How To Become A Cosmetology Instructor In Michigan

If you’ve been working as a cosmetologist for a while, you may be wondering what comes next. Maybe you love helping newer stylists, you’re the person coworkers come to with questions, or you simply enjoy sharing what you’ve learned. Becoming a cosmetology instructor can be a way to stay connected to the beauty industry while helping the next generation build their skills. In Michigan, that path includes holding a current cosmetology license, completing the required instructor training, sitting for the state theory exam, and meeting the experience requirements for the type of instructor license you’re pursuing.

At Moored Beauty Schools, the Cosmetology Instructor program gives licensed cosmetologists the chance to learn how to take what they know behind the chair and bring it into the classroom.

What does a cosmetology instructor do?

A cosmetology instructor teaches students both the theory and hands-on skills they need during their beauty education. That can include demonstrating techniques, answering questions, giving feedback, helping students work through challenges, and creating a classroom where people feel comfortable learning.

But teaching cosmetology is about more than showing someone how to cut hair or formulate color. You’re also helping students learn good habits, sanitation and safety practices, client communication, professionalism, and how to keep going when a new skill doesn’t click right away.

If you remember what it felt like to be a beauty school student yourself, you probably remember the instructors who made a difference. Maybe they explained something in a way that finally made sense, encouraged you after a rough day, or helped you see how much progress you had made. Becoming an instructor gives you a chance to be that person for someone else.

What are the requirements to become a cosmetology instructor in Michigan?

Michigan has a few requirements you’ll need to meet before you can become licensed as a cosmetology instructor. If you’re exploring this path, it helps to know what the state is looking for before you enroll in instructor training.

Michigan instructor applicants need to:

• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Hold a current Michigan cosmetologist license.
• Complete the required instructor training.
• Sit for the required theory examination.
• Meet Michigan’s experience requirements if you are applying for a full cosmetology instructor license.

For the latest state requirements, you can always check the Michigan Board of Cosmetology resources. That’s the best place to find current licensing guides, application information, and exam resources when you’re ready for that step.

How much experience do you need to become a cosmetology instructor?

For a full cosmetology instructor license in Michigan, you need at least three years of practical experience in hair care services, natural hair cultivation, skincare services, and manicuring services. At least one year of that experience must be in a cosmetology establishment.

We recommend getting that experience before enrolling in an instructor program. The more time you spend working with real clients, solving everyday salon challenges, and building confidence across different services, the more experience you can bring with you when you step into the classroom.

Three years is the minimum required for a full instructor license, but there can be real value in building a little more experience before you start teaching. You may also find that working toward your instructor license changes the way you work with the people around you. If you already enjoy helping newer coworkers, answering questions, or showing someone a technique, teaching may feel like a natural next step.

If becoming an instructor is part of your plan, pay attention to where you build your experience. Because Michigan requires at least one year in a cosmetology establishment, it can be helpful to make sure you meet that requirement before spending too much time in a more specialized setting that may not count toward it.

Variety matters, too. A full cosmetology instructor license covers several areas, so your experience should include hair care, natural hair cultivation, skincare, and manicuring. Spending time across those areas can help you become a more well-rounded cosmetologist and give you more real-world examples to draw from when you are working with students.

It is also a good idea to keep clear records of your employment as you go. Let your employers know that you may be interested in becoming an instructor someday and keep copies of the information you may need to document your experience later. Former employers and supervisors may also be helpful professional references when you are ready to take that next step.

Michigan also offers limited instructor licenses for people teaching in specific areas of cosmetology, so if you are more specialized, you can review the Michigan Board of Cosmetology resources to see which path may apply to you.

What do you learn in cosmetology instructor training?

Instructor training is less about relearning how to be a cosmetologist and more about learning how to teach what you already know. Being great at a skill and explaining that skill to someone who is brand new are two different things.

At Moored Beauty Schools, Cosmetology Instructor students can explore areas such as:

• The theory and practice of cosmetology
• Teaching techniques
• How to use teaching aids and demonstrations
• Classroom communication
• How to work with students who learn in different ways
• How to guide students through hands-on practice
• Good work habits and professional attitudes
• Classroom organization and student support

You’ll have the chance to see teaching from a different side. Instead of focusing only on whether you can perform a service, you start thinking about how to break that service into steps, explain why each step matters, spot where someone is getting confused, and help them try again.

Moored’s instructor training also gives students opportunities to work with real cosmetology students in a classroom setting. That can make the learning feel much more natural because you’re practicing how to teach while interacting with the people you may one day be helping as an instructor.

How long does cosmetology instructor school take in Michigan?

Michigan requires 600 hours of instructor training. At Moored Beauty Schools, the Michigan Cosmetology Instructor program can be completed in as little as three months.

Your actual completion time can depend on your schedule, attendance, and progress through the required hours. Moored offers morning, afternoon, and evening options, which can be helpful if you plan to continue working in the beauty industry while completing your instructor education.

That flexibility can be especially useful for cosmetologists who aren’t ready to step away from their clients. Continuing to work behind the chair while you learn to teach can also keep you connected to the day-to-day experiences you may eventually talk about with your students.

Do you have to take an exam to become a cosmetology instructor in Michigan?

Yes. Michigan requires cosmetology instructor applicants to sit for a theory examination as part of the licensing process.

When you’re getting close to completing your training, you can use the Michigan Board of Cosmetology website to find the current licensing guide and exam information. The state also links to PSI, the testing provider, so you can find the most current details when it’s time to schedule your exam.

What is it really like to move from cosmetologist to instructor?

One of the biggest changes is learning to look at familiar skills through a beginner’s eyes again. After you’ve performed a service hundreds of times, some steps may feel automatic. A student does not have that experience yet.

You may need to slow things down, explain why you’re doing something, demonstrate it more than once, or find a completely different way to explain the same idea. That patience can be just as important as your technical knowledge.

You also get to watch students grow. Someone may walk into school unsure how to hold a tool or nervous about working with another person, then slowly become more comfortable as they practice. Being there for those little breakthroughs can be one of the most meaningful parts of teaching.

Can you still work as a cosmetologist if you become an instructor?

Yes, becoming an instructor does not necessarily mean leaving salon work behind. Some cosmetologists teach while continuing to work with their own clients, while others move more fully into education over time.

There can be something nice about having a foot in both worlds. Working with clients keeps you connected to what is happening in salons, while teaching gives you a chance to share that experience with students.

Your path can also change over time. You might begin by teaching part time, discover that you love the classroom, and decide you want education to become a bigger part of what you do. Or you may enjoy the balance of teaching and salon work together.

There isn’t one right way to use an instructor license. What matters is finding the mix that works for your interests and goals.

Where can becoming an instructor take you?

For many people, the classroom is the main reason to become a cosmetology instructor. But teaching experience can also help you explore other parts of the beauty industry.

Depending on your experience and the requirements of a particular role, you may find yourself interested in:

• Teaching in a cosmetology school
• Working with students in high school beauty programs
• Mentoring newer beauty professionals
• Helping with curriculum or student education
• Working with beauty brands as an educator
• Demonstrating products or techniques
• Speaking or teaching at industry events

You may already have an idea of where teaching could take you, or you may simply know that helping people learn sounds exciting. Either starting point is okay. Instructor training can give you the opportunity to explore whether education feels like the right next chapter for you.

What should you know about Moored Beauty Schools’ Cosmetology Instructor program?

Moored Beauty Schools’ Cosmetology Instructor program is designed for licensed cosmetologists who are ready to build their teaching skills. The program is offered by invitation only, and prospective students need to meet Moored’s enrollment requirements, including having a valid current cosmetology license and a high school diploma, GED certificate, or equivalent.

If you’re not sure whether you meet the requirements yet, don’t let that stop you from asking. The Admissions & Enrollment team can talk through where you are now and what you may need before instructor training makes sense for you.

Teaching isn’t the next step for every cosmetologist, but if you light up when someone asks you to show them how you did something, it may be worth exploring.

Take a look at Moored Beauty Schools’ Cosmetology Instructor program and think about what you’d enjoy most about being on the other side of the classroom. If you have questions about the program, schedule, or invitation process, reach out to the Moored Beauty Schools team. We’d be happy to help you learn more.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours do you need to become a cosmetology instructor in Michigan?

Michigan requires at least 600 hours of instructor training for anyone who begins instructor training on or after July 1, 2024.

Do you need to be a licensed cosmetologist before becoming an instructor in Michigan?

Yes. Michigan requires cosmetology instructor applicants to hold a Michigan cosmetologist license. Moored Beauty Schools also requires a valid current cosmetology license for its Cosmetology Instructor program.

How much cosmetology experience do you need for a full instructor license in Michigan?

Michigan requires at least three years of practical experience for a full cosmetology instructor license, including at least one year in a cosmetology establishment. The state also offers a limited instructor license for applicants who do not yet meet the full experience requirement.

Do cosmetology instructors have to take a state exam in Michigan?

Yes. Michigan requires cosmetology instructor applicants to sit for a theory examination. Current exam and licensing information is available through the Michigan Board of Cosmetology.

Can you still work as a cosmetologist after becoming an instructor?

Yes. Some cosmetology instructors continue working with salon clients while teaching, while others choose to focus more fully on education. The right balance depends on your goals and schedule.