Esthetician License Requirements by State

Every state licenses estheticians through its cosmetology or barbering board, each with its own training hours, exams, and fees. Compare esthetician license requirements for the states covered below, with links to each state's full guide.

Jump to your state ↓

What You Need to Get an Esthetician License

Every state requires estheticians to meet education, examination, and application requirements before practicing professionally. While specifics vary, the core process is consistent across the states covered below.

  1. 1

    Complete Esthetician Training

  2. 2

    Pass the State Exam

  3. 3

    Submit Your Application

  4. 4

    Renew on Schedule

What to Expect Across the States Covered

220–1,200 hrs

Required Training Hours

State requirements for Esthetician licensure vary widely, from 220–1,200 hrs at a Board-approved school.

34/51 States

Require a Practical Exam

Alongside a written exam, 34 of the states covered below also require a hands-on practical component.

1–4 Years

Typical Renewal Cycle

Most Esthetician licenses renew every 1–4 years, though the exact cycle and fees vary by state.

Esthetician Requirements — State by State

Alabama

Training Hours
1,000 hrs
Application Fee
$50
Renewal Fee
$100
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Alaska

Training Hours
350 hrs
Application Fee
$150
Renewal Fee
$180
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Arizona

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$60
Renewal Fee
$60
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Arkansas

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$125
Renewal Fee
$50
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

California

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$115
Renewal Fee
$50
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Colorado

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$32
Renewal Fee
$26
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Connecticut

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
$100
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Delaware

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$101
Renewal Fee
$101
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

District of Columbia

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$175
Renewal Fee
$110
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Florida

Training Hours
220 hrs
Application Fee
$70
Renewal Fee
$40
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Georgia

Training Hours
1,000 hrs
Application Fee
$30
Renewal Fee
$45
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Hawaii

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$20
Renewal Fee
$72
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Idaho

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$90
Renewal Fee
$60
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Illinois

Training Hours
750 hrs
Application Fee
$30
Renewal Fee
$50
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Indiana

Training Hours
700 hrs
Application Fee
$40
Renewal Fee
$40
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Iowa

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$60
Renewal Fee
$60
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Kansas

Training Hours
1,000 hrs
Application Fee
$60
Renewal Fee
$50
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Kentucky

Training Hours
750 hrs
Application Fee
$50
Renewal Fee
$100
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Louisiana

Training Hours
750 hrs
Application Fee
$35
Renewal Fee
$35
Renewal Period
1 year
View Esthetician Requirements →

Maine

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$20
Renewal Fee
$20
Renewal Period
1 year
View Esthetician Requirements →

Maryland

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$28
Renewal Fee
$28
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Massachusetts

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$68
Renewal Fee
$68
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Michigan

Training Hours
750 hrs
Application Fee
$63
Renewal Fee
$48
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Minnesota

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$195
Renewal Fee
$115
Renewal Period
3 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Mississippi

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$50
Renewal Fee
$50
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Missouri

Training Hours
750 hrs
Application Fee
$25
Renewal Fee
$30
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Montana

Training Hours
650 hrs
Application Fee
$80
Renewal Fee
$80
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Nebraska

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$95
Renewal Fee
$118
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Nevada

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$15
Renewal Fee
$70
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

New Hampshire

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$82
Renewal Fee
$82
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

New Jersey

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$50
Renewal Fee
$90
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

New Mexico

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
$100
Renewal Period
1 year
View Esthetician Requirements →

New York

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$40
Renewal Fee
$40
Renewal Period
4 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

North Carolina

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$20
Renewal Fee
$10
Renewal Period
1 year
View Esthetician Requirements →

North Dakota

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$50
Renewal Fee
$50
Renewal Period
1 year
View Esthetician Requirements →

Ohio

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$45
Renewal Fee
$65
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Oklahoma

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$40
Renewal Fee
$40
Renewal Period
1 year (2-year renewal also available)
View Esthetician Requirements →

Oregon

Training Hours
444 hrs
Application Fee
$30
Renewal Fee
$65
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Pennsylvania

Training Hours
300 hrs
Application Fee
$26
Renewal Fee
$97
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Rhode Island

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$25
Renewal Fee
$25
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

South Carolina

Training Hours
450 hrs
Application Fee
$45
Renewal Fee
$52
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

South Dakota

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$120
Renewal Fee
$45
Renewal Period
1 year
View Esthetician Requirements →

Tennessee

Training Hours
750 hrs
Application Fee
$60
Renewal Fee
$60
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Texas

Training Hours
750 hrs
Application Fee
$50
Renewal Fee
$50
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Utah

Training Hours
1,200 hrs
Application Fee
$85
Renewal Fee
$68
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Vermont

Training Hours
500 hrs
Application Fee
$155
Renewal Fee
$120
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Virginia

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$120
Renewal Fee
$120
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Washington

Training Hours
750 hrs
Application Fee
$35
Renewal Fee
$66
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

West Virginia

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$35
Renewal Fee
$35
Renewal Period
1 year
View Esthetician Requirements →

Wisconsin

Training Hours
450 hrs
Application Fee
$11
Renewal Fee
$11
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Wyoming

Training Hours
600 hrs
Application Fee
$48
Renewal Fee
$96
Renewal Period
2 years
View Esthetician Requirements →

Helpful Resources

Getting licensed is only the first step

Meeting the requirements above gets you licensed as an esthetician, but it doesn't keep you licensed. Many states require continuing education before every renewal, and a lapsed license can mean starting the process over. If you already hold a license and are relocating, reciprocity or endorsement rules — not the requirements above — determine what you'll need to practice in your new state.