How do I become a licensed esthetician in Wisconsin?

To become a licensed esthetician in Wisconsin, you must complete 450 hours of training from an approved esthetics program, pass a written exam, and pass a practical exam. The exam is administered by State-administered.

How many hours of training are required for an esthetician license in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin requires 450 hours of esthetician training. An apprenticeship option is also available requiring 450 hours.

What are the esthetician license fees in Wisconsin?

Total initial esthetician license fees in Wisconsin are approximately varies. This includes application fees, exam fees, and license issuance fees. Renewal fees are determined by the board per 2 years renewal period.

Does Wisconsin offer a master esthetician license?

No, Wisconsin does not currently offer a separate master or advanced esthetician license. All licensed estheticians hold the same credential level.

Esthetician

WisconsinEsthetician License Requirements

EstheticianLast verified: March 2026

Governing Authority

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Cosmetology Examining Board

Official website →

2 sources cited · Last verified 2026-03-21 · Every number on this page links to its official source

Some information on this page has not been fully verified.

64% of data points are verified against official sources. 12 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data

450

Training Hours

Has Master?

Yes

Written Exam

Yes

Practical Exam

Varies

Total Fees

0 hrs

CE Hours

Training Requirements

Training Program

Verified

Required Training Hours

450 hours

Verified

Program Accreditation

Board-approved esthetician school or program approved by Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Cosmetology Examining Board

Verified

Apprenticeship Alternative

Available450 hours

Verified

Topics Covered

Facial treatments and skin careHair removal (waxing, threading)Makeup applicationSkin analysis and consultationSafety and sanitationAnatomy and physiology of the skinChemistry as related to estheticsBusiness practices and state law

License Types

Basic Esthetician

Available

Required Hours

450 hours

Verified

Additional Requirements

•Complete approved esthetician training program (450 hours)
•Alternative: 450-hour apprenticeship
•Pass written examination
•Pass practical examination
•Submit application with required fees

Master/Advanced Esthetician

N/A

Required Hours

Not specified

Verified

Examination Requirements

Exam Information

Verified

Written Exam

Required

Practical Exam

Required

Exam Provider

State-administered

Verified

Passing Score

75%

Verified

General Requirements

Minimum Age

18 yearsVerified

Education

High school diploma, GED, or equivalentVerified

Background Check

RequiredVerified

Scope of Practice

Mostly verified

Allowed Services

✓Facials and skin treatments
✓Waxing and hair removal
✓Makeup application
✓Skin analysis and consultation
✓Exfoliation and masks
✓Superficial chemical peels
✓Body treatments and wraps

Restricted Services

✗Injectable treatments (Botox, fillers) — medical professionals only
✗Deep chemical peels — physician supervision required
✗Laser treatments — restricted to medical professionals or master estheticians in some states
✗Prescribing medications or making medical diagnoses

Chemical Peels

Microdermabrasion

Laser Treatments

Advanced Services Supervision

Laser and advanced procedures require physician supervision or are restricted to medical professionals

Fee Breakdown

Fee	Amount	Confidence
Total Initial Fees Contact board for current fee schedule	Varies	Mostly verified

Fee

Amount

Total Initial Fees

Contact board for current fee schedule

Varies

Renewal & Continuing Education

Renewal & CE Requirements

Verified

2 years

Renewal Period

CE Hours Required

—

Renewal Fee

No CE Requirement

Verified

Contact board for current fee schedule

Regulatory Board

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Cosmetology Examining Board· 608-266-2112

Reciprocity & Transfer

Out-of-State Reciprocity

Verified

Accepts Out-of-State Licenses

Transfer Type

Endorsement

Verified

Hours Comparison Required for Transfer

Verified

Additional Requirements for Transfer

•Must submit application to Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Cosmetology Examining Board
•Must provide proof of current license in good standing from another state
•Must have completed at least 450 hours of training (or state equivalent)
•Must pass background check

Most states require estheticians to meet the destination state's training hour requirements when transferring a license. If your original state required fewer hours, additional training may be needed.

Special Notes

★

Wisconsin requires the 450-hour program to be completed within a specific timeframe of 11 to 30 weeks. Apprentices need 288 hours of classroom instruction in addition to supervised practice hours.

•

Wisconsin requires 450 hours of esthetician training

•

Program must be completed in 11-30 weeks

•

Apprenticeship requires 288 hrs classroom + 450 hrs supervised practice

•

Minimum age 18 with high school diploma/GED

•

No continuing education required

•

There is no interstate compact for estheticians.

Your Next Steps

Other Licenses in Wisconsin

Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Wisconsin.

Nearby States

IowaEsthetician requirements →IllinoisEsthetician requirements →MichiganEsthetician requirements →MinnesotaEsthetician requirements →

State Rankings

Compare all states

How this state compares to 50 others for this profession

Timeline

#6 of 51

Salary

#49 of 51

Processing

#1 of 51

Salary & Earnings

Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Skincare Specialists (SOC 39-5094)

Entry Level

$26,560

25th percentile

Median

$29,880

-28% vs. national avg ($41,560)

Experienced

$49,580

75th percentile

Wage Distribution (Annual)

$22,940

10th

$26,560

25th

$29,880

Median

$49,580

75th

$64,890

90th

1,480 employed in this state

Note: BLS OEWS data reflects only base wages reported by employers. Esthetician income often includes tips and product sales commissions not captured in these figures.

Source: BLS OEWS – Skincare Specialists (May 2024)

Job Outlook & Growth

National employment projections for 2024-2034

Projected Growth

+12.3%

High Demand

New Jobs

+8,900

over 10 years

Annual Openings

9,400

per year (avg.)

vs. all occupations (4% avg.):+8.3 percentage points

72,500 currently employed nationwide (2024)

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)

Career Advancement Path

Cosmetology Career Ladder+7% salary growth potential

Nail Technician

$34,180

Nail tech program (300-600 hours)

You are here

Esthetician

$29,880

Esthetics program (600-750 hours)

Cosmetologist

$36,550

Cosmetology program (1,000-1,600 hours)

Nail Technician

Nail tech program (300-600 hours)

$34,180

You are here

Esthetician

Esthetics program (600-750 hours)

$29,880

Cosmetologist

Cosmetology program (1,000-1,600 hours)

$36,550

Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook

Time to Get Licensed

Estimated total: 21–41 weeks

Complete 450-hour esthetician program

15–23 weeks

Submit license application

1–2 weeks

Pass written and practical exams

1–4 weeks

Application processing & license issuance

4–12 weeks

Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.

Source: WI DSPS - Aesthetician

Application Processing Time

4–12 weeks

Estimated processing time

Source: WI DSPS - Aesthetician

Esthetician Exam Prep Books for Wisconsin

Study guides and practice tests for the esthetician licensing exam.

Browse Study Guides on Amazon →

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Professional Equipment & Supplies for Wisconsin

Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.

Facial Steamers →Esthetician Kits →Magnifying Lamps →Milady Esthetics Guides →

Sources

WI DSPS - Aesthetician

Accessed 2026-03-08

Wisconsin Statutes 454

Accessed 2026-03-08

Disclaimer: This information is compiled from official state licensing board websites and verified against multiple sources. Always confirm current requirements directly with your state's licensing authority, as licensing rules can change. Links to official state resources are provided for each data point. LicenseMap does not provide legal, financial, or tax advice. See something incorrect? Report it here.

Start Your Esthetician Career in Wisconsin

Wisconsin requires 450 hours of training to become a licensed esthetician. Both written and practical exams are required. All licensing is managed through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Cosmetology Examining Board.

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Cosmetology Examining Board →

Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Cosmetology.