you plan to work in the industry.

Requirements

In most cases, the requirements to become a beautician or a cosmetologist are likely the same. For example, Texas cosmetology requirements state that candidates for either career path must:

  • Have a high school diploma or a GED to enroll in any cosmetology program
  • Be 17 years of age or older with a valid ID
  • Pass a cosmetology program from an established cosmetology school
  • Take and pass the state licensing exam (written and oral)

Every state will have its own requirements for the age of admittance, background education, course completion hours, and state licensing exam so be sure to research those details before applying to any beauty school.

Education

Regardless of whether you want to be identified as a beautician or a cosmetologist, you will need to attend an accredited cosmetology school in Houston and complete the full hours stated in the cosmetology course guidelines before taking the state licensing exam. These hours will vary depending on which state you choose to study in. In Texas, you are required to complete and pass a 1,000-hour course.

Although a diploma from Houston Training Schools will give you a well-rounded beauty education, not all institutes will. A big reason cosmetologist qualifications are held to a higher standard than a beautician’s is because the beautician’s education is often more basic whereas cosmetologists learn more advanced skills. If you decide to attend Houston Training Schools for cosmetology school, you will learn all that you need to prepare for your future in beauty — regardless of your title.

Skill set

What skills are needed to be a cosmetologist? Outside of great customer service and time management skills, beauticians and cosmetologists are both licensed professionals that can perform a similar set of skills. These skills can include:

  • Sanitation
  • Hair styling and coloring
  • Chemical treatments
  • Scalp care and treatments
  • Skin care treatments
  • Nail treatments for manicures and pedicures
  • And more!

However, outside of Texas, a beautician may only learn and be able to perform basic services on their clients. In some cases, cosmetologists may learn broader, more advanced techniques throughout their education, allowing them to work with a larger range of clients. For example, a beautician can perform basic hair styling, whereas a cosmetologist may be able to work with all types of hair to bring in a larger client base.

Areas of work

Because beauticians and cosmetologists are seen as the same occupation in Texas, both job titles can pursue similar career paths. Outside of the state, a beautician may only be able to work as a hairstylist or skin care specialist depending on the individual’s education and license. In most states, a cosmetology license will give you a broader range of jobs and work environments to choose from.

Keep reading: What can you do with a cosmetology license? 

Train to be a beautician/cosmetologist at Houston Training Schools

So, is there a difference between a beautician and cosmetologist? In the state of Texas, not really. Both are licensed professionals that are trained to help you look and feel your best! What matters most is not your title, but where you hone your skills: we’re talking about your education.

Before submitting all of your applications, read over these questions to ask when applying to cosmetology school. This way, you can be prepared to choose the right cosmetology school for you. Houston Training Schools is considered one of the best cosmetology schools in Houston that can provide a well-rounded beauty education. If you want to turn your passion into a career, apply online today or call 877-640-4747 to enroll in Houston Training Schools today.

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