A large part of your preparation to be a cosmetology instructor in Texas consists of practical hands on experience that you will have to get in the field and through various college and technical classes you will complete.
Barbering / Cosmetology / Hair Braiding / Nail Technology / Teacher Training
School Accreditation
You must attend a school that is approved by your state to provide training in the discipline you want to practice. Check with the school and the state board to be sure that your program of study will prepare you for any applicable state licensure.
During your training as a cosmetology instructor, you’ll learn how to lead students through their coursework; design lesson plans and get them ready for their written and practical exams. You will also learn how to explain more complex topics like anatomy and physiology in the ways that these topics relate to cosmetology.
Work as a cosmetology instructor is lucrative in comparison with work as a cosmetologist. In fact, instructors earn more than two times what cosmetologists earn annually. However, in Texas, becoming an instructor takes work, training and experience; whereas in other states, all that’s required is a license and a few years of experience.
Licensing Requirements for Cosmetology Instructors in Texas
To become a cosmetology instructor in Texas, you have to be 18 years old and be a high school graduate, or have completed your GED and have obtained your cosmetology license. To get your license in Texas, you must complete 1500 hours of training and pass your board exams. You can apply for an instructor’s license with a cosmetology license from another state, but you have to prove that you’ve completed at least 500 hours of cosmetology training at an accredited, board approved training program.
When are you are ready to become a cosmetology instructor, you must have worked licensed cosmetologist for at least one year and completed 750 hours in a “Methods of Teaching,” program at a licensed, vocational program, or private beauty culture school in Texas. If you have two years of experience as a licensed cosmetologist, you then only need 250 hours of training. You may also have obtained a degree in education from an accredited university or college and pass the required written exam or have completed 15 semester hours while studying education at an accredited university or college within the 10 years before applying for your instructor’s license.
Employment Opportunities in Texas
In Texas, there are many beauty schools, training programs and small colleges where you can find work as an instructor. There are also cosmetology programs offered in some high schools. According to the BLS, you can earn between earn between $35,000 and $53,000 as a beauty instructor in Texas, depending on school and years of experience. This is higher than the average of Texas cosmetologist, who earn an estimated $22,500 a year, tips not included.
In Texas, the best towns to work in the beauty industry are Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth and Houston. However, as an instructor, work in even a small town is good, because you are not dependent on clientele and tips for your salary.
