Missouri Esthetician License Requirements

Missouri licenses estheticians (Class E) through the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. You qualify by completing esthetics training and passing both a written and practical exam administered by Prov, Inc.

1. Meet the baseline requirements. Be at least 17 years old and have completed the 10th grade or its equivalent.
2. Complete your training. Finish at least 750 hours at a licensed Missouri cosmetology or esthetics school, or complete 1,500 hours of apprenticeship training under a licensed supervisor.
3. Register with the Board and Prov. Submit your application to the Board for review; once approved, register with Prov at provexam.com/register to schedule your exams.
4. Pass both exams. Take the written exam ($90) and the hands-on practical exam ($60) at a Prov testing site.
5. Pay your license fee. Submit the $25 license issuance fee to the Board through the MOPRO system to receive your esthetician license.

Missouri requires at least 750 hours of esthetics training at a licensed school under RSMo § 329.040.3(5). Students must complete a minimum of 75 hours of classroom instruction before performing esthetics services on any patron or customer.

As an alternative, you may complete 1,500 hours of apprenticeship training under a licensed supervisor, structured under 20 CSR 2085-12.050 as follows:

• Facials, cleansing, toner, massaging: 240 hours
• Makeup application, all phases: 200 hours
• Hair removal: 60 hours
• Body treatments, aroma therapy, wraps: 240 hours
• Reflexology: 70 hours
• Cosmetic sciences, structure, condition, disorder: 170 hours
• Cosmetic chemistry, products and ingredients: 150 hours
• Establishment management and salesmanship: 110 hours
• Sanitation, sterilization, and safety: 90 hours
• State law: 20 hours
• Misc. lectures and test review: 150 hours

Apprentices must be at least 17 years old to enroll under a licensed apprentice supervisor.

Missouri requires both a written theory exam and a hands-on practical exam, administered statewide by Prov, Inc. on behalf of the Board.

Registration

You must first submit your application to the Board, which reviews your training and experience before approving you for testing. Once approved, register with Prov at provexam.com/register or by calling (877) 228-3926, 7:00 am–11:00 pm Central Time, Monday through Friday.

Exam Content and Fees

The written exam costs $90 and is delivered by computer at one of Prov's Missouri testing centers. Unofficial results are available at the testing center; official results follow within 3 business days. The practical exam costs $60 and includes client preparation, a basic facial, eyebrow hair removal using simulated soft wax and tweezing, facial makeup application, and a blood exposure procedure — official results are emailed within 3 business days.

Retakes

Failed exams can be retaken as often as necessary with no mandatory waiting period; you can schedule the next available testing date. The exam fee applies each time you test, whether it's your first attempt or a retake.

Missouri esthetician licenses run on a 2-year cycle, expiring September 30 of odd-numbered years. The renewal fee is $30, and Missouri does not require continuing education for practitioner license renewal — the Board's CE requirement applies only to instructor licensees.

How to Renew

Renew online through the MOPRO system, or submit a paper renewal application by mail. Register your MOPRO account for faster processing (3–5 business days from submission). Practicing on an expired license is a violation of Missouri law and can result in disciplinary action, so renew before your expiration date.

Missouri defines the esthetician scope of practice in RSMo § 329.010(5)(d) as "Class E — estheticians." A licensed Missouri esthetician may, for compensation, use mechanical or electrical apparatuses or appliances, or cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, or creams not exceeding ten percent phenol, to perform any one or combination of the following:

• Skin and body treatments: Massaging, cleansing, stimulating, manipulating, exercising, beautifying, or similar work on the scalp, face, neck, ears, arms, hands, bust, torso, legs, or feet
• Hair removal: Removing superfluous hair by means other than an electric needle
• Eyebrow and eyelash services: Arching or tinting eyebrows, and tinting eyelashes

Missouri law limits esthetician services to the superficial layer of skin known as the epidermis. Estheticians must work from a licensed cosmetology establishment, and you can verify any practitioner through the Board's Licensee Search tool.