Rhode Island Esthetician License Requirements

Rhode Island licenses estheticians through the Department of Health's Board of Barbering and Hairdressing. You must complete 600 hours of esthetics training, pass a PSI written and practical exam, and apply for your license.

1. Complete 600 hours of esthetics training. Attend an approved school of hairdressing/cosmetic therapy for at least four months, or hold a diploma from a recognized skin care school that required at least 600 hours to graduate.
2. Register for the PSI exam. Contact PSI at psiexams.com or (800) 733-9267 to schedule the NIC-based Esthetician Theory written exam and the practical exam.
3. Pass both exams. You need a minimum score of 70% on both the written and practical portions.
4. Submit your license application. Apply through the Department of Health with the $25 application fee.

Rhode Island requires 600 hours of continuous study and practice in esthetics over a period of at least four months at an approved school of hairdressing/cosmetic therapy, under 216-RICR-40-05-4 § 4.4.3(C). You can also qualify by holding a diploma or certificate from a skin care school recognized by the state or nation where it's located, provided that school also required at least 600 hours to graduate.

Training From Another State or Country

If you trained in another state where requirements aren't equivalent to Rhode Island's, the Department may grant instructional credit of 40 hours for each 3-month period you were licensed and actively practicing, up to a maximum of 200 hours. Applicants trained in another country with non-equivalent requirements may be granted up to 1,000 hours of instructional credit for a combination of foreign training and at least 2.5 years (30 months) of active practice.

Rhode Island has used PSI to administer its written cosmetology-profession exams, including the Esthetician Theory exam, since November 1, 2015. The exam is based on the National Interstate Council (NIC) of State Boards of Hairdressing exam.

Registration

Register directly with PSI at psiexams.com or by phone at (800) 733-9267. The exam is also offered online in Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese.

Passing Score and Retakes

Both the written and practical exams require a minimum passing score of 70%. If you fail, you're entitled to re-examination upon paying the required re-exam fee ($25) to the examination service.

Rhode Island esthetician licenses expire on September 30 of every other year (determined on an odd-even year basis from your original issuance date), making this a two-year renewal cycle. The renewal fee is $25.

Continuing Education

Rhode Island does not require continuing education hours to renew an esthetician license.

How to Renew

Renewal notices are mailed 60 days before your expiration date. Renew online through the Rhode Island licensing portal by September 30 of your renewal year. If you miss the deadline, you can still renew by paying the current renewal fee plus a reinstatement fee of $25 for each renewal cycle lapsed, up to a maximum of $100.

Rhode Island defines "esthetics" in 216-RICR-40-05-4 § 4.3(A)(8). A licensed Rhode Island esthetician may, for compensation:

• Skin cleansing and beautification: Clean, stimulate, manipulate, and beautify the skin
• Skin condition treatment: Treat skin problems including dehydration, temporary capillary dilation, excessive oiliness, and clogged pores

Rhode Island law defines "esthetician" as a person who engages in the practice of esthetics and is licensed as such, and an "esthetician shop" as a shop licensed to perform esthetics on the public. You must work in a licensed shop, and both your individual license and the shop's license are subject to Department of Health regulation under R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-10. You can verify any license through the Rhode Island license verification tool.