Esthetician License Requirements by State
Estheticians perform facials, skin treatments, waxing, and other cosmetic skin-care services in salons, spas, and dermatology offices. States require completion of an approved esthetics program — commonly 300 to 750 hours, with some states setting higher minimums for master or advanced esthetician tracks — plus a written and practical licensing exam administered through PSI Services or the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC).
- States verified
- 51
- Median wage (BLS 2024)
- $41,560/yr
- Employment (BLS 2024)
- 97,400
- Outlook (10-yr)
- +6.7%
Pick your state
Requirements at a glance
| State | Training hours | Upfront cost | Renewal cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1000 hrs | $255 | Every 2 years |
| Alaska | 350 hrs | $420 | Every 2 years |
| Arizona | 600 hrs | $237 | Every 2 years |
| Arkansas | 600 hrs | $125 | Every 2 years |
| California | 600 hrs | $115 | Every 2 years |
| Colorado | 600 hrs | $163 | Every 2 years |
| Connecticut | 600 hrs | $100 | Every 2 years |
| Delaware | 600 hrs | $406 | Every 2 years |
| District of Columbia | 600 hrs | $175 | Every 2 years |
| Florida | 220 hrs | $75 | Every 2 years |
| Georgia | 1000 hrs | $139 | Every 2 years |
| Hawaii | 600 hrs | $42 | Every 2 years |
| Idaho | 600 hrs | $298 | Every 2 years |
| Illinois | 750 hrs | $175 | Every 2 years |
| Indiana | 700 hrs | $89 | Every 4 years |
| Iowa | 600 hrs | $143 | Every 2 years |
| Kansas | 1000 hrs | $210 | Every 2 years |
| Kentucky | 750 hrs | $220 | Every 2 years |
| Louisiana | 750 hrs | $85 | Every 1 year |
| Maine | 600 hrs | $268 | Every 1 year |
| Maryland | 600 hrs | $105 | Every 2 years |
| Massachusetts | 600 hrs | $68 | Every 2 years |
| Michigan | 750 hrs | $207 | Every 2 years |
| Minnesota | 600 hrs | $285 | Every 3 years |
| Mississippi | 600 hrs | $50 | Every 2 years |
| Missouri | 750 hrs | $246 | Every 2 years |
| Montana | 650 hrs | $180 | Every 2 years |
| Nebraska | 600 hrs | $95 | Every 2 years |
| Nevada | 600 hrs | $70 | Every 2 years |
| New Hampshire | 600 hrs | $242 | Every 2 years |
| New Jersey | 600 hrs | $193 | Every 2 years |
| New Mexico | 600 hrs | $110 | Every 2 years |
| New York | 600 hrs | $70 | Every 4 years |
| North Carolina | 600 hrs | $188 | Every 1 year |
| North Dakota | 600 hrs | $50 | Every 1 year |
| Ohio | 600 hrs | $85 | Every 2 years |
| Oklahoma | 600 hrs | $70 | Every 2 years |
| Oregon | 444 hrs | $155 | Every 2 years |
| Pennsylvania | 300 hrs | $119 | Every 2 years |
| Rhode Island | 600 hrs | $25 | Every 2 years |
| South Carolina | 450 hrs | — | Every 2 years |
| South Dakota | 600 hrs | — | Every 1 year |
| Tennessee | 750 hrs | $194 | Every 2 years |
| Texas | 750 hrs | $50 | Every 2 years |
| Utah | 1200 hrs | $295 | Every 2 years |
| Vermont | 500 hrs | $345 | Every 2 years |
| Virginia | 600 hrs | $314 | Every 2 years |
| Washington | 750 hrs | $323 | Every 2 years |
| West Virginia | 600 hrs | $134 | Every 1 year |
| Wisconsin | 450 hrs | $336.5 | Every 2 years |
| Wyoming | 600 hrs | $224 | Every 2 years |
Upfront cost = application fee + license fee + exam fees, from each state's verified fee schedule. States marked "coming soon" are being verified against their issuing board and will be published shortly.