Esthetician License Requirements in Vermont
- Training hours
- 500 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $345
- Exam
- NIC Esthetics Theory (Written) Exam, NIC Esthetics Practical Exam
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (Secretary of State)
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
High school diploma or equivalent. Rule 6-2 (Eligibility for esthetician licensure) sets no minimum-age requirement. Vermont does not run a formal pre-licensure criminal-history/fingerprint background check for estheticians; applicants and licensees instead have an ongoing duty under Rule 12-1 to self-report any criminal conviction to OPR in writing within 15 days. [1]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 500 hours of training at a state-approved program. 500 hours at a licensed/accredited esthetics school, or 750 hours through an OPR-approved apprenticeship. Apprenticeships must be completed under a Vermont-licensed supervisor in a Vermont-licensed shop; out-of-state apprenticeships do not qualify. Vermont does not offer a reduced-hour crossover pathway from cosmetologist to esthetician (unlike its barber-cosmetologist crossover). [1]
- 3
NIC Esthetics Theory (Written) Exam
Pass the NIC Esthetics Theory (Written) Exam (fee: $95). Computer-based; taken remotely or at one of Prov's Vermont testing centers Vermont OPR's own FAQ page (last archived May 2025) still refers applicants to 'Prometric' for exam registration, but Prov's current (September 2024) Vermont Candidate Information Bulletin states OPR has contracted with Prov, Inc. to administer all NIC exams for Vermont, including Esthetician. Prov is treated as authoritative here as the exam vendor's own current documentation, but this is a genuine unresolved discrepancy between two Vermont-official-adjacent sources. [2]
- 4
NIC Esthetics Practical Exam
Pass the NIC Esthetics Practical Exam (fee: $130). Remote practical exam via Prov's remote-proctoring tool, or in-person at a Prov site Two-client practical exam covering basic facial and eyebrow-hair-removal skills. [2]
- 5
Submit your application
Submit your application to Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (Secretary of State) with the $120 application fee. Typical processing time: 3-5 business days for application and renewal processing turnaround after a complete online submission (does not include exam scheduling time).. [4]
- 6
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (Secretary of State) issues your Esthetician for Vermont.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [3] | $120 |
| License fee [3] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [3] | $155 |
| NIC Esthetics Theory (Written) Exam [2] | $95 |
| NIC Esthetics Practical Exam [2] | $130 |
| Esthetician apprentice permit (no renewal) [3] | $50 |
Vermont's OPR fee schedule (effective 7/1/2025) lists only an Application Fee ($120, which also covers initial license issuance) and a biennial Renewal Fee ($155) for the Esthetician license (profession code 087); there is no separate license-issuance fee.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years.
Vermont's Administrative Rules for Barbers and Cosmetologists set a fixed two-year (biennial) licensing period (Rule 11-1) with no continuing-education requirement for the base Esthetician license; only the Instructor specialty must show 24 CE credits per cycle to renew (Rule 11-2).
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
Vermont offers standard Endorsement (for licensees from substantially-equivalent jurisdictions, or with 1,500 documented practice hours otherwise) and a 'Fast Track Endorsement' for applicants continuously licensed in good standing elsewhere for 3+ years. Vermont is not a confirmed member of the Cosmetology Licensure Compact; as of mid-2026 the compact has been enacted in roughly 10 states (not including Vermont), is not yet operational anywhere (no multistate licenses issued), and it remains unconfirmed generally whether enacting states' versions cover estheticians.
1 state-approved training provider in Vermont — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $120
- $95
- $130
Frequently asked questions
How many training hours do I need to become a licensed esthetician in Vermont?
500 hours at a licensed esthetics school, or 750 hours through an OPR-approved apprenticeship under a Vermont-licensed supervisor.
Is there a reduced-hour crossover path for cosmetologists who want to add an esthetician license?
No. Vermont does not offer a crossover pathway to the esthetician license the way it does between barbering and cosmetology.
Can I complete my esthetics apprenticeship in another state?
No. Vermont apprentices must hold a Vermont apprenticeship license and train under a Vermont-licensed supervisor in a Vermont-licensed shop.
What exams do I need to pass, and who administers them?
A written theory exam and a hands-on practical exam, both from the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC), administered under contract with Vermont OPR by Prov, Inc.
How long is an esthetician license valid, and is continuing education required to renew?
Licenses run on a fixed two-year (biennial) cycle. No continuing education is required to renew a standard Esthetician license; only the Instructor specialty has a CE requirement (24 credits per cycle).
Sources
- [1] outside.vermont.gov/dept/sos/office_professional_regulation/professions/barber_cosmetologist/barber_cosmetologist_administrative_rules.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11
- [2] provexam.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Prov_CIB_VT_Inc_Written_Site_Inst_2024.09.01.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11
- [3] outside.vermont.gov/dept/sos/office_professional_regulation/general/initial_licensing_renewal_fees_dates_90-day_licensing_policy.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11
- [4] outside.vermont.gov/dept/sos/office_professional_regulation/professions/barber_cosmetologist/barber_cosmetologist_nail_technician_esthetician_application_instructions.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11