Nebraska Esthetician License Requirements

Nebraska licenses estheticians through the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Consumer Services Licensing. You qualify by completing esthetics training and passing the PSI written exam — Nebraska does not require a hands-on practical exam.

1. Gather your documents. You must be at least 17 years old with proof of citizenship or lawful presence, and provide your high school diploma or GED plus your cosmetology or esthetics school diploma.
2. Complete your training. Finish a 600-hour esthetics program at a licensed Nebraska school of esthetics (or equivalent out-of-state training).
3. Submit your application and fee. File the Cosmetologist and Esthetician License by Examination application with the $95 license fee, paid by check or money order.
4. Register for and pass the PSI exam. After DHHS approves your application, you'll receive an emailed authorization letter with instructions to register with PSI at psiexams.com.

Nebraska requires a minimum of 600 hours of training under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-1062(b), completed at a licensed school of esthetics or cosmetology, either in Nebraska or an equivalent out-of-state program. The training prepares you for esthetics practice as defined by state law — using electrical or mechanical apparatus and cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, chemicals, tonics, lotions, or creams on the skin for personal beauty care.

If you completed fewer than 600 hours in another state, Nebraska will credit documented work experience: each month of full-time practice as a licensed esthetician within the 5 years before your application counts as 100 training hours.

Nebraska requires only a single written NIC examination, administered by PSI — there is no hands-on practical exam for esthetician licensure.

Registration

You must submit a complete license application to DHHS before you can register for the exam. Once your application is accepted, DHHS will email you an authorization letter along with PSI's phone number and website to schedule. The exam is offered at PSI testing sites in Nebraska and nationwide, and must be taken in English.

Results and Retakes

You receive same-day unofficial results at the testing center; PSI sends your official score to DHHS, and the Department notifies you of licensure or denial within 5-10 business days of receiving it. If you don't pass, you can retake the exam using your existing authorization letter, but you must pay the exam fee again each time you test.

Nebraska esthetician licenses run on a 2-year cycle, expiring September 30 of even-numbered years. The renewal fee is $118.

Continuing Education

You must complete 8 hours of continuing education before renewing, with at least 4 of those hours spent learning to perform the skills or services of your profession. Nebraska's free, 50-question, open-book online jurisprudence exam counts for 2 of your 8 CE hours. The Board no longer pre-approves CE programs — you simply need to complete at least 8 qualifying hours before your renewal date.

How to Renew

Renew through the DHHS renewal portal. If your license lapses, reinstatement (available by mail only, no exam required) costs $153 and still requires 8 CE hours completed within the prior 24 months.

Nebraska defines esthetics in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-1026 as the practice, for compensation, of using an electrical or mechanical apparatus or appliance, or applying and using cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, chemicals, tonics, lotions, creams, or other similar products upon the skin for personal beauty care.

Under 172 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 36, the practice of esthetics is limited to the skin or epidermis — services that reach below the epidermis and into the dermis fall outside an esthetician's scope of practice, and the practice of esthetics does not include using injectables or lasers. You do not need a Nebraska license to perform airbrush tanning, apply makeup, pierce earlobes, manicure or pedicure natural nails, braid natural hair, thread hair, or sell cosmetics or beauty products. You can verify any practitioner through DHHS's License Search tool.