Idaho Esthetician License Requirements

Idaho licenses estheticians through the Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board, part of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). You can qualify through school training or an apprenticeship, then must pass the NIC written and practical exams.

1. Meet the basic qualifications. You must be at least 16 years and 6 months old at the time of application, have completed at least 2 years of high school (or an equivalent education), and have no history of conduct that would be grounds for discipline.
2. Complete your training. Finish at least 600 hours at a Board-approved school, or 1,200 hours as an apprentice in a cosmetology establishment under the direct personal supervision of a licensed cosmetology instructor at a location with at least one on-site licensed esthetician.
3. Apply and pay the required fees. Submit your application through the DOPL Online Services portal. The combined application and original license fee for an esthetician is $90 ($30 application fee plus $60 original license fee).
4. Register for the exam with ProV. Schedule your NIC written and practical exams through the Board's testing vendor, ProV, Inc., at provexam.com or (866) 720-7768.
5. Pass both exams to receive your license. Once you pass, your Idaho esthetician license is issued and can be verified through DOPL's online license search.

Idaho Code § 54-5810(2)(e) requires an esthetician applicant to complete one of the following:

• School path: Graduate from a course of instruction of at least 600 hours in a school approved by the Board.
• Apprenticeship path: Complete at least 1,200 hours as an apprentice in a cosmetology establishment, under the direct personal supervision of a licensed cosmetology instructor, at an establishment with at least one licensed esthetician on-site.

Idaho schools may credit up to 200 hours toward a cosmetology course for esthetics training already completed, and up to 30 hours of credit for instructor-approved activities occurring outside the school. Licensees in other license categories who want to add an esthetician license face separate cross-training hour requirements set by Board rule (IDAPA 24.28.01, Rule 100).

Idaho Code § 54-5809 requires both a written test and a practical demonstration for licensure, using the NIC (National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology) examinations under IDAPA 24.28.01, Rule 100.01.

Registration

Idaho's exam vendor is ProV, Inc., 150 W Civic Center Blvd, Ste 601, Sandy, UT 84070. Register at provexam.com, call (866) 720-7768, or email Cosmosupport@provexam.com.

Content

The exam tests your general knowledge of esthetics practices and your ability to perform the work satisfactorily, combining a written test with a hands-on practical demonstration.

Idaho esthetician licenses are on a biennial (2-year) renewal cycle under Idaho Code § 54-5821. As of the Board's July 1, 2026 fee update, the biennial renewal fee is $60. Renew online through DOPL Online Services. The Board has been transitioning license categories from annual to biennial renewal cycles, so confirm your specific renewal date and cycle on your online profile.

Continuing Education

Idaho does not require continuing education to renew an esthetician license.

Reinstatement

A lapsed license can be reinstated for a $35 reinstatement fee, subject to Board approval.

Idaho defines esthetics in Idaho Code § 54-5802(14). A licensed Idaho esthetician may perform noninvasive care of the skin, including:

• Skin treatments: Applying cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, creams, and essential oils to cleanse, massage, exfoliate, hydrate, and stimulate the skin
• Make-up and extractions: Make-up application and pore extraction
• Exfoliation: Chemical exfoliants approved for professional esthetic use, and particle exfoliation
• Devices: Use of any FDA Class I medical device designed for skin care (a Class II device may only be used under the direction and supervision of a licensed health care practitioner)
• Hair removal and tinting: Temporary removal of superfluous hair by lotions, creams, waxing, tweezing, depilatories, or other means; and tinting or perming eyebrows and eyelashes

Idaho law explicitly limits estheticians to Class I medical devices for unsupervised skin care work; anything requiring a Class II device must be directed and supervised by a licensed health care practitioner. Verify any practitioner through DOPL’s online license search.