Hair Technician

Become a licensed hair technician

Riverland's Hair Technician diploma gets you licensed and working in hair. Over two semesters you train in cutting, coloring, and chemical services with real clients in our student salon, guided by licensed instructors.

A focused path to working behind the chair

This program is built for one thing: hair. You train in cutting, coloring, and chemical services, the core work that fills a salon's chairs and drives most of its revenue. If you already know hair is your thing, this is the faster, more affordable way in. You focus your time and money on the skills you'll actually use, get licensed, and start building your client base sooner.

Not sure which fits? Talk to Admissions and we'll help you choose.

What it costs

Career outlook

Salons always need skilled hands, and most of those yearly openings come from stylists moving on or retiring. Pay grows with your reputation and client base. Many hairstylists are self-employed, rent their own chair, or own a salon, which means you set your own prices and your earnings can climb well past the median.²

¹ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists, 2024 to 2034 projections.
² Median hourly wage, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists, United States, May 2024. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wage includes tips but not the higher earnings common among self-employed stylists.

Train in a real salon

You start on mannequins and classmates in preclinical training, then work with real clients in Riverland's student salon under licensed instructor supervision. By graduation you have done the work, not just studied it, and you have the confidence and the job-ready skills to step behind the chair.

Meet your instructors ›

What you'll learn

• Haircutting and styling: precision cutting, layering, texturizing, and styling for many looks
• Haircoloring and chemical treatments: permanent color, lightening, relaxing, and safe chemical application
• Hair and scalp care: treating different hair types, textures, conditions, and disorders
• Client communication: consultation and customer service skills
• Safety and sanitation: infection control and Minnesota salon regulations
• Salon management: scheduling, customer service, and the business of running a salon

See the full course list ›  |  Print the program sheet ›

Getting licensed in Minnesota

Minnesota requires at least 900 hours of training in a licensed cosmetology program:

• 300 hours: theory, including anatomy, hair and scalp properties, chemistry, electricity, safety, and Minnesota laws and rules
• 300 hours: haircutting and styling, including analysis, conditioning, shaping, and nonchemical straightening
• 300 hours: chemical services, including coloring, lightening, permanent waving, straightening, and safety

You must be at least 17 and pass a practical skills test, a general theory test, a written practical test, and the Minnesota Laws and Rules exam. See licensure disclosures ›

Scholarships

Riverland offers scholarships to help lower your out-of-pocket costs and make it easier to start your career. View current scholarships and deadlines ›

Last Updated: June 24, 2026