Cosmetology Schools are defined as the premises where cosmetology or 1 or more of its services are taught and must be licensed as such. Licensed schools must provide a full curriculum encompassing all specialities of cosmetological services. Cosmetology schools must comply with all of the following:

• shall maintain a course of practical training and technical instruction equal to the requirements for prelicensure training outlined in Article 12 of the Michigan Occupational Code (MCL 339.1201 - 339.1218)
• shall teach hair care services, skin care services and manicuring services and may hold a limited license for the teaching of electrology
• shall possess sufficient apparatus and equipment for the ready and full teaching of each subject in the curriculum
• shall maintain 1 person licensed as an instructor, competent to impart instruction in each subject of its curriculum for every 20 students
• shall be operated for teaching purposes only. Instructors shall practice on the public only to demonstrate techniques to students and to correct the work of students
• shall furnish the student, at the time of enrollment, a financial contract showing the total cost and all charges involved in the complete course of study
• require that a student be in attendance not more than 7 hours per day or not more than 40 hours per week
• keep a daily record of the attendance of each student, establish grades and require a student to pass an examination before certifying that an individual has completed training
• permit a student to practice on the public after completing at least 350 hours of instruction. A student in natural hair cultivation, manicuring, skin care or electrology may practice on the public after completing at least 1/4 of the hours required by the applicable curriculum
• filing a new application if the ownership or location of the school is transferred or moved
• shall ensure that all students and instructors wear uniforms and name badges by which the person and program are easily identified
• shall ensure that a student shall be supervised by a licensed instructor for all credited time and services (R338.2141) including, if used, the maximum of 35 hours spent in training in the cosmetology curriculum outside the school permises.  The proper instructor to student ratio must also be maintained, inside and outside the school, when field trips are being utilized
• when enrolling a transfer student the school must obtain proof of the previous hours from the student, then the student must pass practical and theory examinations on the subject areas previously studied, and then the student may begin attending the school and earning hours
• when a school has dropped a student from the monthly report, if the student returns to the school they are considered a "re-registration student" and must go through the same steps as listed above for the transfer student. 

An application for a cosmetology school license must include:

• a drawing or diagram that indicates the premises to be licensed, showing that the premises is fully partitioned from any other activity, business or dwelling and the location of required equipment and facilities,
• have a licensed instructor who has at least 3 years experience in all services of cosmetology being taught in the school,
• provide a cash or surety bond of $10,000 for the use and benefit of students and conditioned upon the faithful performance and satisfaction of the contractual rights of students, and have
• successfully passed an inspection by the department conducted for the purpose of determining whether the school has met the standards set forth in Article 12 and the rules promulgated for this profession.

Because most licensed schools are private educational institutions, the student will have to pay a tuition fee set by the school in question. The Department of Education has information regarding educational grants. The NACCAS (National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences) has extensive information regarding student financial aid and certification.