1. I hair is around 2 or 3 inches long as of right now, do I have to get my hair layered now to grow it out layered or can I wait till it is at shoulder length.
2. Is caring for layered hair different than caring for non layer hair.
You do not need to have it layered at all and certainly not until it is half way down your back . There is a thread below on which 'Sorted' suggested that he had layers - his hair is mid back I recall.
I still have layered hair not all of the same length now nearly 4 years later as I am loath to cut it back. I started growing hair long when it was short all over. The layers do make the hair look thin on the ends but it isn't terminal length.
There's no right or wrong way with layered hair it's just a preference. I haven't reached my goal length yet and have about 10 cm or 4 inches difference in layers. Maybe when it reaches goal length I will trim it back to one length.
I think that growing hair until it is all fully restrained before cutting it one length will quicken the infamous awkward phrase.