Hello, all. I have searched the site and others for certifications regaurding becoming a practitioner. I know it varies widely from state to state. I live in Washington state. I was wondering if anybody could help me out, or atleast point me in the right direction for finding what certifications one must meet in this state to become a certified practitioner (or even if certification is required. I know that the piercing and tattooing industry in this state is largely unregulated). Also, does anybody recommend any particular schools? How long would the classes take? Thank you very much for any help you guys can give. It seems like a growing industry (excuse the pun), that seems to offer quite a bit of job insurance!
Washington state does not regulate electrology. There still may be a school in your state, but remember that an electrology school there will have no legal requirements, so I would be careful.
Here is what you want to find in a school:
- At least 400 hours of “in house” training. This means no online or home-schooling classes. The more hours the better.
- Get as many hands-on hours as possible.
- The instructor must have experience.
- Use as many different epilators as possible. The school that only has one epilator is lacking.
I’m sure that others will have more information for you to know.
Cutta;
My impressions were that you were asking in regards to Laser. In regards to Electrolysis in Washington State, I will tell you that the vast majority learn by just working under another electrologist. There are no schools in Washington State, and I am told only 8 schools in the entire Nation. Unless you know an electrologist who wishes to give you training while working for them, you are almost out of luck in this state, unless you choose to venture out on your own.
Myself, I am so very thankful for training I received in Medical Assisting prior to going to California for training in Electrolysis. There are others around however, who I know have not had any training in electrolysis who are performing the service. But being in a state with no regulations kind of sets up the situation of Consumer Beware. Washington is not the only state that does not have many regulations, as there are quite a few others.
My understanding however, that hours that I can document in my practice, are accepted in many states in meeting their hourly requirements for their state exams. Each state is different, and I know of one state that even requires a BA degree in addition to electrology training.
Personally, I would never have proceeded with Electrolysis if it had not been for my Medical Assisting training in addition. I think anyone considering electrolysis should have some kind of medical training prior to electrolysis training. But that is my feelings. Others might consider my training as lacking, but from what I can tell, I know of only three electrologists offering Flash Electrolysis near me, and neither of the others have had in official training. Basically just self taught, teaching someone else.
I disagree with the above post however in regards to no online or home schooling classes. Much of what needs to be learned is capable of being taught online. Personally, I have always been able to learn much via both of those methods. As far as actual Clinical Practice however, that does need to be in person. I also recommend that not just one instructor be in charge of training. One gains so much more by having multiple instructors.
Depending on the student, much of the book learning can be done in a distance learn situation. On the other hand, there are many things that can only be taught hands on.
One big reason why states load up the number of in class hours is they want to make sure that people are actually doing something supervised and that perhaps if you sit in the class where the teacher is lecturing, some of the information will soak in. Of course, if you have seen people knitting in Continuing Education Unit courses like I have, you know better.
I have had the fortune to take training from some of the best electrologists out there, (If they wrote a book, odds are I got personal training from them) and I even got to see more than one side of the different electrolysis arguments from the feet of those having the arguments. Trust me, there are some things you can only learn in person with direction.
It is also true that a motivated peson can learn many things without more than a few books, and online courses. One just needs to make sure that at the end of the book phase, one has someone to direct the hands on portion, as there are things one will never learn without the help of direction from one who has years of actual work behind them.
I say, start reading all the books, (Bono’s and Meharg/Richard’s are the most student friendly) and set up something where you can spend time with a seasoned pro learning hands on, even if you have to find a way to spend time out of state someplace. Then take your CPE Exam and go make the world safe for those wanting to eliminate unwanted hair!
[font:System][color:#CC0000]That was so beautifully stated James that I have nothing to add but, ditto.[/color][/font]
Arlene
Board Certified Electrologist
NYS Electrology Instructor
Marthajoy and James,
I will agree that much can be learned online. My concern with online and at home training with credit from a school is that these places often credit the student with hours that are unrelated to electrology.
Of course it is my opinion that the initial training should be done in person. I believe that I’m allowed that opinion.
We should all be grateful for all the opportunities we’ve had to learn from and communicate with electrology educators.
Barbara;
I guess a lot also boils down to what is related and what is not related to Electrology. I took well over 1200 hours of College credits to abtain my Medical Assisting Certificate. Is this unrelated to Electrology? It is absolutely true that not one bit of the class concerned taking a probe and inserting it into a follicle and using some form of electricity. Yet I also find that just about everything in my class did prepare me for what I needed in regards to running an electrology practice. Medical Terminology is a big must, as well as pharmacology, and all the other areas of study. This also do not even begin to take in the knowledge of electronics that I also knew prior to my study of Electrology.
By the time it came for my Clinical Practice, I had very extensive head knowledge in regards to Permanent Hair Removal. The state I live in does not require any training of any kind. Many electrologist in my state have not had any formal training. Some business needs help and the electrologist decides to train an individual on their own. The only certification is either the CPE or the CCE exams, and many do not even bother with these. In fact, when I went down to school in California, many of my co-students did not even think that I should have bothered to attend a school and should have just gone ahead and started my practice. I however, wanted the time with very experienced instructors to help me with my technique and to look over the progress that I was making.
Your timing statements for training does not take into consideration at all any previous training an individual may have already had. To that statement I disagree.