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Esthetician
Esthetician training hour requirements range from as low as 250 to over 1,500 hours depending on the state. Most states require both written and practical exams administered by NIC or PSI, and some offer an advanced master esthetician credential with expanded scope of practice including chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser treatments.
51
Total States
8
Master Esthetician
46
Practical Exam
13
Require CE
Esthetician licensing involves completing an approved training program, passing state exams, and meeting ongoing renewal requirements.
Every state requires completion of an approved esthetician training program covering skin care, facials, waxing, makeup application, and sanitation. Hours range from 250 (Virginia) to 1,500 (Oregon), so where you train matters significantly for reciprocity when moving states.
Most states require both a written knowledge exam and a hands-on practical exam. The NIC (National-Interstate Council) and PSI are the two most common exam providers. Passing scores typically range from 70-75%, and some states allow retakes with waiting periods.
Several states offer an advanced or master esthetician credential that allows expanded scope of practice — including chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and in some cases laser treatments under physician supervision. This typically requires additional training hours beyond the basic license.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
Check ReciprocityBrowse approved programs by state — compare costs, requirements, and timelines.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Hours | Master Available? | Exam Type | Fees | CE Hours | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | 1 | No | NIC | $255 ($75 written + $130 practical + $50 original license) | 0 | March 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | 350 | No | NIC | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | 600 | No | NIC/PCS | $237 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | 600 | No | State-administered | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | 600 | No | PSI | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | 600 | No | — | $100 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | 600 | No | PCS | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | 600 | Yes | NIC (National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology) | — | 6 | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | 220 | No | — | $85 | 16 | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | 1,000 | No | NIC | — | 5 | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | 600 | No | NIC | $102 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | 750 | No | State-administered | — | 10 | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | 700 | No | NIC | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | 600 | No | NIC (National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology, Inc.) | — | 8 | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | 1,000 | No | NIC | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | 750 | No | NIC | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | 750 | No | State-administered (Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology) | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 6 | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | 300 | No | State-administered | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | 400 | No | State-administered | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | 600 | No | State-administered | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | 600 | Yes | NIC | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | 750 | No | Prov (ProVExam) | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | 650 | No | ProVExam | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | 600 | No | PSI (administers the NIC written computer-based examination) | — | 8 | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | 600 | Yes | NIC | — | 4 | March 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | 600 | No | ProVExam | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | 600 | No | PCS (Professional Credential Services) | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| New York(NY) | 600 | No | State-administered (NY Department of State) | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | 600 | No | NIC (administered by DL Roope) | — | 8 | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | 600 | Yes | NIC | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 8 | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | 500 | Yes | State-administered (HLO) | — | 5 | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 300 | No | State-administered | $119 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | 600 | No | PSI | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | 450 | No | National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) | — | 4 | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | 600 | No | NIC national written theory and South Dakota Laws and Rules | $120 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | 750 | No | NIC | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | 750 | No | State-administered (TDLR) | — | 4 | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | 200 | Yes | NIC | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | 500 | No | NIC (administered by PCS) | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | 600 | Yes | Prov, Inc. (provexam.com) | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | 750 | Yes | NIC | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | 450 | No | State-administered | — | 0 | March 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | 600 | No | NIC (National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology) | $101 (exam $65 + license $36) | 0 | March 2026 |
Estheticians often work alongside other beauty and wellness professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
In-depth articles to help you get licensed
Moving to a new state?
See which states have reciprocity for Esthetician licenses and what's required to transfer.
Explore similar licensing requirements
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