Loading...
Loading...
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.
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) | 1,000 | No | NIC | $255 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | 350 | No | NIC | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | 600 | No | NIC/PCS | $237 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| California(CA) | 600 | No | State-administered | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | 600 | No | PSI | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | 600 | No | — | $100 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | 600 | No | PCS | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | 600 | Yes | NIC | — | 6 | Mar 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | 220 | No | — | $85 | 16 | Mar 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | 1,000 | No | NIC | — | 5 | Mar 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | 600 | No | NIC | $102 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | 750 | No | State-administered | — | 10 | Mar 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | 700 | No | NIC | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 8 | Mar 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | 1,000 | No | NIC | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | 750 | No | NIC | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | 750 | No | State-administered | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 6 | Mar 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | 300 | No | State-administered | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | 400 | No | State-administered | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | 600 | No | State-administered | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | 600 | Yes | NIC | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | 750 | No | Prov (ProVExam) | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | 650 | No | ProVExam | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | 600 | No | PSI (NIC written) | — | 8 | Mar 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | 600 | Yes | NIC | — | 4 | Mar 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | 600 | No | ProVExam | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | 600 | No | PCS (Professional Credential Services) | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| New York(NY) | 600 | No | State-administered | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | 600 | No | NIC (administered by DL Roope) | — | 8 | Mar 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | 600 | Yes | NIC | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 8 | Mar 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | 500 | Yes | State-administered (HLO) | — | 5 | Mar 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 300 | No | State-administered | $119 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | 600 | No | PSI | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | 450 | No | NIC | — | 4 | Mar 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | 600 | No | NIC written + SD laws | $120 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | 750 | No | NIC | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | 750 | No | State-administered (TDLR) | — | 4 | Mar 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | 600 | Yes | NIC | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | 600 | No | NIC (administered by PCS) | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | 600 | Yes | ProVExam | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | 750 | Yes | NIC | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | 600 | No | NIC | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | 450 | No | State-administered | — | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | 600 | No | NIC | $101 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
Estheticians often work alongside other beauty and wellness professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
Study guides and practice tests for the esthetician licensing exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
Training program requirements, exam prep tips for NIC and PSI exams, state-by-state hour comparisons, master esthetician paths, CE requirements, and reciprocity details — delivered straight to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy.
See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
In-depth articles to help you get licensed
Explore similar licensing requirements