Michigan Esthetician License Requirements

Michigan licenses estheticians through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing. You can qualify by completing school or apprenticeship training and passing the PSI exam, or by transferring an equivalent out-of-state license through reciprocity.

1. Meet the baseline requirements. Be at least 17 years old, have an education equivalent to the ninth grade, and be of good moral character.
2. Complete your training. Finish at least 750 hours of training (400 hours applied only to those who began training before July 1, 2024) at a licensed school of cosmetology, or complete at least 6 months as an apprentice in a licensed cosmetology establishment that renders skin care services.
3. Register for and pass the PSI exam. After the Board approves you to test, apply through PSI Online at test-takers.psiexams.com/micos or call 855-579-4635. You must pass both the theory and practical exam within 1 year of each other.
4. Submit your application. Apply online through MiPLUS and pay the $63 application and 2-year license fee by credit or debit card. This fee covers both licensure by exam and licensure by reciprocity.

Michigan requires at least 750 hours of training under MCL 339.1210(1)(d), for anyone who began training on or after July 1, 2024 — up from the previous 400-hour standard, which still applies to individuals who started training before that date. Training must be completed either:

• At a licensed school of cosmetology, including a minimum number of practical applications set by administrative rule; or
• As an apprentice for not less than 6 months in a licensed cosmetology establishment where skin care services are rendered.

For applicants pursuing licensure by reciprocity or with foreign training, Michigan will credit 100 hours of training for every 6 months of documented work experience in place of formal classroom hours.

Michigan uses PSI Services to administer both the theory and practical esthetician exams.

Registration

You must first be approved to test by LARA. Once approved, submit your PSI application — allow about 2 weeks for first-time processing — then sign in to your account at test-takers.psiexams.com/micos to schedule. You can also schedule by phone at 855-579-4635, Monday–Friday 6:30 am–9:00 pm or weekends 8:00 am–4:30 pm Central Time, using a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card.

Passing and Retakes

You must pass both the theory and practical exam within 1 year of each other, and a passing score is valid for 1 year from the date earned. Use the MANAGE tab in your PSI account to schedule a retake of either section.

Michigan esthetician licenses run on a 2-year renewal cycle. The renewal fee is $48, and Michigan does not require continuing education for esthetician renewal.

How to Renew

Renew online through MiPLUS no sooner than 90 days before your license expires. You will be sent renewal reminders to your mailing and email address on file approximately 90 days prior to expiration, but it remains your responsibility to renew on time even if you do not receive a notice. Complete the renewal attestation certifying that your application information is true and accurate, then pay the $48 fee by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover.

Grace Period and Relicensure

There is a 60-day grace period after expiration during which you can still renew online, but a $20 late fee applies. If your license has lapsed for more than 3 years, you must either pass the required exams again within the year before applying for relicensure, or show that you held an active, good-standing esthetician license in another state within the preceding 3 years. The relicensure application fee is $83.

Michigan defines the esthetician scope of practice in MCL 339.1210(2). Subject to the limitation that services must not go beyond the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of skin), a licensed Michigan esthetician or cosmetologist may perform:

• Skin beautifying and stimulating treatments: Using cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, or creams, including body wrapping; and cleansing or stimulating the skin by hand, device, apparatus, or noninvasive light
• Hair removal: Temporary removal of body hair using hands-only techniques combined with depilatories, waxes, razors, scissors, clippers, thread, or tweezers
• Facials and makeup application: Facials, removable makeup, eyelashes, or other beauty enhancements — not including permanent makeup or tanning equipment other than spray tan
• Exfoliation: Removing only dead skin cells, including dermaplaning or microdermabrasion, using a product, chemical, mechanical device, electrical service, or Class 1 medical device
• Advanced services: Nonmedical grade hydrodermabrasion (with documented training if licensed before the rule took effect), nonmedical grade chemical peels, high-frequency treatment (5+ megahertz), facial cupping, and eyebrow and eyelash services including lamination, extensions, and tinting that lasts no more than 6 weeks

Estheticians who perform skin care services must comply with Michigan's medical waste disposal rules under the Public Health Code, and any light therapy service must use only FDA-approved, noninvasive light that does not penetrate living skin layers. You can verify any practitioner through LARA's license search tool.