Esthetician License Requirements in Idaho
- Training hours
- 600 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $298
- Exam
- Esthetics Written Examination, Esthetics Practical Examination
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Idaho Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses)
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 16.5 years old, At least 2 years of high school, or an equivalent education as determined by the Board, pass a criminal background check. Applicant must prove to the Board's satisfaction that they have not engaged in conduct constituting grounds for discipline under Idaho Code 54-5823. High-school students may begin accruing instructional hours as young as 16.5 while still enrolled. Accessed via archive snapshot 2026-04-12 (legislature.idaho.gov refuses direct automated connections). [1]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 600 hours of training at a state-approved program. 600 hours at a Board-approved school, or 1,200 hours as a registered apprentice under the direct personal supervision of a licensed cosmetology instructor at an establishment with at least one licensed esthetician on-site. Accessed via archive snapshot 2026-04-12 (legislature.idaho.gov refuses direct automated connections). [1]
- 3
Esthetics Written Examination
Pass the Esthetics Written Examination (fee: $88). Written/theory exam (NIC-based content) Effective 1/1/26 Esthetics Written CIB. Prov, Inc. is the Board's contracted exam vendor as of the January 2026 candidate bulletin. [2]
- 4
Esthetics Practical Examination
Pass the Esthetics Practical Examination (fee: $120). Hands-on practical/skills exam [2]
- 5
Submit your application
Submit your application to Idaho Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses) with the $30 application fee. [3]
- 6
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Idaho Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses) issues your Esthetician for Idaho.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [3] | $30 |
| License fee [3] | $60 |
| Renewal fee [3] | $60 |
| Esthetics Written Examination [2] | $88 |
| Esthetics Practical Examination [2] | $120 |
| Endorsement license fee [3] | $90 |
Figures reflect the Board's fee schedule effective July 1, 2026, which moved individual licenses (including esthetician) to a 2-year initial-license cycle: $30 application + $60 individual license, with a $60 biennial renewal fee. These supersede the earlier annual figures ($25 application/license, $25 renewal) still printed in the not-yet-updated IDAPA 24.28.01 rule text. Accessed via archive snapshot 2026-05-30 (dopl.idaho.gov refuses direct automated connections).
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years.
As of July 1, 2026 the Board transitioned individual licenses (including esthetician) from a 1-year to a 2-year renewal cycle; licenses now expire on the licensee's birthday rather than a fixed calendar date. No continuing-education requirement for renewal was found in Idaho Code Title 54 Chapter 58 or IDAPA 24.28.01. Accessed via archive snapshot 2026-05-30 (dopl.idaho.gov refuses direct automated connections).
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
Idaho offers licensure by endorsement (Idaho Code 54-5816; $90 endorsement fee effective July 1, 2026) to applicants who hold a current esthetician license in good standing from a jurisdiction with training/exam standards not lower than Idaho's, or who have practiced at least 3 of the last 5 years under that license. Applicants who don't qualify for full endorsement may instead be credited hours for out-of-state practical work experience (60 school-equivalent hours, or 120 apprentice-equivalent hours, per 6 months of esthetics practice), per IDAPA 24.28.01 Rule 100. Idaho is not listed as a member of any occupational-licensing compact for esthetics; the Cosmetology Licensure Compact is not operational in any state. Accessed via archive snapshot 2025-05-30 (adminrules.idaho.gov refuses direct automated connections).
11 state-approved training providers in Idaho — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $30
- $60
- $88
- $120
Frequently asked questions
How many training hours does Idaho require for an esthetician license?
600 hours at a Board-approved school, or 1,200 hours as a registered apprentice under a licensed cosmetology instructor at an establishment with at least one licensed esthetician on staff.
Who administers the Idaho esthetics exam?
Prov, Inc. administers both the written and practical NIC-based exams under contract with the Idaho Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board.
Is Idaho moving to a 2-year license renewal cycle?
Yes. As of July 1, 2026, the Board transitioned individual licenses, including esthetician, from annual to 2-year (biennial) renewal, with licenses now expiring on the licensee's birthday.
Can I transfer an esthetician license from another state to Idaho?
Yes, Idaho offers licensure by endorsement for applicants with a current, good-standing esthetician license from a state with equivalent standards, or with at least 3 of the last 5 years of practice under that license.
What is the minimum age to become licensed as an esthetician in Idaho?
16.5 years old at the time of application, with at least 2 years of high school or an equivalent education.
Sources
- [1] legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title54/t54ch58/sect54-5810/ — accessed 2026-07-11
- [2] provexam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ID_Prov_Cosmetology_CIB_2026.01.05.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11
- [3] dopl.idaho.gov/pressrelease/big-changes-are-on-the-way-stay-informed-about-important-fee-and-licensure-updates-that-may-impact-your-renewal-cycle/ — accessed 2026-07-11
- [4] adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/24/242801.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11