Maine Esthetician License Requirements

Maine licenses estheticians — officially titled “Aesthetician” — through the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR) Barbering and Cosmetology Program. There is no separate licensing board; OPOR administers the program directly.

1. Complete your training. Finish 600 hours of aesthetics instruction (minimum 3 months) at an OPOR-licensed school, or complete a supervised trainee/apprenticeship path of up to 1,000 hours over at least 6 months.
2. Register with Prov, Inc. at provexam.com/register. Your school (or supervising trainee program) is notified electronically once you apply.
3. Pass the NIC written exam ($99), taken remotely or at a Prov testing center.
4. Pass the NIC practical exam ($149), administered remotely through Prov’s live-proctored testing system. Both exams must be passed within 1 year of your first attempt.
5. Submit your license application with the $20 license fee through Maine’s online licensing system once you pass both exams.

Maine requires 600 hours of aesthetics instruction in not less than 3 months at a school licensed by OPOR, under 32 M.R.S. §14228(3). As an alternative, you may train as a trainee/apprentice for up to 1,000 hours distributed over at least 6 months under a qualifying supervisor.

Maine does not currently impose a minimum age or education requirement for aesthetics licensure — those subsections of §14228 were repealed by the Legislature in 2019 (P.L. 2019, c. 373, §32). Applicants with fewer than the required hours may, in some cases, substitute verifiable licensed practice work experience toward the shortfall under Board rule.

Maine contracts with Prov, Inc. (provexam.com) to administer its licensing exams — the NIC National Written Examination and the NIC National Practical Examination. Both must be passed, under 02-041 C.M.R. ch. 21, §1.

Written Exam

$99, may be taken remotely on a PC, Mac, or approved Chromebook, or in person at any Prov testing center.

Practical Exam

$149, taken remotely through Prov’s live-proctored Examroom system — note that iPads and tablets are not supported. Kit and supply requirements are detailed in the Esthetics Practical Candidate Information Bulletin available through Prov.

Time Limit and Retakes

You must pass both the written and practical exams within 1 year of your first sitting, or you must retake both exams. The $99/$149 fees apply equally to first attempts and retakes.

Maine aesthetician licenses renew annually on October 31. The renewal fee is $20, paid through the online licensing portal using your license number and the access code emailed with your renewal reminder.

No Continuing Education Required

Maine does not require continuing education hours to renew an aesthetician license.

Late Renewal

Renewing after the expiration date adds a $50 late fee. More than 90 days after expiration, you must submit a brand-new application along with the $50 late fee plus a $25 penalty fee. A license lapsed 4 years or longer requires retaking the licensing exam in addition to paying the required fees.

How to Renew

Renew online through Maine’s professional licensing portal. Reminder emails go out at least 30 days before expiration — keeping your email address current with OPOR is your responsibility, and it must be updated within 10 days of any change under 10 M.R.S. §8003-G.

Maine defines the scope of practice for aesthetics in 32 M.R.S. §14202(7). A licensed Maine aesthetician may, for hire or compensation, perform one or a combination of:

• Skin care services: Beautifying, massaging, cleansing, stimulating, toning, or exercising the skin of the human body using cosmetic preparations, tonics, lotions, creams, antiseptics, or clays, or any electrical or other device for skin care
• Makeup and lashes: Applying makeup or eyelashes to any person
• Eyebrow and eyelash grooming: Trimming or tinting eyebrows and eyelashes

Maine law is explicit that the practice of aesthetics does not include the diagnosis, treatment, or therapy of any dermatological condition. Every practicing aesthetician must hold a current OPOR license; you can verify any license through the online license verification portal, which OPOR provides free of charge in place of paper verifications.