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Cosmetology in Oregon
Fields of Practice Qualification Pathways
Where They Work
Authorizing Statutes & Rules
Number of Practitioners
Certification / Licensing
Written Examination
Fields of Practice
Board of Cosmetology licensees may be certified in one or more individual fields of practice:
 
Barbering
Barbering is a separate discipline from hair design. Barbers shampoo, cut, style, condition and singe (lightly burn hair ends with a lighted wax taper) hair, but they cannot provide chemical hair treatments that are allowed in Hair Design.
 
Barbers also shave, trim and cut the beard, and massage the scalp, face and neck, applying facial and scalp treatments with creams, lotions, oils and other cosmetic preparations, either by hand or mechanical appliances, but such appliances shall not be galvanic (direct electrical current) or faradic (interrupted, or alternating, electrical current).
 
Esthetics
Estheticians, formerly facial technicians prior to the passage of House Bill 2105 in the 2005 Legislative Session, provide services to keep skin healthy and attractive.
 
Estheticians use their hands or mechanical or electrical apparatuses or appliances for cleansing, stimulating, manipulating, exfoliating or applying lotions or creams and for the temporary removal of hair, makeup artistry. facial and body wrapping, and facial and body waxing.
 
Hair Design
Hair designers shampoo, cut, style, condition and singe (see Barbering) hair and apply chemical treatments such as coloring, dyeing, relaxing and permanent waves.  They also temporarily curl and braid hair as well as shave, trim and cut the beard or mustache.
 
Hair designers also massage the scalp and neck, but not the face, if in conjunction with the above services.
 
Nail Technology
Nail technicians cut, trim, clean, polish, color or tint the natural nails on hands and feet and massage, cleanse, treat and beautify the hands, arms (below the elbow) and legs (below the knee).  They also apply, sculpt and remove artificial nails.

Where They Work
Practitioners in the four fields of cosmetology work in a variety of settings, including hair and nail salons, barbershops, day spas, medi-spas, health care facilities, health clubs, resorts, and in collaboration with dermatologists and plastic surgeons.

Authorizing Statutes & Rules
Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 690.005 to 690.235 (Scroll down to find the related section.)
 
Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 817, Divisions 5-120

Number of Practitioners
How many practitioners, licensed facilities and independent contractors are there in Oregon?  Click here to find out.

Certification / Licensing
Certification / Licensing Period - Two years
 
Certification, Licensing, Service Fees - Click here to go to the Fees page.
 
Practitioner, Facility Owner Information and applicationsClick here to go to the Forms page.

Written Examination

  • Appointment Not Necessary - Examinations are conducted on a walk-in basis, subject to space availability, and given on a touch-screen computer. Appointments and reservations are not necessary.

  • Examination Hours - Examination hours at the Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA) in Salem are during regular office hours.  Note:  Applicants taking examinations for more than one field of practice should arrive between 8-9 am.

  • Location - Oregon Health Licensing Agency, Salem, 700 Summer Street NE
  • Passing Score - 75 percent or higher

  • Retaking the Examination - Failed sections of the examination may be taken at the next available date and time as scheduling allows, usually the same day.

    Applicants failing any part of the examination may apply to retake the failed section(s) three times before being required to obtain recertification of training through an Oregon licensed career school.

    Click here to learn more about the examination retake policy.
 
 
Save Gas and Travel Time -
Take Examination at Remote Testing Centers
To schedule a LaserGrade examination appointment (24-hour notice required), visit www.lasergrade.com or call 800-211-2754.  LaserGrade’s registration department is open 6 am-5 pm Monday-Friday and Saturday from 6 am-2 am, Pacific Standard Time.
 
Click here for more information on OHLA's remote testing option in partnership with LaserGrade, a wholly owned subsidiary of PSI Services Inc.
 

Qualification Pathways
There are two different routes to gain certification in Oregon:
 
Route One:  Graduation from an Oregon career school or non-credentialed from another state or country:
  1. Complete an approved program at an Oregon career school, or; submit training, education and work experience to the Oregon Health Licensing Agency for evaluation and coordination of authorization with the Department of Education in one or more of the following:

    Barbering - 1100 hours

    Esthetics - 250 hours

    Hair Design - 1450 hours

    Nail Technology - 350 hours

    Mandatory training of 150 hours in Safety/Infection Control and 100 hours of Career Development is also required for initial certification.
     
    Training may also be obtained through a competency-based school, which may not require the minimum training hours.

  2. Complete application.

  3. Have your cosmetology college submit an official transcript directly to OHLA.

  4. Pass the state written examination.

  5. Pay certification and examination fees.
Route Two:  Applicants certified or licensed in another U.S. state or other country:
  1. Complete application.

  2. Have the regulatory authority of the state in which you are currently licensed submit a currentaffidavit of licensure. The affidavit must show no evidence of outstanding disciplinary action.

  3. Pay certification and examination fees.

 
Page updated: October 01, 2008

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