How do I become a licensed Esthetician?

Typically: complete the required pre-license education, pass a criminal background check, register with the exam vendor, pass the state exam, and pay the license fee. Exact requirements vary by state — see the table below for your state.

How hard is the Esthetician exam?

First-attempt pass rates vary by state (where published). The exam usually has a national portion and a state-specific portion, both of which you must pass. Study time and practice volume are the strongest predictors of passing.

Can my license transfer to another state?

Reciprocity varies by occupation and state. Some states honor licenses from listed states; others require additional exams or education. Check the reciprocity note for your state or contact both state boards.

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Esthetician — License Requirements by State

Performs skin care treatments, facials and waxing. State board license.

51 of 51 states populated with official data (retrieved 2026-08-20).

State requirements lookup Study plan generator Pass rate index Prep budget

State	Education	Exam	Pass %	Fees	Retake	Reciprocity	Official
AL	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Alabama Board of Cosmetology — Esthetician ↗
AK	—	—	—	—	—	—	Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers — Esthetician ↗
AZ	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Arizona State Board of Cosmetology — Esthetics ↗
AR	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Arkansas State Board of Cosmetology — Esthetician ↗
CA	600 hrs	· $75	—	· Lic $40	—	—	California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — Esthetician ↗
CO	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure — Esthetician ↗
CT	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Connecticut Department of Public Health — Esthetician ↗
DE	—	—	—	—	—	—	Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering — Esthetician ↗
DC	—	—	—	—	—	—	DC Board of Cosmetology — Esthetician ↗
FL	260 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation — Facial Specialist ↗
GA	1000 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Georgia State Board of Cosmetology — Esthetician ↗
HI	—	—	—	—	—	—	Hawaii Board of Cosmetology — Esthetician ↗
ID	—	—	—	—	—	—	Idaho Board of Occupational Licenses — Esthetician ↗
IL	750 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Esthetician ↗
IN	700 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners — Esthetician ↗
IA	—	—	—	—	—	—	Iowa Board of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences — Esthetician ↗
KS	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
KY	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
LA	—	—	—	—	—	—	Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology — Esthetician ↗
ME	—	—	—	—	—	—	Maine Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — Esthetician ↗
MD	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Maryland Board of Cosmetology — Esthetician ↗
MA	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering — Esthetician ↗
MI	400 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing — Esthetician ↗
MN	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Minnesota Board of Barber and Cosmetologist Examiners — Esthetician ↗
MS	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology — Esthetician ↗
MO	750 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners — Esthetician ↗
MT	—	—	—	—	—	—	Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — Esthetician ↗
NE	—	—	—	—	—	—	Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services — Esthetician ↗
NV	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Nevada State Board of Cosmetology — Esthetician ↗
NH	—	—	—	—	—	—	New Hampshire Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — Esthetician ↗
NJ	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling — Esthetician ↗
NM	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — Esthetician ↗
NY	600 hrs	· $15	—	App $40 · Lic $40	—	—	New York State Board of Cosmetology — Esthetics ↗
NC	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners — Esthetician ↗
ND	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
OH	—	—	—	—	—	—	Ohio State Cosmetology Board — Esthetician ↗
OK	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	—
OR	—	—	—	—	—	—	Oregon Board of Cosmetology — Esthetician ↗
PA	300 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology — Esthetician ↗
RI	—	—	—	—	—	—	Rhode Island Board of Hairdressers, Cosmetology and Barbering — Esthetician ↗
SC	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	South Carolina Board of Cosmetology — Esthetician ↗
SD	—	—	—	—	—	—	South Dakota Cosmetology Commission — Esthetician ↗
TN	750 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners — Esthetician ↗
TX	750 hrs	—	—	App $50	—	—	Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) ↗
UT	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Utah Division of Professional Licensing — Esthetician ↗
VT	—	—	—	—	—	—	Vermont Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — Esthetician ↗
VA	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology — Esthetician ↗
WA	—	—	—	—	—	—	Washington State Department of Licensing — Esthetician ↗
WV	—	—	—	—	—	—	West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — Esthetician ↗
WI	—	—	—	—	—	—	Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Esthetician ↗
WY	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Data retrieved 2026-08-20 from state boards, PSI, Pearson VUE and CMS. Requirements change — verify with your state board before enrolling or paying. Dash (—) = not published / pending verification.

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