Cosmetology professionals in Wyoming work everywhere from trendy neighborhood salons, to destination spas in the elite winter resorts of Jackson Hole. Cosmetology in Wyoming is not only a field that offers flexible hours and a chance for you to express your talents artistically, it is also something you can make a living doing. Cosmetologists and hair stylists working in rural Southwestern Wyoming happen to earn a higher average salary than 92 percent of their colleagues in the other rural areas of the United States.
The Wyoming Board of Cosmetology regulates several categories of beauty professions, not least among these being cosmetologists and hair stylists – two different designations that each require their own license in Wyoming:
- As a cosmetologist you will act as an overall beauty expert, not only specializing in all elements of hair styling but also being adept in nails, makeup, and skin therapies
- As a hair stylist you will be concentrated on everything that has to do with hair, including cutting, styling, curling, and coloring
It will take dedication and commitment to become licensed, however the journey to getting your license is fun and rewarding:
 | Graduate from a Cosmetology or Hair Stylist School in Wyoming |
 | Pass Wyoming’s Required Examinations |
 | Apply for Licensure with the Wyoming Board of Cosmetology |
 | Style Your Way to Success in Your New Career |
Step 1. Graduate from a Cosmetology or Hair Stylist School in Wyoming
Cosmetologists and hair stylists must each meet a specific set of licensure requirements in approved schools throughout the state:
To Become a Cosmetologist in Wyoming
The cosmetologist education requirement consists of completing an approved school’s curriculum that is at least 10.5 months long and includes 2,000 hours of study in the following subjects:
- Theory of scalp and hair
- Hair technology and chemistry
- Application of hair technology
- Theory of nails and related structures
- Theory of nail technology and chemistry
- Application of nail technology
- Skin theory
- Chemistry and theory of skin technology
- Applications of skin technology
- Professional standards and ethics
- Wyoming state laws and regulations
To Become a Hair Stylist in Wyoming
An approved hair stylist curriculum will be at least six months in length and include at least 1,000 hours of study in the subjects of:
- Theory of scalp and hair
- Chemistry and theory of hair technology
- Application of hair treatments
- Ethics and professional standards
- Wyoming state law
Approved Hair Stylist and Cosmetology Schools in Wyoming
There are nine hair stylist and cosmetology colleges in Wyoming that are approved by the state Board of Cosmetology and located in:
- Casper
- Cheyenne
- Gillette
- Green River
- Riverton
- Rock Springs
- Sheridan
- Torrington
Step 2. Pass Wyoming’s Required Examinations
Once you have graduated from your hair stylist or cosmetology degree program in Wyoming you will be eligible to take your required examinations. You can sign up for these by completing the Exam Application Form and submitting this to the Wyoming Board of Cosmetology.
The examinations you must pass to earn your hair stylist or cosmetology license in Wyoming are offered six Sundays per year in Casper, administered by the Board of Cosmetology at the Parkway Plaza Hotel, 123 West E Street:
Cosmetology Examinations in Wyoming
Written Examination:
- Hair care and services – 40 percent
- Scientific concepts – 30 percent
- Nail care and services – 15 percent
- Skin care and services – 15 percent
Practical Examination:
- Client protection during a proper set up – 10 minutes
- Thermal curling – 10 minutes
- Hair cutting – 30 minutes
- Chemical waving – 20 minutes
- Hair coloring and lightening – 20 minutes
- Chemical relaxing – 25 minutes
- Facial – 10 minutes
- Sculptured nail – 20 minutes
Hair Stylist Examination in Wyoming
Written Examination:
- Hair care and services – 60 percent
- Scientific concepts – 40 percent
Practical Examination:
- Set up and client protection – 10 minutes
- Thermal curling – 10 minutes
- Hair cutting – 30 minutes
- Chemical waving – 20 minutes
- Hair lightening and coloring – 20 minutes
- Chemical relaxing – 20 minutes
Step 3. Apply for Licensure with the Wyoming Board of Cosmetology
Once you pass your exams the Board of Cosmetology will record your scores and issue you a cosmetology license.
Out-of-State Candidates
As an out-of-state candidate, if you can meet either of the following requirements you can be eligible for a Wyoming license:
- You graduated from a school that was recognized by your home state’s cosmetology board which included the appropriate number of education hours – 2,000 for a cosmetologist and 1,000 for a hairstylist – or your school had less than the requisite amount of hours and you can substitute for this by demonstrating one year of licensed work experience in your home state
- You took and passed the NIC written and practical examinations
To get the licensure process started via this route you will need to turn in an Endorsement Application to the Wyoming Board of Cosmetology. Wyoming does not recognize apprenticeships.
Step 4. Style Your Way to Success in Your New Career
As you advance in your career you may find it worthwhile to become an independent contractor and rent out chair space in a more established salon. To do this you will need to fill out an Independent Contractor License. Once you earn this type of license you will have greater flexibility over your working hours and get to keep all profits you make.
Eventually you may feel the entrepreneurial urge to even open your own salon or day spa. At the pinnacle of your career, a step like this can be taken once you are well established in the top of your field. To accomplish this you will also need to complete a Salon Application. You may be the owner and operator of a salon like any of the following, or maybe you will open a business with a completely different concept and style:
- Ambience Hair Salon in Laramie – ranked in Elle magazine’s top 100 salons in the nation
- Studio A Salon and Spa in Douglas
- tori in Jackson
- Bombshell Beauty Salon in Cheyenne
You can renew your license online or by filling out the renewal card at the bottom of your current license. All licenses are initially issued for one year, and thereafter can be renewed in two-year intervals, expiring on the last day of your birth month.
When considering where to start with your cosmetology or hair styling license in hand, you may find it helpful to know the spread of your colleagues throughout the state. There are a total of 490 cosmetologists and hair stylists working throughout Wyoming, distributed as follows:
- 120 in Cheyenne
- 110 in Casper
- 90 in the northeastern rural portion of the state
- 80 in the southeaster rural portion of the state