Is beauty and hair school still worth it? Training and licensing changes around the world

Quick answer: Yes, hair and beauty training is still worth it, as long as you choose the route and the school carefully. Rules are shifting: some US states are reviewing how much training a licence needs, and new US federal earnings tests put cosmetology programmes under the spotlight. In the UK, Australia, Canada and Europe, the routes look different again. The way to make training pay is to match the course to the career you want, compare the full cost with realistic local earnings, and keep learning once you qualify.

Every year, thousands of people decide they want to spend their working lives making others look and feel wonderful. Then the practical questions arrive. How long will training take? What will it cost? Will I earn enough to make it worthwhile?

Those questions feel bigger in 2026, because training and licensing are in the news. Lawmakers are debating hours, regulators are measuring graduate earnings, and new routes keep appearing. Here is a clear picture of what is changing, country by country, and how to choose training that sets you up for a long and happy career.

What is changing in the United States

Every US state requires barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists to hold a licence, which usually means completing a state approved programme and passing an exam, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of training hours varies widely. New York, for example, asks for a 1,000 hour approved course, while many states ask for more.

States reviewing licensing

Some states are taking a fresh look at those requirements. Iowa cut its cosmetology requirement from 2,100 hours to 1,550 in a 2023 law, bringing it closer to the national average. In 2025, American Salon reported that an Arizona bill which would have dissolved the state's Barbering and Cosmetology Board, along with seven other boards, was voted down with support from both parties. An Iowa bill that would let salons train and employ unlicensed staff, as long as clients are told, was still pending at the time.

The takeaway for students is reassuring. Licensing is being reviewed, not swept away, and a recognised qualification remains the clearest path into the profession.

The federal earnings test

The bigger story for US beauty schools is money. A federal law signed in July 2025 introduced a "do no harm" earnings test for college programmes. The US Department of Education published its final rule on 1 July 2026. Under it, undergraduate programmes must show that their graduates earn more than the typical worker with only a high school diploma. A programme that fails in two out of three consecutive years loses access to federal Direct Loans.

Cosmetology is one of the areas most affected. Inside Higher Ed reported that the Department's own estimates suggest more than 90% of cosmetology programmes would fail, and Paul Mitchell Schools cites the Department's analysis as projecting around 92%. A separate American Enterprise Institute analysis puts the figure at around 85% even after adjusting for unreported tips, and says the typical cosmetology certificate graduate earns about $27,000 four years after finishing.

Timing matters here. Under the proposed timeline, the first earnings results were due in early 2027, and July 2028 was the earliest a programme could lose loan access. The final rule also gives programmes linked to occupations where most workers earn tips at least one extra year before consequences apply, so the Department can use earnings data from the new tax treatment of tips.

Schools argue that the test misses tips, cash income and the way beauty careers grow over time, and many are working on lower fees and shorter courses. If you are planning to study in the US, ask any school you are considering how its programme is expected to perform, and what it is doing to keep costs down.

Training routes in the UK and Ireland

The UK has no national licence to cut hair, and most beauty treatments do not need a national licence either. What clients, employers and insurers look for is a recognised qualification. Some treatments, especially those that pierce the skin, need registration or a licence from your local council, and our guide on whether you need a licence for beauty treatments in the UK explains more.

The main routes are:

• College. Full time courses in hairdressing, barbering or beauty therapy at Levels 2 and 3, often free or low cost for younger learners.
• Apprenticeships. You earn while you learn in a real salon, working towards a nationally recognised standard. The hairdressing standards behind these routes were updated in 2021 to cover all hair types.
• Private academies. Shorter, focused courses, often ideal for adding a new skill such as lashes, brows or nails once you are working.

Ireland follows a similar pattern, with no statutory licence for hair or beauty and a strong emphasis on recognised qualifications and insurance.

Australia, Canada and Europe

Australia uses a national vocational training system. Hairdressers usually complete a Certificate III, very often through an apprenticeship, while beauty therapists can progress from a Certificate III to a Certificate IV or Diploma. Some states license cosmetic laser and IPL use separately, so check the rules where you plan to work.

Canada recognises hairstylist as a Red Seal trade, which means a standard that is accepted across provinces and territories. In some provinces, such as Ontario, hairstyling is a compulsory trade, so you need to be certified or registered as an apprentice to work.

Europe varies from country to country. In some countries, such as Germany and France, you need a higher level qualification before you can open your own hair salon, while others take a lighter approach.

Wherever you are, check the rules with your local regulator or training authority before you sign up. Our article on accreditation and qualifications explains how to tell a recognised course from one that may not be accepted by insurers or employers.

Cost versus earnings

Training is an investment, so it helps to look at both sides of the sum. In the US, the Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median pay for barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists at $35,880 a year ($17.25 an hour) in May 2025. It also projects 7% employment growth between 2025 and 2035, which is much faster than average, with around 80,300 openings each year.

Median pay is only part of the story. Many professionals earn more by building a loyal client base, adding services, setting prices with confidence and moving into self employment, room rental or salon ownership. Our guide to pricing with confidence is a good read once you are qualified.

Before you commit, work out:

1. The full cost of the course, including kit, exam fees and travel.
2. How long until you can earn, and whether you can earn while training.
3. Typical local pay for newly qualified staff, which you can see by browsing salon jobs in your area.
4. What further training you will need for the services you most want to offer.

How to choose a course

A great course opens doors for years. Look for these signs:

• Recognition. The qualification is accepted by your local regulator, employers and insurers.
• Real practice. Plenty of hands on hours with real clients, across a range of hair types and skin tones.
• Honest outcomes. The school can tell you how many students complete, pass exams and find work.
• Clear costs. Every fee is written down before you sign.
• Support after you qualify. Links with local salons, careers help and further learning.

Talk to working professionals, visit the school and ask to see students at work. If you are still deciding which area of the industry suits you, our guide on where to start in the beauty industry walks you through the options. For flexible learning alongside work, our guide to online courses explains what works well online and what needs hands on practice.

FAQs

Is cosmetology school worth it in 2026?

It can be very worthwhile when you choose a recognised, affordable programme and have a clear plan for building clients. Compare the total cost with local earnings and ask schools about their graduate outcomes.

How many hours do you need for a cosmetology licence in the US?

It depends on the state. New York requires 1,000 hours, while many states require more. Check with your state board before you enrol.

Do you need a licence to be a hairdresser in the UK?

No. There is no national licence to cut hair in the UK. Employers, clients and insurers look for recognised qualifications, and some treatments need local council registration.

What is the cosmetology earnings test?

It is a US federal rule that checks whether a programme's graduates earn more than people with only a high school diploma. Programmes that fail two years out of three lose access to federal student loans.

Is an apprenticeship better than college for hairdressing?

Both lead to recognised qualifications. An apprenticeship lets you earn while you learn in a salon, while college gives you time to practise in a training environment. Choose the one that fits how you learn best.

Take the next step

The industry needs skilled, confident professionals, and the right training is the start of a career that can take you anywhere. When you are ready, browse salon jobs to see what employers near you are looking for, and if you run a salon, we help you find staff who are ready to grow with you.