Welcome to the world of esthetics! I’m Zach, the founder of the EstheticianSchools.com, the country’s fastest-growing spa, beauty, and esthetician school directory. In the future we have exciting plans for all kinds of services for those looking into the exciting world of esthetics as well as active students, schools, licensed professionals and businesses. We provide a comprehensive list of nationwide schools and a comprehensive suite of online courses, our service is committed to connecting aspiring estheticians to top-tier education.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essential steps on how to become an esthetician, from education to licensing, and highlight state-specific requirements to ensure you are well-prepared for your journey. We’ll also explore career opportunities and what makes our program unique.
Why We Started EstheticianSchool.com
First a little preface on why we started EstheticianSchool.com. First, one of our partners is a practicing esthetician – one who opened her own skincare school in Southwest Florida. Next, the other partner is a marketing and serial entrepreneur who is able to spot trends and grow amazing businesses. This gives us a deep understanding of the business as a sole practitioner and as someone passionate about skin, beauty, and helping people look and feel their best. I have had the privilege of running some of the top spas in Naples, one of the most prestigious communities in the country.
Moreover, we have experience as teachers in this field, having designed coursework for accredited esthetician programs at some of the largest schools in the region. I was shocked at how dated the materials were and how disconnected they were from modern practices and science. The real challenge was to educate students so that they could confidently start a job immediately after graduation. There’s nothing worse than wasting hundreds of hours on a license only to be retaught everything on the job, which is both expensive and frustrating for students and employers alike.
A Different Kind of Esthetician Program
With all of the above in mind, we set out to design a program that was ideal for aspiring estheticians. Here’s what makes our own program stand out:
- Quick Completion: A streamlined program that cuts out the fluff, allowing you to become an esthetician quickly.
- Gorgeous Environment: Learning in beautiful surroundings designed to encourage safety, security, and inspiration.
- Small Class Sizes: Intimate classes for a personalized experience and rapid learning, regardless of your existing knowledge.
- Affordable Pricing: Our program is more affordable than many comparative options.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: We’re creating the definitive reference book for the esthetician industry.
- Practical Job Training: Coursework and hands-on training that truly prepare you for the workforce.
- Job Placement and Business Mentorship: Resources for job placement and support for those wanting to start their own business through our online courses and incubator.
Unfortunately, our own school is small (we are growing and we may expand out throughout the country), but we decided to do the next best thing – become the major resource for potential students to connect with like-minded high quality businesses. There is a TON OF FRAUD in the beauty and esthetics industry. In fact, in our area many schools have been recently shut down because they were simply selling licenses (no course work, no hands on training, just a few thousand dollars and you would walk away with a license from the school and state). This is horrible, damages the industry and is a massive liability to anyone serviced by such graduates. Literally physically dangerous for clients. We’re working hard to raise the standards in the industry so students have amazing experiences, learn top-notch techniques and safety, and provide amazing end-services to end clients.
How to Become an Esthetician: Complete Guide
I’m thrilled you’ve found this blog post about how to become an esthetician. We’re going to cover a lot, providing a soup-to-nuts understanding of what it takes to become a licensed esthetician and the steps to take after getting your license.
Understanding the Role of an Esthetician
An esthetician is a skincare specialist who provides various treatments to enhance the appearance and health of the skin. The responsibilities of an esthetician include:
- Performing facials, exfoliations, and skin treatments
- Applying makeup and advising on skincare routines
- Conducting hair removal through waxing, threading, or laser treatments
- Offering specialized treatments like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and light therapy
- Educating clients about skincare products and practices
Estheticians work in various settings, including spas, salons, dermatology offices, and even as freelance professionals. The benefits of a career in esthetics are plentiful: you help clients look and feel their best, stay updated with the latest beauty trends and technologies, and enjoy flexible working hours.
Educational Requirements for Becoming an Esthetician
To embark on a career as an esthetician, you’ll need to complete a formal education program in every state in the United States. Here’s an overview of what this entails:
- In Class Work & Training: In class training (additional details outlined below) includes both book work and hands-on training. But everywhere in the US you ARE required to go through a full program. Each state has different hourly requirements.
- Certificate Programs: Typically take a few months to a year to complete and focus on the fundamentals of esthetics. Typically this revolves around fitting in as much book work and hands-on training required to meet the hourly requirements of the state you’re looking to get your license in.
- Diploma Programs: Offer more in-depth training and may take up to a year.
- Associate Degree Programs: Provide comprehensive education, including business and marketing skills, over two years. Often times these are provided by larger institutions or even colleges and provide more schooling around ancillary business principles (so not JUST the minimum to get your state license).
Accredited programs ensure that you receive a quality education that meets industry standards. No matter where you choose to go, it will be helpful to get some clarification from the school or institution on pricing, timelines, and what kind of programming you’ll be participating in.
State Regulations and Licensing Requirements
To practice as an esthetician, you must obtain a license from the state where you intend to work. Each state has specific requirements regarding training hours, exams, and license renewal procedures. It’s essential to do a search for “[state] esthetician license” and review the governing board’s information. Overtime we’ll be posting information on all of the requirements on a state-by-state basis (although we’ve compiled the basics of each state below).
Example: State Requirements
- California: Governed by the Board of Barbers & Cosmetology.
- Florida: Governed by the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR), with 260 hours of training required.
- Connecticut: Governed by the Board of Public Health, requiring 600 hours of study and compliance with infection prevention guidelines.
Below is a state-by-state breakdown of the basic requirements for becoming an esthetician in each state:
Alabama to California
- Alabama: 1,000 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Alaska: 350 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Arizona: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Arkansas: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- California: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
Colorado to Hawaii
- Colorado: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Connecticut: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Delaware: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Florida: 260 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Georgia: 1,000 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Hawaii: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
Idaho to Massachusetts
- Idaho: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Illinois: 750 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Indiana: 700 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Iowa: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Kansas: 1,000 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Kentucky: 1,000 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Louisiana: 750 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Maine: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Maryland: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Massachusetts: 300 hours of training, written and practical exams.
Michigan to New York
- Michigan: 400 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Minnesota: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Mississippi: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Missouri: 750 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Montana: 650 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Nebraska: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Nevada: 900 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- New Hampshire: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- New Jersey: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- New Mexico: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- New York: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
North Carolina to Texas
- North Carolina: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- North Dakota: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Ohio: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Oklahoma: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Oregon: 500 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Pennsylvania: 300 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Rhode Island: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- South Carolina: 450 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- South Dakota: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Tennessee: 750 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Texas: 750 hours of training, written and practical exams.
Utah to Wyoming
- Utah: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Vermont: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Virginia: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Washington: 750 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- West Virginia: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Wisconsin: 450 hours of training, written and practical exams.
- Wyoming: 600 hours of training, written and practical exams.
Please note that these requirements can change, so it’s essential to check with your state’s licensing board for the most current information.
Choosing the Right Esthetician School
Selecting the right school is crucial for your success. We’ve been in the business for many years at every level (as prospective students, as students, as teachers, and even owning our own school). So, we’ve decided to compile a list of the most important criteria for choosing the right esthetician school. Here are some factors to consider:
- Accreditation: Ensure the school is accredited by a recognized body. This can be a bit tricky to determine from an outsiders perspective, although you want to ensure that UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM (with attendance and passing grades) you’ll receive a license directly from the state for completing the program. It’s technically illegal to operate a school WITHOUT this (unless the “school”) is merely offering continuing education courses.
- Curriculum: Look for a comprehensive curriculum that covers both theoretical and practical aspects of esthetics. This is one of the biggest issues we see in today’s esthetics education space – there is a lot of OLD, outdated information along with lots of book work, and very little hands on work. In a subsequent blog post on this we’ll list more details on what to look for.
- Faculty: Experienced and knowledgeable instructors are key. Are they practicing estheticians? Have they run their own departments, businesses, etc? When did they last practice? These are all key questions.
- Facilities: Modern equipment and facilities enhance the learning experience. Most schools are operating on 20+ year old information, with facilities to match! We highly recommend asking how old the curriculum is as well as surveying the school closely and asking questions about when they last updated their curriculum.
- Location: Choose a location that is convenient for you, but consider driving or traveling for better programs as, often, equally priced programs can set you years ahead in terms of success of other programs.
The Path to Certification and Licensing
Becoming a licensed esthetician involves several steps:
- Complete Your Education: Enroll in and complete an accredited esthetician program.
- Gain Practical Experience: Many programs include hands-on training or internships.
- Pass the Licensing Exam: Prepare for and pass your state’s written and practical exams.
- Apply for Your License: Submit your application and any required documentation to your state’s licensing board.
- Renew Your License: Stay updated with continuing education and renew your license as required by your state.
Practical experience is crucial. Internships and hands-on training prepare you for real-world scenarios and enhance your skills.
Career Opportunities and Advancement
A career in esthetics offers diverse opportunities:
- Spas and Salons: Work in a relaxing environment providing various skincare services.
- Medical Esthetics: Collaborate with dermatologists and plastic surgeons.
- Freelance Work: Enjoy flexibility and control over your schedule.
- Product Sales and Education: Work for skincare product companies.
Continuing education is essential for career advancement. Specializing in areas like medical esthetics, makeup artistry, or holistic skincare can open new doors and increase your earning potential.
Online Courses and Supplementary Training
EstheticianSchool.com will be offering online courses to complement hands-on training for aspiring estheticians as well as for continuing education. These courses provide flexibility and allow you to study at your own pace. Topics include advanced skincare techniques, business skills, and industry trends. Online learning can be a valuable addition to your education, providing a deeper understanding of theoretical concepts and business practices.
At this time, I’m unaware of any program that’s available in any state that allows you to do any of the training to become an esthetician online. Most states that I’ve investigated personally, like Florida, require in-class, in-person coursework and training. We do think that over time, much of the coursework (and perhaps even some of the hands-on training) will be moved online with modern advances in technology and plan to be at the forefront of this shift.
FAQs About Becoming an Esthetician
How to Become an Esthetician Online?
Unfortunately, this isn’t available now. We anticipate changes over time, but for now, there’s no state we’re aware of (including Florida) that allows estheticians to become accredited through online courses.
How Much Does it Cost to Become an Esthetician?
This varies greatly by location. You might consider relocating temporarily to save on tuition. In Southwest Florida, prices range from $5,000 to $12,000. Some schools bundle additional services and licensing as part of their curriculum, accounting for variability.
How Long Does it Take to Become an Esthetician?
Think of the timeline across three dimensions:
- State requirements: Standardized for all students.
- Program speed: Our streamlined program allows you to become an esthetician in approximately 14 weeks, compared to half a year or more at other schools.
- Job readiness: Our goal is to produce proficient, self-sufficient estheticians who are ready to work immediately.
Conclusion
Becoming an esthetician is a rewarding and fulfilling career choice. With the right education and training, you can make a significant impact on your clients’ lives and enjoy a successful career in the beauty industry. I encourage you to explore the programs offered by our partners and take the first step towards a bright future in esthetics.
For more information, explore our website, connect with us on social media, or contact our admissions office. We look forward to helping you achieve your dreams!