Students who enter the Cosmetology program will learn the cosmetology operator skills necessary to pass the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation examination for licensing in Texas and for successful entry into the cosmetology profession. Students also learn the skills necessary to provide excellent customer service while working in a functioning salon. Completion of this program and the successful completion of the state licensing exam will allow students to become barbers, hairstylists, manicurists, and pedicurists. ONet Online lists the cosmetologist occupation as a ‘Bright Outlook’ occupation and employment positions for cosmetologists are expected to grow rapidly in the next several years.
Odessa College offers comprehensive training programs in Cosmetology, Barbering, and Manicuring, designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to pass the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) licensing examinations. These programs prepare students for immediate employment in their chosen field, whether as a cosmetologist, barber, or nail technician.
Students receive hands-on instruction in all aspects of their profession, ensuring they are ready to meet industry standards and succeed in the beauty and grooming industry. Odessa College provides the training you need to achieve your goals.
While both barbers and cosmetologists are licensed professionals in the beauty industry, there are key differences in the services they are legally permitted to perform in Texas:
- Use of Razor: Licensed barbers are authorized to use a straight razor without a safety guard for shaving services. Cosmetologists, however, are not permitted to use a straight razor without a guard.
- Eyelash Extensions: Licensed cosmetologists are allowed to perform semi-permanent eyelash extension services. Barbers are not licensed to offer this service.
These distinctions are important for students choosing between the two career paths, as each license provides unique skills and service opportunities.
As stated in the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Laws and Rules book, Section 1603.0011 Practice of Barbering or Cosmetology:
(a) The practice of barbering and cosmetology consist of performing or offering to perform for compensation any of the following services:
(1) Treating a person's hair by:
(A) providing any method of treatment as a primary service, including arranging, beautifying, bleaching, cleansing, coloring, cutting, dressing, dyeing, processing, shaping, singeing, straightening, styling, tinting, or waving;
(B) providing a necessary service that is preparatory or ancillary to a service under Paragraph (A), including bobbing, clipping, cutting, or trimming a person's hair or shaving a person's neck with a safety razor; or
(C) cutting the person's hair as a separate and independent service for which a charge is directly or indirectly made separately from charges for any other service;
(2) Treating a person's mustache or beard by arranging, beautifying, coloring, processing, styling, trimming, or shaving with a safety razor;
(3) Cleansing, stimulating, or massaging a person's scalp, face, neck, or arms:
(A) By hand or by using a device, apparatus, or appliance; and
(B) With or without the use of any cosmetic preparation, antiseptic, tonic, lotion, or cream;
(4) Beautifying a person's face, neck, shoulders, or arms using a cosmetic preparation, antiseptic, tonic, lotion, powder, oil, clay, cream, or appliance;
(5) Administering facial treatments;
(6) Removing superfluous hair from a person's body using depilatories, preparations, or tweezers, or other devices or appliances of any kind or description
(7) Treating a person's nails by:
(A) Cutting, trimming, polishing, tinting, coloring, cleansing, or manicuring; or pedicuring
(B) Attaching false nails;
(8) Massaging, cleansing, treating, or beautifying a person's hands or feet;
(9) Weaving a person's hair by using any method to attach commercial hair to a person’s hair or scalp
Cosmetology & Barber
OC Students, Staff, Seniors 50 + 50% off 1st service only
Appointments Tues, Weds, Thurs
1-3 pm & 5-6 pm
(432) 335-6452
Services are recommended at 1:00 pm
- Hair Color - $35 - $45 extra $15
- Perms - $46 - 66 Extra $15
- Highlights - $46 - 66 Extra $15
- Hair Extensions - $40 on up
- Relaxers - $30 on up
Services are recommended at 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
- Acrylics - $20 "No Discount"
- Wax-$10
- Facial - $20 "No Discount"
- Gel Polish - $20 "No Discount"
- Manicure - $10
- Pedicures - $20
Services are recommended at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Haircuts - $10
- Shampoo & Set - $10
Frequently Asked Questions
- Admissions completed for Odessa College. Application and Financial Aid
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required from most recent college or high school diplomas. Proof of GED is also accepted.
- Submit all previous college/university/high school transcripts (Official copy to records office and unofficial copy w/application)
- Meet immunization requirements. Meningitis if under 22 years of age
- Be at least 17 years of age for post-secondary program
- Current state issued driver's license or ID
- Applications accepted: By May 1st (for Fall Term) & by Oct 1st (Spring Term)
- Prospective students will be interviewed before being accepted into the program
- To be considered for the Barber or Cosmetology program all parts of the application must be completed by the deadline listed above: May 1st for fall terms and Oct 1st for spring terms.
- Post Secondary: 30 in August & January
- Transfer students: depends on station availability
- Number of students admitted may vary by term based on program resources.
- 6 for manicurist
- Purchase TDLR permit, uniforms, supplies, kit, shears and textbooks as required by
the program (non-refundable).
- TDLR permit: $25 cash Due at Orientation
- Uniforms: 4 sets of scrubs purchased by the student (must have by first day of class color will depend on program)
- Shears: $140 cash, check or money order Due at Orientation no refunds if you decide to not pursue the program
- Kit & Textbooks: approximately $2000- $2500 at campus store in Spur building Due by 1st day of class
- Students will be expected to pay additional fees required for the State licensing written ($55 at 1000 hours) and practical exam ($76 once course is complete) license fee ($50.00).
- Liability insurance is required and is part of the college fee schedule and will be included in your tuition and fees
- Eligibility for a TDLR license could be affected by a person's criminal history. See attached form
- Attend mandatory orientation at Odessa College on the scheduled date. If you fail to attend orientation you will need to reapply at the next available date.
- Students must wear closed toed and heel tennis shoes and scrubs
- The Barber/Cosmetology program is a 2-semester full time program. Students will attend class Monday - Thursday 8-5. Students who do not maintain their hours (no more than 8 hours behind) can be removed from credit courses and will take longer to complete the program and have added expenses. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA to stay in the program.
- Night program - 4 semesters M-TH 5-9pm
- Manicuring - 2 semesters M-T 8-5
The estimated cost to the program is approximately:
- In District: $8,000.00
- Out of District: $9,900.00
- Out of State: $15,000
This estimate includes tuition, fees and supplies.
- Financial Aid and Scholarship assistance is available to Cosmetology students. The prospective student is advised to contact the Financial Aid Office at Odessa College for more information on FAFSA (Financial Aid 432-335-6429) and scholarships (Contact the Foundation Office 432-335-6648). Be advised it takes several months to hear back from FAFSA so be prepared to make payments or fill out paperwork in a timely manner.
- Promise Scholarship - pays for tuition but NOT kit or books (student will be responsible for these fees)
Practice of Barbering or Cosmetology is the practice of performing or offering the following services: coloring, beautifying, cutting, dressing, styling, etc on hair; facial treatments, nail treatments and enhancements, pedicures, and application of extensions.
Employment opportunities once licensed are available in many settings such as hourly salons, commission establishments, lease establishments, barber or beauty supplies, cruise lines, and spas to name a few.
The annual salary range for entry level Practitioner at an hourly chain salon, in the Permian Basin is $39,000. These figures do not include tips, bonuses, and commission from services or products.
High-end establishments with experienced practitioner ranges from $40,000 to $100,000 for full time. booth rentals range from $125 to $300 a week locally.
Graduates who successfully complete the program are eligible to receive a Certificate of Completion from Odessa College and take the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation written exam.
Upon receiving a passing grade on the written portion of the state exam, students are eligible to take the practical portion of the licensing exam to become a licensed Cosmetologist, Barber, or Manicurist.
Helpful Links:
- Students completing the program may go on to earn an Associate's Degree in Cosmetology.
- Students may also take crossover courses to be dual licensed; either Barber or Cosmetology.
Links
Contact Us:
Wendy Serrano
Salon Services