Beauty: Most beauty careers (like hair stylist, esthetician, or nail tech) require formal training and a state license before you can work directly with clients. However, you can often start as a salon assistant, receptionist, or shampoo technician with no prior experience while working toward licensure.

Caregiving: Many entry-level caregiving jobs, such as personal care aide or home health aide, provide on-the-job training and don’t require prior experience. Employers often value compassion and reliability above all.

Fitness: You can start in roles like fitness attendant, front desk associate, or group class helper without experience. To move into training or coaching roles, you’ll need certification.

Beauty: Yes. To become a licensed cosmetologist, barber, nail technician, or esthetician in Missouri, you must complete a state-approved training program and pass the Missouri State Board exam.

Caregiving: Entry-level roles may not require formal education, but many advancing roles (like CNA or CMT) require a short certification program and state exam.

Fitness: Many advancing roles, such as personal trainer or group fitness instructor, require nationally recognized certifications (NASM, ACE, ISSA, etc.) plus CPR/AED training.

Beauty: Waiting on your state license approval or finishing training hours can slow down hiring.

Caregiving: Delays often come from background checks, TB tests, and references, which are required for caregiving roles.

Fitness: Hiring may be delayed if you haven’t completed the required certification or CPR/AED training.

Beauty: Not having the state-required license for cosmetology, esthetics, or nails will prevent you from being hired for hands-on roles.

Caregiving: A disqualifying background check (such as certain criminal offenses) or inability to pass a drug screen may prevent hiring in caregiving roles.

Fitness: Lacking the proper certification or insurance coverage (if self-employed) can keep you from being hired as a trainer or instructor.