How Qualified Does a Beauty Therapist Need to Be to Work Professionally?
Within the United States, beauty therapists are graded based on their level of education and their expertise. This is referred to as the NVQ system within certain parts of the world, although most practitioners can receive similar qualifications depending on their region. In order to become a professional, a trainee therapist will first need to attend any number of beauty schools and specialise in a particular subject.
Although uncommon, as most specialists will go on to obtain higher levels of education; it can be possible to offer services in a professional environment as soon as a level one certificate has been obtained. These types of courses are often fairly basic in nature, so most therapists will use them as a way to enter higher levels of training – or go on to apply for work with a beauty salon.
Obtaining certification
The only way to obtain certification is by attending a beauty training school. Although salons can offer experience and training to some extent; in order to be recognised nationally as a professional service provider, a student will need to complete a professional level of education. The courses can vary depending on the curriculum and specialty, but in the majority of cases levels can be broken down as follows:
- Entry level courses often last for a year and can teach the vital skills that a beauty therapist will need in order to progress in their career
- Level two and three courses are more advanced in nature and by level three, a therapist can go on to specialise in a particular range of therapies; including laser treatments, massage, facials and even Botox injections
- At level four, the therapist will be considered one of the most highly educated practitioners in their field, with less than 30% of all American beauty therapists possessing this qualification
- Once level four has been obtained a therapist may go on to sign up for a diploma, which can result in them becoming some of the most highly sought after specialists in the country
There are short courses available that can often allow a therapist to better their understanding relating to a particular subject or two – but these qualifications are considered targeted and won’t often guarantee employment with a professional salon. At the very minimum, a therapist should possess a level one certificate in order to work within a professional environment.
If they want to specialise in a particular subject, then short courses can be taken if a higher education isn’t preferred – but with more career opportunities opening up depending on the level of qualification, it’s commonplace for a therapist to pursue a greater level of qualification from the offset.