Nevada Esthetician License Requirements

Nevada licenses estheticians through the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology. You can qualify through school training, an apprenticeship, or documented out-of-state practice, then pass Pearson VUE’s theory and state law exams.

1. Meet the basic eligibility requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, of good moral character, and have completed the 10th grade or its equivalent.
2. Complete your training. Finish a minimum of 600 hours of theory and practice at a licensed Nevada school of cosmetology, or qualify through at least 1,200 hours as a registered esthetician’s apprentice in a licensed cosmetological establishment, or document at least 4 years of esthetician practice outside Nevada.
3. Submit your application and pay the $15 application fee. The Board must authorize you for testing before you can schedule any exam.
4. Pass the required exams. Schedule your written theory exam (if you don’t hold an active out-of-state license) and the Nevada State Law Test through Pearson VUE. The Board charges a $125 testing fee.
5. Complete your practical exam. Nevada school graduates test at their school; everyone else tests at the Board office once approved.
6. Receive your license. Once you pass all required exams, the Board issues your esthetics license, valid for 2 or 4 years tied to your date of birth.

Nevada requires a minimum of 600 hours of training, covering both theory and practice, at a licensed school of cosmetology, under NRS 644A.330. NAC 644A.634 requires each school’s esthetics curriculum to cover:

• Esthetic theory — a minimum of 10% and maximum of 13% of total training hours, mandatory for all students
• Facials
• Facial machines and devices
• Hair removal
• Makeup and eyelash application
• Management of a cosmetological establishment
• Superficial exfoliation
• Infection control and prevention — a minimum of 3% of total training hours, mandatory for all students
• Nevada cosmetology law and regulations (NRS and NAC chapter 644A) — a minimum of 2% of total training hours, mandatory for all students
• Field trips and modeling — optional, capped at 5% of total training hours; available only after a student completes 10% of their required hours

As alternatives to school, Nevada allows two other paths to examination eligibility: at least 1,200 hours of service as a registered esthetician’s apprentice in a licensed cosmetological establishment where esthetics is practiced, or documented practice as an esthetician for at least 4 years outside Nevada that the Board deems acceptable.

Nevada’s licensing exams are administered by Pearson VUE at testing centers across the state, in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese.

Theory Exam

The written theory exam validates your minimal competency in the esthetics scope of practice and safe, sanitary service delivery. It is required for applicants who do not hold a current, active esthetician license in another state or jurisdiction.

Nevada State Law Test

Every applicant obtaining a first Nevada license — regardless of out-of-state licensure — must pass the Nevada State Law Test, which covers the laws and regulations governing licensed professionals in the state.

Fees and Scheduling

The Board assesses a $125 testing fee and a $95 retest fee. You must receive prior authorization from the Board through your application before scheduling any exam with Pearson VUE.

Practical Exam

If you graduated from a licensed Nevada school of cosmetology, you take your practical exam at your school. If you qualified through an apprenticeship or out-of-state experience, you test at the Board office once your application is approved.

Nevada esthetician licenses are valid for either 2 years ($70) or 4 years ($140), expiring on your date of birth, per the Board’s fee schedule and the fee range set in NRS 644A.520.

Before You Renew

Before submitting a renewal application, you must complete at least 4 hours of instruction in infection control and prevention through a Board-approved professional course or seminar, and pay any outstanding fees, fines, or balances owed to the Board.

How to Renew

Submit your renewal on the Board-prescribed form on or before your renewal date, along with the applicable fee and a current photograph (attached electronically if renewing online). Renew through the online renewal portal.

Late Renewal

Renewing after your expiration date triggers a late penalty for each month or fraction of a month the renewal is overdue. Contact the Board directly for current penalty amounts before your license lapses.

Nevada defines esthetics in NRS 644A.075, and an esthetician in NRS 644A.065 as any person who engages in the practice of esthetics. A licensed Nevada esthetician may:

• Skin care: Beautify, massage, cleanse, or stimulate the skin using cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, or creams, or noninvasive devices that are not esthetic medical devices
• Cosmetics and lash services: Apply cosmetics, eyelash extensions, or eyelashes; tint eyelashes and eyebrows; perm and lighten eyelashes; and lighten hair on the body
• Hair removal: Remove superfluous hair using depilatories, waxing, tweezers, or sugaring
• Esthetic procedures: Perform extraction, hydrotherapy, and exfoliation that does not go below the stratum corneum — including manual exfoliation, microdermabrasion, or dermaplaning — for esthetic purposes only, not to treat a medical, physical, or mental ailment

These services must be performed for esthetic purposes only, not for treating any medical, physical, or mental condition. Nevada’s scope excludes the branches of cosmetology reserved for cosmetologists, advanced estheticians, hair designers, and other licensees. You can verify any license through the Board’s Licensee Lookup tool.