Look, we get asked about accreditation constantly. And honestly? Most prospective students don’t really care about the bureaucratic details. They just want to know if their training will actually count for something when they’re done. So let’s cut through the jargon. Today we are going to explain everything you need to know about beauty school accreditation and why that matters for your future licensure.
What Accreditation Actually Means
Here’s the deal: accreditation is basically an independent organization confirming that we’re not running our programs out of someone’s garage with rusty scissors and a YouTube tutorial.
The U.S. Department of Education recognizes certain accrediting bodies. NACCAS is the big one for us and most beauty schools—and these organizations come through every few years to verify that we’re maintaining real standards.
They check our curriculum, make sure our instructors actually know what they’re doing, inspect our facilities, and look at outcomes like graduation rates and how many students pass their licensing exams.
It’s not just paperwork. When we say we’re accredited, we’re saying we’ve opened our books and our classrooms to outside evaluation. And that matters more than most people realize.
Why We Went Through the Accreditation Process (And Why It Should Matter to You)
We could’ve operated with just state approval. Plenty of schools do. But accreditation gives our students things state approval alone can’t:
Federal financial aid
This is the big one. If you’re planning to use FAFSA or federal student loans, you need a school with Title IV status—which only accredited schools can get. We’re talking thousands of dollars in aid that simply isn’t available otherwise.
👉 Cosmetology & Spa Academy participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans. Explore our financial aid options!
Transferability
Life happens. Maybe you start studying in one location and then you need to move to Arizona halfway through. Accredited hours transfer more smoothly between states and schools. Non-accredited hours? That’s a gamble.
Employer confidence
Walk into a high-end salon in Chicago with credentials from an accredited program, and you’re taken seriously from day one. It signals that you didn’t just learn to paint nails—you got comprehensive training that meets national benchmarks.
And look, we see students who chose cheaper, non-accredited programs and then can’t get licensed in the state they moved to. Or they finish training only to discover their hours don’t count toward the 1,500 Illinois requires. It’s heartbreaking, but most importantly, it’s avoidable.
State Approval vs. Accreditation: Actually, You Need Both
This confuses people, so let me break it down.
State approval comes from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). It means we meet the minimum requirements to train students for Illinois licensure. Every legit school has this. If they don’t, run.
Accreditation comes from a national body like NACCAS or ACCSC. It’s a higher bar—academic rigor, instructor credentials, student outcomes, ethical standards, the works.
We have both. And frankly, you should expect both from any school you’re considering.
Some schools will try to downplay accreditation and say state approval is “enough.” Technically true. But here’s what they’re not telling you: without accreditation, your options narrow dramatically. No federal aid. Harder to transfer. And if you ever want to teach or open your own school? Accreditation matters even more.
Who Actually Accredits Beauty Schools?
There are a few recognized accrediting bodies, but the main ones you’ll encounter are:
NACCAS (National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences)
This is the gold standard for cosmetology education. They accredit over 1,500 schools nationwide and cover everything from cosmetology to barbering to esthetics. We’re NACCAS-accredited across all four of our locations.
ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges)
Another solid accreditor with over 800 schools in their network. They focus on trade and career programs, including beauty education.
COE (Council on Occupational Education)
Less common in our field, but still recognized by the Department of Education. They handle technical and vocational programs.
When you’re researching schools, look for one of these names. If a school claims to be “accredited” but won’t say by whom (or mentions some organization you’ve never heard of) that’s a red flag the size of a salon cape.
What Licensure Actually Requires (Because That’s the End Goal)
Accreditation gets you in the door. Beauty school licensure gets you working.
In Illinois, here’s what you need to legally work as a beauty professional:
- Cosmetology: 1,500 hours of approved training + state board exam (written and practical)
- Esthetics: 750 hours + state board exam
- Barbering: 1,500 hours + state board exam
Our programs are designed to meet these exact beauty school license requirements. We don’t cut corners on hours, and we don’t rush students through just to boost graduation numbers.
But here’s something most schools won’t tell you: passing your state board exam isn’t just about completing hours. It’s about the quality of those hours. We’ve seen students from other programs show up for state boards completely unprepared because their training was inconsistent or outdated.
That doesn’t happen with our graduates. We make sure of it.
How to Actually Verify a School’s Credentials (Don’t Just Take Their Word for It)
Before you sign anything or pay a deposit, do this:
- Check NACCAS directly. Go to https://naccas.org/accredited-school-search and search their directory. If the school claims NACCAS accreditation, they should appear there. Cosmetology & Spa Academy is fully accredited by NACCAS. Simply search for Cosmetology and Spa Academy.
- Confirm state approval with IDFPR. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation maintains a list of approved schools. We’re on it. Make sure any school you’re considering is too.
- Ask for documentation. We’ll show you our accreditation certificate without hesitation. If a school gets defensive or vague when you ask? Walk away.
- Talk to alumni. Seriously. Find graduates on social media or visit salons in the area and ask where people trained. You’ll hear pretty quickly which schools actually prepare students and which ones are just collecting tuition.
And one more thing—ask about job placement rates and state board pass rates. Accredited beauty schools have to track this data. We’re proud of ours, so we share them freely. If a school won’t give you those numbers? That tells you something.
Red Flags That Should Make You Run (We’ve Seen Them All)
Not every school operates with integrity. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Vague answers about accreditation. “We’re working on it” or “We don’t need it” are not acceptable answers.
- Crazy-high tuition with no explanation. Accredited programs typically range from $15K-$22K in Illinois depending on length and specialty. If someone’s charging $30K for cosmetology, ask why.
- Facilities that look like they haven’t been updated since 1987. For example, cosmetology school accreditation requires maintaining current equipment and safe, functional spaces. If the school looks sketchy, it probably is.
- Instructors without active licenses. In Illinois, your instructors need to be licensed professionals. Period. If they’re not, the training isn’t valid.
- Promises that sound too good to be true. “Finish in 6 months!” or “Guaranteed six-figure income!” Yeah, no.
We’ve had students transfer to us from non-accredited programs who lost months of training time because their previous hours didn’t count. It’s infuriating, and it happens more often than it should.
Why We Chose Accreditation
Let’s be real, maintaining accreditation is work. We have to document everything, submit to regular site visits, track student outcomes and meet evolving standards. It would be easier and cheaper to skip it.
But we didn’t build Cosmetology & Spa Academy to cut corners. We built it to give students the absolute best shot at successful careers.
That means:
- Professional-grade tools and products in every classroom
- Instructors who’ve actually worked in top salons (and still love what they do)
- Facilities designed to feel like real salon environments, not outdated classrooms
- Career placement support that doesn’t end at graduation
- Flexible schedules because we know not everyone can do full-time, 9-to-5
Accreditation holds us accountable to all of that. And honestly? That’s a great thing.
The Bottom Line
If you’re serious about working in the beauty industry, choose a state-approved beauty school that’s nationally accredited. Full stop.
It affects your financial aid options, your ability to get licensed, your job prospects, and your long-term career flexibility. It’s not just a credential. It’s proof that your education meets standards that matter to employers, licensing boards, and the industry as a whole.
We’re accredited by NACCAS and approved by the state of Illinois across all four of our locations. Our programs are built around hands-on learning, experienced instructors, and real-world preparation.
✅ Explore our accredited cosmetology program
✅ Explore our accredited barber program
✅ Explore our accredited esthetics program
✅ Explore our accredited beauty instructor program
If you want to visit a campus don’t hesitate to book a tour!
📍 Locations: Crystal Lake, Elgin, Rockford, Schaumburg
📞 Phone: 815-455-5900
📧 Email: info@csa.edu
We’ve been doing this a long time. We know what works and we’re not interested in taking shortcuts with your future!
